The New York herald., 1877-02-14
MICHAEL CLANCY'S DEATH.

THE BRUISES UPON A CoNvICT's CoRPsE--wAs
THERE FOUL PLAY BY THE CLINTON PRISON
KEEpEns?-A CASE FOR INVESTIGATION.
Michael Clancy was arrested by an oflcor of the
Twenty-seventh precinct police on Apru l6, 1875,
charged with larceny and receiving stolen goods He
was brought TO trial. convicted and by Judge
Sutherland to four years and six months IN State
Prison. lie taken 10 Sing Sing Prison in June aud
about couple Of months later was transferred TO
Clinton Prison. where he ded January 22 last, His
body was sent to this city and buried by his wife in
Calvary Cemetery.
The foregoing simple statement OF the facts Ia this
case give any HINT as TO tho tremendous pos
sibtics that the covers IL is now charged and
believed that Michael Clancy did not die as was stated
OF disease but that in fact his death caused by the
continued III usage that he had received at the hands
OF the keepers in Clinton Prison. reporter OF tho
HERALD last evening visited Mrs Clancy, the widow Of
the deceased, and from her learned the following,
which is given as far possible in Mrs. Cancys own
Words
After detailing the circumstances OF tho arrest trial
and conviction Mrs Clancy went on 10 My h US
band was transferred from Sing Sing TO Clinton either
in the latter part of August or the beginning OF Sep.
tembcr do not remember which. ! received letters
regularly from HIM every week. In which he spoke Of
various matters, but particularly OF tho efforts
which was making to get him new trial He never
mentioned anything about I'll health. received a
letter IRON HIM about ten days before his DEATH in
which he said he was IN good health. On January 20
received despatch from Clinton Prison stating that
my husband had died the night before Of pneumonia,
and asking me II would receive the body learned
afterward that my husband had begged OF them
send me his remains | replied to the despatch ask
ing that tho body be sent 10 me, which II was and ar
rived here by the American Express Company on FRI
day morning, January Is ! had TO pay $50 for that.
The bouy then taken to Mr. Wintcrbottom's, the
undertaken in Spring street, where u was coincd. and
then brought TO my house, whence II was buried on
Saturday-tho next day.
saw a number OF bruises on his head and face
one OF Inc bruises was on .ne oreneaa Just over Inc
half an nch wide. II had the appearance OF being
stitched together and piece OF skin plaster had been
stuck It, There was another bruise on the right
cheek the nosc another the root OF the nose,
and another on the cain just under the lip. All of
these mad been covered with skin plaster. took hold
his right hand II lay across his breast In tho coffin,
and lifted IL up and was surprised 10 mud II very
onn hs The bone Of o had % peo
mashed. ! was also told by those who saw him naked
hc was being put In the coffin that there were
number of black stripes his back ana that four
OF his ribs were broken. had arranged with my
counsel Mr. Howe. for $500 to have new trial Tor my
HIM co1d be proved Mr. Howe said that II could
give him $3.50 no would have my husband clear IN
three months ana ceS,a 'hem give MN inc other
my clothes to raise part Of the money. Mr.. Howe
attended TO the case but neglected my poor hos
band and lett him to be beaten TO death by those cruel
men in the prison My husband was a strong hearty,
healthy man ana sick, and believe he died
from tho ill.lreatment he received In that prison.
During this recital Mrs Clancy's tears l0wcd freely
down her cheeks and her voice was broken with
emotion.
The reporter then called at Higgins O'Day's iron
yard in Washington street, near Charlton where
Clancy used TO work 1t was there stated that he
was sober, honest. strong, healthy man, and that
the report OF his death from pneumonia was 100
thinn Mrs. Clancy had written to the prison ask
the cause tho wounds and tho reply from Dr. Fergu
son stated they received by his falling OF his
bed. The gentleman at The iron yard saw the wounds
on Cancy's lace and the stripes on his back, and
any such cause.
At Winterbottom's there was who could give
any Information In the except the bare TACT of the
receipt and burial OF the body The doctor's certin
cate giving tho OF death to be pneumonia, which
was attested by a notary public, had been sent tho
Board OF Health. The question still is. Did Michael
Clancy die natural DEATH or did no die from
received at the hands OF his keeper Clinton Prison
This IL worth investivation.