The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1860-05-30

Much excitement was created about the
Tombs Yesterday, by the announcement
that Robert c. Mcdonald, who has been
so long confined to answer for the death
of Virginia Stewart, had taken poison.
The facts, as subsequently learned, are
that, about eleven o'clock yesterday morn
ing. one of the keepers, on visiting Nc
Donald's cell, found him lying on his
bunk apparently insensible. DR.. Sim
mons, Assistant Prison Physician, imme-
diately proceeded TO McDonald's cell, and
ound him living in the same position
ssiiicifvVihe keeTei iisS1 -seyS
was of the OPINION that he had taken
chloroform. On examining the room.
however. a small vial was found Oh the
floor. marked "McMunn's > Elixir most
powerful decoction of opium.
Restoratiyes were Immediately applied,
and messenger despatched for DIR. Coyi.
II arrived about II o'clock and imme-
diately applied the stomach pump and
administered potion of sulphate OF zinc,
but without effect. The sufferer was then
conveyed to the hospital ward, where mus
tard plasters, hot water, the bastinado.
md other external irritants were at once
,pplied, but without the slightest possible
Effect, tie man still remaing entirely un-
conscious. Every remedy that could be
lhought of was applied, but Mcdonald
continued to sink, his pulse sinking rap
idly, his eyes becoming set and his ex-
tremities cold, till at o'clock he ceased
to breathe His features remained per
fectly natural and placid, and, though his
last breathings were laboed, he evidently.
suffered none after beingaiirst discovered.
~ II Il. e In !
committed to the Tombs, where he has
since been confined, to answer for her
| death. He has at various times threaten
| ed to destroy himself, and an exceedingly
| strict watch has been kept over him in
| consequence. A person to whom he ap-
| piled for strychnine shortly after lis in
carceration, informed Mr.. Sutton, the
| Prison Warden, of the fact, and ever since
the utmost care has been taken in admit
| ting visitors TO see him. Notwithstand-
ing this caution. two knives were snug
i gled into his cell. both OF which were re-
covered by the keepers. One of these
| knives, which was taken from him but
| month since, was a common dinner knife,
which Mcdonald had contrived to grind
down in his cell to a keen edge and an
exceedingly sharp point. 1t has evident
| ly been his firm determination for many
months to put an end to his existence,
and more especially since the passage of
The new law rendering a long confne-
ment in the State Prison almost certain.
| 1t is said that Mcdonald advised young
Lane, the Fulton Bank defaulter, to COM
nit suicide rather than so to the State
| Prison.
Who could have supplied the deceased
with the poison it is impossible TO coniec-
ure. The grated doors of the cells will
readily permit any small article to be
| passed inside, and a person once having
| withstood the scrutiny of the keepers
could easily convey to a prisoner the
means of committing suicide. This was
shown in the case of Stephens, who re-
ceived two pistols through the cell door
from his friends. Since that time outside
doors of stout iron wire have been placed
before the murderers' cells, rendering it
utterly impossible for even the smallest
article to be passed in without the keep
er's knowledge. No suspicion is attached
as yet TO any of McDonalds visitors. and
there is no prospect of ascertaining who
| furnished the poison. The deceased was
about 80 years of age, and was formerly 4
resident of Mobile.-N \. Tribune. l5h.