The New York herald., 1871-01-14
CRIME AND IT'S PUNISHMENT.
GayToters and Highway Robbers
Rampant.
Judge Bedford's Work Of Repression and Ex
termination-Senten


the proceedings Of the General Sessions yesterday
ought to furnish wholesome lessons TO the thieving
fraternity for the prompt and severe administration
OF the law by Judge Bedford, when professional ana
hardened criminals are found guilty upon unmis-
taxable proof Is calculated to inspire the garroters
and burglars with fear and honest citizens with In
creasing confidence that their lives ana property
viii be well protected by the authorities.
HIGHWAY ROB Der SENTENCED.
The nrst case called for trial by Assistant Dis
Srict Attorney Tweed was an indictment for high
way robbery against John Farrell who was Jointly
indicted with Thomas Murphy and Patrick Maloney.
1t would appear from the records OF crime furnished
by the police magistrates to the District Attorney
In the shape OF complaints for the action OF the
Grand Jury, that the heinous offence of highway
robbery has been greatly on the increase OF late
making 1t unsafe for citizens returning from
places OF amusement or rrom social calls
20 be IN the streets after ten O'Clock at
night. There have been no less than twelve
cases Of garrotng during the present term OF the
court. 1t Is to be hoped that hereafter jurors viii
not stultify themselves as they did In two instances
this week, through mistaken sympathy, by recon-
mending midnight robbers to mercy, thus frrstrat-
ing the vigorous efforts which the prosecuting
authorities and Judge Bedford now putting forth
to stop the throttlng OF and knocking down and
r0bbng or peaceable citizens In the streets on the
way to their homes. E
The evidence upon which the jury In Farrell's case
rendered such prompt and righteous verdict was
that David W. Fitzgerald, who lives at No. IA
Thames street, was standing at his own door on
the 18th or December at ten O'Clock In the evening
and was about proceeding to put up his shutters
when Farrell Murphy and Maloney, all personally
known TO him, came down the street. Farrell said
nothing. but Immediately caught Mr.. Fitzgerald and
pnioned his arms and while holding him in that po-
sition Maloney stole gold watch. The robbers ran
away and the complainant proceeded without delay
TO lodge his complaint at the station house. Oficer
Hassen testified that he arrested Farrell week after
the robbery at a ball IN the Union Assembly Rooms,
In Elizabeth street.
The prisoners counsel, Mr.. McClelland, onered to
interpose plea OF guilty, but to AVOID any advan.
tage being taken Of legal technicalitles the Judge
directed the jury to render verdict OF guilty OF rob-
berry in the first degree.
After the rendition OF the verdict the City Judge
instituted inquiries as TO the prisoners antece-
DENTS.
Officer Dunn said that Farrell belonged TO a bad
gang Of thieves, and he heard from young men In
the ward that he carried a knife.
Onicer Hassen furnished the additional fact that
he arrested the prisoner year ago for larceny from
the person.
rell, you are an ex-convlct, and officers Dunn and
Hassen tell me that you are dangerous man. The
calendars OF the Oyer and Terminer and or this
CouIs slce aIic coinmencenent OF TINS Term nave
establishing the fact that highway robbery is
again becoming prevalent and Is nightly practised
In our midst. take this opportunity Of saving land
my sole object In so doing is to throw mantle of
protection over the lawabling ctizens) that every
shall have meted out punishment full and equal to
the onence. Your career. happily for this commu-
nity ends to-day, as least Tor long time Fifteen
II is to be hoped tha. this prompt and Just vindi
any rate, Farrell well Known mo a'n garroter ros has
been Gagged for the next fifteen years, which
MiS g E g eresk up ga
JOHN HARRY.
The next case disposed Of BY the jury was equally
important with the former for IL was OF class OF
oIences constantly occurring by which honest men
are victimized by cunning and fraudulent misrepre-
The name OF the accused was John Harry who It
appeared from the testimony OF the complaining
saloon. No. 70 Greene street, the 9th of last Sep
tember, having heard that Mr. Wcckesser was
an9 q selling his They for
to pay him the sum Of $2l5 for the good will, the
lager beer the furniture and the glasses in the
contract which he had the aaaac to borrow H from e
poor man. Mr.. Weckcsser felt very comfortable
after enecng the sale OF his place, for, ne ad-
mitted On the stand for some reason or other, the
denZens OF Greene street did not often frequent his
place didn't pay. The prisoner did not hand down
cash coin or greenbacks, but, on the contrary.
drawn on the Germania Bank. our happy Teutonic
friend tripped along with nimble feet TO the bank,
but to his surprise ne learned, on presenting the
Mr.. Breneman the cashier Of the bank, testified
that the prisoner never had an account there, and
that about the time the check in question was pre-
sented five similar checks, drawn by the prisoner,
Oficer Hesse testified that he arrested Harry ana
was proceeding to 1mpart the significant inf0rma-
beer saloons and rendering in payment therefor
fraudulent check when the counsel for the prisoner
tnterposed technical objection TO the proof.
VERDICT.
The jury rendered a verdict OF guilty, and when
Harry was asked what he had to say why he should
not be sentenced not only denied that lie presented
check for $500 under similar circumstances, but
protested that he was innocent.
Judge Bedford imposed the highest penalty that
could be given for the offence of which he con-
victed-three years in the State Prison.
A DARING BURGLAR CONVICTED AND SENTENCED.
The next case on the calendar was a charge OF
burglary IN the third degree, and tho accused VII
ham Gordon, demanded trial. 1t appeared from
the evidence adduced by the prosecution that Mr.
John Patterson, who keeps tailoring establishment
slumbers very early in the morning or the 30th of
December by a muiled sound, as If somebody was
striking at door shutter. He got out OF he'd and
ran TO the rear window ana saw three men eaping
over the fence towards Eighteenth street. he gave
the alarm there, while his wife ran to the front and
called for the police. Six officers responded immc.
diately to the call. Orcer Castle caught Gordon
coming down the stairs OF the premises adioin,na
from which there was door leading into the yard
where a large bundle Of burglars implements was
subsequently found. such as heavy iron screws
large 'Jimmles," &c. In pea jacket hanging upon
clOthesline were found q lot OF picks, and when
the prisoner was searched brass skeleton key was
found in his pocket
The prisoner accounted for his presence at the
scene 81 the burglary BY saying that he was visiting
cry OF watch and MURDER" and seeing door open,
he naturally went In to render assistance.
The jury did not believe his plausible story prin.
ctpaly for the reason that Mr. JOhnsonn aid not
'turn up" to corroborate him. and rendered ver-
dict or guilty without leaving their seats. Judge
Bedford said that he concurred with the Jury In
quickly rendering verdict adding that the time
had come when the authorities must act promptly
In dispOslng OF criminals. Gordon was sentenced
70 the fun penalty-fve years In the state Prison.