New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-08
THE DUFFY INQUEST.
NOBODY BLAMED FOR THE PUGILIsTs
DEATH.
,,,,xs,cr.xs Justify THAT HIS HEART WAS
DISEASED - Observation-Disclosures oL''ii
APPEARS IN THE CASE.


DISEASED - pIsrRIcT-ATToRNEY oLcoTT
APPEARS IN THE CASE.
Coronsr Dobbs yesterday held an inquest fouchhs
the death of James Duffy the Boston pugi''s' wiz
vas seized with a hemorrhage Of the BRAIN a, .ne
c,cse of a fight with George Justice at the broaa"s
Athletic Club last Saturday night ana neo ia'e, "
St vncen, Hospital. The jury brought IN 'he i''-
lowing verdict: . <
We ind that James Duffy came to his death rom n,
me RrosaweW Athletic Club $50 Broadway by ex-
element following boxing exhipltion W.. 20 Re
W. yus,Se ana from all blame the said club.
Thomas ORourke. manager; Rlcnard ROCHE i'''''e'
ANY We recemmend that every regularly organized attn,
Ietc cub or Institution be compelled by law 10 nave
hana to es s al P psS
posed games or SPOTS such eSb or Institution
Coroner Dobbs said that far as he was con-
cerned the defendants. O'Rourke. Roche and Jus
iice. could go free. but that they had already oee
placed under bond by Magistrate Flammer 10 appear
before him next Tuesday. This bond SIN noids'
At the Coroncr's hearing yesterday Dlstrict-A'-
torney Olcott and Hal Bell of his newly APP
pointed deputy assistants. appeared for the people
This Mr.. Ocott's first appearance IN case
since his appointment TO succeed the late Coionei
Fellows.
Acting Police Inspector Alaire and Captain Groo
and Sergeant Albertson. Of the Mercer-st. station
Justice fight. captain Allaire said Duffy showed
sign of weakness until after the DECISION was
announced. Captain Groo said he thought Duffy
seemed to be a man of delicate constitution. Ser
geant Albertson thought he was In good condition.
Deputy Coroner Weston who performed an
autopsy on Dufys body testified that he found a
severe hemorrhage of the brain and the heart was
diseased. The hemorrhage. he said he thought was
due TO blow. but it might have been caused
by overexertion DR.. Robert Muellenbach who
examined Duffy at the club thought Duffy S
heart was diseased. 1t two inches out of place,
and he thought the man had been in danger Of
sudden death for more than year. He declared
that DuNys condition could have been determined
by medical examination. DIR. J. ID. II. HodgsOn
agreed with DIR. Muellenbach.
Coroner Tuthll. who Is n physician
ined as an. expert by DistrictAttorney Olcott who
said he was seeking facts TO be laid before the
Legislature. with view to amending the laws
touching boxing exhibitions. The Coroner thought
that the heart became enlarged by athletic train
Ing. He did not believe ii would be possible for a
medical examination 10 show at exactly what point
a heart is so enlarged to become dangerous.
Inc all men who were to spar at the New Manhat-
tan Athletic Club He had examined 300 men in all.
Among them Duffy He found that Duffy
heart was two inches below the normal point.
Duffy was on this account prohibited from appear
ing before the New Manhattan Athletic Club I'm a
boxing contest This eighteen months ago.
Even n ft Of anger or excitement the an
nouncement of the referees decision might have
caused his death DR.. Gibbs said He thought that
both football players and pugiists should undergo
medical examinations.