The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-22
THE MACKEY MYSTERY.
THE THEORY OF MURDER DIscARDED-HE Is
BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INSANE.
IRY TEL rGp Apu 10 TILE uHnAIn

By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
CINCINNATI, Ohio, August q, 1871.
The detectives who were engaged in attempting TO
solve the mystery Of the death OF j. II. Macgey tho
Brooklyn lawyer whose remains found about three
miles south OF Newport, KY. night before last think
thoy have found sufficient cews to justify the belief
that he murdered but died either by accident
or by his own hand. Upon inquiring among those
living in the neighborhood they learned that OH
Friday, the Sd OF August, u appeared there who
walked around and acted and talked as II insane. He
was we'll dressed and had plenty of money, aud told
that he eft New York because he had murdered
man, but his actions were so manfcstly those Of q
lunatic that they paid little attention to him. lie was
noticed In the neghborhood for one or two days and
then dropped out OF sight as suddenly as he had
appeared. How ho 10 his death, however,
s as much OF mystery as ever 1t Is SAID that the
Coroner's jury who Viewed the romans, was OF The
most ignorant class and took no pains to ascertain
whether the skull vas really fractured or moi. Tho
officers have arranged to disinter the body
to have post-mortem examination In order
to ascertain, If possible, tho cause of death
largo number of papers and letters of them of
private character were found his person. and with
the money, are being kept tor the proper persons
personal irond oil the deceased, named Glliand who
knew him intimately in Brooklyn, recognized the pa
Ing NO doubt whatever OF the deceased's Identity.
TIE CORONER HEARD FROM.
Last night the Acting Supern tendent of the Brook
Ign Police received the following unsatisfactory tec-
gram from the Coroner OF Newport to whom he bad
applied tor particulars of tho murder:-
NEWPORT. KY August 81, 1877.
To GEORGE wApDy. superintendent OF Police. Brook
No particulars known Dead about two weeks
Violent death. Supposed murder Body inferred.
Coroner c. Co
This is not what expected said the Acting su-
perintendent, rs he handed thu despatch the re-
porter. 1T Is not very satisfactory to me- 1t gives
no particulars to assist US. II had my way would
have u couple Of good officers out there work
friends will look out for that. 1t is strange
that the body should have been inferred before
holding post-mortcm. Justice demands that every
thing possible should be done aud that promptly too
to and tho murdcrcrs OF this man. and no stone should
deceased Ms nero up 10 Ne 8sw y VOL August,
Wy sa %as but NO OF he
house IN state street Oh July ST. and on Wednesday,
Augut l, he was at Coney Island He had boon drink
Ing, and started for the West on tho afternoon or
evening sof August There our trail OF no ,dcceascd
LAST SEEN or HIN IN NEW YORK.
Counsellor Charles W. b. Thornton, OF Brooklyn,
who was intimately acquainted with Mr. Mnckey,
interview with Inspector Waddy. subsequently, IN
conversation with the HERALD reporter, he 81
suppose OF the last OF MS Brooklyn friends
to SEQ Muckey before no left New York. and called
here TO give the incident 10 the Superintendent, see
ing the articles on the IN the papers. On Thurs
day, August 2, had case in one Of the New YORK
courts, ana about halfpast o'clock IN
the afternoon OF that day IN company with a lady
and gentleman, l went to Engic's saloon,
Nassau street, between Ann and Beckman, to get some
lunch. On entering the place ! at once Mr..
MacKey who was seated al table near the entrance,
and who appeared to be watching the door My
friends passed on down to the end of the
saloon, while stopped In front OF Mackey, and
said. ''How do you do, MacKey? What nrc you
doing hcre?" He shook hands and replied al am
waiting for man who was 10 meet me here" Some
further conversation ensucd In tho course Of which
he informed me that he was going West, but did not
say where Talking about money and pickpockeis,
! told him that when l went travelling
| always divided my money up into parcels,
putting some In each pocket that should anyone
Ego through mo-, would not be lott penni!css. Ho
SAID he never heard thai before, and thought II
excellent idea. l then left him, but kept eye
him, as could SEQ that no had been drinking When
ilcft the saloon with my fricnds hc still waiting
there