The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-16
EX-COMPTROLLER CONNOLLY.
The Alleged Insanity o. Mr.. Connolly De lied BY
His Relatives What His Two sons-in-
Law Say Regarding 1t.

since the release OF ex-ComptrOer Connolly
from Ludlow Street jail this bail having been re-
duced to $500, OOO he has been, Tor the most part
absent FROM the city, and rumors OF various kinds
have been circulated as to his whereabouts. One
of these was current yesterday, and 1t APP
peared to gain greater credence as 1t travelled to
the effect that Mr. Connolly had become insane.
and that his relatives placed him in private asylum
not far from this city. In order TO investigate the
truth OF this rumor reporter was despatched from
the HERALD ONCE last evening, with Instructions to
Interview gentlemen holding such relations with
Mr.. Connolly as would enable them either TO corrOb-
crate or deny the assertion as to that gentlemans
reported insanity.
The HERALD representative first called on Hon.
Robert c. Hutchings, son-m-law of the ex-
Comptroller and now
THE COUNTY SURROGATE,
whom he found comfortably seated In his study, at
his residence, No. As West Thirty-eighth street.
Having most cordially received by the rotund
Robert, the reporter introduced the subject which
brought him thther-with what result the .Onow-
lug account OF the interview Will snow
REPORTER-I have been sent hither, Mr.. Hutch
ings. order to ascertain whether or not there Is
any truth IN the rumOr now being circulated, and
which, / suppose, has already reached you that
Mr.. Connolly has become insane, and that he Is
now placed in private asylum not far from this
city.
Surrogate HUrcHINGs-There Is not q word Of
truth in 1t, can assure you. 1t ID simple rumOr.
groundess rumOr, and nothing more.
REPoRTER-I am very glad to hear you say so,
Mr.. Hutchings but the purported facts appeared to
be so generally believed by those who spoke OF the
NATTER that the subject was deemed sufficiently ini
portant to warrant investigation.
Surrogate HUrCHING5-Certalnly the HERALD Is
right in refusing to take the thing on mere rum0r.
What DO you suppose gave rise 70 the affair?
ways difficult matter TO trace report OF TINS
character to us original source In these exciting
times one must expect TO hear much that turns Out
to be unfOunded In fact.
rison's, opposite West POINT on the North River.
asyiumn there at all There Is one near FIshklll-
HammOnd's. you know-but none at any other
assured Mr.. Connolly Is not in an asylum. He is
neither insane, nor Is ne likely to be.
REPORrER-Mr. Connolly Is not now in the city,
surrogate HuTcHINGs-No not exactly in the city,
though he Is not far away he can reach New York
REPoRrEn-His protracted absence from his nome
may have given rise TO the rumor; most probably IL
Surrogate HurcHISes Possibly 80; but you may
ever he is wanted. The fact Is, he Is simply taking
| REST FROM PERSECUTION
| SO long as he remained at home he had not an
hours peace. Parties would call upon him alleging
| that they had the facts as to pretended plots
these facts they desired to sell at prices ranging
from 81, 900 downwards and upwards. He deemed
quiet for while, in order to get ria Of these
prosecutors for they were nothing else-regular
summer, and, suppose, this fact being known:
some OF these strikers have set aoaI the rumor OF
Know VIVA has been reduced; s5oOooo IS the nominal
| amount but his bondsmen represent millions. Tney
| are not afraid that he VIII either lun away or
| that he will become insane, and nODOOy else
| need have any such apprehension For the matter
has right to go up to the Arctic Sea If ne peases.
| HIS bail Is bail for Judgment TO abide the event
| of the SUIT against HIM, not Tor his appearance
RspoRrER-He has not been inditea for felony,
Surrogate HUrcHINGs-No, for misdemeanor
simply, and there Is not city officer VINO might
mot 9e TSa le to nothng ony ne
II 1t be sustained Mr.. Connolly WIN be forthcoming
called @ His w ws went 70 70 see MN oa
she don't expect to find him insane either
the interview here terminated and the reporter
withdrew; subsequently ne caleo upon the ex-
| COmptrOller's other s0n-ln-law.
| MIR. JOEL FITHIAN,
whom he found at mis- residence, at No. AZ PARK ave.
| nue.. Having mentioned the cause OF mis- visit TO
! Mr.. FitnIan, that gent eman sad-
as am; you may depend upon IT, His alleged in
sanity Is all bosn and nonsense He Is simply keep
Tag quiet because he needs rest that Is ALL ne was
worried almost out Of his life so long as he remained
| In the city.
l KEPORTER-l nave Dceu BlVcu w uuueIStdIu tHbb
he is not IN the city now.
| Mr.. FITHIAN-No he Is neither In the City nor In
an asylum. he Is not lar away from New York.
however, and win return hither whenever 1t may
become necessary for MIN so 10 do. Probably he
| Will be here within few days. l shall take
| occasion to send him Down To the HERALD
| Office. and you can judge, then. FOR yourselves
| whether his speech or actions betOken insanity.
The last time saw MIN, and that was very long
ago, you may be sure, he was IN as good health and
! spirits as he ever was, and there Is reason why
| he should not remain so.
| Here the Reporter Did Mr.. Fithian good evening
| and took his departure.
Touching this matter OF Mir. COnnoliy's secuslOn,
II may be we'll TO state that another rurnor which
gained credence few days ago, TO the effect
| That Mr.. Connolly had left the country
| and had settled down on conee
plantation IN the West India Islands, was
| mentioned to Mr.. Hutchngs and brought out
| from him prompt and emphatic denial coupled
! with the exclamation, "well, that's good one.
The West Indies q nice place for man TO go to If
he wants ulsse with the yellow fever; but assure
| you Mr. Connony mas no desire for anything OF thar
| kind Just yet"