The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-08
CRIME IN NEW YORK.

law. in The courtyard of the City Prison. Tue
details of the homicide of which he was found
guilty are, doubtless, too fresh in the recollec-
ton of our readers to need any extended refer
ence 1t may be stated in brief however, that
he stabbed his unfortunate mistress 70 death
under circumstances OF the most revolving afro
city IKE weapon with which he accomplished
the terrible deed, blood-stained and foIbidding
as it is, now forms one of the "deodands" OF the
criminal museum, in the office OF our popular
District Attorney, a: oaKey Hall. o...,.,,.-
changed since he was sentenced to death. He
has lost the reckless air which distinguished
him before and alter his trial. His frends-and
they are numerous-have brought potent lntiu-
ence 10 bear on Governor FentOn to secure his
pardon, or a change of his dread fate to impri-
sonment for lite, but the Governor has turned
deaf ear TO all their entreaties An ex-Iudge OF
this city has made many trips to Albany with
this object, but he came back on each occasion
impressed with the hopelessness of his task, and
Yesterday the indications we're that reprleve
would be almost beyond the range of possibility.
VISIT OF SHERIFF KELLY TO o'BRIEN.
Yesterday afternoon Sheriff Kelly paid an
ominous visit to the unfortunate man. On en-
tering the cell of the condemned he informed
him that it was his painful duty to counsel him
to prepare for his awful fate, as the Governor
had not yet interfered in his behalf. 1t is also
stated that Mr.. Kelly communicated to OBrien
the fact that despatch had been received from
Albany, declaring that the law should take its
course in his case. The prisoner is reported to
have received the news calmly, as he was pre-
pared for the announcement, which was merely
a repetition of what he had heard before from
some of his friends.
SAD INTERVIEW.
In the forenoon, about half-past IL o'clock,
the mother and two sisters OF O'Brien called at
the prison, and were conducted 20 his cell,
which is No. on "Murderer's Row." on the
lower floor They had lengthy and affectionate
interview with the unfortunate man tor several
hours, after which they left. They will call
again to-day, and, perhaps, tomorrow, TO bid
him last farewell.
A CALM FROM THE SISTERS OF CHARITY.
After his relatives left the cell two of the Sis
ters of Charity, who have attended him since
his confinement, were received by him with
evident satisfaction. Under their training and
instruction, as well as that of the Rev. Mr..
Duranquet, he has become kind and occasion
ally thoughtful. momentary glance at HIM
through the bars of his cell-door yesterday
showed that he had been seized by the awful
calm which is the natural precursor of death.
He heard the counsel which had been given
him patiently, and he now seems resigned to
his doom.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
The Sheriff is now making preparations for
the execution. The ga lows-which is the same
as that on which Wagner and other murderers
died-wll be erected this afternoon in the north
east corner of the prison yard. About two hum
dred passes have been issued to witness the
tragedy, which Will take place between the
hours OF and II o'clock. The admissions have
who took part in the trial Of O'Brien, and the
members of the press.
At the urgent request of the prisoner, no one
was permitted to see him except his spiritual
advisers last evening.
Suicide of a Young Widow by Poison
A Druggist Censured.
Yesterday afternoon Coroner Cover held an
inquest at the clearinghouse of Edward Jen-
kns, No. l43 W. Seventeenth street. over the
remains of Mrs. Frances Fischer, widow but
twenty years of age, who committed suicide by
swallowing laudanum. 1t appears that Mrs.
Fischer although so young, has been a widow
Tor nearly five years. For some time past she
has been boarding at the above premises, and
supported herself by sewing. Ella Warren,
friend of deceased, who boards at the same
place, stated that for several days past she has
been respondent, and several times threatened
to destroy herself, saying that she was tired of
life.
On Tuesday deceased told Miss Warren that
she had found bottle of laudanum on the
stairs, and the latter seeing tie bottle in her
hand took possession of 1t, and placed il in her
bosom TO prevent deceased getting it. At about
o'clock on Tuesday evening Miss Warren
| placed the bottle containing the poison in the
top drawer OF her bureau, and at half past
deceased came into the room crying, saying she
| wished she was home and out OF this life. While
| Miss Warren was engaged In conversation with
a young man in the room at the time, deceased
| went to the bureau, took the bottle, and was
| discovered drinking the poison. Miss Warren
! sprang forward and seized the bottle, but de-
! ceased had swallowed nearly all the contents,
| about an ounce and half. Miss Warren then
| remarked to deceased that 1t would kill her,
| when she replied, 'It will only quiet my nerves.
| She was asked what she took it for, and she gave
| an evasive reply. Medical aid was summoned
| but Mrs. Fischer soon became insenslble, and
! died at O'Clock yesterday morning.
George Chamberlain, the young man referred
to above as having been In the room when
| deceased swallowed the poison, Corroborated
| Miss Warrens statement.
| Mrs. Mary Haskins also a boarder in the
| house, testified that she purchased bottle of
laudanum at the drug store of John Stringer
| corner OF Twenty-ffth street and Fourth ayenue
on wednesday last; 1t contained two ounces; [
asked for 1t for the tooth-ache, from which was
suffering at the time; used the laudanum seye-
raj tunes, and on Friday morning left the bottle
IN my Washstand drawer; did not miss the bot.
tie until after l heard deceased had taken the
poison, when l found the bottle had heen
removed; the bottle deceased drank out of was
mine; had no prescription for the Iaudauum;
merely asked tor some for the toothQche. and
the bottle was given me with a label on; de-
ceased told me on Tuesday morning that she
would rather be dead. and said she had her
reasons for it.
Mrs. Mary George, sister of deceased. testified
that she knew OF no trouble that deceased was
in, and was not aware of any motive for the
suicidal act.
No testimony could be obtained touching the
motives which prompted the woman to commit
suicide, and the jury rendered the following
verdict:-'Ihat Frances Fischer the deceased,
came to her death by suicide by taking lauda-
mum on the 9th day of August, 1867 and we
further censure John Stringer, druggist, doing
business corner of Twenty-ffth street and Fourth
avenue for selling said poison contrary TO law. y
IN. Y. World.