Murder at the Bella Union.
We regret to announce the perpetration of this crime, on Friday evening,
at the Bella Union House, on Portsmouth Square. The affair occurred
about 4 o’clock in the morning, after our tri-weekly paper had gone
to press. The name of the deceased was Arthur C.M. Reynolds, of Philadelphia,
a painter by trade, and the person who committed the deed, was Mr. Reuben
Withers, of New York, who has been engaged in mercantile transactions
in this city. The deceased was commonly known by the sobriquet of "bones," from his having performed on those instruments in a negro band. We furnish below a synopsis of the most important part of the testimony taken before Mr. Turk, second Alcalde, yesterday afternoon. An inquest was held on the body of the deceased, in the morning, when the testimony of Dr. Wm. T. Brent was taken as to the cause of death. Dr. B. testified that the deceased came to his death by a blow from a dagger, which had severed the aorta, entering near the collar bone, on the left side of the neck, and penetrating about four inches. The jury rendered a verdict in accordance with that opinion.
Withers is still at large. We forbear at present from making any comments upon the case.
Mr. James Sullivan, one of the proprietors of the Bella Union, testified that he saw the commencement of the affray. Withers went into the back room about 4 o’clock in the morning, where several men were sleeping on the benches and remarked that he was going to clear them out. He woke up one or two and walked them out of the door. He then went to the deceased, roused him up and took him out. He then returned and was followed by the deceased and a friend, Mr. Brady. Withers again took hold of him and said he must go out. Brady asked what right he had to put him out, when Withers replied that it was none of his business, and after some additional words, told him that he must go out also. Brady said he would not. Withers said he would put him out, and Brady defied him. Brady pulled off his coat, and Withers drew a pistol, cocked it and presented it at the breast of B. telling him he must go out; Brady then said he would go, and went; Withers then said his friend must go also; he accordingly ordered him out and upon his refusal presented his pistol at him. Deceased walked up to him several times, and Withers said, "if you don’t go I will kill you;" witness then walked up to Withers and told him he didn’t wish him to kill any one there, putting down his pistol hand at the same time; Withers said he wanted to clear the room; he then swung his pistol round and fired it; deceased then approached and told him he had fired at him once and he might fire again; other people rushed up; there was a scuffle and Withers fired again; he then put up his pistol and walked to the bar with deceased. Witness then left the room and did not return to the room until after the affray; as he was going out heard deceased say "you have drawn your pistol and shot twice tonight, whereupon Withers called him a da---d liar; after the affray, as witness went in he saw Withers standing near the deceased who was leaning against the bar, but in a second afterwards he fell. He soon after died, before a doctor could be summoned. Withers went out, and witness has not seen him since.
Mr. Wm. White testified to pretty much the same facts. While Withers and Reynolds were disputing, the friend of the latter came in, had a scuffle, and Withers was knocked down; the friend of the deceased then struck W. two or three times with a chair, and while he was doing so, W. made several passes at him with a knife. As soon as W. got up, he was seized by deceased from behind, who pinioned his arms. W. struggled to get away, and deceased dragged him toward the counter. When released, Withers walked away, and in a dozen seconds deceased fell down; witness could not say whether he was stabbed or not, as he saw no blow given; deceased got up once or twice, but fell down again, gasping, and expired.
Two other witnesses were examined.
James Brady testified, that after going out he returned again, and saw Withers standing near Reynolds and disputing with him in relation to the firing of the pistol. Witness saw Withers feeling for a knife or pistol, and immediately knocked him down, and afterward struck him twice with a chair, receiving two cuts in the right side, and one in the left leg. He then went to "Our House," washed his wounds, and went to bed.
Several other witnesses were present, but their evidence was not taken. Another inquest is to be held by Judge Colton; the first one not being in the proper form.
Judge Turk has issued a warrant for the arrest of Withers, and offers a reward of $1000 for his apprehension.
To Top of Page