The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-24
Suicide OF John Daly.-Largo Recovery Of
Stolen Property.-His List Dying Words.

Suicide OF John Daly.-Large Recovery Of
Stolen Property.-His List Dying Words.
The suicide of this man, charged with stealing
the valise Of Mr.. McKie at Albany, containing
SIC, 900, 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
cessfn 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 short detail of this mans former Often
ces, in which it was stated that ex-oiiicer Blaney
OF Philadelphia was the first person who recognized
Daily as an OLD 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
thorites 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 sub
mitted 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 thai
reflects little credit upon their justice or common
sense. The information that he had given here
was then placed in pos: ession of officers Reyea,
Kellinger and Hays to investigate, and with then
usual zeal and industry they traced and succeeded
in recovering valuable aces,sks, satns, jewellery,
&c, worth full S., 900, which are now in the posses
sen 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
Dalys 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 oul
! for Mr.. McKie, and followed him to the City
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 a deliberate manner, and
rolling the coat around it, walked out doors witt
| 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 conduc
which caused him to destroy himself The follow
ing letter. sent to one of the magistrates of our cit,
on this subject, will better illustrate his feelings
and position
ALBANY JAIL, Tuesday, June Is, 1874.
Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock soon after my arriva
in this city myself and wife taken to the CouT
house and called on to plead to an Indictment fouDe
against both of us by the Grand Jury, pleaded no
torney sent to saying would be expensive
Albany county to send to the City of N York to Hartford
Guilty he would free my wife and write to the Distric
Attorney of the City of New York. take his view of tn.
the Goa s and dad obtained MS ance they ais.
my vile to work my feelings Believing itwouic
ends of Justice consented may have done wrong I,
myself but am single minded trusting man, and shal
confidence look to the authorities of the City Of New
York to fulfill with Thomas Warner, Esqr. my council
w; not believe Honorable Sir that the master spirits
of the Greatest City in these United States will first pro
knowing was for the public good) and then leav
sink and abandon weak trusting man.
Allow me to place this affair in another light Chat
doing public good) how the personsRnurd, withon
to have their property restored" some Of them ar
thousands of miles away, will they give their time AM
pay the expenses Of double journey that will TAX
months to accomplish. You cannot divide assert an
siv tn oach thpir 0Uu knOy
Were a callous heartless, revengeful being it woul
be of 10 consequence to me who got the
great public good is aimed at at all desired then coul
the authorities through without any expence to tn
persons bereaved. select divide and faithfully give
The authorities (at their own convenient and prope
time) to the rightful owners sucn property
honestly belongs them and the Individuals the people
the State Of New York. indeed all that may hear Of it,
time to must ever praise and applaud the skill
judgement and true patriotism of the New York Cit
, | authorities.
You kind and respected Sir will the style Of
letter it is sudden unstuded but hope il carries the In
mortal the never diving face and features of truth alop
with it," and monomaniac may eppear, am creatur
oil feeling and gratitude.
/ am with great respect
| Your 0bedient servant,
} JOHN DAILY.
After having been induced by the authorities
I Albany to enter plea of guilty, he was arraigne
and sentenced to the State Prison for five years
grand larceny In addition to this he informed a pc
, son who called to see him few minutes afterwards
that he presumed that his wife would also receiv
! punishment, whom he alleged was entirely inn'
cent of any knowledge of his crimes. The sci
tence, and the presumption that his wife woul
share his fate, prompted him to commit sell. de
truction. The only paper found in his cell was
small piece OF the top Of letter, which was stall
ed with his blood and contained the words
20 most merciful God forgive me
"A poor Distressed
Miserable sinner
I For thy dear sons sake
, Jesus Christ