The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-03-31

, Walsh denounced his arrest as an
outrage in statement to THE EVEN
ING STAR this afternoon
Il cannot understand my arrest he
said. Il am absolutely innocent Of
having caused Lackeys death.
Il never struck Lackey, and I defy
any man present during the scuff1e to
prove that / did. My arrest is an out
rage. and as soon as I get out on bail
will clear myself of this infamous
charge.
"Wolfran and | had been scufIiins.
wolfram, who was under the influence
of liquor. had ridiouled the IRISH ! re-
sented H. Wolfram made q pass at fne
and struck back.
says Laceky Had Been Drinking.
AT this time | am positive that
Lackey was ON the sidewalk. In fact,
Lacley had been drinking heavily and
had to be assisted from Zeigler's sa-
loon. where the argument first started
between Wolfram and myself.
Il had no discussion with Lackey,
and. in fact, had not spoken to him
since we left zeigfer's place and reached
the street in front of the Farmers
Hotel
'The statement made to County De-
tective Godfrey by McCollum, who
said that he had seen me aim a blow
at Lackey, is an outrageous lie.y
Lacl1ey fell dead early this morning
after a melee in front of the Fireman's
Hotel on North Cortland street,
Bellevile. The fight was seen by Mrs.
Annie Coelin who owns the hotel. She
screamed and turned in an alarm. She.
also informed the wife and son of the
man who lay dead on the pavement.
Hold Four as witnesses.
An investigation was Immediately
started by the local police. and the fol-
lowing men were taken into custody
and held as material witnesses. to
await an autopsy: J.. II. Wolfram,
superintendent of the Sleet, Brook e.
Steeman Company: james Marshall, a
booSlSeeper Of North Cortland street;
William McCollum, an electrician, OF
North Cortland street. and Dominiclz
A. Walsh, an architectural sculptor, OF
North Cortland street.
Statements made to Godfrey, VINO
was detailed by the county proseca ator
to investigate the case. made it ap
parent that Lackey was struck by
Walsh in the midnight brawl which -
lowed an argument in the hotel Of An
drew Zeigler, in Holmes street, Belle
vile.
In statement to Godfrey, McCoiluut
said that he had seen Walsh aim a
blow at Lackey. Wolfram also testified
that he had seen Walsh swinging his
arms about.
The arrest Of Walsh on the man-
slaughter charge came after McCollum
Wolfram and Marshall had been pa
rolled on their own recognizance.
Autopsy Performed.
An autopsy was held at noon today
by Assistant County Physician Muta.
County Physician Elliott earlier in the
day viewed the body. and gave it us his
opinion that Lackey had apparently
died from natural causes.
Detective Sergeant Godfrey, OF the
county prosecutors Office. was immedi-
ately assigned to the case and started
an investigation.
He states that he learned that blows
had been struck in what appeared TO
be general melee While the row was
in progress Lackey is said to have
walked away from the combatants and
suddenly fell TO the pavement. He was
picked UP by his friends. but he was
dead
After procuring detailed statements
from Wolfram, Marshall and McCoIlum.
Godfrey paroled them to await the re-
suit Of the autopsy.
woman sees Fight.
An important witness in the invesu-
cation will be Mrs. Annie Coelin, who
o..,na,. ~ fI,a ITivo,pau1- TTofa1