New-York tribune., 1873-01-18


Just within the hearing Of Broadwsy's roar known ~
the Tombs has always been object OF interest 10
every resident and stranger, since Its erection years
ago but 1t has been beseged by visitors at
the present All day long Of people gaze mp
tue casellated walls with mingled curiosity and awe.
and peer through the ancientlookng windows,
as II they really expected TO see murderer
rehearsing OF his acts OF bloodshed.
About the entrance, which ia In Frsnklin-st..
there Is usually large crowd composed OF young and
old Of both sexes who feel amply repaid for stand
ing an hour In the raw air. by glimpse within tho
door Two policemen guard the portals, and all not hay
ing business inside turned away The prison doors
hfe only open visitors between the hours Of 10
and D. m and during that time hgpdreds Of persona
are in attendance The tickets of admission issued
by the Commissioners OF Charities and Correction ana
as there IL only limited number given out, many arc
disappointed The relatives and most intimate friends
OF the prisoners are supplied with exteuded passess
which enable them to call every day aud remain a. long
as they please
reporter OF THE TRIBUNE Joined on Saturday the
tbrong of visitors entering the Tombs, and spent
hour within its strong walls Warden Mark Finley was
seated his desk in the comfortable office. and kindly
cOnsentng give q list of the murderers In his care,
took down from cupboard the ponderous volume which
contains NewYork's record of crime. Slowly turning
over wethumbed pages and searching through the
hundreds of names those standing opposite the omnous
word murder were passed. by one, until all had
been found the list numbering 3 Three OF these are
OF death, one ia awaiting second trial.
the jury having disagreed, while the remaining nine
have not been tried.
The crowd of visitors continued 10 pour IN and out
and most of persons merely drawn there by
curiosity Nearly all OF those who charged with
murder confined the second tier OF cells Directly
at the left OF the the cells number 3S 49, zO &c.
and the is designated by the keepers as " Muir
derers' Row." In these apartments are Robert Bleak
lev John scannen, VIM. J. sharkey. James c. King Wm
Foster David Murphy, and Frederick HegG. This por-
tion of the prison, matter OF course, attracts tho
most attention. and every moment mpernen strangers
stand gaping before the grated doors, watching the
movements OF the inmates. The prisoners do not gem
orally resent the curious looks Out continue their Occu
pations with perfect selfpossession.
LoDGERs IN MURDERERs' ROW.
The murder OF Maude Merrill by her uncle, Robert
Beakey on Dec TO- much talked Of because Of the
romance attending the tragedy. The hapless uncle a
the only murderer in the Tombs whose appearance
would excite pity. His cell is very scany furnished.
and he paced rapidly up and down its narrow limits
hour after hour He acted very nervously and his
appearance indicated extreme mental suffering HIS
hat and overcoat lay the bed. and, except small
print pasted the wall, there no ornament In the
apartment His appearance and surroundings were in
striking with those Of his nearest peighoor
John scannen occupies the most handsomely fitted
up room on the "ROw." Like nearly all his companions
crtme lie was receiving MS lrleuus cch II aDoue
OF the size OF hall bedroom. and small window opens
out into court scanne is not fierce looking man.
He wears red side-whiskers and looks like fresh
emgrant from England. He apparently enjoys life In
the Tombs. His bed is soft and downy, with fancy
coverlet; bright carpet the floor while SOFT
burning students lamp stands upon the table, sur
rounded by books and writing materials. In corner OF
the room is handsome bureau, on Whlch are arrahsou
vases aud other ornaments.
Politicians have another representative here in tho
person OF WIN. j. Sharkey. Robert s. Dunno lost Ills s
at the hands Of this Sept l, and the affair AT
trlcted its share OF attention the ne sharkey does
not suffer his confinement, for, though not vol
untary guest, treated like His parlor Is COM
fortably furnished and he Ia constantly easted with
good things. young lady stood eonyersing with him
nearly every moment during visiting hours. They
chated pleasantly Notwithstanding the ugly bars that
separated them. he eating bunch OF white grapes
while she dispensed to him the gossip Of the outside
world Sharkey is quite young, handsome, and lnteF
iectual looking.
The startling murder OF Anthony +. 0'Neil by James
c. King followed closely the killing OF Donohue by
scanneu. King bears his confinement coolly, aud occu
pies most Of hs time in writing. He seated at
table busiy employed with pen and ink. BE wore a
velvet coat fancy scarf tied about his throat and
be was smoking cigar. Pictures hung about the wall,
and the bureau bouquet and some fruit The
floor was covered by a carpet, and the room
otherwise made comfortable.
william Foster renders his seclusiOn close by
always keeping the inner door to his cell shut While
the reporter standing opposite his cell Foster
opened the door, peeped cautiously around. and then
opened conversation with OF his neighbOrs. lie
was dressed in black Clothes aud dark gray cap.
the peak of which shaded his eyes. He has evil eyes
any having them would be dsinclined to
favor the company Of their dark night. His
cell was comfortably fitted up, but did compare
luxury with those of the others Foster did not expose
prisoner he retired
David Murphy though not prepossessing in appear
ance is positively repusive. He occupies the cell
adjacent to Fosters because he shot David Barry,
April IL 1872 He Is of the convicted criminals. and
TO have been hanged Aug but his counsel OBJ
tained stay of proceedings, and the writ Of error Ia
pending Murphy usually receives several callers
every day, and lady and gentleman conversed
estly with him, Saturday. for hour. When
alone he very active and continually busted him
self with occupation. The old apple and candy
woman who passed through the corridors found in him
a generous customer. and he constantly munobng
fruit or bon-bons His cell has few extra convenenoes.
Frederick Hegg is another OF the poorer class of GRIM
inas aud no wealthy relatives furnish him with luxu
res, faithful and loving wife visits him daily. and
with him as long the prison laws will allow.
Heggs cell is meanly furnished, and seems cold and
The prisoner atred in dark clothes and
was talking sobery to his wife. Hegg has been in his
present quarters since April 1871 Wnen nc was restoo
charge OF poisoning Frederick seigfried several
years ago he has had trial. but the jury disagreed
and he Is awaiting a second trial.
OTHER PRIsoSERs-rHE ToMBs AT NIGHT.
"Murderers' Row longer favored with the pres
ence OF the murderer OF Fisk. Since his conviction
Stokes has been occupying the condemned CELL" sits
ated on the ground floor. The apartment is much
smaller than his former elegant quarters 1t is clean
nevertheless. and CARPET the cold stones.
bed campchair and stand, with toilet articles,
all tho furniture 1t Is certainly enough for
within three feet OF the cell door stands large stove
and the prisoner complains of this well OF almost