New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-17
MURDERERS IN THE TOMBS.
LIVES FORFEITED TO THE LAW.

LIVES FORFEITED TO THE LAW.
TIE TIMER MEN IN THE ToMBs FOR WHOM THE
GAILows MULTIPLICATION AGAINST THEIR
COMMITTING sUICIDE-IHEIR DEMEANoR UNpEh
THR WEIGHT OF APPROACHING DOOM.
Preparations have been made at the Iomos
for the execution OF the negro murnerers "-""'
The gallows which has been IN use Tor seVeral
years was originally made for three though no more
than two have ever been hung in the City
Prison yard at one time. As 800 pounds weight
n necessary to hang each Of the condemned men,
altogether some 900 pounds viii be required which,
together with the weight of the mea themselves VIII
subject the galows TO severe test OF its strength
There has been little chance in the demeanor OF the
occupants Of the condemned cells except that the ne
groes are showing dissatisfaction at their treatment
and are more disposed grumble than mplore mercy
The three negro murdcrels Of the harmless peddler
maintain a grim stodlty upon the near approach OF
their DOOM Thompsons features are ESQ strangely
fashioned by nature that he appears at all times " DC
wearing smile II is only noticeable by the serious anu
smess wandering OF the that his thoughts are ocea
sonaly sober and Retrospective. He talks quietly and
with resignation He spoke with much feeling about the
Sheriff taking away Monday night the small bottles OF
flowers lIuor, and holy water which had been gwen
the prisoners from time time Ivy the visiting sisters OF
Charity He had much 20 about the manner I'D winch
he had been keeping house." ard remarked that the
removal OF the flowers had destroyed his interest IN
tidy cell
weston gives no indication Of breang down. First he
WAS Indifferent but now he is denunciatory He com
claims Of pariaty on the part of the keepers and Is ax
70 about physical comforts He has noticed that poah
ANA standermann smoke cigars than he ana docs
aot take into account that the friends OF the former pay
for such Injuries He has made numerous complaints 10
The Sheriff and said Wednesday that he was looking for
ZONE radical change important occurrence before
norning-othing, however which would be apt 10 alter
the fate imposed him fO- to-day. lie said he had
made arrangements for getting letter containing DIS
grievances TO the outside world, and that II would DC
published due time. He st insists that he took no
part in the killing of the pc ider and dill not share the
small plumber and thinks the courts are acting IN BAD
faith 10 hang him after his dvulgng the cupabty Of
his companions He treated with derison the action Of
the deputy sheris removing his flower bottles and
bottle OF water aud basin "Nny sad ne tne } loon
dle-stck with sharp edge NOW a man couia cu' lis
hs spoke he drew his fingers around the sIrded edge OF
the cheap tin candlesick seemingly with TIC greatest
Ellis was indignant that the flower bottles had bean
removed aud hnted that the white prisoners lad been
treated alike He smiled grmly nj the idea of any on
of them cutting hs throat with piece OF glass ana ten
took considerable interest III explaining tIe pictures
eolored ami plain wODdcus, representing Biblical scenes
aud a lfebOit the sea- Which were hanging on the
walls Of his cell He remarked mat ne nan paGea hs
sole trust God aad then renewed ms expressions OF
essatisfact0n az the ALLEGED aV9rn sh@W wa py s 1e
pose they'll treat us Ike niggeIs lcs good enough Tor
niggel II you do treat hun IKE dOS but 'hcS can no
II much longer. The end II almost here. an ready "a
die now II should get of, the thoughts OF how nave
abused opportunities and of the way people nave
treated me would kill me. eel that am going before
Judge up who will treat everybody according TO
their deserts and acts, and not take any notice Of their
being black white nope shall some time see over
there all those persons who have said good word TO me
since have been i'm prison." He complained mat wilte
criminals bis situation would PROBABLY get oil with I'M
prisOnmCnt for lie lie said that one or two instances Oh
ir.0ners cOnfcssng their guilt OF the crime Of murder
and being the peniteuary had come under his
notice.
The extra watching and restraint which the negroes
have rec lived the deputy sheris were detailed 10
guard them continually have ilrated thenI weston AT
least mas I'm idea that under sentence OF death for
murder should be paupered and INDUCED in Injuries
support As far as possible the officers say the prison
ers have been allowed choose what they would eat
day or ago Of the negroes gave an order Tor
broed turtle which was the prison bill of fare
With rcspect exercise and intercourse with their
friends the condemned allowed many more
lhcriins than have lowed in previous years.