The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-15

NAY Is, 1860. TRIPLE
vsssd sssaAz1, ~ shvs her hAassy ~ s,aasnsss
= - s1hr. Up0 ~ vsdak = ~ Ow09b juFy
uns6snah We hAhsas1 ~ ~ @tns q u9Aw, -
afss ~ vsslp W. hsepghs bslbss naCsEsAs snd
sxanhsd m counsel ralsed the sisroaypsa pssad \.
sanity, ~ ssksd No privilege q ssaAhg . ssnnn
y Cnfar 10 and Mobile for NJ purpose Of estAhhs sv
asaos Z, this dsfsnsa Macdonald was panssssl
4 nss end bad influential nisaAs, snd -
the ssb OF justice, which ron but slswiy
over den sands, were delayed until the return q thb
oonns sion. The nsht Of the examination NasdoaAld
IVES ken BY two friendly policemen 70 bre4Asl n
Mercer street, and after hours dasapaton wAs
taken, nto1oaasd 70 the Tonbs. From That time 10
in he custody Of Nr. Sutton, warden q The prisoa
and was, Inc any less wealthy prisoner, Sub
jectsd TO TIE rgulAtsns Of the TombsL He Wa
allowed 70 order and 10 sas whaAsvsr hs chose
to Day for the regulations do ooafne Tie occupants
Of the Tonbs "pTson fare" until ser their sentence
pronounced. Re lived well and occupied . cell by
himself being INDUCED with occasional walks n the
ridors upon ths rsoommsndaon Of hk physician. During
his confinement he perfectly orderly and well
behaved, exhibiting symptoms Of insanity, that
he were even out Of his right Senses from the
effects Of Intoxicating drinks
In person Mcdonald was tall, well formed, porty,
handsome, southerA looking gentleman with very ans-
bic and pleasant manners. He avoided rather than
couYted observation during hs Imprisonment
Mss Brooks and Morgan, the friends Of Virginia Slew
art who were with her 1t tho time OF the murder have
been confined In the House Of Detention, White
Their quarters have bean very comfortable, and
Mr.. Neserols, the Superintendent hes showed
them every attention, allowing them 70 eat at his own ~
bic, treating them members Of his family, scoompA
pyng upon their shopping excursions and supplying
them with sewing machine, with which during their
nine months imprisonment they have made many gar
ments for themselves, besides earning considerable
l money.
PARTICULARS OF THE SUICIDE
Up TO yesterday matters in the condition above
i stated, and Macdonald seemed to be awaiting his
trial, nj the approaching Oyer and Termner, with great
equanimty Really, however, he gave up the dea
Of suicide About eleven O'Clock yesterday morning. bow
ever Of the keepers second corridor cutter
ing cell No. S. found Macdonald in stse Of unconscious
ness. Dr. Simmons Immediately sent FOR and prompt
relief was afforded the unfortunate When the Doc
Macdonads cell and examined the patient be
of the opinion that chloroorm had admnstsred,
but he subsequently, discovered that strong
tract Of opium which had been used About twelve O'Clock
Or. Covil arrived At the bedside Of tho dying man
and applied tho stomach pump, but with poor suc
cess. Macdonald was unconscious during all
this time, and never uttered . word save
when the stomach pump introduced. Then he ut
tered aloud curse damnpg the physicians for attempting
to his ne. Mustard pasters were applied 70 his
breast stomach legs AMI feet and strong coffee
minstered, butsl In vain.
AT this juncure Ds. weltje arrived and tbs patient
treated with suphats Of zinc, strong coffee and the
bastnsdo, but all the efforts Of the physicians proved Of
little avail. Finding that the prisoner gradually
fanpg and that the prospect Of his recovery ex
tremely doubtful Mr. Sutton the warden sent up the
New York Hospital for Dr. Little and others, with the
quest that they would attend immediately The request
promptly complied with, and the medical gentlemen
cheeruly rendered all the aid they could under the cir
cumstances. Amer four hours ncessan labor the doc
tors were compelled 10 abandon the -
hopeless and Macdonald left 70 die the death he
much coveted He commenced TO fail rapidly about four
O'Clock and when reporter him half IN hour A.
forwards bis hands and feet cold, his brow was
covered with cold perspirason, his pulse was impcr
ccpuble, and respiration allow and hard. Gradually the
breathing became slower and slower, the body lost liz
warmth, tho features relaxed, and tho death rattle
in the throat announced that the spirit Of murderer
had departed.
The suicide Of Macdonald was MOI unexpected He
had always been suspected Of entertaining ideas OF self
destruction and closely watched accordingly He
/ had hardly been In the Tombs moro than . month
when he detected In the Of procuring strychnne
He sent negro " drusgist with some money and
piece Of paper, which written '.strychnine two
ahilngs worth, 70 kill dogsL" Tho negro. however, IN
fors1 the warden Of prison Of what was going on
and The poison seized before any harm accom
plsbed On two other occasions abts knives sharpsnsd
at the points 10 tho purpose Of dsxcrs were
found concealed In his bed me weapons wers no doubt
intended for deadly purpose, judging from their a
pesranoe.
For several months deceased had been IN poor health
much depressed spirits; much 20, that the ply
stefan Of the prison deemed necessary thai he should DO
allowed 70 take exercise daily the corridor. Mr.
Sutton was very careful, however, In allowing
Macdonald this liberty, and ordered the keep
ss 70 keep . close eye upon al his
movements. The recent act Of the Legislature re-
lson N capital he regarded rather unfAvorabe
and that together with the conviction and sentence 10
prison Of young Lane deiautng clerk Of
Fulton bank with whom he wu very intimate, had such
depressing effect upon his mind that hs deter mined 70
commit sef rather Than endure the suspense
1 any longer.
Ever since the discovery Of stephens plot 70 take the
life OF the keepers and escape from prson the warden
has bad the doors Of the cells the nr corridor covered
with wire netting, prevent all communication
the prisoners and vsf4rs Unfortunately, Mac
dousid not confined this corridor nhe had bean,
| he could not have been supplied with poison
| 20 easily, and his intention Of committing the
/ suicide might have been frustrated. The netting
the lower corridor has proved Of Invaluable service
preventing vssrs supplying The inmates Of the calls
with liquors, weapons and posons. and why should not
be Ill the oshsr corridors imagine. We
suppcss shas Macdonald hes succeeded defeating
the encs Of justice. tho Commissioners VIII remedy the
evil and adopt the netting throughout The entire prison
ne inquest upon The body Of The suicide murderer win
be commenced at nine O'Clock this morning by Coroner
JacHman Macdonald vas about twenty nine years q
age, and . native Of Kentucky
thus The murderer Of Virginia Stewart has committed
the crime agans his rfs and escape the