The New York herald., 1875-09-01
Malachi Connolly Murdered
at BlackWell'e leland.
The Coroner and Jury Visit the
Scene of the Tragedy.
TWENTY WITNESSES SECURED.
Startling Narrative of a Released
Convict.

molly Blaokweis Island would never have been dis
covered. The day
coSNoLLY DIED
Owens discharged, his OF Imprisonment hav-
ing expired 1t then 1t occurred TO HIM TO disclose
the secrets his prison house and the way which
prisoners treated by irresponsible deputy wardens
Yesterday about four O'Clock, Coroner Croker de-
termined to pay visit to Blackwelrs Island, accom-
panied by the jury Of inquest order TO see the cell
where Connolly died and such sources OF nfor-
nation may be needed at the investigation The Cor
oner had with him Dr. Joseph Cushman, and the jury
consisted of j. Cahll, G. Kreuzer William Sanders, b.
Frankfeld L. Brander, J. Geiser c. Fisher, B H
Adams E. Duffy, all from Third avenue Landed at
Backwes Island the party proceeded to the Peniten
tary where they met Warden Fox, who gave nstruc-
tons To have
In which Connolly died shown to the visitors Four
Of cells occupy the interior Of the Jail building It
was of the lower tiers numbered 400 that poor
Connolly breathed his last 1t measures like the rest
inches long and three feet i've inches wide
The furniture of these cells is of the simplest possible
descripton-a bedstead, slop bucket, a tin of
water and single blanket As the jury were peerng
curiousy into the cell the convicts engaged in sweep
ing up the floors and arranging the tables and tin plates
for supper intutvey guessed the purpose Of the visit
1t was astonishing what a number Of them knew Con-
Molly. AS far could be gathered he was
NoPFENsIvE, wITrED
fellow who would have been much appropriately
placed If idiot asylum than in penitenary He
was disinclined work The nature Of the boy
trely misunderstood by the keepers and where they
should have extended kindness and compassion they
substituted abuse and brutality In the hands of any
fairly intelligent man Connolly might have been
trely reclaimed but ignorant keepers like Geary look
upon any eccentric behavior in prisoner something
that puts him
OUTSIDE THE PALE
OF human treatment Warden Fox, speaking to the
HERALD reporter said be extremely sorry that he
should have been absent from the Island when the
occurrence took place
REPoRTER-Would it be possible for prisoner 70 be
unwarrantably abused by of the deputy keepers
without your knowlcdge2
Warden Fox-Yes, there is a possibility OF that kind
cannot be everywhere once and there prisoners
who rather than complain prefer suffering in silence.
Where there many keepers and prisoners occa-
sional instances must arise wherein the keeper will
wreak his temper the convict when he the op-
portunity for concealnent
REPoRrER-Cases OF this kind, presume are very
exceptionally
Warden Fox-Eothng OF the kind ever occurred since
/ here A of Connolly's peculiarities was
sure be butt of by the other prisoners; and
where it may be sport to them it is painful TO the
victim
the cell s concerned there Is little to
plain Of The great and crying disgrace the doctors
arrangements. He certainly should be compelled TO
visit the cells every morning where Of illness
may exist 1t is alleged that if Connolly had received
medical attendance of the right kind he might be alive
to-day The Coroner is bent probing the TO its
depths, and the public demand that 1t be made clean
and thorough job
After leaving the Penentiary the party started over
TO where number Of convicts engaged in the
erection Of stone building Some putting the
stone at the second story elevation, others dress
ing it under she'd while dawdling about as
n their labors for the day ended When Warden
Fox and Coroner Croker went in among them
the Irrepressibe ex-prsoner who told the world the
story Of his fellow prisoners fate jumped in where
iurymen were standing and in less time than il takes 10
tell it, singled out from among the great gang OF pris-
oners some twenty witnesses Of the in-treatment
which Connolly had been subjected.
Friday next, when the examination before the Cor
oner takes place the following will be produced to
prove that Geary and Cowenhoven used unnecessary
and brutal violence toward the deceased Three keep
Charles Osborne Michael Kennedy and Tim skeliy
and eighteen prisoners Dr. Cushman took the names
convcts that witnesses we're being looked for who
the
BRUTAL ILL TREATMENT
OF Connolly whole battalion offered themselves not
that they cared for Connolly or knew much about him.
but the prospect Of trip TO the city with the chance
OF ofescaping, was powerful temptation.
Owens pale about the lips and fairly overcome with
the importance and responsibility Of his selfelected
office OF against Geary and Cowenhoven jumped
about in all directions in quest Of evidence to sustain
his charges.
''Here said he addressing Coroner Croker 'qs the
handle Of spade just picked up out Of the grass
CONNOLLY
i've times with that the back, head and legs;
see there is iron the handle When he used it on
Connolly the whole top Of the handle covered with
Ironn
1t handed to Coroner Croker who took it to his
office
.'Now see here continued the indefatigable Owens
''you see that pile of lumber they used make Con-
molly take end Of these heavy pianks while
would be sent to the other They never allowed him
any help at one end in removing these panks They
saddled down on him enough work for any strong
men, and Connolly was not strong at all I was only
10 avn than nd
that without any delay"
Owens with a stick in his hand moved about the
neghborhood, and when his eye fell anybody he
recognized having been he pointed him out
vehementy TO the Coroner as another who knows
After arranging for the transmission Of the witnesses
down to the Coroners Office on Friday the party left
BAIL
Patrick Geary, the keeper Of the Penitentary was
yesterday arraigned before Coroner Croker at the
laters Office and held 10 bail In 81 00O in default
Of which he was locked up
EYEWITNESS THE BRUTALITY.
The ex-convict Ovens whose testimony has already
been published before the Coroner yesterday with
another important witness jeremiah Calden, living at
No 30S Monroe street, who had until yesterday been a
prisoner in the Penitentiary He made the following
statement under oath -
sent to the Island October g. 1874. for assault
and battery, and discharged today knew the de-
ceased Michael Connolly while at the Pententiary. On
one occasion saw the keeper Geary strike him the
back telling him 10 20 20 work. Connolly was on the
ash barge when he struck
In view OF the above meagre evidence elected from
Calden at the Coroners inquest herald reporter was
sent to see Caden The reporter penetrated the ex-
irene east side and shown by police officer into
back yard and thence up flight Of rckety stairs by
Ayoung man who happened be near. Here be was
received oy woman who subsequently turned out to
De Caldens wife. The HERALD man asked for Calden
and was shown into an adjoining room. II hardly
large enough to turn round in, being almost
tC..iy occupied BY a bed, which was re-
clining jeremiah Calden, rejoicing in the
FtissT DAY HIS Liberty
Tor the last year Caden has honored the public nst
tutons oi the country with his presence almost un-
Temittngy for the last three years and has something
20 say about them He is 1.-the intelligent man abont
thry years OF age. evidently quick observation
one who, having seen, can remember The recumbept
form OF Caden, IN bis red shirt with the dim ght OF
thesnext room falling on him, reminded the HER1LD |
man or all the pirate stories be had read in his child
hood The representative OF the press sked for Irh