The New York herald., 1870-07-01
REALS DEATH SENTENCE.
The Assassin of Police officer Smedick-Red
Before the Supreme Court-"The Mills of
the Gods Grind Slowly'-The Cul-
prit Doomed to Death The
9th ofAugust'-Interview
With the Prisoner.

IL Is an old proverb that the ''mills OF the gods
GRIND slowly, but they grind exceeding fne," and
II ever any man realized the force OF that quotation
John Real, the murderor Of police, oficer Smedick
over two years ago. must be that man. After
numerous delays and the exertion of powerful innu.
ence In his behali the law has slowly but very
surely indicated itself by adnering to tine original
decree of death.
Yesterday morning very large audience assem-.
Ded1n the Oyer and Terminer room, partly attracted
by the Sheridan murder trial and partly by the inn.
preston that John Real was to be sentenced there.
AS Judge Barnard lett that room to take hia
place with the other Judges in General Term room,
the crowd poured into the latter room until behind
the railing it was densely packed.
When the General Term was opened District At
torney Garvin called the attention of the Court to
the case OF John Real. lie applied for writ OF
habeas corpus produce him before the court, The
writ was at once granted. The Court meanwhile
proceeded with other business announcing decisions
and settling some formal matters. After o delay Of
some fifteen minutes Real was brought through tho
side door, and there was BRIEF moment OF noise,
while those on the rear benches to what was
going on.
The District Attorney then rose, and after briefly
recting the proceedings In the case presented the
renttttnv from the Court OF Appeals, and asked
that the Court would now proceed to fix day for
the execution OF the sentence.
Judge Ingraham then, amid the most intense
silence. said :-"Real, stand up" The prisoner
stood up with smile and Judge Ingraham passed
sentence as folows:-
"You have been tried, found guilty Of the crime OF
murder and sentenced to execution. You have had
wrts OF error issued In your behalf TO this court and
TO the Court of Appeals and in consequence thereof
the time fixed for the execution OF your >ntence has
passed Since that time the Court or Appeals have
affirmed the Judgment Of conviction against you,
and have sent back the papers with directions t0
proceed in the enforcement Of the Judgment. It be-
comes our duty, therefore, under the statute, to
designate tire day when the sentence OF death here
tofore passed upon you shall be carried into effect
The Court have agreed upon Friday, the 5th day o!
August, 1870, as the day upon which that sentenc<
shall be carried into effect, and have directed war
rant to be issued to that efect'
Rea-"very good, slr"
The formal proceedings were then read by Mr..
Sparks the Deputy Clerk Of the Oyer and Terminer,
after which Real was remanded to the Tombs.
During the whole proceedings Real preserved q
smiling face, and seemed far less affected than his
counsel, Judge Stuart. As he was being removed
the crowd made rush for the door, which was
almost instantly closed, and the prisoner was re-
turned to his cell In the prison.
Subsequently HERALD reporter made q visit t0
the Tombs where Real is confined 1t was after the
sentence Of the Court had been passed upon him and
The iron gates opened to our representative.
and 1t seemed almost cool in the shade Of these i'm.
mense stone walls which have seen so many 1earful
tales of suffering and DEATH Then there was the hot,
| close, sunny court to traverse, and once more q
small barred gaze Sngh 20 coss ss pr
around and airing their legs little before being
women poor fororn detected creatures. were look.
ing down from above but seemed not 70 cere TO mix
| sex who were around them.
'Reai,n shouted out the guardian Of the place.
rather jovial, pleasant faced fellow and very fat.
s'tlere yon are,'' and Compactly built rather
finely formed man stepped out from cell adjoining.
He came forward and, on hearing our representa-.
| that siQnned q cordial welcome. .
It was then time to scrutinize the face. It was
spoken so much about when the man was first tried
for his life. The mouth firmly drawn back ana
either n p fear rne OF syes sympaS 0 Tne hair reddish
ana scanty: the mustache red and bristling
1ae MEGe the man % Pat s Saa BUY
| rather determined impulses; one who would not
forgive wrong; one who would treasure suarfSll
& leS & *hi y1S FeVsnss We sss d's not 's
attitude Of indlfrerence he seemed me complete
realization Of The New York "bnoy,n and that Is the
best and worst there can be SAID Of him, and un.
| doubtedy he did what nne-ienths Of his compan-
|
REPoRTER-You. of course, knew what would
happen to-day? tt4 el-nD 20 q
REAL-My sentence' Oh yes. And I didn't
| trembe at IL. A paper said last week that when
received the news Of my doom my jaw fell and be-
| came liyid with fear. Now II was going to 6s
| taken out tomorrow my jaw wouldn't fall. could
walk to the gallows just as well then as will
REpoRTER-Then you have no hope
REAL-HopeP Not bit. HdA
| REPoRTER-Don't you think 1t just possible the
| Governor may commute your sentenceY
kind. He may, but wouldn't bet much on tho
chance.
REAL-Good enough, but I'm getting rather sick
OF them. The food is good and the attention good,
bmt breath Of fresh air would be worth more tn an
REPoRTER-You have never boon out Of here since
REAI-Except TO the court ana back. ana that is
all. but should like to see little OF my old haunts
RKPoRTER-How long naveyou been hereq
| REAf-yery nearly two years. e
! REp0RTER-Do you mix much with the other
REAI-very little. Macfarland was the only one
had any sympathy for, and was very glad to hear
REpoRrER-Do you repent what you have doner
REAI-No, do not Under similar circumstances
you would have done the same, and any one would,
In fact, who has any spunk in him. l had been
bounded ana persecuted long enough and Couldn't
stand IT, and il 1t was to do again 1t would be
the an @ sn %s, uf;
had known him as well as did don't think their
verdict would have been SO dead against me. / had
hoped for better justice, but it's done and can't be
helped.
Representation you feel prepared to meet your
fateS +
REAL-Qute and assure you don't grumbe at
It. rorT - le NJ 'ar eii s-F
REPoRTER-Did you expect the day would be 50
near as August 5S
REAL-To tell ,on the truth, didn't think much
about It, knew It had to come, and sooner or later
didn't matter much t.t taa tIn1s
REPoRTER-I shall see you again, Real.
REAL-D0; shall always be happy TO talk with
you; and Of course You won't miss the final cere-
mOny with significant move to the neckl
Here the interview terminated and 1t was really
relief to get from the cool ar within to the hot ar
without once more t"1
49, v-, The sIABls TRAGEDY.