The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-13
"STRANGLED TO DEATH"
Close Of the Margaret HamilI
Inquest.
81 AM NOT GUILTY."
Sarah Cecilia Merrigan Before the Coroner and
Sent to Raymond Street Jail-How She
Looked Yesterday and What She
and Her Husband Said.


Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Merrigan was brought
from the Williamsburg police station, where she
had been locked up after the rendition Of the
dict finding her responsible for the death Of Miss
Margaret Ann HamiL At two O'Clock she ap-
peared in the Coroners' once, before Coroner
Whitehill, bringing her bright-eyed baby of eight
months OF age. She was attended by Captain
Woglom and Ofhcer Brown. Her husband joined
her soon after her arrival, bearing bundle Of
clothing for the comfort OF his wife and child
IN jail. Counsellor Ready, of the Kings county
Bar, was present in charge Of Mrs. Merrigan's de-
fence, and watched that she should say or do
nothing which could be used to her disadvantage
In the subsequent stages OF the EFFORT to unravel
the mystery which still envelops the sad
TRAGEDY OF MARGARET HAhILL's DEATH.
The prisoner was dressed in q wrapper OF warm
oolored woollen STUFF which made prominent the
deathly palor of her face that had nrst attracted
notice on the previous night, when she almost
tainted on hearing the verdict OF the Coro-
ner's jury. distressing cough, which has
at times been noticed ever since her
arrest, was more frequent in its paroxysms than
heretofore. Her eyes showed evidences of anxiety
appearing deeply sunken in their sockets and hav-
ing dark lines beneath them, while they had lost
none Of their lustre and look OF quick intelligence
She seems q slight frai young woman to be ac-
cused OF numbering, In cold blood, another woman
her intimate friend, her more than equal in
health and strength, and for no motive which could
be supposed sufficient to tempt TO the commission
Of that blacklist of crimes.
James Merrigan, the husband was more carefully
dressed than while in custody; and an apparent
assurance of being by the verdict released IRON the
grave charge which has been hanging over him had
H-y,<a faa with ~
happy rescue from apprehension OF personal dan
ger. Had it not resulted that his wife, the mother
Of his babies, was but the more deeply implicated
In this monstrous crime by his discharge one might
have seen in his content the smile of treasured in
nocence delivered from peril.
THE PLEA-1NOT Gu1LTY.n
In answer to the formal questions Of Coroner
Whtehill, after reading to the prisoner again the
verdict, which accuses her Of causing the death Of
rgaret Hamill, by stranguatlon, the I'd day
Of September inst at the house Of the prisoner in
Williamsburg, she gave her name as Sarah Cecilia
4errfgan, aged twenty three years, born in Brook
The capital accusation, al AIN not guilty."
She was subsequently conducted by Captain
W0glom, under the Coroner's warrant, to the Ray
mond street jail, where she was assigned cell in
the same corridor which SO long confined Fanny
Hyde and Kate Stoddard.
TALK WITH MRS. MERRIGAN.
conversation with Mrs Merrlgan, who appeared
Elad to tax with the public through the press
the question OF her immediate connection with or
knowledge OF the murder of Miss Hamnl was ex-
cluded from the topics discussed. In answer to
known the deceased lady, She said ''' N"N
schoomates Maggy used often to visit me, ana
had often visited her at her various boarding
places in New York, at Bergen Point and other
p' REponrrnN you know her circumstances
was she wealthy @xA -
not at her disposal mao Her arSr charge Of
REpoRTERMWhy, Miss Hamin was Of matiGe age.
How was 1t that her brother sustained that t'aaI-
PERFORMANCES Hamils father, who was wealthy.
some sort Of provision for her, giving her, think,
posed she wa was fixed for life in the con:
commenced proceedings in the Courts in
New York and finally obtained decision giving
estate. There has been long contest about 1t
and bad feelings between the brothers and Maggy,
sv ro oe as o s
from your husband to live with Miss Hamill as her
clerk or bookkeeperS
been good and kind to me, and I had no occasion
=, -RraoRTER-Had, he always been at work steadys
the time OF the strike. When the work stopped,
and at the request OF his uncle out West, he went
there and got work, while broke up housekeeping
and went to stay with my mother. He regularly
sent me his wages while he was away. AT that
time Miss Hamill tried Keeping house by her:
Belt, and she wanted me to come with hers but
did not consent. since he came back he has had
steady work. He earned about $40 week. We
paid SO SO a month rent for the two second floor
rooms we occupied, and were to pay $l1 for these
and the Others down stairs.
REPoRTER-Was Miss Hamll addicted to liquor9
PRIsONER-NO; don't consider she was. have
only twice seen her under the influence OF drink
Once was when my baby was christened and one
other time.
REPoRTER-It has been said that You were
drinking person. Your appearance don't indicate
that.
PRIsoNER-I am not accountable for what ma
hciOus things may be said about me. You have
now seen me several times and II were victim
OF intemperance you would likely discover its
traces.
REPoRTER-How long have you been suffering
PRIsoNER-For about five weeks, and this trouble
has been very hard on me and made my cough
worse But while have been in the station house
Captain Woglom has been very kind TO me, allow
could.
MERRIGAN's STORY
James Merrgan the prisoners husband, in
talk with the HERALD reporter, maintained the
same circumspectlon as his wife had done relative
70 the actual commission Of the crime. He said his
vile was well educated, and had been during all
their lie together very amcabe; had rather a
quick temper, but was soon over 1t. He had never
Known her violent. She never threw things or
fsEPoRTER-Did you know Miss Hamill |?
MERRiGAN-Certainly ldid-well enough by sight,
OuI had never talked much with her. She was
with her. '
REPoRTEB-Dd you know her circumstances as
to pr0perty2 49,
nERRIGAN-No, had no knowledge as to that.
kEf0kTER-iad you been regularly at work.up to
the time OF the fire in your rooms last week.
AERRiGAN-fes; did not work all the time for
one employer, but Tor the TWO weeks previous had
made full days WORK every day, working for Mr.
Hart. he worked with me some OF the time and
could know by what did II was was not busy
all the day.
REPORTER-How long has your wife been M
NERRIGAN-Some four or five weeks quite III
and had doctor some OF the time.
REPoRTER-When you went to your rooms after
ten O'Clock Tuesday night, were let into the han
by Mr. Coe and could not get In your room with
the borrowed key did you go right away?
MERRIGAN--We went pretty soon tried little
time to force the key into the lock, and then,
thinking did not want to make too much noise.
we went out silently.
KEPoRrER--About the money found in your