The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-30
NTHE FIRST DEGREE
Tim Murphy Charged With
Murder of Phil Dave.
VERDICT OF coRONER's JURY.
r.,-e Declared TO Have Been Pre-
..edisted-The Prisoner Removed
TO the County Jail.

~
.rse The coroner's jury yesterday
brought in verdict finding that the shoot
ing Of Dave was deliberate and premedi-
tsted.
yesterday. Both men were widely known
among sporting men and in every saloon
~sre knots of loungers discussing the
natter and it was evident that there was
cood deal of feeling against Murphy.
When the inquest was begun at 2 o'clock
,be undertaking rooms of Bonney & Stew
-, we're crowded almost to suffocation and
!, vas necessary to place guards at the
doors to keep back the throng. The press
vss 30 great outside that several windows
IN the undertakers' Office were pushed out
the frames.
Among the witnesses examined were
George A. Gordon, John Z. Becker and
Dr. ]. B. Laughary. The principal wit
ness was George A. Gordon, porter of the
conper Chief saloon, who was present
when the murder was committed. His
story was as follows:
~ went to the Copper Chief saloon about 8
o'cloek Yesterday afternoon and Dave was the
univ nerson in the place. He was behind the
hsr I waited till twenty minutes after clock,
and was thinking OF going out, when Jim Muir
phy came in. He stepped up to the bar and
said to Dave:
a.Giye me drink of whisky and put down
ascent piece.
aDawe put the bottle and glass on the bar and
vas reaching down for some chopped ice, when
Nurphy drew q revolver and placed the weapon
70 within six inches OF Dawes head and fred.
Dave fell backward behind the bar. and Muir
phy poured out some whisky, drank it and
reached for the 50-cent piece. 1t all occurred in
= second, 1t seemed. ran towards Murphy
and said:
What have you donep
aMurphy put the money in his pocket, toyed
with the revolver, and remarked:
.You -, what business is it of yours
then he put the weapon in his pocket and
walked OUT
aIIow long have you known DAVE" asked
Prosecuting Attorney Miller.
"About thirteen years"
"was be quarrelsome msn?
"No: he was just the opposite-fuu OF fun
and big.hearted.'
"Did Murphy ever have quarrel with Dawe?'
Eyes, about seven weeks ago. Murphy was
in the habit of coming around and getting his
drinks for nothing. He always drank cocktails,
and one day he came in and drank five or six of
them Dave got tired mixing the drinks and he
also thought that Jim was riding free horse
pretty hard, SO he said:
"sYou will have to take your whisky straight
after this"
"'To HI with your whisky. I'll boycott your
house, said Jim, and he walked out.
"Aweek ago last night Dave met Murphy in
front OF the saloon aud asked him:
slim, what have you been saying about meT
"'Nothing,' he replied.
"Its d-n lie. 1 have heard from several
persons what you said,' rejoined Dave. Then
the men had some more words and Murphy
walked away and Dave came into the saloon.
Murphy was in the saloon twice on Thurs.
day. The FIRST time he came In he paid for his
whisky, and the second time he shot and killed
Dave"
did Murphy appear to be under the influence
Of liquor" asked Coroner Horton.
n didn't think he was drunk"
The witnesses related the circumstances
Of the arrival of the police and the arrest
Of Murphy. The jurymen were out but a
few minutes when they returned the fol.
lowing verdict:
We. the undersigned Jury, duly subpDnaed
and sworn to inquire into the cause of the
death Of one Philip j. Dave, late of said county,
deceased, do find that the said Philip J. Dave
came to his death on the 2sth day of July. 1892,
at Seattle, King county, Washington, from the
effects of pistol shot fred by one James MUIR
ply. We further find from the evidence that
the said James Murphy fired the said shot from
biz deliberate and premeditated malice.
W. II. CowIE, Foreman,
K. J. LAMoREUx,
J. W. BROWN.
FRED W. sHAFFEB,
r. ". JONES,
ED NOLAN
Shortly after the verdict was rendered q
warrant charging Murphy with murder
was sworn out, and an order from Cor
oner Horton authorizing Sheriff Woolery
TO take charge of the prisoner was served
on Chief of Police Jackson. When Jailoe
Stretch unlocked the door to Murphy's
cell the accused appeared anxious, and
asked what had been done.
They found you guilty of killing him."
was the answer
There was a silence for a minute and
Murphy twitched his mustache and asked |:
wasn't - wasn't there some something
more?"
"rhey said you shot him deliberately and pre-.
nedita,edly."
Murphy yawned and stretched himself
10 his full height-six feet one-and re-
marked
In awful sore 1t amt nice place to sleep.
.nis cell. What are you taking me out for?
"ho wants meS Who's upstars?'
Murphy appeared very nervous.
. Sheriff Woolery wants you. He will take you
"'he county Jail from here"
Another silence ensued.
maj eoroner's jury went. out OF its way to
give me Dig" Murphy said after deliberation.
nm, Gordon says you've been begging drinks
Hom Dave" remarked the taller.
wen, he's a d-n liar. I've always paid for my
whisky"
defdon says you shot DAVE" ventured an
ether person.
We'll, he doesn't know what he's talking
sVouh He wasn't there at ALL"
nm, did you shoot Phir" finally asked an
aVseAla'ance. putting the question bluntly.
NOW don't want 10 say auything-and tho
aIsoner WINGED neryously-until / see my at
trney. Mr.. Lewis"
hiew minutes later Murphy was on his
way 10 the county Jail with Sheriff Wool
~ lie was allowed 10 walk along with
oal handouts, frequently the width of the
s'eeNaik being between the officer and the
PRISONER. The latter knew TOO much TO
IAke break for liberty, for no one knew
.e''ef than he Wooiery's reputation for
'GTe and nnerring aim with pistol.
he police recovered the pistol with
"N'ch Murphy fred the fatal shot. II
cs turned up" yesterday by William
oe' bartender 1t the Fashion saloon. 4
minutes after the shooting Murphy
.epped into the saloon and, handing the
'eVoiver 10 Cole. said:
Aesp this uGti / cali for it, and don't let any
one Gave H.
ne Then bought drink of whisky. and
eu' out. 4 little later Detective Cudi-
ace bad him under arrest.