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Inquest.

--Acting Coroner Richard D. Sanxay, assisted by High Constable Freeman, held an inquest, about 9 o'clock yesterday morning, upon the body of Richard McMullen, a soldier, shot about 2 o'clk yesterday morning, on 2d street, near the Shockoe Hill Cemetery, by Robert Patterson, a resident of that vicinity, while, it is said, deceased was in the act of stealing a goose. The following imperfect narration of the facts connected with the affair furnishes all the information as yet attainable about the murder:

Robert Patterson deposed: This morning, just before 2 o'clock, I heard a great noise, and getting up, saw a man with a goose under his arm; I sung out ‘"shoot him; shoot him;"’ saw a large black dog and a small white one with the man in the garden; saw a man getting over the fence with a goose under his arm; heard a noise like two stones rubbed together, or a pistol cocked; I shot my pistol at the man; it was loaded with a bullet and about a dozen shot; it snapped several times, and then went off; I returned, and asked Mr. J. M. Thomas to go up with me and see if the man was hurt much; we put on our clothes and went up within about ten steps of him; the dog prevented us from getting near him, and we returned; I was about thirty yards from the man when I fired; heard a cry then, but the man ran and got to the place where he fell; he stooped down, and had his body, or face, toward me when I fired; I think the man who is dead is the man I shot.

J. M. Thomas deposed.--Last night about two o'clock I heard a considerable disturbance, and Mr. Patterson cry out, ‘"shoot him, shoot him."’ I came out in the yard and asked Mr. Patterson what was the matter. He said somebody was stealing the geese. Did not see the man till he got out of the yard. Came back to the house, put on my clothes, and went with Mr. Patterson to see if deceased was much hurt. On getting near the spot a large black dog prevented us from getting nearer. When I first saw the man he was twenty or thirty yards beyond the fence. There was but one report of a pistol.----I board with Mr. Patterson.

Alfred Baker deposed: I am twelve years old. I know the man who was shot. His name is Dick McMullen. He was a volunteer in Wise's Mounted Guard--Captain Hawley. I live on 17th street.--My mother keeps an eating-house near John Dwyer's. McMullen came to her house sometimes.

The jury rendered a verdict that deceased came to his death by a pistol fired by Robert Patterson. Patterson was arrested about 1 o'clock by Officers Seal and Perrin, and being carried before the Mayor, was by that functionary committed for examination at 9 o'clock this morning.

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Robert Patterson (8)
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