Evening star., 1898-03-19
Thomas ]. Coyle, Substitute Letter
Carrier, the Victim.
CHARLES KUHNERf UNDER ARREST
Statements of Witnesses to the
Alleged Assault.
AN INQUEST ORDERED


post off1ce and the keeper of a cigar and
news store at No. 3O5 Pennsylvania avenue
southeast, died this morning at his home,
NO. 155 l. street southeast. 1t is claimed
that his death resulted from blow inf1ict-
ed py CharleS kuhnert, alias Connor who
Is employed at the Capitol and lives at
NO. 1lO3 New Jersey avenue southeast
kuhnert is under arrest on a charge of
murder.
The trouble between the two men oc-
Cured In James Gearys saloon, at No. 9O2
lst street southeast, and it is alleged was
the result of kuhnert's intoxicated condi-
ton. The blow inflicted in the saloon cut
Coyle's nose nearly its entire length and
inflicted slight bruises on the forehead and
left temple. He staggered when he was
struck, and Kuhnert was put out of the
saloon. Coyle also left the place. and two
hours later was escorted home by his BROTH
er-in-laW, Joseph Hart. The latter left
him short distance from the house,
thinking he would get home without any
trouble. He managed to get in the base
ment door, but as soon as he entered he
fell behind the door unconscious. About
o'clock his wife found him, and DIR. A. E.
Johnson was summoned. The patient did
NOT regain Consciousness, dying about Z
o'clock in the morning.
Mrs. Coyle was at home with her three
Children last night anxiously awaiting the
return of her husband. She expected him
about O'Clock. He had not returned at
that hour, and she put the little ones to
bed. About an hour later she went to the
window and listened, expecting every min
ute to hear his footsteps. Finally she be-
came tired and went to bed Two sleep,ess
hours were passed, and Mrs. Coyie got up.
The clock showed the hour of 12:20, and
she went again to the front window
Discovered by His Wife.
By this time she had become very un-
easy. noise Of some kind had been made
on the lower floor. just before Mrs. Coyle
went to the window, and she went down to
make an Investigation. Then 1t was that
she found her husband, unconscious and
dying.
As already stated. he was on the floor
behind the door. There were blood stains
On his face, and Mrs. Coyle at once sup
posed he had met with foul play. She call
ed to him several times, but he made no
response. Then she found him perfectly
helpless, and the little woman was unable
to get him upstairs and into bed. and found
1t necessary to summon assistance. She
remained at his bedside until the Rev
Father Donohue had performed the last
rites of the church, and death had made
her a widow.
She has three children-Bernard, five
years old; Maggie, four years, and Mary
not yet two years old-all too young to
realize the sadness that has come to them
oOOIl dIteT tuS uedtH OccuII6U, Lne pOlcG
of the fifth precinct were notified This
information was received about $50 o'clock,
and an hour later Sergeant Burgess and
Policeman Frank Hughes found kuhnert
in the Capitol, where he was at work dust
ing room
kuhnert Informed of the Death.
When found, Kuhnert was said to be in
an apparently dazed condition. the result
of too much liquor drinking. The officers
told him that Coyle had died from the
effects of his blow, but he did not seem to
realize the serious position in which he
had been placed. He was taken to the fifth
precinct station and locked up. and orders
were left that no one should be permitted
to gee him.
When Kuhnert had been landed in the
station the police went out to make an in
vestigation of the affair, and get the names
of the witnesses, who will be wanted at the
inquest.
James Geary, the keeper of the drinking
saloon, was seen by Policeman Hughes, and
he detailed the affair as it had happened in
his saloon. 1t was about clock when
Coyle came in the saloon. he said, and he
was standing at the bar talking when Kuh-
merit entered. The latter spoke to the sew
eral men who were in the place, and shook
hands with Coyle.
II owe you SO cents. don't IT, asked
Kuhnert Of Coyle.
That's all right" answered Coyle. "I'n
We'll have time with it,
After short conversation Kuhnert, ad-
dressing Coyle, said:
I'm going down home; are you going
with me?''
do you want me to 90 down to New
Jersey avenue with your said Coyle.
Presently Kuhnert was heard to say:
II don't allow anybody to kid me-
He had hardly finished saying this when
he dealt Coyle a blow which staggered him.
Mr.. Geary and the bystanders took a hand
In the affair and started Kuhnert home.
He left the saloon but instead of going to-
ward home he went north to the railroad
tracks and stopped at the New Jersey
avenue crossing to talk to I. W. Archer.
the gateman.
COyle AccOsts Kuhnert.
Coyle left the saloon soon after Kuhnert.s
departure, and followed him over to the
railroad crossing. He was soon in CONVEX
sation with the gateman. Archer had mo-
tieed something peculiar about kuhnert,
and when Coyle came up he saw that his
nose had been cut.
Turning to Kuhnert, Coyle said:
THAT was a dirty trick in YOU
Kuhnert's response was not understood.
and before the men separated Coyle re-
marked:
.Ill meet you face to face
During the conversation at the crossing
Krhnert admitted he had struck Coyle but
said he meant nothing by 1t. Kuhnert went
home, and Coyle went over to the house OF
his brothers,n-law. Some time after N
o'clock Coyle came over the crosetng with
his brother-in-law. They were going in the
direction of the formers home.
Mrs. Kuhnert told q Star reporter this
morning that she believed her husband was
innocent Of any intent to injure Coyie. she
SAID he had been drinking lately, but hast
nioht. when he returned home about 10
for hc uvn1ko3 ef.e f~hf 3 RS 3. y ,-st 49,