The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-08

WAHT0N MURDER
James Piekerdon Shoots an
Unarmed Customer in
His Restaurant.
HAYES HAD TROUBLE WITH WAITRESS
His Aged Mother Says He
Was a Good Son and
Had q Big Heart.
HAYES HAD TROUBLE WITH WAITRESS


John Hayes, 81 years old. Of No. 1863
Tenth street. was shot and killed about
four O'clock yesterday afternoon by James
| No 102 Pavonia avenue. Hayes, who
/ was employed in the sand house of the
| Erie Railroad at salary of $50 per
month, had of late been eating his lunch
at Pickerdon's restaurant. Shortly before
four O'clock yesterday afternoon he went
| to the place to get a cup of coffee and a
plate Of crullers
/ Miss Annie Brock, Of No. 238 Railroad
avenue, the waitress employed in the
restaurant proceeded TO fill the order.
Miss Brock got the coffee but learned
that no crullers could be had. This in
Formation she gave Hayes, who, she said,
did not seem pleased. Miss Brock said
that Hayes made several insulting re-
marks to her Miss Brock refused to
wait on Hayes. She told Pickerdon of
Hayes remarks and Pickerdon came out
of the kitchen and ordered Hayes out of
the place
Hayes left the house but returned a
few minutes later He called for a cup of
tea. Miss Lilly Brock, a sister Of the
waitress he is alleged to have insulted.
| took the order.
When Pickerdon heard that Hayes was
again in the place he went over to him
and said
Il refuse to serve disorderly people
here"
Hayes then became very abusive. He
picked up a saltcellar, which he threw
at Pickerdon. Pickerdon rushed behind
the counter and grabbed his revolver, a
| SS-calibre Iva Johnson make. and a big
club. Armed with these weapons Picker
don advanced toward Hayes, who by
this time was on his feet Hayes fearing
an assault. put up his hands to defend
himself. and walked toward Pickerdon.
He had taken but a few steps when
Pickerdon pulled the trigger of the re-
volver which was pointed at Hayes
chest. The bullet went wide of its mark.
The trigger was pulled again and Hayes
dropped TO the floor with a bullet through
his heart. Hayes died Immediately.
The sound of the shooting attracted a
great crowd, which gathered in front of
Pickerdons restaurant. Pickerdon was
unnerved when he realized what he had
done. He shook like leaf, and on the
arrival of Roundslnan Richards and sew
erai other officers, who were attracted
| by the shooting. he nearly collapsed.
Pickerdon was placed under arrest.
! charged with murder.
| AT the time of the shooting the follow
! ing persons were in the restaurant They
| witnessed the affray Misses Annie and
Lille Brock, of No. 2ss Railroad avenue
Philip Smith, of No. 15S Pavonia avenue
and Miss Annie Gray, of Tenth street
They were held as witnesses
Hayes body was Identified by his aged
| M wi q broken.
her sobs She said:-e
John was a good fellow. He never
in proper manner. Every two weeks
/ when he got paid he would come home
| and dump his money into myt lap and
say, Here mother, go get something for
yourself The boy had a heart in him as
| big as a house" After she had kissed her
murdered son Mrs. Hayes was led away.
Pickerdon was arraigned in the First
Criminal Court this morning before Po-
| lice Justice John J. Nevin. Pickerdom
refused to make a statement and he was
held without bail on q charge OF murder
| to await the action of the Grand jury.
| Michael Hayes, the father of the muir
dered man, appeared in headquarters this
| morning under the influence or liquor: He
wanted to see the man who murdered his
son. Sergeant Harrington directed the
man downstairs and into the court room.
Hayes walked up the aisle Shouting
81 want to see the man who murdered
These exclamation caused considerable
excitement in the court room,
| WHO are you" asked Justice Nevin.
'I am the father of the murdered boy,
my sole support" answered Hayes:
That's right, Interrupted Captain
Kelly .sHe was.
Your place is home at your sons side,
Hayes was finally gotten out of the
court room. While he was leaving he
4 only want TO see the man who mur-
dered my son. / have no weapons only
| those God gave me-"
After Hayes was out of the room Pick
erdon was brought out. He trembled He
was very pale. When Justice Nevin spoke
to him. Pickerdon could not talk. his jaw
was locked. He had to be assisted to a
seat.
Mrs. Pickerdon was in the detectives
room. The police asked her to come in to
see her husband. but she would not, Cap
tain Kelly finally secured permission to
take PIcSerdon to the Detectives room,
Iversation after which Plckerdon was
placed In the prisoners pen.
Later 1t was said Pickerdon did not re-
member having fired the shot which kill
ed Hayes.