The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-04
A LIFE SACRIFICED.
Who is Responsible for the
Death Of Mr.. StockVis?
Treatment of Prisoners in Our Po-
lice Courts.
The Charge Against the Man
Changed Three Times.

Changed Three Times.
The case OF Jacob stockvis, the Hoilander. OF
No. 1881 Third avenue, whose death, 1t Is sup
posed, resulted from official stupidity on the part
OF one or more men who are paid by the city, yes
terday attracted much attention in municipal
circles. as the press had for the first time
called attention TO II. Here case where
a man, said 10 be suffering from paralysis, was
'yanked" in by an officer on the charge of intoXi.
cation; sent before a sergeant OF police confined
over night; the next morning sent before judge;
by him turned over 10 prison Keeper; sent 10
the custody OF keeper or the WOrkhouSe on
BackweI's Island examined by surgeon who
could OF tell the difference between intoxication
and idiocy; confined in this workhouse; Gnaily
discharged, without consultation with any CON-
missioner, by one man, George Keock SuperIn-
ten dent of the Outdoor Poor; turned over TO his
friends only to die few hours alter, and running
the gauntlet OF the police station, the police court,
the police court prison, the vagrant wagon some.
times called 1.-The Black Maria" the transfer Dy
the steamer OF the Commissioners OF Charities and
Correction and the physician IN charge Of the
same.
THE RECORD is John DOE"
That Is all that Is known OF him by the well-pad
city officials whose hands he passed through. and
PROBABLY would nave died the Island, been
boxed up in pine CONN as an unknown
vagrant, shipped to Po,ter's Field, and
quickly hustled cut or the world into an
unknown grave had he not had some loving
irieuds -a devoted wile--tO search the records,
only TO secure the dying man and remove him to
MS home to die The readers Will remember the
case similar to this that occurred less than two
years ago, when prominent Mason from the
West Indies was planted" in Potter's Field in
the same way, and from the notoriety given the
case-the investigation made by the Board OF AL.
dermen-one would think that the obloquy that
Tell upon the OLD Commissioners OF Charities and
Correction wouiu have learned the present ones
lesson they would not soon forget. TIE present
Board certainly have displayed great energy
under the difficulties that surround them; but the
OF StOckvls shows that there is still room Tor
reform-that in our municipal government
THERE Is SOMETHING ROTTEN IN DENMARK"
The writer was ordered by the HERALD yester.
day to Ego the bottom" OF this last OF alleged
neglect on the part OF somebody, and the first
point visited was the Commissioners Of Charities.
He at once communicated with President Bailey,
who at halI-past two yesterday afternoon, had no
Information other than that given in the morning
papers. He cOurteously consented 10 give the re.
preventative OF the HERALD all the Information IN
his power to obtain, and at once teleQraphed War
telegraph Mr.. Bailey stated that Commissioner
Brennan had gone TO ne Island and was no DOUBT
INVESTIGATING THE CASE,
and ne suggested that the writer await his ar
I rival. About quarter past three Mr. Brennan
returned and reported that Warden Kean was
sicK but from Engineer Gordon who, 1t appears,
IN The absence OF the Warden. acts as his repre-
sentative, he learned that Stockvs was not beaten
while III that institution; that ne was Insenslble
when admitted. He Was placed IN the hospital
Hospital, who has jurisdiction IN cases oil this
nature. What Or. kitchen discovered Commits.
sioner Brennan could not learn. He. however,
states mat Gordon reports that the man bore no
MARKS OF violence ana received no injuries while
Pending the receipt of the report in response
to Commissioner Haiey's telegraphic despatch the
FIFTY.NINrH STREET STATION HOUSE.
captain Mount was found. and ne at once COM
an investigation he had made without any order
from the Police Department. 1t appears that
department. haa up to that time ordered any In
Commissioner Brennan, during his hurried daily
inspection OF the institutions.
Captain John Mount reports that at fifteen min
utes be orc eleven O'Clock on the SATURDAY night
IN question Stocxvis was arraigned before Ser
peant Hamilton, who had the desk, on the charge
OF simple lntOXicatOn. He was suffering under what
Hamilton, Doorman McCieary and Others present
Sergeant tested mis- breath and smelt liquor upon
IT. When asked his name he "mumbled"-.o use
tine words Of Mount-sOmething that was unin-
lelgible HIS breath smelled quite strong. He
could not give his name. as a matter OF course,
At Al Twelve midnight Sergeant m Roberts
came in there were found In 1t two Germans-
Officers Grump and Hartmann. Stock7is at
10 obtain MS name. Alter vain endeavors these
officers reported to Roberts that they could nor
ian sergeant Roberts, Captain Mount says,
tested the mans breath, and declares that ne was
ca Dr. sat,erey the rose sargeon the ma s1
was entered on the blotter as "JOnn Doe, - anu
% n un ss
Court.
Justice Flammer presided and summarly dis.
posed OF the case. as VIII appear hereafter Cap
tain Mount lurther reports that Dr.. Hersch, Of
lity-lOu1th street, called O few days after and
ASKED him tMounp II he hat anything on his
records about man named srockyis. He
tain Mount, IRON what Hersch SAID that slockvis
CAPTAIN Mounts narraiiye BY asking.
That ne was Ia the hanlt OF going on these
hurrans,"' said Captain Mount, "anu mis- wife
(stccxvisr would send Tor Herscn to nunt MN up.
lie seemed to he annoyed That he had been called
upon NUM- for StocSvls. That Is the last heard
sent void that Omcer Fallon mad arrested man
and asking for description anu the nature OF the
DooRMAN MCREARy's STATEMENT.
Mr.; McCreary aoo'man OF the stalon Eouse,
the Cap; am, tue ma,u facts such as are given
above. DE states most positively tnat no smeIt
sDa al as, O0 m s.u qa
geitns over spree. McOreary coul not ten
In answer 10 queries rom the reporter he stated
that deceased staggered be ore the desk anu was
hnully locked up IN cell by himself that he had
a slight wound on his nose, that he was not ner-
vousy unsrung. SUCH as persons are VINO have
dellrium tremens. but seemed to he stupid Us
under tue influence OF peer. The doorman stated
tnat the man was per ecty orderly all the tia e ne
was in the station house and prison TIE re cord
made on the potter--that. by the way. the Cor
oner's jury sGoud order 10 De produced before
theni-is as iollows:-
lOa5-Jo.n Doe, supposed age 65 German, laborer.
name refused in;oXication Uncer Fallon; committed
by justice fIammer-sx months.
The reporter Immediately visited
THE FIFrY.SEvENTH STREET COURT PRISON.
As he entered ne found IN the lobby pretty lit
tie child. that he stopped to caress, ana III the
meantime he scanned the threatening bars be.
hind which were Keeper Cunningham ana two
Others lhe reporter approached the barred gate
and alter mucn difficulty indaced Mr.. CUNNINGHAM
TO vacate his desk and come to the wicRets. He