Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-10-26
KILLED BY A SINGLE BLOW
Alfred Hindman Struck Down
by Marshall Pierce.
LIKE AN UNPROvOKED ASSAULT
William H. Quinn's Story of
the Affair.


A single blow of the fist dealt by
Marshall A. Pierce, alias "Adee" Pierce,
sent Alfred Hindman, cabinetmaker,
to an untimely death, Monday afternoon.
There are several versions of the kill
ing, but careful investigation of the
fracas seems to point to an unprovoked
assault on Hindman by Pierce, who
bears bad reputation.
The assault occurred in front of the
saloon of ex-Councilman Michael j.
Sharkey, at the corner of Front and
Market streets, at almost the same point
where a negro was killed by Samuel
Peo few years ago. Ex-Councilman
William H, Quinn was an eyewitness
to the unfortunate affair and will be the
chief witness for the State. To arepor-
ter last Tuesday Mr.. Quinn detailed the
story of the killing, as follows:
MR.. QUINN's STATEMENT.
at was about 3.45 o'clock when l
entered Sharkey's saloon, yesterday
afternoon, to transact some business
with John t. Mercer, the bartender. l
met this man Pierce in there. He said
he was very dry, and followed this
assertion up by asking me for drink.
| set 'em up to the fellow and then en-
gagged in conversation with several per-
sons in the saloon about the Silver bill.
In few minutes Pierce again asked me
for a drink, and at the same moment
Hindman came out of the lavatory. He
said that if had treated Pierce once he
would not do so again, if he was me.
Hindman then walked out of the saloon
door and stood on the pavement next to
the curb, facing toward the west. His
back was toward the saloon. In few
minutes Pierce walked out and, ap-
preaching Hindman stealthily from
behind, dealt him a terrific blow behind
the left ear with his fist. The man
never knew what struck him.
"He was knocked senseless into the
street, falling on the right side of his
| head. l emerged from the door in time
to see the blow struck which landed
| Htndman into the street. AS soon as
Pierce had committed the assault he
started up Market street. | ran to Hind
man and picked him up. Blood was
oozing from his ear and gaping wound
in the head. l rested his head on nv
knee, and immediately saw that he had
not long to live.
"Oficer Davidson was just sending in
his report at Front and Market streets.
/ commanded him to arrest Pierce and
he obeyed, and took the man in custody.
then sent word for the hospital ambu-.
lance, but the patrol wagon came in the
meantime, and took the man to the city
hall. I have given you the same story
that will detail TO jury under oath,
and / will state positively that the
assault was unprovoked and without
any grounds whatever"
Pierce was seen IN his cell at the city
hall, on Tuesday, and declared that
Hindman struck at him as he passed out
of the saloon, and that he merely
pushed him and he fell on the sidewalk.
He added: II never struck the man at
all, and did not attempt to push him
until he first struck me. Ibid not know
Hindman, and had never seen him be-
fore. The assault was provoked by him
and not by me-"
Hindman was taken to the police sta
ton in dying condition, Tuesday af-
ternoon, and from there he was removed
to the Homeopathic Hospital. Drs.
Rile and Finn attended TO the case, but
saw at-the outset that the mans life was
! in the balance and that it would not be
long until death would relieve his suf-
J fering. Hindman was unconscious from
the moment the blow was struck and
remained so until the end. There is
every evidence that he went to his re-
!, ward ignorant of his slayer and the
! manner in which death overlook him.
. He did not see Pierce when the blow
was struck, and according to Mr.. Quinn's
! statement did not know who struck him.
The doctors who attended Hindman
, trephined his skull and removed frag-
ments of bone sufficient to cover the
palm of the hand. They also discovered
a fracture at the base of the skull and
, found, the tissue of the brain lacerated.
. No earthly power could save the mans
, | life. He died at z o'clock.
! Both Pierce and Hindman had been
, drinking freely before the homicide, but
, were not intoxicated to any appreciable
, extent.
Pierce was arrested few years ago
: for the killing of Frank CaWon in the
| Ninth ward, but was acquitted of the
charge and went free. The circumstances
| of this case were somewhat similar to the
killing of Hindman. Carson was drunk
and Pierce knocked him down. He was
, subject to heart disease and died from
|, his injuries.
: widow, but no children. He lived at
No. 720 Walnut street. His father,
/ James Hlndman, is q watchman at tine
/, works of the jackson s. Sharp Company.
: The jury empaneled by Deputy Coro-
ner Palmer to investigate the death OF
Hindman met yesterday afternoon to
hear the evidence in the case.
| -~