The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-24

Suicide OF John Daly.-Large Recovery OF
Stolen PrOperty.-His List Dying Words.
The suicide OF this man, charged with stealing
the vallse OF Mr.. McKie at Albany, containing
$4,000, was published in our columns yesterday
morning. 1t will be remembered that he made a
similar attempt the day after he was arrested, in
this city, where the property was recovered, and as
the circumstances attending his second and sue
cessfu effort are OF interest, we have taken some
pains to elicit them AT the time of his arrest, we
published the only full account of the peculiar cir
cumstances under which 1t was made, but further
particulars have since been communicated to US,
that will cause much excitement when we present
them, in full, to eur readers. This will be done in
few days. In our Saturday mornings edition,
we gave a short detail of this mans former often
ces, in which it stated that ex-oificer Blaney
OF Philadelphia was the first person who recognized
Daily as an olo offender. We have since learned
that when DAILY was brought to the police office
in this city, officer Gilbert F. Hays informed
Justice Matsell who he was and also gave
his real name. On being thus discovered, DAILY
made full confession to the Mayor, District At
torney, Justice Matsell and police clerk, Osborn,
In which he communicated the whereabouts of a
large quantity of valuable property that he had sto-
len at different periods On consultation, these au,
thorities concluded that the ends of justice would
be better served by causing him to be tried in this
city, when his important disclosures could be SUBJ
mted to the Judges of the Court of Sessions, in
order to commute his punishment While this
was pending, the authorities at Albany succeeded
in taking him to that city for trial, in manner that
reflects little credit upon their justice or common
sense. The information that he had given here
was then placed in poss ession of officers Relyea
Kellinger and Hays to investigate and with their
usual zeal and industry, they traced and succeeded
in recovering valuable ces,sks, satins, jewellery
&C., worth full S., 900, which are now in the posses
sion of the authorities of this city, to be returned
to the owners who reside in Pittsburgh 1t is there
fore fully evident that if Daily had been left in this
| city for trial, much other valuable information
could have been obtained of benefit to the commu
| nifty.
DAILY stated while here, that his discovery of the
money in possession of Mr. McKie, was by mere
accident. While standing on board the steamboat
he heard him ask the captain to take possession of
the email valise, stating at the same time that il
contained something very valuable. This opened
Days eyes, and believing that it must be money, he
kept watch of the owner. In the morning, when
the boat arrived at Albany, he was on the look ou
/
Hotel, and saw him place his valise in the bar.
Finding that he could not cover it up under his
coat, he stopped at clothing store at the corner
below and purchased sack coat which he placed
on his arm, and thus entered the hotel He then
took the valise down in deliberate manner, and
| rolling the coat around it, walked out doors will
his booty.
| From the confession that DAILY had made here
he presumed that the authorities at Albany would
extend some mercy to him, but he was deceived
| and they alone must answer for their conduct
| which caused him to destroy himself The follow.
ing letter, sent to of the magistrates of our cit,
on this subject, will better illustrate his feelings
and position -
ALBANY JAIL, Tuesday, June 49, 1914.
| HONORABLE SIR -
in this city myself and wife was taken to the Court
| house and called to plead Indictment found
guilty and was taken back to jail at noon the District AT
torney sent to me saying would be very expensive
Albany county to send to the City of ~ York to Hartford
Ct to the far west and other places that would plead
Guilty he would free my wife and write to the District
Attorney of the City Of New York, take his view of thu
the court and 6aa obtained his they also
my vile to work my feelings Believing itwouc
be ooncliaory and peraps the very best for tn
ends Of Justice consented may have done wrong to
remain while life and being is aowd me still with
confidence look to the authorities Of the City Of New
IhOmas
and to grant me Justice tempered with mercy.
will not believe Honorable Sir that the master spirits
of the Greatest City in these United States, will first pro
mise knowing it was for the public good and then leave
| sink and abandon weak trusting man.
Allow to place this affair in another light chat oil
me- to have their property restored some Of them ar,
thousands Of miles away will they give their time and
pay the expenses Of double journey, that will take
months to accomplish You cannot divide assert and
| give to each their own,-you know them not
Were o caous heartess revengeful being 1t would
| O VI
great public good is aimed at is at all desired then coulc
persons bereaved select divide and faithfully give
| every man his own property
The authorities (at their convenient and proper
tme) return to the rghtfull owners property
honestly belongs them and the Individuals the people
the State Of NeW York. indeed all that may hear Of it, in
all time to come must praise and applaud the skill
the Judgement and true patriotism OF the New York City
| authorities.
letter it is sudden, unsudied but hope it carries the I'm
mortal the dying face and features Of truth along
with it" and monomanac as may eppear, am creature
| OF feeling and gratitude
Your obedient servant,
After having been induced by the authorities al
| Albany to enter plea of guilty, he was arragned
and sentenced to the State Prison for five years
being the full extent of time foI the offence Of
grand larceny. In addition othis he informed per
son who called to see him few minutes afterwards
that he presumed that his wife would also receive
| punishment, whom he alleged was entirely inno-
| cent OF any knowledge OF his crimes. The sen
| tence, and the presumption that his wife would
share his fate, prompted him to commit self.des
truction The only paper found in his cell was a
small piece of the top Of letter, which was stain
ed with his blood and contained the words
o most mercifu God forgive me
| "A poor Distressed
Miserable sinner
For thy dear sons sake
| Jesus Christ
| amen"
| He committed the act with a common case knife
which ii appears he had sharpened on the stones OF
fhe call in nd IN ,La tho