A Notable Shooting affair in New York.
--From a New York letter, dated May 23, we copy as follows:
‘
Last evening, about half-past 6 o'clock,
Major John S. Watrous was shot by his partner in business,
Mr. James Carson.
No cause was assigned for the act.
Carson escaped, and had not been found up till a late hour.
From the deposition of the wounded man, it appears that about half-past 6 o'clock
Carson, well known among many of our merchants as a heavy contractor in the mining business, called at the residence of
Major Watrous, No. 89 Prince street, and inquired if he was in.--The servant stated that he would find
Mr. Watrous in the front parlor bedroom, and accordingly
Mr. Carson repaired to the room, where he was welcomed by the
Major.
Corson at the time was somewhat under the influence of liquor, and, on seating himself in the room, told
Major Watrous that he had been drinking considerable during the day. The
Major wanted him to lay down on his bed and take a nap, but this
Corson refused to do. He, however, laid down on the sofa, and
Mr. Watrous, after a short time, believing that
Carson was asleep, left the room to call a servant, whom he wanted to take a package out for him. On returning to his room he was suddenly confronted by
Carson, who, without saying a word, drew a pistol and fired, the contents of the weapon entering his right side between the ninth and tenth ribs.
Carson, as soon as he fired, walked to the door, passed out into the hall to the front door, and went into the street.
He was seen to go up Mercer street by several parties with whom he was acquainted, but as no alarm was given he soon succeeded in making good his escape.
The physicians in attendance entertain no hopes of the recovery of the wounded man. He is a man of about forty years of age, and has two children residing in the
West.
He has resided, more or less, in this city for the last six years, and had heretofore generally made his home at one of the first class up-town hotels.
He is reputed to be very wealthy.
Mr. Carson is also said to be a man of large fortune.
They have been engaged in business together for several years, and no difficulty was ever known to exist between them.
’
The
Herald, of the 24th, gives the following as the probable solution of the mystery.
‘
The Prince street shooting affray created quite a sensation in domestic circles yesterday, and all sorts of rumors were afloat in relation to the probable cause of the difficulty.
The story of
Mayor Waltrons, relative to business losses being the cause of the trouble, is not credited by those who are best acquainted with the parties.
Indeed it is pretty strongly hinted that the affair is nothing more nor less than a second edition of the Sickles tragedy.
The particulars attending the alleged intimacy of
Mrs. Carson and
Major Waltrons have not transpired, but it is presumed the whole thing will be developed in a day or two.
Carson, who, to will be recollected, made his escape at the time of the shooting, has not been arrested, but his friends imagine that he will deliver himself up, and save the police any further trouble.
They all unite in saying that Waltrons was served right; and should the matter ever come up for investigation, they look forward to
Mr. Carson's acquittal.
’
