The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-07

formed.
Coroner, Whitehin and Supervisor Coles, who
was detailed as one OF the jurymen, visited the
house In company with the reporter oil the HERALD
sLbposnaed Mrs. Kipp, Mr.. Coles, her son-in-la
Mrs. Bunde who received the sacque OF the muir
dered woman from Mrs. Merrigan, and also Mrs.
made an examination OF the apartment aud came
to the conclusion after mature deAberation, that
the victim had not only been strangled with the
rope, but had. besides, been smOthered under the
mattress, as deposit OF filth was found under the
bed as Is usually the fact In all asphyxia.
INTERVIEW WITH THE ALLEGED MURDEREss.
HERALD reporter had an interview with Mrs.
Merrgan, the alleged murderess in jail, yesterday
afternoon Mrs. MerrlRan Is slim and rather sicky
LOOKING woman OF Twenty-Five above the medium
height, with pale, long face large gray eyes, thin
6loodiess lips, straight sharp nose and high
forehead Her c0untenance has rather cheerful
expression, and her smile Is frank and winning.
She sat alone In corner Of the corridor which Is
set apart for the female prisoners. Her child,
little boy, was on her lap, and she fondled 1t and
pressed 1t tenderly to her bosom.
The reporter began the conversation by inqur-
ing after the age OF the child.
''He is eight months OLD, i" she said, with pleas
ant smile. She kissed the boy arectionately as she
said this
make statement In regard to the crime OF which
you are accused.
Mrs. MERRIaAN rocking her baby -oh, really
neither one way nor the other. AFTER pause) 1t
Is rather cool here.
YES, IT is RATHER COOL.
Mrs. MERRIGAN occurring to the former topic)-
You see have been advised not to speak to any
body in regard to this matter. There was another
pause But 1t is rather cool here: Don't you think
soP''
REPoRTER-Yes, I do.
Mrs. MERRIGAN with smile; she did not seem
to be in the least excited)-I wonder how long
shall remain here.
REPonTER-Ir really can't tell
Mrs. MERRIGAN-Do you think 1t will be very
long before they will try meP
REPoRrER-It is impossible to say Have you
Mrs. MERRIGAN-Oh, no; have no money to ray
lawyer What would q lawyer want with poor
REpoRTER-Perhaps you have friendsG
Mrs. MERRlGAN-As my friends are not rich and
will not be able TO get me lawyer, Captain WOg
VG woad Hs e
kindly, and so did Inspector Folk. They were both
as KIND as they could be under the
matters. I'd much rather converse with you
about any other topic-politics, religion, amuse-
REPoRTER-You knew Miss Hammill as a childs
Mrs. MERRIGAN-Yes; we went to school to.
gether Al the time Of her death S she was about
QUITE PLAIN WOMAN.
REPoRrER-Is 1t true that she had considerable
jewelrv on her person while at your hOnse y
Mrs. MERRIGAN Din q very Indifferent tone)-No,
she had not. l had more jewelry than she had.
You see these gold rings on my fingers. Here are
nv initials on them, and my initials are on all my
jewelry. have been told that the papers make
out Of this dreadful affair.
REP0RTER-ls it true that you have confessed
Mrs. MERRIaAN with the same Indifferent man.
ner)-rd rather not say anything about this
LET THE LAW TAKE IT'S PROPER COUR =.
1t Will be time enough to answer before the proper
authorities Have you conversed with the Chief Of
Police about this natter
REPORTER-Yes.
Mrs. MERRIGAN-what does he think Does ne
think I'm guilty. DO they al think Pm guilty. If
me. What is the good OF being lawyer them
REPoRTER-But your lie may be In danger. The
indictment win probably Be s, TOR murder
and serious for the first time) Murders Murder9
And what is the punishment for thatP (She Kept
rocking the baby while she said this.)
MISUNDERSTANDING.
Mrs. MERRIGAN nightly Hanging Oh, don't
think they could hang me. They could not take
came before her eyes, but 1t cleared in one mo-
ment.) No, they could not
TAKE NE FROM MY CHILDREN;
they coun not do 1t. (She pressed the child to her
Kate stodds.a e. hour sgo; she i very quiet;
think they win hang meP
REPORTER-I don't know.
Mrs: hEERiaANmT Is dreadful prison the
uneducated. / suppose they mean wen enough,
REroRrER-The Chief Of Police exonerates your
husband, as you are aware.
Mrs. MERRIGAN I'm an earnest tonel1Oh, yes, he is
very good, he Is very good. hope nobody will say
anything discouraeing to HIM. He knew nothing
RsrosrEs-Yoa say Miss HamEifil had no valuable
jewelry on her persohf A,N
Mrs. MERRIGAN-No, sir.
REPoRrER-Is it true that she had $3.50 in her
pocketpQoks
MRS GERRIGAN-Oh, no, she had no money. Her
brothers are her guardians and take care OF all her
money. But do you really think
LAWYER COULD HELP MEp
Has Kate Stoddard lawyer
REPORTER-Yes.
mrs MERRIGAN-who is the very best lawyer ?
RRPORTER-It would be dificult to tell.
Mrs. MERRIGAN-WhO was Fosters lawyers Who
was Real's lawyer Who Is Stokes lawyer
REPORTER latter answering these questions) -
Somebody told me that If the house had be n set
on fire at midnight instead OF half-past zine 1t
would have been impossible to detect the perpe-
traitor OF the crime.
Mrs Merrgan renamed silent, and, after q mo-
ment, burst into laugh. Then she was plunged
in thought for few minutes at is very very
bad to be in trouble" she said. particularly when
one has children
REPORTER-It is dreadful.
Mrs. MERRIGAN with less lndinerence)-I sup
pose people think me hard-nearted, cruel, care
less woman who see me here talking and laughing
But can't cry. (She laid her hand on her breast.)
am SO full here that cannot cry. 1t passes over
me like this passing her hand over her heart and
then 1t goes up here (polnting at her forehead) |;
but 1t Is so much that
REALLY CANNOT CRY.
should feel relieved II could cry, but cannot.
REPORrER-Did you see the bodys
1t looked horrible. (TenderlyD Oh, could not
look at such sight Oh, would have no heart
to look at such corpse
Here the attendant brought Mrs. Merrigan her
supper-some tea and bread. She arose, and the
reporter babe her good evening.
THE PROSPECT PARK RUNNING MEETING.