The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-05-21
In CARSON'S FAVOR.
New Evidence Brought Out
at the Inquest on His
Wife'S Death.
HERRIGAN ATTACKED HER.
A Witness Found Who Was
Present Immediately Be-
fore the Murder.

Coroner Parslow and a jury held an
inquest at Roche's Hall last night into the
death of Bridget Carson, killed In a
drunken brawl at No. 161 Steuben street
on Thursday, May a.
The only new facts elected were in the
testimony Of Policeman Dawson and
Mary Anderson, who were the last two
witnesses called. although their testimony
is given first.
The discovery of Mary Anderson, whose
knowledge of the affair was kept very
much to herself, was due TO the
clever work OF Superintendent Smith,
who had the house and surroundings of
the murder thoroughly searched even
before the dead woman's body was taken
away. The facts seem to make it less
certain that Carson killed his wife.
1t was impossible to finish the inquest
fn one night so it was adjourned until
Tuesday next
cARsoN's STORY SECOND HAND.
Policeman Dawson testified as follows:
-"On Saturday morning, May 10, CAR
son, while in his cell. before his examina-
tion, told me be was lying down when
his wife. He did not pay much atten-
tion as he thought It was nothing serious.
Kerrigan and Mrs. Carson had some very
high words and Kerrigan seized the
pitcher and struck Mrs. Carson on the
right side Of the head. The pitcher broke
and part remained Ia Kerrigan's hand,
and when Carson interfered he was
struck by Kerrigan on the head with this
piece. Carson said he was always afraid
OF Kerrigan, who quarreled with him
whenever he came to his house"
Mary Anderson. OF No. l6l Sreuben
street, was the next witness.
''Mrs. Carson and Mrs. kerriQan were
quarreling in Mrs Carson's rooms
on the day of the murder" said she, "and
KerriQan said to Mrs. Carson, shut up.
Mrs. Carson turned to Mrs. Kerrigan aud
said, DO you sit there and hear your
husband talx that way to me and never
say wordr At this Kerrigan crossed
the room to where Mrs. Carson was and
struck her in the mouth left the room,
and when / returned Kerrigan, Carson
and Mrs. Carson were In a heap on the
floor, Mrs. Carson underneath. ran out
into the hall. and when ! went back 1
saw Mrs. Carson hit Kerrfgan on the
back OF the head with brpomstick. /
again ran out and when / returned Ker-
rigan was holding Carson down on the
floor aud Mrs. Carson was lying on the
floor with her throat cut. didn't see
any weapon. / saw the pitcher lying on
the floor In pieces the last time went In.
! did not see any one strike the fatal
blow. | did not see any one take the
pitcher do not think Carson had time
20 get the pitcher Detwesn my second and
third visits 10 the room"
CONTRADICTIONS,
The testimony of the other witnesses
was mere repetition OF what mas been al
ready published in The JERSEY CITY
NEWS. Superintendent Smith, being
sworn, said that Immediately after the
murder, when Carson and Mrs. kerrigan
were In custody, he examined them.
Carson said Kerrigan cut his wife's
throat, but he did not know with what.
Mrs. Kerrigan said that Carson and
Kerrigan were fighting, and that when
Mrs. Carson went to separate them Car
son pulled out knife and cut her throat.
She was confronted with Carson and
said:-"You cut your wife's throat; you
know you did iG.n Carson only laughed.
Policeman Kelly was the next witness,
he testified that he found Carson on the
street covered with blood and he said:-
s,My wifes throat Is cut. kerri0an did
it," Kelly went to the room. and though
the woman was unconscious when he
entered she recovered and made as II TO
speak. he said:-"Who cut yon" She
answered:-"My husband" Kelly did
not think Carson heard Mrs. Carson's
answer.
He also said be did NOT think the
wound had been inflicted long when he
arrived, as there was not much blood on
the floor. Mrs. Carson lapsed into uncon-
sciousuess after she answered kelly's
question. Kelly exhibited the pieces Of the
pitcher he found lying in the room. They
were jagged-edged aud blood stained.
MINDED HER OWN BUSINESS.
Mary Welch, who had apartments be-
hind Mrs. Carson's room, testified next
that although she was in her rooms all
day che heard nothing unusual and knew
nothing of the murder. because. as she
sajd:-
II always mind my own business"
Captain Farrier was next called and
testified substantially as Superintendent
Smith, Mrs johnson and Mrs. Green,
who lived In the same house as the muir
dered woman, testified that they heard
Kelly ask Mrs. Carson. who cut you ~
and her answer, MY husband" This was
all any OF them knew of the murder itself.
Mrs. johnson also said that when she saw
KerrIqan he had blood on his right hand,
which be received while trying TO push
Carson back into the hallway, after the
murder, when he said he was going to the
police station.
Detective Mcbride testified to being at
the house and examining the people in the
house and finding what Mrs. Green and
Mrs, johnson aud the other tenants knew.
Detectives Dalton and Pearson testified
as to the efforts to capture Kerrigan, and
Detective Pearson said he heard Carson's
conversation with Policeman Dawson.
At ten O'Clock Coroner Parslow an
uounced an adjournment until Tuesday
night next, when Mrs. kerrigan and Car
son will be examined.