The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10
The BUFFALO MURDERER.
Further Particulars in the Case
of John Gaffney.
Continued Indications Of Insanity-Excitement
in the City Of BufSalo-The Inquest on His
Condition-The Doctors Disagree
His Conduct in Jail-He Is Not
Informed of the Respite


BUFFALO, Feb, 6, 1874.
The case Of Gafrney, especially since he has been
rcspited, continues to be the alabsorbing topic OF
conversation among all classes in this community.
In the hotels, In the barrooms. on the streets, in
the cars, In private families, and even at social
gatherings the question OF GaGney's sanity is dis
discussed, and opinions as to its reality varied
according to the locality, and, in many instances,
according to the political procllvities Of the
speakers. The entire town Ia In state OF
EXTRAORDINARY EXCITEMENT,
and even the party organs have taken the subject
up In O fiercey personal style. Erie county has
for many years gone generally democratic, but at
the last election the republicans swept the board.
The democratic organ claims that the republican
party managers contracted to save Gaiiney, In
consideration OF votes for the republican ticket"
At this the republican organ res up and charges
that the tone OF the former Journal In insisting
that Gafiney s insane ana should not be executed,
only for the purpose OF securing the political aid
OF the class to which Carney belonged. The poll
ticians themselves are, metaphorically speaking,
Eat daggers pOints on the question, and 1t Is very
probable that should Gafiney be pronounced sane,
and therefore be obliged to suffer the penalty OF
the law, the question OF his death and the alleged
promises to save him may enter to great extent
into local affairs.
In nay last letter stated that Carney threw the
crucinx ut Father Malloy. On fu Their Inquiry /
have been informed by the Jalor, Mr.. Harris, that
Carney had smashed the cruci6x before the priest
arrived Shortly alter he commenced his rawlings
he picked the crucihx up, gazed at 1t, and asked
what that thing was, and what brought 1t there
mterlarding each question with profane ex-
preston and hurled 1t against the cell door with
ffnn Drnu N fhn anddn
change In Gatiney's demeanor Father Malloy and
the Sisters OF Charity had apparently succeeded in
inducing him to
REALIZE HIS SITUATION
and prepare himself to die happily and at peace
with God Cergymen OF other denominations
have visited Carney, and although he had never
been brought mp to or professed any religion he
permitted himself to be instructed In the catechism
and doctrines Of the Catholic Church. The only
sembance OF moral training he had ever received
was during short attendance, when quite young,
at q mission school which was founded by the
Young Mems Christian Association. 1t will be seen
that to bring man like Galrney-whO had been
born and bred In and among crime, and whose
companions during his entire life were from the
most desperate and depraved classes-to sense OF
religious duty was no small task, and 1t Is but
natural to suppose that should reason give away
OF the recent gentle training, and would DRIFT into
the old channels, and that the former style OF
thinking ana speaking SnOulu come uppermOBt.
GAFFNEY WAS SHARP AND SHREwD
enough, 1t Is said by those who knew him, to fegu
insanity In the manner above Indicated; but 1t
must be said, II he be only shammng, nc Is play
ing his part remarkably well, and as he has thus
far deceived the doctors and many others he may
succeed for the present in cheating the gallows.
Since my last letter, as is already known, tie
Governor. on the request Of the doctors, has
granted respite OF one week; bIt as the case IS
doubt will. have some effect on some OF the many
others confined in prisons throughout the country
fNr,, rInrv inv I'm ctn Uhnrn
terminated my last despatch. l gave the sections
OF the law which bear on the case OF q convict
TO IN e
| Sheriff Cleveland observing the continuance Of
called in Drs: Dayton. Rochester. Miner, Hopkins,
Potter and King. They each observed and ex-
| mine whether his insanity was real or iegned
They found MN pacing his CELL talking In monot-
onous way. about dutch dance" Captain
Frawley and a cock fight; swearing and blasphen-
ing continually and stating that some OF his friends
had got hlm into scrape and then ran away from
him; that a couple OF them were 'Tunning' his
concert saloon, taking In fabulous sums OF money
and would not come to him with any O 1t; that the
keeper in charge OF him was continually poking Q
big pole through the bars ut him and would not let
him rest. He would sit sometimes on the side Of
his cot and talk toward the WALL as If telling some
body his story, which he never varied, except by
inserting here and there few more oaths or i'm
precautions. The Sheriff autographed to Governor
Dix, briefly stating the case and asking Tor
RESPITE FOR TWO WEEKS,
so that the doctors could make more complete
eleven
O'Clock on Wednesday night genuine Dix-Onion
despatch was received directing the Sheriff to pro-
coed In the execution Of his duty The physicians
above named telegraphed the GOverner on Thurs
day morning, after having made second examina-
tion and stated that they unable to decide as
to the sanity OF Gatrney, and recommended that o
respite he granted, as the Sherilf had asked. The
Sheriff. in company with Judge Talcott, OF the
| Supreme Court then summoned jury for the pur.
pose de hnattc0 tnQufre'adO, in accordance with
| the provisions OF the statute This jury comprised
some OF the leading citizens, and was one Of the
| MT mi nlli inn tnrln hnu
The names OF the jurymen are:-Frederick W.
Breed, Charles G. Irish, Philip Becker, A, J. Davis
LEONARD Dodge, Frank Perew, A. !. Carpenter
Truman q. Avery ana Edward Z. Hazard. This
| FINAL INQUIsITION
| convened at two O'Clock on Thursday afternoon In
the chamber OF the Board OF Supervisors In the
Court House, adjoining the ail. Galrney was
brought in by the jalor. Mr.. Harris, and assist
| ant and placed I'm o chair near the District At
torney. He looked completely shattered. Ord
narily he was really handsome man, about Ave
feet seven in height, with clear complexion,
large, bright dark eye black hair and slender mus.
tache, and well-defned, classlcay cut features
His appearance on Thursday, however, was very
bad. His face wore that sicky palor so usual In
those who have been confined in jail; he Kept his
and his mouth twitching nervously, but he uttered
not word during the entire investigation His
kempt, his clothing, although Clean, was sovenly,
and altogether he was as much unlike his former
self as one con well imagine.
and of Messrs. Knapp and Spauldng, VINO have been
been watching Ganney, and OF the turnkey, Mr..
Elliott, was taken, and all tended to show the
state OF facts as to his sayings and dOings as above
stated. In their opinions as usual
THE DOCTORS DISAGREED
Not one was ready to state that he was positive as
to the sanity or insanity OF the prisoner DR.. Hop
kins and Dr. King were OF opinion that he was In.
sane. The others would not say. DR.. Dehl, one Of
the attending physicians In the Insane depai tment
Of the County House, was put on the stand. he
that he was only fegning, and that he had his
eyes and ears wide open to all that was going on
about him. and had been paying too close attention
for person who was really insane. He would
not Ike to state positively, however, on 80
not insane. An adjournment was then
taken ntil haipast seven O'Clock in the evening,