"Local News in Brief," New York Times, Oct. 16, 1870

JOHN BRICE, a waiter, of No. 56 Cherry-street, was arraigned before Alderman COMAN yesterday, at the Tombs, together with JAMES JOHNSON, a compositor, of No. 161 Hester-street, on a charge of having assaulted WM. BROWN in Oliver-street, near Oak-street, on Friday evening, and of robbing him of a silver watch. Both of the accused denied their guilt, but were fully committed for trial at the Court of General Sessions

 

"Terrible Tragedies: A Murder in the Fourth Ward -- A Woman Thrown Down an Area -- How the Police Worked Up the Case," New York Times, Nov. 23, 1870

Early yesterday morning, as Special Officer HARRIS, of the Fourth Ward, was standing at the corner of James and Water streets, he saw three men and a woman pass by and eventually enter FARRELL'S liquor-store, at the corner of Water and Roosevelt streets. He recognized one of the men as ROBERT CAREY, alias Smiler, a tambourine player in KIT CARROLL'S dance-house, in Water-street. A few minutes after the officer saw the same party emerge from the liquor-store and go down the street. In a few minutes he changed his point of observation and walked down Water-street, and as he passed he noticed the legs of a woman, lying in a reversed position in the area or basement entrance. Whistling for help, he was soon joined by the officers on post, and they removed the body of the woman to the sidewalk, finding life quite extinct and the remains still warm. The deceased was recognized by the officers as NELLIE SURWICK, aged thirty-one, and formerly an inmate of the dance-house kept by a notorious ruffian known as "Bully" DONOHUE. The neck was broken and the skull was fractured in a terrible manner, and at the bottom of the steps was found an earthen ale bottle shattered into fragments.

Subsequent investigation showed that the woman had abandoned her life of shame nearly four years ago, and married GEO. H. SURWICK, a machinist, who resides in Front-street, Brooklyn. He is now absent from home and at work in another part of the country. NELLY came over to new york on Monday evening, and called on KIT BURNS, whom she found preparing for the rat-fight that led to his arrest, and she promised to come the next day and wash for Mrs. BURNS. From that time until her dead body was found in the area, nothing is known of her movements, except that she was seen in Water-street intoxicated. Capt. Allaire immediately sent out Detective BUCKLEY and other officers to look for the three men already spoken of, and as CAREY was well known, Officer BUCKLEY soon had him in the Station-house. The prisoner proved to be a close customer, and like all habitual tramps appeared to know nothing, except that one of his companions was a pilot-boat man, and the Police carefully refrained from alarming him by telling him that the woman was dead, making him believe that she had made a statement. While the Captain was examining CAREY, some of the other officers brought in three men whom they had found fighting in the street. One of the men under arrest informed the Sergeant that EDWARD JACKSON, also arraigned, had met them in the street, and announcing himself as a "pilot-boat hand," insisted he could whip the entire party. As JACKSON was well known as a ruffian who had served in the Penitentiary for a theft committed on a pilot-boat, he was placed in a cell as one of the men who had killed the woman. As soon as JACKSON ascertained the fact, he informed the Police that he and CAREY had met one GEORGE WOODRUFF, and as they were passing through Water-street WOODRUFF picked up NELLY, and taking her to FARRELL'S saloon treated her. Soon after coming out a quarrel arose between the woman and WOODRUFF, who struck her a violent blow in the face and pushed her down the steps, which are very steep and made of stone. A search was next made for WOODRUFF, who was finally arrested in Dutch JOHN'S lager-beer saloon, in Dover street, near Water, at 5 o'clock, and he was identified by Officer HARRIS as one of the three men he saw before the discovery of the body.

The case being reported to Coroner KEENAN, he decided to postpone the inquest until Thursday, in order that the police might make further investigation, and in the meantime a post-mortem examination will be made by Dr. WOOSTER BEACH. It is stated that the prisoner, WOODRUFF, is well-educated, and was at one time designed for the Catholic priesthood. He fell into evil courses, however, while studying in one of the Dublin universities, and has for some time been associated with the worst class of street ruffians in this City. He was grossly intoxicated when taken into custody. On being informed that the woman was dead, WOODRUFF quietly pulled a cigar out of his pocket and remarked that he "guessed he would take a smoke on that," apparently unconcerned and reckless.

 

"Stabbing Affray," New York Times, Nov. 25, 1870

JOHN KELLY, of No. 420 Navy-street, Brooklyn, while intoxicated, yesterday, acted in a disorderly manner in the notorious "Bucket shop," or distillery, of MARK LANIGAN, at No. 67 James-street. The bar-tender, JOSEPH PHILLIPS, attempted to eject KELLY from the premises, when the latter drew a knife and stabbed him in the breast, causing a severe and dangerous wound. KELLY was immediately seized by the inmates and handed over to the Fourth Ward Police, who locked him up for examination before Justice DOWLING. KELLY was formerly a member of the Police Department, being dismissed for misconduct and intemperance.