The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-25
SHERIFF REILLY'S CASE.
JOHN r. IREL4ND'S STORY OF LIFE IN
LUDLOW STREET I'm.


KNIVES aud Forks for Tionrdcrs ut SI5 -
Week, hut outy Iron spoons Given to Oidi-
nnrs rrisoners-scenesi In Red LenrS's cen.
A small audience assembled in the court
room Of the supreme Court General Term yes
terday to hear the investigation before Referee
George Ticknor Curtis into tho charges against
Sheriff Bernard Reilly. The only witness ox-
amined was Mr.. John T. ireland. Mr.. Ireland
WINS confined in Ludlow street jail from Aug. 80.
1878. TO June 10. 1879 on n civil process for
debt Ito was boarder until Jan. -. when
Warden Fitzsimmons ordered him to "A Gel, on
the upper tier. In his direct examination. he
said that when he went ito the jnil he Ind an
understanding with the Warden that he was to
pay for his board after his money troubles were
settled W. Then the witness showed n dia-
gram shaped like a spoon. and inside OF the
outlines was an affidavit that the plan was the
exact profile OF n galvanized iron spoon which
was furnished him to cat with after his condi-
ton had changed from that Of boarder to that
OF an ordinary prisoner. While he was a
boarder he was allowed the use Of knife and
fork. but as an ordinary prisoner only the spoon
was allowed for his use
Then II discussion arose between counsel
whether Mr.. Ireland's testimony rs to Keeper
John Relly's alleged inhuman treatment Of
non-pnying prisoners should be allowed In
evidence. The referee decided 10 let il 10 on
record, and the witness said that until n
prisoner or his friends agreed to pay the
Keeper $40 week for board the prisoner WIS
harshly treated by Reilly. Ireland specified 10y
naming an instance. In December lust he had
seen ketliy grab a prisoner called Fire Bug"
by the throat and knock his head against the
bench i've or six tunes, That was done. he
said. when Fire Bug had been sitting quietly on
the bench. so far ~ he could sec.
Mr.. Ireland said that he had seen Keeper
pwney McGovern drunk twenty times. Near
II IA hnr limo Il.t hal "a
self been inside OF the room where the bar
was. Tho prisoners were obliged 10 clean the
JAIL on nearly all occasions. The Iail windows
were spasmodically attacked however. by the
Keepers, rs though for purposes Of cleanliness
4 prisoner named Murtagh had acted as bar
Then Lawyer Bush. for the prosecution. de-
manded from Sherin Reilly full list OF his
deputies. Counsellor Bookstayer. for the
Sheriff, presented the list To MIR. Bushs re-
quest Tor list OF all the specials he was
answered that they would be furnished to-day
as there are about $50 appointed during the
terms OF courts.
On cross examination by Counsellor La
ROGUE. Mr.. Ireland said that he was 40 years
Old. and has been engaged In real estate opera
tons. sign manufacturing. and for a while in
Vernon md the North Neqo Yorker at Morri-
SANTA: He denies that before he had been re-
Jail he had conyerscd with any one but
prisoners rs TO his treatment there. He took
frequent memoranda while In prison. Since
Bush in the City Hall Park. he was informed
that he would be called as the first witness in
the case. He had given some memoranda TO
Mr.. Charles I. MacLean. Police Commissioner
After recess Mr.. Ireland was recalled He o,-
cupied rooms ~ and 80. Room IL is In the
couSt angle. A corridor runs parallel with
Ludlow street, and one also with the Essex
Market side. All the rooms open on the side
is a large window that opens on an nlleyway
inside, and is barred so as TO prevent access to
wide. Mr.. ireland drew diagram Of that part
OF the Jail where he was lodged Tho barroom
W Was, me second cell in the corridor running
All that no had testified to regarding the rates
OF board charged by the sheriff was what
others had told him.. He had asked to
have the door into the inner yard opened for
hlin 70 go out and take fresh air and exercise
door because ne was busy doing something A
prisoner. Roberts, was confined in the first cell
on the Ludlow street side, but Ireland denied
spired 10 injure the Sheriff. The prisoners who
were not boarders were compelled to perform
from Mr.. Clark. From the time he ceased to be-
a b9arder. IN February until he was released.
IN June he had been supplied with towels but
twice. He kept the articles and had them
washed Tor him knowing that he could not get
them again II they were delivered back 10 the
prison authorities. lie was not aware that il
was rule OF the jail that prisoners were not
allowed to take strangers TO their cells. On the
other hand. ii was forbidden to allow strangers
10 enter the dining room. but It was required
that instead the strangers should be seen in the
prisoners cells; He spent very little time in
the barroon. He had walked in the aiieyway
near 1t good many times
After Red Leary's escape the witness went
into his cell. not before Red Lrary was under
close confinement for time and was then put
In room IL, adjoining his room Red Leary
was locked up after he was every night He
knew by the Changing OF the key when the door
was closed. He had seen women in Red Leary's
room fifteen times at the hour OF mis- Ire
land's) being locked up. He was not acquainted
with any OF them. Mrs. Leary was pointed out
To him as one. In january from the first 10 the
middle, ne heard SONGS in Red I,aurvfs
CELL Some were Moody and Saukey songs.
Some We're obscene. He did not charge his
IN nd with the words.
He saw what ne thought TO be abandoned
women several times in the prisoners cells.
DID you give notice To the authorities OF
what you thought 10 be the facts 2" asked the
referee.
didn't think 1t was my business" said Mr.
Ireland.
Answer me. Did you give the information
70 the authorities p persisted the referee
No. sir" was the answer.