The New York herald., 1872-12-12
"WHY DID HE DO IT?"

Having become possessed OF positive information
regarding an attempt to take the life or Mr.. Hal
lock, the keeper Of the second division OF the
prison, HERALD reporter paid visit to Randals
Island on Tuesday morning After wasting his vocal
energies whistling and hallooing for half an hour
on the dock at the foot OF 1l7th street, East
River, without the desired effect OF bringing boat
to the New York side, he rested on his oars and
waited for something to turn up, rather for the
boatmen on the other side to turn out, which, by
the way, required very great quality Of patience.
he waited and waited and waited In van until at
iast mikman came and deposited his can OF con-
geaied lacteal nuid on the end OF the pier, which,
although 1t made no noise, brought the boat over.
When the milk had become part OF the ships
stores the reporter added another to its passenger
list. Az ne stepped on board he heard the fol.
lowing conversation, regarding himself, between
two OF
THE MUTISoUs CREW,
who were holding the boat fast:-
'Do you know him. MickeyP"
'No; but he's sassy bum, whoever he tsn
ON THE ISLAND.
Arriving on the island the HERALD representa-.
tive asked where he could find Mr.. Jones, and was
directed to the middle entrance of the large brick
building. He entered and sent his name In to Mr..
Jones, who said he would see him, and the next
minute he marched into the august presence Of
that gentleman, whom he addressed after the fol-
following lashion:-
~ There has been an attempt made on the life Of
Mr.. Jones looked surprised and said, eyes, he
and around now."
After asking several other questions regarding
the AFFAIR the reporter said,
when you searched the boys' cells after this
AFFAIR you found several knives concealed, did you
MR. JONES LOOKED MORE SURPRISED
found
knife in colored boys CELL but he Is good BOY.
Idon't think he had It for any wrong purpose;n
"There was an attempt made on the life OF
another keeper on Friday, November l. believePn
Mr. Jones looked most surprised and asked,
circulated the story to injure the institution.
Here is day book in which an account OF every
thing that happens is kept and you can see that
NOTHING OF THE KIND OCCURRED"
me reporter looked at the book, saw nothing OF
the knd and then turned n M to the page headed
bng OF Mr.. Halock occurred, and from 1t copied
the following entry
''This evening, as the second division boys were
passing INTO class, Frank Westall, l4,65l, ap-
Captain Eldrdge wanted certain boy, and as ne
stepped back behind Mr.. Haock he dealt him o
blow on the back Of the neck, inaicting an ngly
followed by Mr.. Feek, who intercepted him on the
stairs. On entering the schoolroom with Mr.. Feek
to come near him. The officers were near at hand,
and Mr.. Melely and Mr.. Feek approached him with
rendered. Mr.. Hallock opened school as usual ana
put the classes to work before he left. A messen-
ger was sent for DR.. Colby who was in attendance
"An examination was subsequently made OF
young Westau In the evening" when he said that
the only reason he had was that MI. Hallock
changed his badge on Saturday and he further
declared that no one was prlvy to his design,
though he was n#
PUNISHED TO MAKE HIM TELL;
but we do not believe his statement. Every pre-
caution will be taken to prevent o like occurrence
q trnu tha
dining room some days ago and put leather
handle on 1t and sharpened 1T. A thorough search
was made OF the cells, but no dangerous weapons
were found, except knife found In the cell of
colored boy, Halsted Mills. Mr.. Ha.lock was quiet
ct eleven 0'cl0ck.n
When the reporter had finished copying this
document during which time Mr.. Jones moved
around nervously In his seat, Mr.. Haock entered,
and was introduced to the former who said -
''Mr. HallOck you have had q very narrow escaped
.Not at all; was only scratched.n
'If the knife had entered your neck an inch from
where 1t did you would most likely have been
killed, as 1t would have broken your neck.u
"Well," said Hallock, with something Of philos-
ophy In his tone, 'it wouldn't have made much DIFF
ference. Eve got to die sometime, and might as
Having heard the story Of both Mr.. Jones and
Mr.. Hall0ck, both OF which corresponded In every
asked to see the boy; but this request Mr.. Jones
refused point blank, giving no reason for his
refusal
Part OF the entry above quoted is Incorrect mas
much as the boy was not brought back to the class
room by Mr.. Feek. He ran down stairs and into
his classroom. The officers went to look for him,
but could not find him. The yard men searched
the yard, thinking he might be there but he was
not discovered until Mr.. Feek happened to go into
his classroom where he found him occupied at his
lessons. On this point the report is positively
incorrect, and possibly so In other particulars also.
MUcrVM M nucrnnu