The New York herald., 1872-11-10
DENIZENS OF THE T0MBs.
John 6cannell In His Cell and How he Looks
Twenty-one Persons Charged with Murder
and Awaiting Trials Hanging for
Murder Played Out in New Yorks

John Scannel was called upon az the Tombs
yesterday by large number Of hs friends. but no
one. with the exception OF his wife, was permitted
to see him, or rather, to speak more correctly. he
himself expressed desire to be severely left
alone with which desire Mr.. Finley, the warden,
OF course complied The prisoner has been assigned
to cell 80, ON the second tier, the same tier on
which Stokes Is located. He seems to take mat
ters very easily chats freely with the keepers and
to all appearance has no particular anxiety about
his fate 1t should not be understood by this. how
ever, that he acts the bravo; but he either
FRIGNs PBRFECT INDIFFERENCE
10 his situation, Is actually reckless as to what
the consequences OF his terrible crime may be-
HIS wife il, and with good reason fearfully exer-
cised about him; and although yesterday, when
she called to see him, she wore an appearance OF
outward calm and unc0ncern the look Of COM
pOsure was evidently assumed for the occasion
worn, in fact, as q mask to conceal the real agony
she is suffering from. IL is said that she very much
devoted to her husband and that had he lent q
willing car to her admonitions after his first
attempt to kill D0nohoe his life would not be now
in jeopardy. Her presence in the prison appears
to give him great deal OF comfort, and the keep
say that is always in the best of spirits while
she remains with him. The prisoners counsel did
not call yesterday; but rs he held prolonged in
that he was occupied during the day with certain
other lawyers in
to be made. 1t is asserted. on what seems to be
very good authority, that the trial OF Scannell will
take place during the present term of the Court OF
very latest. The District Attorney has not as yet
communicated his views on the subject to any
body, but, he goes out Of office on the a1st OF
December, there are those who claim that for that
reason. If for no better one, he Will from the
present exert himself to bring to trial At least
now in the TOmbs-among them Stokes, Sharkey
and Fariey-tne latter of whom 1t is alleged
Ornell by his inhuman treatment IN the asylum.
While speaking on this subject it may not be out
District Attorney, Mr.. Phelps, intends to make
thorough investigation into the reasons why
and wherefore SO many prisoners have
are confined in the Tombs, on the charge
OF murder and other high crimes, without being
placed on trial. Every one at all familiar with the
political pullings and haulings that clog the wheels
ofjustice in this city and how it often happens that
some unfortunate devil without a friend in the
world and who may have committed murder or
burgulary, is
HURRIED TO TRIAL
within few weeks OF the commission of the deed,
while others, tenfOld more guilty, can so shape
their influence to remain quietly in prison until
the outside world forgets all about them and
their crime, can easily understand with what de-
light the new official and his official friends will go
into the work Of renovation" No matter what
motive may actuate the leaders OF the new deal in
the administration OF the District Attorneys Olce
1t Is pretty certain that the people will not CON-
plain so long justice is meted out to all criminals
with an equal hand Indeed, the overcrOwded con-
dition OF the TOmbs at present is proof sufficient
that Mr. Phelps, II he Is not saved the trouble be-
tween now and the 1st of January by Mr.. Garvn,
win have his hands full in getting rid OF the pres
ent occupants OF the prison before making raid
among
PIGEON-HoLED INDICTMENTS
for new victims Strange as IL may seem, there
are now in the Tombs no less than 344 prisoners
Only 100 cells are fit to be used necessitating the
cramming Of two and three prisoners into one
cell. Whether this state of affairs could not have
been prevented by display of little more energy
in the District Attorneys ONCE Is question upon
which. of course many people will differ The fol-
lowing list Of prisoners committed on the charge
of murder, and now in the Tombs VIII tell story
hat do m a,uh llicht