The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-08
HIS SISTER DEAD.
Witnesses Stories Direct
Horrible Suspicion to
John Davey.
DETECTIVES UNRAYELING MYSTERY
Mrs. Pritchard and Miss
Haggerty Give Evidence
Against Him.
DETECTIVES UNRAVELING MYSTERY

Detectives Larkins and Prescott, with
Captain Archibald of the First precinct
police, worked hard. last night, to unravel
what they thought a murder case, and
before one o'clock this morning John
Davey, aged Sc, of No. 1S4 Mercer street,
was arrested, charged with the murder OF
his sister, Bridget who keeps a servants
boarding house, at No. 1874 Mercer street.
Nellie Haggerty, Mary Flood, two serv-
ants, and Mrs. Louise Pritchard, who
lives in the house, are held as witnesses.
Mrs Bridget Davey was found dead on
the kitchen floor, yesterday morning.
There We're marks of violence on her
head and her body was badly bruised and
cut Mrs Flood and Mrs. Gallagher, who
found the body, instead of notifying the
police, called in Undertaken William
Moran, of Montgomery street
He saw that matters were not as they
ought to be, and finding no physicians
certificate to show cause of death, noti-
fed County Physician Converse.
Dr. Converse fastened to the Mercer
street house and on viewing the body
Immediately declared the woman had not
died a natural death, but was the VIC
tim of violence. He then conveyed the
result of his investigation to Captain
Archibald, who detailed Detectives Lar
kins and Prescott to the case. The Off
GERS discovered enough evidence to sub
stantiate DR.. Converse's suspicion.
The tenants in the house declared that
John Dayey had visited his sisters home
the night before and that they heard
sounds of violent struggle in the apart
ments After Davey had left the house
~ cio Of q
above those occupied by Mrs. Davey, is
heavy object was heard fall to the floor
with a thud.
Mrs. Pritchard who lives in the rooms
above those occupied by Mrs. Davay, is
the principal witness. She heard more of
the quarrel than any of the others. As
soon as she heard the fall she hastened
to the floor below and opened the door.
Going into the rooms she found Miss
Davey lying on the floor in semi-con-
scious condition and calling out:-
John Davey, you are brute"
She added that Miss Davey was weak
and her voice could hardly be heard The
woman then called for a glass of water,
which was refused by voice which Mrs.
Pritchard declares was that of John
Davey, who was in a bedroom next to the
kitchen and who added
I'D rather give you dose of poison
The front door was then slammed and
all was quiet inside. She thought Davey
went out by that entrance.
Mrs. Pritchard stayed in the rooms for
some time and left Miss Davey lying on
the floor apparently asleep. Shortly after
Mrs Pritchard went upstairs Nellie Hag-
gerty entered the rooms and was horri-
fed at finding the woman on the floor
She shook Miss Davey, but received no
response. She quickly ran into the home
of John Davey, next door, and ex-
claimed
ssJohn, your sister is lying on the
kitchen floor and you had better come in."
She was surprised when John retorted:-
LET her lie. The devil fly away with
her.
When Davey was arrested he denied
having had anything to do with the death
of his sister He took his arrest very
coolly.
On Monday last Davey and his sisters,
Bridget and Ann Davey, and Mrs. Annie
Falkner. with William Mitchell, nephew,
visited Counsellor Maloney's Office, No.
1856 Broadway, New York, where they each
received $750, legacy left them by an
uncle who recently died in New York. On
their return to this city the brother and
sisters celebrated the event by having a
quantity of refreshments.
1t is thought by the police that a quarrel
ensued over the amounts received.
Acting Justice Mccormack, on advice of
Chief Murphy, paroled the prisoner and
the witnesses pending further. investiga-
tion. DR.. Converse refused to give burial
1n inv 90 fOl n q