The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-18
AuorHER BLOW at GARROTERS.
The Leader Of Gang Of Highwaymen Sent to
the Stats Prison for Seventeen Years and
Six Months by Judge Bedford Interest
ing Particulars OF tho Case-An
Exciting Scene Ia Curt

the eyes Of two classes OF our citlzens--the rc-
spectacle and the thievIng portions OF the cemmu-
nityhaye been turned VITA eager gaze iog the past
few days TO the proceedings of the General Sessions
for Judge Bedford has been engaged In
she laudable work or Kidding the metropolis
OF some OF her notorious criminals On Monday ne
sentenced blood thirsty garroter to the State Pri-
son for twelve years and six months and when a
still more aggravated OF robbery was tried upon
she following day he punished the Thief by sending
him TO Sing Sing for the period OF fifteen years.
His Honor capped the climax yesterday, he having
been able, by the aid Of the machinery OF the law 10
seize the leader o. desperate gang OF higbwaymen
who infest the lower part or the city, and to cage
him for the next seventeen years aud a har The
perusal OF the part culars OF this case will confirm
law abiding citizens in the belief that the au-
th0r1tes will 90 all in their power to protect them
FROM the midnight assassin While the cutthroats
and burglars VIII be equally convinced that when
ever they are brought before the city Judge they
win be dealt with severely.
After some preliminary matters were disposed OF
Thomas Mcdonald was brought 10 the bar charged
with robbery In the nrst degree. The first witness
examined by Assistant District Attorney Sullivan
was Frank Scoyll, the latest victim Of the cut
throats who nfest certain portions city. The
y
man. for he used excellent language in telling his
story.
HE SAID HE WAS A SAILOR
on the schooner SLas Brainard, plying between
Portland, Conn., and New York. carrying brown
stone. On the LIST OF this month he and shipmate,
Juds0n Buell. were the corner OF Water and
Roosevelt streets, between ten and eleven
O'Clock at night, when the prisoner came
up ana caught hold OF scovips shoulder,
N cf.ia haaA hpftal
tScovilD with his (icDonald's) head. After dong
90 the youthful highwayman rned the pocket OF his
victim OF fifteen dollars in money--an that he had.
6covii managed TO get away out of his clutches
ana took refuge Ia house near by and IN few
minutes was followed by Mcdonald and wnile
Standing III the doorway the prisoner struck him
violent blow IN the iace. which Knocked him into
basement. Mcdonald then SAID. IN you say another
Odd word about II / win lake your lfe.r
An of1cer arrested Mcdonald shortly after the rob-
berry ana brought nim TO the station house, where
hs was promptiy IDENTIFIED NOT only by Scoviil, but
by his companion Buell. g.
Mr.. Kinlzing cross-ex amined the witness in very
thorough manner, but mis- statements was too clear
and intelligent TO be shaken. He said that he
perfectly sober on that night, not having taken
Judson buell. was the next witness, and his ac-
connt Of the transaction corroooraied The complain
around" BY Mcdonald and attacked BY $500
r CROWD OF RUFFIANS
s eads n1s ~ .oe gang
nate IN escaping into house where lie was shell
tered for some time: he reJolned his friend, and
both proceeded with policemen to the station house,
where they saw Mcdonald, and promptly identified
him. M 9s H. Hr-s4 ~
Ofacer Musgrave said that on the night Of the o.
currence he Instructed ofiicers Harris and Christie
pher to arrest Mcdonald, while he brought Scovill
ned the prisoner. Ofiicer Musgrsve said his post
was on " alter street. and he knew Mcdonald WE'LL
For the defence two Witnesses we're called, wo-
former the barkeeper OF notorious den In Water
street. and the latter the prsprietrsss OF it.
ifor she said she was known for years by that
name) swore that the place where she kept bar was
on Inc night Of the ROBBERY
were In there and drank wAiskey. BLACK Kate''
the prisoner, lsr years. and that night ana day he
Musgrave, VINO said alter Scovill was beaten and
robbed he saw mis- lip cut and bleeding very much;
Of the nrsuSn they
passed; that he was 80 near 70 Scovil - to
ana IL never occurred to him that scovin had been
drinking. This piece OF testimony efectuaily dis
slady,n whe admitted that for years she had kept
dance houses In Water street.
After the summing up Of Mr.. Knitting ana
charged the jury, impartially recaptuating all the
facts brought out On the trial. The testimony was
that the jury without q moments Hesitation pro
n0unced verdict OF guilty.
Judge BedlorG tnsn inquired OF dne prosecuting
Colonel Fellows responded by saying that it was
not Z very pleasant duty az We approached
THE HOLIDAY SEASON
TO speak Of the criminal career Of Mcdonald but he
office had been abused, ana that under the verdict
Just rendered o severe sentence shCud be imposed.
On the M s su n
nower and on account Of MS Sun the me Court psn
lease he was again arrested on charge Of grand
larceny having stolen certain quantities OF block
tin from truck In New Chambers street. Recorder
>Hackett presided, and ne and gentleman con-
aected with the prosecuting department who know
ssne6 e. AXE that the
pend Judgment He was permitted to 60 at large,
crime sae Of robbery In sdaton 70 these facts Mr
Fellows exhibited portrait Of Mcdonald, which had
adorned the "RSguss Gallery" :: Police aeadquar.
II oy the police authorities was:-
''M'DONALD Is A GENERAL THIEF
Such were the antecedents OF the young man, and
he (Mr. Fellows) would not, perhaps have pressed
these facts upon his HOnsrs consideration but for
court Judgment was suspended against him, and all
the clemency he was entitled to had been granted.
the Clerk then asked the prisoner the usual cues
that he had no trade. His friead "Black Kate"
when put on the stand, said that although she saw
hum every day FOR years, she never knew how hs OBJ
tanned livelihood
Judge Bedford then sentenced the prisoner. he
said:-McDonald, in my late charge to the Grand
Jury took occasion to say ..tnat 70 my mind the
statute book was sufficiently strong. Ali that was
needed was its proper application as the occasion
may require. That II was mere question Of time
which 10 the more p0weriul-the law or the lawess.
And tnat was firmly convinced that In the battle
Of law and Justice against crime and criminals the
latter must yield to the f0rmer.n Since the COM
mencement OF this term / have endeavOred
70 put this opinion OF mine 70 the practical
test, and shall continue to do 80, being deter
mined TO punish crime and TO that tine law be
vindicated. Mcdonald, you are an cid offender.
Oficer Musgrave says you are the leader OF gang
Of thieves well known to the authorities, fact an
eX-convict having served terms for blrgla1es and
tarcenies aud you now stand convicted OF daring
highway robbery. There IS but one way 10 deal
with men OF ysur stamp. All such characters, for
the future welfare OF society must be put out Of the
way As an example, l shall send you to the State
Prison for seventeen years ana six months.
Upon the rendition OF the sentence there was q
buzz OF applause through the court room which 1t
was difficult 10 suppress immediately. There was
only one opinion expressed oy lawyers and all who
listened the trial, and That was that Judge Red.