Year: 1872

Between three and four o'clock last eve
ming, as Mr.. M. d. Lagan was near his
store, at the head of Canal street, he was
met by man who struck him severe blow
in his face, prostrating him. Mr.. Lagan
says he did not recognize the man who
struck him, and urged him to cease. For
an instant he was stunned and did not un-
derstand what was the matter. As soon as
he became conscious he attempted to de-
fend himself, warding off blows as we'll as
he could, but was not able to prevent his
assailant from cutting him twice, once in
his back and once in his face.


The assailant proves to have been Clar-
ence johnson, a produce broker, No. 139
Peters street and No. III Fulton street.
Mr.. Lagan informed the reporter that he
had not seen johnson for six years. when
they had a quarrel which ceased at that
time, and Mr.. Lagan supposed that was an
end of it.


Mr.. Lagan was once a member Of the City
Council, lower board, and took an active
part in the proceeding while he was in Office


Last evening many prominent citizens
visited him in prison, offering him every
assistance in their power.


Coroner Creagh held an inquest last
night, and obtained all the testimony he
could, which we publish below. The jury
was unwilling to render verdict last
night and will meet at noon to-day.


We we're unable to learn any particulars
concerning Mr.. johnson. The body was
identified by several persons at the harbor
police station, but no one claimed it up to a
late hour last night. DIR. Drew held post
mortem examination.


This is the testimony:


Charles Smith-AbOut three O'Clock Tues
day morning, sixteenth instant. was at the
corner of Common street, near the levee,
and saw two men running. one after the
other; when they got near me they tripped
and fell, and began to scuffle: deceased had
the other man down. pounding him in his
face. the man who was under told deceased
two or three times to let him go: they got up
and walked toward st. Charles street; they
had gone only few PAGES when deceased
struck the other man on his head and stag
gered him: deceased then turned, and was
going of, when the other man got on the
banallette, drew knife and said: IN
cut your Cd id throat" lie raised
his hand, in which was knife. and cut the
other man (Lagan) in his cheek: then the
other man drew his revolver and shot de-
ceased; deceased then walked across the
street: two men helped to lay him down;
the other man went around the corner into
a store; the knife was a white handled pen
knife; saw Lagan bleeding from a wound
in his face: do not know either of the par
ties: Lagan, when they were down, merely
said, Let me alone;" l am sure that de-
ceased drew his knife before Lagan drew
his pistol: saw blood on Lagan's face be-
fore he fired: deceased was running after
Lagan.


George w. MansOn-Was standing by
nv desk. corner of Fulton and Common
streets, about halfpast three o'clock Tues
day evening: heard loud talking on Com
mon street. opposite my store: went TO the
door and heard the report of a pistol shot;
saw two persons: one l recognized as the
deceased and the other was afterward in
formed was Mr.. Lagan; Lagan had
pistol in his hand deceased was moving
away with his face toward him;
deceased had knife in his hand, one
blade open: saw that Lagan was bleeding
from wound in his face; l and my ware
houseman laid him on the banquette in
front of my store, where he expired in few
minutes; l recognized the man CLagan) who
had the pistol in his hand as the man " no
was arrested Immediately after the shoot
ing; am certain deceased had an open knife
in his hand; did not see Lagan or any one
else fire the shot; the knife blade was about
throe inches 1onO