The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-03
SHOCKING OFFICIAL STUPIDITY.
An Innocent Paralytic Sent to the Island
to Lose His Life.
Was lie Beaten While in Prison ?-COmmence-
ment of the Coroners Inquest.


which has resulted IN the death OF an innocent
man. on the Goth OF February about ten O'Clock
p. NJ, Jacob Stockvis, OF No. 1891 Third avenue,
native OF Holland and Iorty-eiGht years Old, who
had for some Time been slightly deranged, was ar
rested py Oficer Fallen, or the Nineteenth pre-
ciIct, and taken TO the station house. Upon his
arrival questions were put to the prisoner TO all
OF which he renamed dumb. charge OF iatoxi-
cation made against him, and upon
being brought before the Court on Monday
he was sentenced by Judge Flammer to six
months in the Penitentiary vagrant. For two
days he was kept. according 10 custom. in Ahe
Fitty-seventh street police station. and was then
sent to the Island. His friends became uneasy at
his absence, and, after an agonizng and fruitess
search In the city, finally discovered mis- where
abouts by mere chance. On Saturday last they
secured his release and orough. him home, where
he died three O'Clock yesterday morning. An
has elected the following lacts-
Mr.. stocSvis lett his nome in the morning In ap.
parently perfect health. He had never been ad-
dicted to drink; but 1t seems that some time dur
ing the day he suffered from
PARALYTIC STROKE.
which suspended entirely his powers OF speech
and left him somewhat deranged. Upon oei NC ar
rested by the policeman he was not able TO articu-
late wo I'd, and when taken TO the station mouse
could not reply 10 any questions addressed TO
there were bruises about his lace when he first
saw him. Although the unfortunate man was
clearly in an abnormal condition no step were
taken TO give him medical attendance. By the
accounts OF the officials at the station house he
laughed and looked III an ldlotc manner. ana as
he was unable TO speak his name was entered as
John Doe, anc as such he was sent TO the Island.
While at the station house or alter his arrival at
the Penltentiary he received the injuries which
resulted in his death. Accounts differ regarding
II; but one thing Is clear, that the unfortunate
man
WAS HORRIBLY BEATEN,
probably by some fellow prisoner. while IN the
custody OF justice. The keeper OF the cells at the
station house states positively that no one was
ever III the same cell with the murdered man. and
II his account is correct the authorities oil Black
Wells Island are responsible. TOO much stress
cannot be laid upon the lact that no physician was
called In TO pronounce upon the prisoners con-
ditIon when 1t was found he could not speak.
The argument at the Police Court Was that he
looked and behaved IKE man recovering from
picion OF common vagrancy. StOcKvls died at the
house OF Dr. hlrsch. his brorher-in-law. No. 125
at i've O'clock. Coroner Kessler caused a post.
mOrtem examination to be held. jury was
empaneiled, consisting of the following gentle
Eigar Odell, No. 600 Lexington avenue.
Dr. Alexander MADDEN. No. 1855 East Fifty-drst
street.
Ad0lph Mas. No. 633 Lexington avenue.
Fred. Kru!ina. No. 9e East Houston street.
Moses G. Herman, NO. SOL Lexington avenue.
Joseph E. Redmond No. S52 Third avenue.
Dr. Fred. A. Castle, No. 687 Lexington avenue.
Albert Steinway, No. l25 East Flity-second
General Franz sigel. No. 1ls East Fiity-sixth
street.
John R. Haley, No. 127 East FIity-third street.
J. B. Stanbuz No. 1877 East Fllty-fourth street.
John McCairerty, No: Ss4 Third avenue.
Leo, was attended with the following resuits:-
The external examination showed considerable
lett SIDE OF Inc lace the lett knee and leg.
The right arm was largely swollen, with marks
Of oa ,ss as ns 5
showed extensive suppuratlou extending over the
entire length of the lett arm. on removing the
scalp, eccnymotic spots were discovered upon the
frontal and paretal bones. The lett lobe OF tie
brain was found slightly sotened; the other Or
gans were Ia good conaition. In Or. Leo's opinion
death was caused by exhaustion. induced by sup.
Duration OF the arm, and n supposed that the
suppuration must have been going on Tor several
the jury, stating the Importance OF the case aud
mentioned that iu!l and thorough nSI invest,
adduced. as 1t VIII be several days
before the important witnesses can be summoned.
rived at is That Jacob Stockvls, while a prisoner,
was beaten orutallv IN his cell, causing injuries
iorty-eigat years OF age and leaves wife and SIX
children. HIS frlenos state that upon beng
brought home SATURDAY. his garments we were not
Coroner Kessler proposes TO personally investigate
the case before summoning witnesses. and mas
expressed himself very earnest to make u COM
plete and thorough inquiry.
sTATEMENTs OF THE OFFICERS.
The officer who arrested Stockvls stated that he
found him at the corner OF Fity-seventh street
aud Third avenue, acting IN wlld manner. and 1t
was with the utmost difficulty that he brought
him TO The station house.
The apparent imbeclllty and wildness OF manner
OF the unfortunate man rendered 1t difficult task
Tor the oincer to manage him. the keeper
OF the Police Court Prison states that
apparently the prisoner was perfectly idi-
Otto and that he received the greatest
kindness, the general Impression being that
he was merely laboring under the effects OF In
tOXlcattOu-a very usual occurrence at this prison.
Nothing more serious was supposed TO anect him
than the ordinary results OF prolonged spree.
most important circumstance in TINS connec-
ton Is that while the unfortunate man was IN the
prison the physician VINO was temporarily acting
Tor the regular medical attendant was himself
absent on account or the death OF mis- father.
thus the deceased was ielt while there
without any medical aid. The truth as TO
how the man received the injuries which
caused his death cannot be known until the
Coroner shall have mace a fun investigation The
officials at the Police Court state that the appear.
ance OF Stockvis could not have led them TO
believe that he was laborng under any disease.
The family OF the deceased In the most bitter
terms complain oil the want OF ordinary humanity
In not calling IN a physician at least 70 look aiter
his condition In regard TO health, or disease before
sending hi NJ to the Island 1t could scarcely have
been too much Tor them 10 discover his nation.