New-York daily tribune., 1858-09-18
THE QUARANTINE TROUBLES.
THIRD DAY OF THE INVESTIGATION.


The examination Of John G. Thompson and Ray
Tonpkius before Judge Metcalfe, on charge OF ar
son, was resumed yeterday morning at the Tompkfns
Lyceum.
DR.. Bissen, on being called and cross-examnee for
the defence by Judge Dean, deposed as follows; i
saw Ray Tompkins frequently on the grounds during
the burning Of the buildings and had some conver-
sstion with him. he hid moi keep the crowd back at
any time to my knowledge, or attempt to prevent
tel the Rev. DR.. WinslOw that only for Ray
TOnpkins the buildings would all have been
burned / might have said that Mr.. Tompkins
tod me that another female hospital building
would have been burnt the first night only for him;
did not tell DR.. Winsow that concuTed in the opin-
ion, but said as he now says, that Mr.. Tompkins WAS
the most active man on the grounds, and led "the
loops;" Mr.. Tompkins refused to 90 back, although
requested HIM to do so; told him that the fire was
outa the Smallpox Hospital, but the men seid they
vefe nremen, and should come in then told them to
.an her attention somewhere else, the Smallpox
Hospital was safe; i also told them, over and over
agsln, that there was no water there-there moth
mg bui little cistern, and we had about exhausted
NJ iurther stated that there was no hsh-
pond On the ground, but that there was q
wash pond about go rods from the female hospital Mr.
lompkns did nothing to my knowledge except in front
q The men they advanced to their work OF destruc-
aon; put wet blankets and water ON the buildings
tet Mr. Tompkins aud his men rushed on, and the
mook near the smallpox hospital unless II was out
hae the wall: there is stream running through the
gounds about twenty rods from the 81. Nicholas,
scut sixty rods away from the hospitals there was
lumber ofpersons perhars 80 or ~, near the woman
iptal after the other buildings were burned on the
M night, toward morning; | can't say how many
sfn were on the ground on the first night there
ne about 20 steyadores belonging to the
krution lodging there. and there were eight men
Spoyees under my orders; had been provided with
Gearms months previous; they got rusty and
sOuldnt 60 very WELL there had been patients in
he Smallpox Hospital for about three months; the
ec,king and washing was done there; there are but
wo gates north and south To the brick wall proper
here private persons Mr. Fairbanks family
Who haue privilege to go in and out Of the north
rate: they have kept boarding-house and think
aeir boarders went in and out with them, they hay-
ng a key; the old gentleman died few days ago; he
va about 100 years old and said he had always en-
loved that privilege and had been there since he was
born; permitted the family TO have this privilege;
ssyedores could 60 in out of course If they could
open the gate; Mr. Stuarts family also had key to
tie gate all the Marine Hospital employees had
passes from me, and from Dr. Walser IN my absence;
here no permanent passes issued until the pres
e.t tane to enable them 10 pass the military have
n infected articles burned in scow in front OF the
Quaran,ne grounds; my impression is that ! have
en things burned within 20 rods or 300 yards Of the
Nry landing; am not able To say how tar Injection
VII spread through the air; have not tried 1T some
yNrtS, some ~, anu ot4ti~
T less; l would not recommend that the sic K
y taken to the City Hospital in New-forS
~ many reasons: in the first place, the
uaiens would be all in commotion about IL have
@eouet that with proper care yclow.fever patients
Irssht be taken TO the City Hospital without the
,sies' danger o; the Infection spreading among the
g0pe; there is no nsed Of a Quarantine; II is not
NY NY persons who carry the disease to our ports, but
aips aud their cargocs; think this is the pref
49, pace have ever seen for Quarantine Laugh.
'his end of Staten Island is 80 far ss know and
Isue : most healthy location naturally; have
on the other side, but could not select better
yne Of The causes of yellow fever in the vii
irs Mai Of people going ON board ships and steal
wn .'eSted articles; don't think that Judge Rock
mar. Chandler White got the yellow fever in that
a. lLsaghter; the Quarantine grounds were not
bsss .seoogh; II had the control j should wish 10
m,ss!!s s!se tines the quantity Of room.
dsi - examination resumed by MIR. Peckham-I
VAT, see Ray Tompkins or his associates using
,b.S as ~ attempting To get any; l asked them why
th.s A not andt they said that the hose was cut, yet
Tie, .s'ed on putting cut the fire, as they said;
,,wpeated that they were tircmen, and must put
Wom"s'e there was no particular attack on the
evsi Hospital on the first night, ard not until
h a ~. morning, when man was found in there in
I" setting the beds on 6re; saw no effort