The New York herald., 1879-07-14
ANOTHER FENIAN MARTYR"
EDWARD o'KELLY DIES IN NEwARK-THE HARD
SHIPS OF SPIKE IsLAND-HIs CRIME AND

EDWARD oKELLY DIES IN NEwARK-rHE HARD
SHIPS OF SPIKE IsLAND-HIs CRIME AND
IT'S PUNISHMENT
Edward OKelly, the last of the Fenian prisoners.
who was released from Spike Island Convict Prison
in February Of this year. died at eleven o'clock on
Saturday night at st. Michaels Hospital. Newark.
N j. O'Kelly arrived in New York during the last
week in February. and was present with other
noted nationalists at tho 10lst anniversary
celebration OF Robert Emmets death, held
at the Academy Of Music in this city. He stayed in
this city few weeks and then went to Newark.
where. after a month or so, he found employment
at his trade in Hogans shoe factory Plane street.
The work was too for his frame. enervated
it was from the rgors of his servitude at Spike
Island. He went to New Brighton. Staten Island.
after month at Hogan's factory. but
stayed there only three days, when his lungs
began to bleed and he returned to
Newark. There he resided with a kind hearted
Irish family. Mr.. David Kane's at No. 155 Warren
street Though treated with the tenderness that
would have been accorded to near relative, he
grew worse. and he thought it would be better for
him to go to st. Mchaels Hospital. He did so. and
there received the very best of but sank rapidly
until death came. During his last days he was visited
by his former fellow prisoners in Spike Island.
Patrick Tierney James Walsh aud Robert Kelly, DR..
and Mrs. Brosnan, Captain John j. Bresin. Thomas
Brennan and many Others. Tierney remained an
entire night with him.
SKETCH THE DECEASED.
Edward O'keliy was born in Wicklow street, Dub
lin, about thirty-fve years ago. He was a shoe
maker by trade, and became member OF the Fenian
organization. On the night OF October B, 1872 he
arrested on q charge of shooting David
Murphy an employe OF the Dublin Irishman. who was
suspected of having given information TO the Castle
authorities prejudicial to the "m in the gap. 1t
il due to Murphy to say that it has since been fully
establ shed that the suspicious against him were
but did not die. Kelly was tried for shooting with
intent to murder and was found guilty by the Special
Commission and sentenced to imprisonment for life.
He consigned to Spike Island.
HIS PRISON LIFE
or his treatment there he himself spoke as
follows to HERALD reporter upon his
rival here last spring:-"Upon my arrival
in Spike Island l. was immediately put in
the punishment cell. Here l had to sleep
and take meals. but was allowed to work during the
DAY time was put at the most disgusting kind of
workceanng closets sunk several feet into the rock
down which was compelled to CO. severe illness
ensued. was put into the hospital, from which
was removed to my cold cell while still very sick;
was again sent back to hospital, where I kept
altogether nine days, and again ordered to work.
During that time was given three and a half
pounds of bread-nothing else. The doctor ordered
me to the oakum house, which is especially set
apart for invalds and in which the restrictions
unbearabe. was given two days exercise, which
consisted of sitting the steps Of the oakum house
in frosty weatherss / attached to o working
party that sometimes sent outside of the prison.
but such occasions I was detached. For over
two years q warden was kept over me. although at
work. There was no one in the prison treated like
me except the other Fenian prisoners. My health
completely broken down when released from
the punishment cell. which effected through the
Irish members OF Parliament. was finally put ut
shoemending, and. instead of being kept i'll the
place with the others engaged similar work.
/ put into the carpenters shop and made to un
dergo what might be termed process Of slow con-
gelation.
HIS LIBERATION.
Ever since my Imprisonment my family hac been
endeavoring to secure my release. think II ~ss in
1874 MY sister waited Sir John Gray, had an in
terview with him, and submitted tor his approval
He promised to interest himself in the matter pro-
vided / signed the memorial myself. copy OF it
was forwarded to me. but was withheld by the Gov
ernor of the prison. Whether it sent me not
would never sign 1t, Tor would not beg for mercy
where did not get justice. These negotiations
went on from time to time up to my release. tried
get my friends not TO memorabilia Tor my release.
was at one time eighteen months without writing
letter my family because OF the restrictions placed
upon me by the Governor Of the prison, who wanted
to humiliate me into begging pardon. In March,
1875 my sister got q letter from Mr.. O'Connor
Power to the eject that my release would be
effected by the first Of the present year. believe
would have been releas ed before Christmas IL had
not made effort to remain in Ireland. They kept
me in prison discipline until the day of my do
parture.
tary tor Ireland, asking that OKelly be fully par
doned The pardon, which was at length obtained,
stipulated that he should live in exile during the
emainder OF his life
FUNERAL
The arrangements tor the funeral have not yet
been made. Messrs. Tierney, Captain John j. Berry.
dence last evening whittier the body had been re-
moved in the morning from the hospital. The obse
quies will be quite imposing. BY his friends Mr..
O'Kelly is spoken OF as having been man OF most
amiable disposition kind. ahectionate aud generous
to u fault. He was never weary OF speaking OF the
kndnesses received by him in Newark.