The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-05
History of the Crime and Sketch Of
the Criminal.
Equal Justice in Ireland at
a Late Day.
UNAVAILABILITY OF THE INSANITY PLEA,
Hontgomery's Demeanor Under the Delusivs
Hope of Commutation-Interview in the
Condemned Cell-How the Convict
Handled the Blllhook and
Dealt the Deadly Blow.

mail despatch from Ireland, dated on the 23d
OF August, reports as follows All the preliminary
arrangements for the execution of the convict,
Thomas Hartley Montgomery, within Omagn jail
are now completed. Wesleyan minister to
whose ministratiOns he Is becoming attentive,
daily visits the jail Two other ministers also
attend and the rector of Omagh, Rev. DR.. Smith,
has invited Simultaneous prayers for the convict
on Saturday and Monday. Montgomery appears,
so far, calm and collected. He viii be executed
on Tuesday, the Goth inst. the hangman-an Irish
professional who aspires to Calcraft's position I'M
der the Crown-having just arrived at the Omagh
prison from Castlebar, county Mayo, where he
hanged man for the murder OF o woman, his
wife.
THE CONVICT MONTG0MERY-HIS CAREER, CRIME,
CONFESSION AND DEATH.
Thomas Hartley Montgomery, the convict MUIR
derer, was born at Broad Road, foot Of Barrack
HILL in the town Of Cavan, Ireland. He was the
son OF the late John Montgomery, a Sub Inspector
OF Police by his wife, Miss Hartley daughter OF the
late Thomas Hartley, Esq, OF Countenan, near
Skadone, Cavan. He was thirty three years OF
age when he murdered Glass, three years since,
and his appearance may be recalled now in order
to contrast with the picture of him drawn at the
moment of his death, under the hands Of the hang.
man. Tall, well shaped and athletic looking, he
drugging, or debility by intoxicaton. OF which he
spoke in Court In mitigation, paliation, total
excuse OF his crime. He appeared to be six feet
high; black hair and beard and mustache set on
features all of which were regular, and some OF
which were good. The forehead was good, the
nose well shaped, the eyes good IN se), but they
seemed to have an ugly trick OF NOT being able to
look at you directly. OF the mouth 1t would not be
so easy to speak, as it was almost entirely hidden
by the mustache; but it struck one as hard
looking that the lips were thin and that it wanted
mobility. The complexion was slightly bronzed |;
but there was a good, fresh, healthy tint on the
cheeks. He always dressed in good taste. with
scrupulous neatness but without any appearance
OF a1ectation except the fact that during his sur
veillance, and before his incarceration, he wore
different attire on each succeeding day. He con-
Quoted himself coolly and quietly, but looked awk.
wardly, as well he might; but no look, nor word
nor motion gave any indication OF madness arising
Gom drunkenness or any other source.
ENTRY INTO PUBLIC LIFE.
He received an excellent education and entered
LIE as a clerk in bank. In this capacity he be-
came acquainted with william Glass, his victim.
After some years he was appoin ted to a position
in the Constabulary force and rose to profitable
promotion rapidly.
HISTORY OF THE MURDER OF WILLIAM GLASS.
Thomas Hartley Montgomery, the murderer, Oc-
cupied, as stated, a high position in the Royal
Irish Constabulary. He was an ambitious fellow,
loved high life, and worshipped money as o means
thereto.
William Glass, his victim, was cashier in the
branch OF the Northern Bank OF Ireland at New
tewnstewart and ths intimate friend of Mont
gomery If young Glass were to be told he'was
10 be murdered on the Goth OF June 1871 he would
hoy cfaI that 4ho md a.
ing police Officer would be the assassin.
They had laughed and sported together,
like true, fast friends. They walked together, and
visited each other, until they seemed inseparable.
THE CASHIER MURDERED.
But on the 18th OF June, 1871, alter banking
hours, the cashier was found lying dead IN his
ONCE. his skull battered in and an office letter
Tile thrust into his brain through one OF his ears
II appears deceased was engaged looking at a
map at the moment he was assalled. There was
plenty OF blood on the noOr some brandy had
Just been drank from bottle found in one OF the
desks or tables. large sum oil money In bills and
gold had been distracted by the cOwardy muir
derer, small part OF which subsequently
found hidden under pile OF stones near to river
a distance from the building. Montgomery was
the last one in the world to be suspected for the
commission OF the CRIME. he had, however been
seen going into the bank after IL was closed for
the day; person not then fully recognized was
observed leaving 1t alone some time later in the
evening. lie wore u waterproof coat over ais
arm, and when he arrived at Mong0mery's lodg-
ings was entirely free from any stain or trace OF
collected when he reached there.
THE MANAGER ABSENT.
Glass had been alone Ia the 0ilice on that day,
and Mr.. Straban, the manager, who lived on the
premises, was al the neighb0ring town OF Drum
quin, at which fair was being held, the branch
bank In that town being open on fair days. Mrs.
Strahan was away at the sea, and the only people
in the house on the afternoon OF the murder were
Miss Thompson, relative or Mr.. Strahan's, and
two servants The bank consisted OF two ofilces,
the inner ONCE communicating with the front OIL
fee by two doors, one on each side OF The bank
There commtl ton SO
ofiics and the dwelling house, except through an
entrance hall or lobby. In this lobby are glass
door, giving adnltiance To the bank, and door
giving admttancc TO the house. The street door,
which opens into this hall or lobby IL very heavy
one. 1t was kept open during bank hours; when
1t was open the house door was, of course, shut.
Mr.. Glass had transacted his business, and at three
O'Clock he was seen 10 come out ana shut the outer
door OF the bank. Three persons saw him and
spoke to HIM at quarter before three and one OF
them, Mary Fulton, says that while she was IN the
outer ONCE Mr. Glass turned into the inner or,ce
and she heard a whisper as though somebody was
speaking to HIM In an undertone, but she did not
hear what was said.
CIRcuMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE.
Glass usually lett the bank soon alter three and
d.ned at his lodgings across the way at a quarter
past three. On the fatal Tuesday he did not ap-
pear, but his ateness created no suspicion. soon
alter four O'Clock one OF Mr.. Straban's servants,
Fanny Macbride, wished to see how near 1t was 10
ave o'clock-the hour at which Mr. Strahan had
ordered his dinner. She ran into the hall to look
through the glass door at the clock, which was on
the front wall, between the windows that LOOK out
mo the street. she saw blood somewhere in the
once, but was too alarmed to look at the clock,
and rushed at once to call Miss thompson Thal
lady sent her across the street TO fetch Mr..
McDowd, and on entering the Office nc saw Mr..
Glass dead body lying on It's lace III 'front.' OF the
counter. He had been struck In the inner ONCE
as there was blood on map which hung on the
wall about the height OF mans head, and he had
stopped In his 1Ight towards the outer door, which
he had never reached. as there were hair and
blood on the door between the inner and outer
ofrlces, which showed that he had run violently
against IT. The safe in the inner office was open
and rifed. The murderer evidently knew that the
bank did not record the numbers OF its notes, and
they we're consequently safe spoil, and he had
taken bundle OF them and the loose cash, IN all
some 81 500.
TINE OF THE MURDER
II was quite evident the murder was done aIter
three o'clsck, and the question was, who coulo
have been there TO do IT. The last person IN the
bank was MIR. Robert Moncrief, miller, whom
Mss Fulton, who heard the whispers In the inner
Office, left standing by the window IN the outer
Office. Bat Mr. Msncried left before Mr.. Class was
seen 70 come forward and close the outer door.
Montgomery however told more than one person
that he was IN the bank after three O'Clock IN the
Afternoon. He however. bank premises