New-York tribune., 1878-04-13
PRICE FOUR CENTS.

Mr. Tweed had released believe he would be alive
to-day"
THE sHERIFF's CARE OF HIS PRISONER.
sheriff Bernard Reilly, last evening" spoke TO TrIB'
reporter Of Mr. Tweeds prison life since the sheriff
into Office In January. 1877. Mr. Tweed the sheriff
said had then been In Ludlow Street jail little
more than q month after he had been brought
back from Spain. "I found the JAIL" continued the
Sheriff, whom assumed charge Of II. In very un-
healthy condition. endeavcred. however 10 make Mr.
Tweed as comfortable possible. His room, which
was about by 90 feet, furnished moro eomforta-
bly, than this pirlor of my house; he was provided
with the best food that could be obtained, and
given every liberty consistent with his position and
my duties. When first saw him In the prison. MI
Tweed very cheerful, talking and joking with bis
old genial flow of spirits. lie appeared 20 anticipate
prompt release, and constantly looking forward
this Some OF his friends very constant IN their
attendance upon him. lie especially foud o. seeing
them the evening" and IL frequently the case that
several OF them would be with him for several hours
The prison rules allow visitors after 10 o'clock at
night, and nc that time they promptly left the jail
took special precautions" said the Sheriff. that
there should he no possibility OF another escape. Extra
bars put upon tho windows, aud doors were coz
struccd separate the keeper from the prisoners cor
ridors. Mr. Tweed knew that had done these things
with special reference 20 his case, and dt was natural
that he should not care 20 spcak % me mnch
about his situation There always seemed to be deli
cacy on his part In regard 10 this that did
not allow me, I'm my not very frequent NHits
to him, to become acquainted with his feel
ings In regard 20 his Old associations and lfe But
there were some subjects upon which he talked very
freely especially the politics of the day lie was
accustomed 10 take all the prominent pa
pers. aud 10 read them carefully 80 that he was
accurately informed OF everything that was taxing place.
There negro, Luke Grant employed by me
who attended him constantly night ard day. ana helped
TO make him more comfortable. The prisoner was not
r.lIr la fta
yard He alwnys avoided the other prisoners and sell
dom addressed a word 10 them. When walking IN the
yard entirely alone, and would continue the eN-
ercise for time. No than two weeks ago he
took long walk In this way
ale was very careful about his person" sheriff Reilly
continued Ellis great weight appeared to annoy him,
and he tried reduce by repeated baths In this he
succeeded TO a small degree. This Is general outline
OF his life up TO about three months ago. Ihen
great change seemed 20 come over hnn,
apparently, with the full realization that thero
was little prospect Of his release This feeling
seemed to come upou him quite suddenly and made him
almost another man. He grew despOndeni aud appeared
10 take enjoyment In anything that was
offered 10 relieve the discomforis OF his posi-
ton lie walked less and did not appear as
much before enjoy the company Of his friends HIS
ailments increased and, with his meniel suffering ap
peared TO break him completely down On last Wednes-
daynght saw him and tried 20 encourage him. Itod
him that when he got little better would take him Tor
! n drive In the Park when no one would KNOW
Of t. and such n relief would help him. He seemed
! pleased at the prospect, but feared that ne "ouo
/ NOT be able to take advantage Of the Offer
| uo counlained Of pains about the heart and
of other symptoms that left me In no doubt
that he was suffering from Brights disease mat was
| the last time saw him alive. The newe OF bis death
reached me within fifteen minutes after IL occurred
After taking legal advice as 70 the proper course
Of action. / communicated with the Coroner In
regard to the facts. When l went 10 the jail,
! the body remained just rs was when Mr.. Tweed
breathed his last The Coroner then took the body out
OF my control Mr.. Tweed's treatment ct the jail was
m cousderate as possible While Is possible that II ne
had been removed from the badly ventilated rooms
Of the prison 10 healthy quarters be might nave
lived few months longer. yet IL Is my opinion that hs
diseases we're Of such character and 50 complicated
that II would have made little difference
WHAT MISS FITZsIMMoNs SAW OF TWEED.
Miss FIzslmmons daughter OF the matTon Of TIE jail
and niece Of Sheriff Reilly has been in constant attend
ance upon Mr Tweed, not only during his last Illness
tut almost throughout the whole term OF his eonhnc-
| ,nent Afer speaking Of the beginning OF bis last
scness she said that about O'Clock yesterday morn
inc she went into his roor and asked anything could
lac done for him. lie replied No." and at the same time
remarked don't think Tshal ever get any better
About oclocE" continued Miss Ftzsimmons' Il saw
him again. and asked him how he felt He said he ddnot
fce we'll and al the time put out his hand as II 70
take mine He failed 20 grasp mine. and ms gestures ana
manner led me 10 believe that his mind was wandering
| said What do you wantf and be rephcd' hI'e
| harley water Luke ran for IL but Mr. Tweed didnt
| want it when IL brought Where u Luke'
/ That Is more than any Of NJ Know LuAe
| Grant has been with Mr.. Tweed ever since
| ho bas been here For the last four days and
| niobts be has never lett him even for minute
| uc has NOT sept AT ALL and with hun at the Time
he died. About halfpast one, he said he was SICK
| and was going away, where no ore Knows
| Dr. CarnOchan came here about hai-past ogn''
| aud after seeing Mr. Tweed, told me That
horo was no hope OF his recovery. Early In the morn
| r, there WAS q great change. His nails grew
| hlock and his face took fearfm look-h
u,tbin an hour or two. / think Mr.. Tweed iet,
| from the time he took TO his bed that he Woui"
never ret up again There only little change IN hs
appearance until after his death then the body shanK
| very much"
"I have known Mr. Tweed for long time Miss fi'z'
imons continued and there can be 10 question about
bs Religious feeling. No matter what pressing business
might call his attention. three times day. al regular
intervals have him leave everything TOT MS boio
| and prayer-book He an Epscopalian. DE- "aE
Iaude his favorite pastor, called to see nm Ihurs"y
hut he was unable then TO see him. We were al very
fond a, Mr. Tweed and would do anything for him. Every
dainty that could possibly tempt him was cnere ana !"
ort,n refused Before he taken sick he ate NefV
| heartily Luke came round early ID thc morn
| Too and took his order. our own cook Mary
! craft. prepared all his meals. He seemed
| % nrefer that she should cook for him. Mary
IA an old woman as old he Is and he had great re-
GARD for her Since he been sick he has not eaten
| much. Wednesday evening he said he was hnnsS anu
| wanted a piece OF broed chicken but he ate ony q
| u,,Ia n, This when II was brought q him.
Thursday he said he would like some lee
cream aid his daughter Mrs. Douglass brought IL 10
him There IL is now (ponting 20 the window-s' you
sec IL has not been touched lie was very iona OF 'ea
and he drank several OF IT, this morning before ne
a. Tha, was all he took except little barley WATER