The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-15
re TOME 8 /.

The Prisoners Wagner and O'Briea Uudev
Sentence Of Dsath-Their Condition. stale
ments, &c.
Tho number Of prisoners present under sentence o.
death In tho Tombs is limited TO two-George Wagner
and Jerry OBrien Another inmate, John Hacketi, was
sentenced TO death last year; bat trial has been
granted in HIS Tho first OF these,
onoRos WAGNER,
Is under sentence Of death for the murder Of his VITA
The deed for which he suffer committed on the
afternoon OF the 2ist OF July, $685. when according 70
the testimony no returned TO his homo. In Brooms
street, and where he had dliicuty with his wife,
whom, after some words, he pursued, ~ she fed to
escape his anger, and overlook at the door Of tho
passage, whore he fced her with which, In the
savage force OF his blow buried itself in her BRAIN
He arrested tried At the october or the Court
Of General Sessions and sentenced TO be hung
the 18th Of December ensuing subsequently, through
tho sxerons OF counsel stay Of proceedings grant
cd and hls Was meantime carried up TO higher tr
bunals whore II has at length been decided upon Tho
appeal for trial has been denied. and nothing
mains but the execution Of tho dread sentence Of
DEATH Tho period for that event. however, Ia not yet
fixed, a. the decision but recently made, but II 10
probable that within week moro the District Attorney
will move for sentence In fnnmcnt Of the original vcr
dict OF murder IN the first degree Tho cuprtt occupies
cell No. on the ground tier Of the Tombs-a locality
where the doomed ncarrerated Whcro AL VINO
enter leave hope bchnd II Ia the same cell and tier
which have been occupied by the wrctchcd cuprs who
In the criminal history OF the prison have cxpa,ci their
guilt upon the gaowa within the limits OF this narrow
enclosure, whence he IL admitted 70 tho corridor
only during tho few moments when II % necessary TO
change his bedding or cleanse the cell DO passes 81,
time In dssout preparations tor The nnal
moment Whatever his religion heretoiore no
has now embraced Catholicism and 10 faithfully
attended by q priest or ihae denomination.
He hns = plentiful store OF religious works. which III
has arranged shelf over hs bed while crucihAs
occupies the centre OF the wall at one side II his cell.
strip Of carpet Il stretched along he side OF his
bod and on this he Ia almost constantly walking TO aud
fro now stopping 10 take down book from the rack,
whose he peruses with tho deepest thought occa
sionay arrcstng his footsteps IN sudden and profound
consideration OF some thought has suggested, or 10 III
his eyes with prolonged gazs upon The crnc.x shud
der hc starts his walk, tho book dropped
tho side the clonched lips tho hsggard face and the
Wild eyes tell too truly that the wretched man fully feels
tho horror OF his position. Seem through tho close
meshwork OF the grating and bars, which inordlct all
touch with things OF the outer world, he IL the faithful
picture Of the wreched criminal Of romance, doomed.
In the gloomy solitude Of his cell never 10 emerge
cnpt when the 0at OF ths Law is 10 be accomplished
Wagner personally Is not OF prepossessng appearance
He Is Of ordinary stature, with stopped shoulders,
slight Frame dlmnutivs features Of severe expression,
heavy red whisker light hair and sharp pointed nose
He German by birth, and about forty years OF ago
yEtHy oBRiss.
In cell No. Il on the second der and almost directly
Wagner Is the prisoner Jerry Brien. tho pariica
lars Of whose guilt too recent and too generally
known to need any recaptuation. Tho visitor Il limo
daely struck with his perfect boyshness and general
Of his years capable Of the passions and the prnc
tees which led to the commission or the fatal deed that
has sentenced him 10 the murdorer's coll. He looks
frank, manly boy, and has evidently been accustomed 10
good society his tastos In droa And toilet Would In
dicate He has light hair carefully brushed and conbed
full, broad features, and quick piercing eyes. He 10
clothed In suit Of the prevailing coffee snucoorcd
garments Hs cell In model ~ neanean though thero
With pictures Gu. rom The Illustrated paper. ia wnc
no cxcrs his artistic taste by coorng the ngurcH with
diverse hues His toilet arrangements would oynce
SIS -
hooks and . couple Of crcinxcs show that he has
bess awAkensd 70 devotional consideration Of
o. Tho sI s.s S mo nj s
his conaosmsnt He u extremely gentle and kosDly
fecs the awful position " Which no has plsecd haa.
life. and regrets that he unable 70 stay himself In bs
o and vice before he comnitled tho fatal
sc, Hc fully realizes sc depth Of he ..nrsiig.. aud
after, 70 tho threshold Of which no ~ suddeny lnds
himself ushercd by crime In his oonduei, IN his Ian.
guage, In his fcelngs-at leas, they may bo
Judged of from his exprc~sonshs IL the counterpart
Of young Rodgers, Who It viii be remembered erpI-
aied most pcntenily. tho murder for whlsh, At Fr.
teen of age he had been convicted. He had Just
been visited by his sister when our reporter rassed
his coil A she went away he closed the inner door
~ " 90 conceal himself from view while he oommansd
with tho thoughts which her presence had inspired Az
has been published, stay OF proceedings has been
granted, pending tS motion aud srgurnens for . new
trial
On the same uer. In coll No 80 In John Hsckest,
Suono Uoou o1tofv ~ tne
newspapers he was tried for We murder Of .
man who. ~ he stated 70 our reporter. vas
IN ihs act Of beating his wife WHOM sem
by the prisoner, who wss ~ his most block with
knife hand In tho impulse Of ths no rushed
to his wifes defence aud stabbed the sA.Ailant. who
after died. though tho trial II shown that he
al the limo fatally attacked with other disease The
Jury found verdict u murder In the nnt dgr.s and
alternative left but sentence of DEATH which To
bAv. been carried into effect the oh u February last
new trial. however has been granted and hs IL oas
iy waiting for u 10 come on Hanksu IL medium. ~ixsd
stout built Of about nty -four years No iai
rubcnnd JDvAl face, wears coppsr trimmed ses,s1las
fastened by cord around head aud shading pair u
humorous eyes, and hears his confinement With psfect
contsntmon He pas-ss the greater part VI his ms 10
reading and In spoken very veil of by his keepsrr. who
allow him two TIRES hours day In vhich TO exercise
about the corridors lie says h. has right TO ~ ea~,
~ he has conscientious knowledge 81 hi. innoosnos
He Ii dfessed1n nsn wears os.packe< VI Gasruxsy
and b very alad Of an opportunity To converse with
vitors which hs does very huenty and good hvnlov-
Iy He speaks veil 81 bis treatment and considers him.
self done full justice 10 by his k.sp~rs He IL very
for speedy trial. and hopes that tho Dsiics Attor.
n-y will hNston W M day therefor