The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-05
THE TORTURED PRISONER.
Corroborative Evidence of Connolly's
Fatal Persecution.
EXCITEMENT ON BLACKWELL'S ISLAND
Precautions Against an Outbreak
Of Prisoners.

The inquest into the death of Malachi Connolly
which was fastened by i'll treatment on the part OF thu
Penitentiary keepers on Blackwcs Island, 70
sumed yesterday afternoon in Warden Fox's Office
the Island A considerable amount Of interest was
manifested in the proceedings and numerous friends OF
the prisoners and the deceased up the boat
the Island Coroner Croker accompanied by DR..
Cushman and Mr.. Healy, and lawyers Knitting and
schwab represented the accused keepers The advent
of the party to the Island the source OF much ex
citemen among the prisoners In fact this Connolly
has stirred up feeling among the inmates
Of the Penentary that had better be checked at once
before developes itself any greater and extent
On the strength of the public sympathy extended to-
Connolly the majority Of the prisoners in the Peniten-
tiary who ruians Of the vicst type, have shown
an uncommon degree of INSTRUMENTATION, hoping that
the popular voice will be with them they revolt
en- mdssc. Noticing this Commissioner Brennan has
made arrangements in private
DISPLAY
that may be made; and should, is apprehcnded, On
outbreak occur he has contrved that in fifteen min
utes from the commencement of disturbance he will
have 100 fully armed men landed the island Last
night he told the HERALD reporter that he should
main on the Island and let the prisoners see II they
tried revolt that there a sufficient force sub
due them.
COMMISSIONER BRENyAx's
The following letter was yesterday addressed by Conn.,
missioner Brennan TO Warden Fox
CENTRAL OFFICE NEW YORK, Sept 4. 1875
JOIN NJ Fox Esq, Warden, Penenary Blackwels Island
SUI have detailed two keepers from the City Prison and
Deputy Superintendent of the workhouse Mcdonald to re-
Ser orders this RS @ G% S%t %" Ro
my nS MGF b Ss @ e S s % @
cipne IN the department Very I r,cspeetaly yours
Commissioners of Charities and Correction.
When the jury assembled before Coroner Croker the
following testimony was taken:-
Charles Osborne, being sworn, said:-l am keeper
at the Penitcntiary on Blackwes Island; know de-
ceased, Malachi Connolly; first him about the mid
die of June last; he quiet, harmless, lnolensve
man; have him attempt to strike any of the
keepers; on August there were three gangs which
worked adjacent each other Connolly worked in tho
coal gang under the orders of Geary Gerard and Boye
was standing on the corner of the shed where thu
stonecutters work watching my men, when Connolly
came over to me; knowing he was simple kind of
man said chow are YOU Nike" he said he was sick;
he had no hat on at the time; he went into the shed
when told him and sat there about half hour; after
that Boyle, the keeper, took him out and set him to
work
CARRYING BEAMS;
his slow manner OF working did not please Boyle, who
struck him with his cane on the hands and on the lower
part of his back Connolly compelled to carry
end of BEAM while two were placed at the other end
they carried the beams distance of about 200
feet; Cowenhoven, who acting warden,
strike Connolly, several times with Stat three
four feet long, saying at the same time, God damn
you; I'll make you work.; Connolly stopped for
stone; Cowenhoven spoke loudly to him again. and no
let the stone drop; saw prisoners running him back
wards and forwards and tumbllng him into water
trough by orders of the keepers; Mr.. Haywood
calling out the men, when Connolly would call out tho
names after him.
Timothy Sicily, keeper being sworn, said
Thursday, August "a saw Connolly carrying timber
Gearys gang he got sick in the line, and he taken
into the prison and placed where the stove stands;
Peter Seaman, being sworn said he worked a
canal boat; keeper Geary brought Connolly from tho
prison and put him down in the hold of the canal boat
and told the other prisoners to club him If he did not
work.
George Sloan, being sworn said Il am inmate Of
the Pencntiary; sent here March s. for two yeara
for grand larceny; deceased about weeks
ago; saw HIM coming through the hall, leg in ha
pants and the other OUT
STRIKE
with his cane; about week ago last Monday, rainy
day, he sent with umbrella to Keeper Osborne;
Osborne told him TO sit down in of the shcd
after he had there ten fifteen minutes
Boyle and Cowenhoven ordered him to
out; Boyle struck him with his stick and passed
HIM on Cowenhoven who repeatedly kicked him and
then passed him to Geary's gang; after while saw
Connolly come along, carrying one end of heavy
plank; after that three four prisoners walked him
Spansh;' Cowenhoven struck MIN with his cane; this
kept up all day long; never saw Geary strike him;
Wednesday the deceased put through the same
process; about nine O'Clock saw Cowenhovcn knock
deceased down with a stick called a straight edge
Thursday morning | deceased brought out by
Keeper Ryan; when heard of the death OF Connolly
informed Commissioner Brennan.
Other prisoners examined, but their testimony
about the has already been published The
investigation will be resumed Monday morning.