The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-08
CONNOLLY'S SLAUGHTER.


VERDICT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE coRo-
NERs JURY-FoUR OF THE pEN1TENr1ARY
KEEPERS HELD FOR TRIAL
Yesterday was the final day in the investigation
corning the death of Michael Connolly, the Backwclls
Island prisoner The Coroner's Office corner of Null
berry and Houston Streets we'll attended By friends
of the deceased and of the keepers All tho evil
dencc possible TO obtain was had a great deal being
merely corroborative. DR., Cushmans is importan: as
showing that n strcter medical supervision OF the
prisoners health is greatly demanded on Blackwcs
Island.
A STUDENTS TESTIMONY
John b. Lenihan. being sworn, sad-I am student of
medicine; have been studying medicine three years
and half Dr. Gillette of the Medical Board of the
Charity Hospital, appointed to do duty as assistant
the medical stan Charity Hospital; was appointed
last spring. my duties consisted in attending to pa
tcnts and doing the house physician orders me;
a week ago last Tuesday, at halfpast six O'Clock
A. NJ, was told by the hospital orderly
named Gray that there a sick in a
cell; won't to the place. and approached the cell
the deceased was whistng and singing said to him,
Connolly, what is the matter with your" he an
swered, "oh nothing" l asked him why he did not
get up no said his legs little sore asked him
what was the matter with his legs he said nothing;
then examined his tongue and pulse and found moth
ing abnormal; told one of the keepers keep the
man in cell and watch him; l heard nothing of the
till the Friday morning following, the 9th; had
been in the prison six A. NJ. that morning and per-
formed the usual duties there: while at breakfast
called to the Penitenary; another message came
in and Immediately went there; found the deceased
in his cot he was in comatose condition; pupils di-
lated; he made one or two gasps and died; after
death found bruises the body the lower
extremities and both hands; always sent for by
tho hall keepers when any of the prisoners sick;
Connoy's the only where had seen
bruises said bruises being brought by violence such
as blows.
NO PRovoCATloN FOR BEATING CONNOLLY
John L. Flagler, being sworn, said-I genera
sorekceper for The Department of Charities and Cor.
rection; Friday, the week previous to Connollys
death, was inspecting lumber at tho Pcnitcntiary
near the coal yard; the gang working there under
Geary, keeper; during my work of inspection heard
loud swearing and considerable confusion and one
of the prisoners being whipped by Cowcn-
hoven with cane; was afterwards told
his name, which was a nickname, "Big judge"
saw no provocation for whipping Connolly
Daniel II. Kitchen, beng sworn, said-I chief of
the medical staff of the Charity Hospital on Friday
August 81 at noon, l was informed man had died in
the Penitentary; went there and asked Haywood and
explanations repaired to the dead house and examined
the body in presence of Drs Lehman and Sawazny;
found bruises both legs and hands; for Mr..
Cowenhoven acting warden, and asked HIM to see tho
bruises and asked hun If he knew how they there,
and he said the had been foolish fellow and had
him fall down many times his knees and hands,
and in that way explained the bruises on his body;
met Commissioner Brennan as | came from the dead
house; told him had just examined the man who
had died in the Penitentary; this was about
p. NJ; two hours after Commissioners Cox and Bailey
to the island and | related to them all
have said here concerning the case then went to
the Penentiary and asked Tor prisoner Sloan and
Sloan told us IN presence of Cowenhoven that he Cow
cnhoven had struck deceased and that Connolly had
been thrown into tank of water; he said that the
keepers had killed the man. the Commissioners then
left; Connolly during life; in prisoner
is sick the keeper of the gang informs the hall keeper
warden and doctor is sent for; physician from
the Charity Hospital is detailed for several months at
time to attend the prisoners; Commissioner Brennan
seemed very dgnant when he heard OF Connoy's
on ALL SIDES.
Charles Crawlcy. being sworn, sad-I knew the de-
ceased; have seen him struck by Cowenhoven with
his open hand while carrying lumber; have Geary
hit him with stick; heard Geary say he would make
Samuel Nash, assistant storekeeper, Blackwellls
Island swore that he saw Cowenhoven strike Connolly
several blows.
Martin Bergen, night guard at the Pencntiary
to having been in charge of the new prison and
OF Connolly's cell, No. 400.
Charles Robb, another night guard, swore to having
heard of man dying in his CELL but was not acquainted
with him.
THE POST MoRrEM
Joseph Cushman, being sworn, sad-l made post
morem examination of the body of Michael Connolly at
tue Morgue, August 20 thc pouy was wen nourlsncu
rigor or'is wen narkeu there were iouhu apTaslons
over the front of right leg and bruises over knees
.nlgns, ielt arm anu snouiucr ana rlsn. mana INC
Prulses o'el .no cI. arm an, .hen oh righe
sue WERE noIe recent than tnosc upou o,ncr
parts OF Tue pouy ON opening inc Skull
iounu lhsc aioun. VI SIRIUS chusioh IN "racnholu
anu on eAalnlhs .ie orash iounu onusion vi serum
INTO la'eIa ventIicIes ol vraln anu splnu cahal;
sinai oot Vi ooou was iouu ~ hesnes OF pa mater AT
Dlse ol Diail, anu wen MARKED soltehhg lWmtel IN
pous Naron anu corpora stratum ON rgnt slue; tne