Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-06

eide of tr0 PiTates.On Saturday morning the tsrn-
keys and officers in attendance at the city prison
were thrown into great state of excitement, by the
discovery of Of the convicted pirates suspended
In bis cell by strips Of his blanket. jury having
been emPannelled, the following testimony was adj
duced:
James Ceggswell sworn-Is the principal keeper
OF the city prison. Deceased has been in the
prison time, he has been quiet as he could be
under the circumstances as he was bad disposition
person, bat have had no difficulty with him-have
him since his conviction-he complained Of the
witnesses; said some Of them had sworn false said
he was Catholic but did not want TO see any priest
On several occ asons, when | c0nversed with him
since his conviction told him it was over with
him, and that he must prepare himself to dies ne ex-
pressed Indifference about it, but seemed quite
stubborn and morose-gave general orders TO the
keeper TO cut any person down when they find them
hung. This morning, about o'clock, saw him in
the situation he now is; his name was Joseph Yer
Brugger-was Of the prisoners committed by
Judge Belts. Of the United States Court on charge
OF murder and piracy, and who had been tried and
found guilty Of murder but not sentenced he said ne
he was Belgian, born in Antwerp, was thirty
years Of age.
Samuel Baldwin sworn-Is one Of the keepers Of
the prison About quarter past o'clock this morn
ing the engineer told there obstruction In
the pipes which revented him from washing off az
usual L opened cell No. SO, four cells from the
prisoner; there no one In ii. then gave him
bunch Of keys tina. ne might examine d h .% 4.
ceased had hung himseIf-went Immediately TO shc
cell-went in and found him as related by last wit
ness-put my hand ON his breast and found him q
little warm, but his limbs quite stiff. cut the
rope 1T now ID here; lowered him down, and left
hisn in the situation the jury saw him.
Ezra White swcrn-ls prisoner in the next cell.
About 10 O'clock last evening heard noise in the
cell; supposed he was making bench from the
boards of the busk, which is frequently done was
talking TO him through the walls, and told him about
his comrade Hans trial, and that he had been found
not guilty Diseased said he guilty any Of
them, and the boy was the worst Of any OF them
said he had saved the boys life, as the Captain was
about 10 throw him overheard and he prevented HIM
He never said sr limited that he would destroy him.
self
George Bishop sworn--Is the Engineer Of the pri.
son-says he was washing of the pipes, and fosnd a
stoppage; on examination found II was near deceas-
eds cell; unlocked the door and looked in, and saw
him hanging by his blanket, twisted into a rope.
elssed the door and called Mr.. Baldwin, one OF the
keepers. He came, and went in; deceased appeared
quite stiff he asked me IL it was not best to him
down; told him, IL was him, would wait till N
Coggswell came; he replied, il was Mr.. CoggswelPs
orders whenever they found man in that state te
aad Mr.. Baldwin cat him down. The pipe was stop
ped an his cell by mass OF blankets and one thing
or other.
the prson-went int his cell last evening about
O'Clock; gave him some tobacco, 30; sat down or
the bunk alongside Of him, he asked me how the old
man was, if he was much affected; told him he was
and had left him crying He said damn that boy
which a witness against him; said he was as bad
asd had done much az any Of them; asked IL he
wanted any thing-he said no; everything IN his eel
was in perfect order.
John Miller sworn-Is one OF the keepers Of the
prison; al the cell; gave him some pipes and
tobacco last evening abouta quarter before 5ocloek
said nothing particular Ut that time, but had pre-
viously expressed himself as dissatisfied with the
prompfness with which the jury had decided his
case, but said he supposed they had gone according
20 the book (meanng the law). The situation Of
the cell there was in good order
The Jury. after short consultation, found that the
aeoeased committed suicide by hanging himself
The coroner imme diately made report Of the facts
90 Mr. Butler, the chief law officer OF the district
and asked his advice n 60 the disposition OF the
body
Mr.. Butler said he regretted exceedingly that the
Judges had both left town, but that ne had no hests
ton saying that the body Of Yer Bruggen was Tor
feitsd to the state Of New York. and was the proper
~ OF tho coroner.
Acting under this view Of the matter, the coroner
Sntended TO have given up for dissection, but 80
nasy disciples OF Calen and Hin put in their
claim to IT. that the coroner determined TO bury the
body in Poter's Field, from whence az we learn il
was stolen the same night - 4
Scarcely had the hustle consequent on this event
been allayed in the prison. and its in,ates restored
20 their wonted quiet and repose, when another
scene in the Braranra tragedy was enacted within
the walls This nothing less than the suicide M
James DAVIS, who was detained here as vit,ess
against the other three Of the Of that in fated
vessel -
For some mos his past Days has been in sor, os
semi-impris In tho debtors department Of the
city prison la that portion Of the building he occu.
pied part OF cell with debtor named Samuel
Butler. About 7 o'clock at night, Butler was going
into his CELL when he found obstruction in the
lock. Having burst IL open, he was Mortified al III,
sight Of Days lying apparently exhausted, in one
corner Of the CELL and the floor deluged with blood
Medical assistance was immediately summoned,
and ice applied 90 the wounds, but all the efforts o
the surgeons were unavaIing. for he died in very
short time. The coroner having been again sent
for