The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-22

Finale sfthe Bergen wife Poisoning Case.
THE CONDEMNED CUTS THE VEINS OF HIS ARM AND
THE JUGULAR VEIN OF HIS NICK-THK ACT PRE-
MKDTATED-THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE ExEcU-
TIoS CUT sHoRr-THE ExcIT emf IN TIE NEIGH
BoRHOoD, ETC., ETC.
william Alison foresalledhe action OF the law, which
would have consigned him to gnomnious death early
next month by committing suicide early yesterday morn
ing In his cell in the Hudson county JAIL Hudson City, by
severng the veins Of bis aud neck From the owl
Of the Cooners inquest appears that this act had
long been premeditaed and that Alison suleny awaited
the extinction Of the last hope Of pardon reprevs TO
carry out his intentions Having a large family, for
whom he always exhibited the greatest Affection he took
this summary way OF saving them the painful heirloom
Of parents public execution. His eldest daughter,
Elizabeth had openly expressed, several occasions,
her desire 10 see him die in any other manner than by
the hapgman.
Alison, IL will be recollected, was convicted Of the
poisoning Of his wife Jane In November last and was
tried and sentenced to death the following January. He
represented by the best counsel the State could pro-
duce, and every effort made by his faithful friends to
procure his acquitta This was unsuccessful and their
attention was turned towards his clearance by other
means. new trial asked which being denied, the
carried to the Court OF PardonH where to
be found the last judicial resort Here again they
defeated and although almost dsheartened, prepared
in circulation al obtaining signatures at the time of the
suicide.
On Tuesday morning Sheriff Francis communicated to
the prisoner the decision Of the Court Of Pardons which
received with the usual characteristic stocism and
at the same time impressng on Alison tho inutty Of
further hope and the necessity Of preparation for his end
He then ordered careful examination Of the prisoner and
his surroundings, by Mr.. Chase who after minute
animation found three pieces OF cord, nail carefully
ground to sharp edge in the lining Of his coat piece
Of pointed tin fastened the collar of his vest and
die which had been carefully hidden In the lining Of his
vest These things osensby obtained for the purpose
of sedestruction, reused the fears Of the Sheriff. who
at had the prisoner removed to another cell The
instrument which he used-a small knife blade-must
have been secreted during this search in his MOUTH he
kept continued though at the time, unnotced silence
during the progress Of the examination Of his person Soon
after he was locked in his cell he asked for pen and
paper and wrote the following unique composition, show
ing the pleasure he enjoyed at having secreted something
by which he might close his was found at the
time of his death folded and lying not far distant from
they searched me from head to shoe
but did not know where else TO 60
They did not think that had q skin on my Back
Bat though they were so cute deceived them in all
And won the larls myself they could not reveal
But though it ia awful thing for me TO conceale
Such an awful stiDg-my hand did PREAMBLE
was glad thought was all right they would find IL
Twas glad to deceave them
they very near 1t
they will think how they escaped IL
Now should not be hung-hMg as they thought.
This document clearly expresses in it's doggerel rhyme
the ideas which occupied the suicides mind previous
removal with instructions TO arrange with each other
that continual surveillance might be kept on the
men Baldwin and Allyn are the only accounts which re-.
late TO the actual committal Of the deed:
Il. l. Baldwin testides oath that he was employed
In the jail watching Alison from O'Clock r. N. until
half past twelve at night, when he was relieved by
Allyn, during which time be heard noise outside but
that occasioned by turning in straw bed
Robert Allyn testified that he succeeded Baldwin in
the watch At half past twelve at night At about half
ono O'Clock heard noise in the cell and asked what was
the matter receiving no answer TO this he held candle
up to the bars and saw Alison with his arm raised up
against the wall by his bedside, which, when moved, dis
who slept in adjoining cell, the two keepers entered
the CELL and found Alison trying to get out Of bed they
cured drink Of water at Alison request, after which
he gradually sank and in about three quarters Of an
doctor was Immediately summoned, but every effort
OF course proved Ruthless The bed was found to be
completely soaked through by blood and the body
sented horrible appearance An old suspender had been
tied tightly above the elbow, and both the radia and
medal vens found to be completely severed at the
Ws cut
nay for about inch at the right side Of the neck.
TO commit the deed with the weapon, the most
remarkable nerve must have been necessary, as,
from its small size and dullness, repeated and
muscular efforts must have been necessary 10 cut
the tough covering Of the veins. In choosing veins
he also showed degree Of cunning not 10 be expected
from one In his eituaton knowing that their evacuation
silent though slow he cut them in preference 10 the
adjoining arteries the cutting Of which would have pro-
duced much more rapid death though at the time
subjecpg him to chances OF detection from the noise
casoned by the gushing forth of the blood.
The news Of the suicide spread with the greatest
pidty throughout the neghborhood and produced in
tense excitement wherever the parties concerned
known by reputation acquaintance. The act occupied
all the conversation Of the day. and nothing was discuss
ed with real interest than any incident relating TO
the trial, Imprisonment suicide Of the unfortunate
Coroner Gafney hearing OF the occurrence immediate
ly repaired to the jail and summoning jury, proceeded
to investigate the OF DEATH Much testimony
taken, but OF importance further than eliciting
the already made known facts Julia Kennedy
called on, and testified that sho had had
communication whatever with Alison since his trial. The
fact Of his having frequently spoken Of suicide was esta
blished by several Witnesses
The preparations for the execution had already been in
a rapid state Of progression Word had been sent
Newark for the galows, which arrived the jail yard
just In time 10 be countermanded back unnecessary
Excavations had been made for, and portion OF brick
wall, intended TO shut out the execution, had been
already built On these preparations Alison had repeat
ediy passed eneerng remarks, the force OF which
much better understood after than before the suicide
The friends have taken possession OF the body which
will be laid out at his former residence and the rend
tion Of verdict, carried TO Greenwood Cemetery The
inquest postponed at six O'Clock last evening until
this morning Ut nine o'clock
Railroad Accident.