The New York herald., 1879-02-28
THE LAST FENIAN PRISONER.
ARRIVAL IN THIS CITY OF EDWARD p. o'KEILY--
HIS Iaff1sfsoNrfrST AND RELEASE.

HIS IMf1ffsoKnrEST AND f.EI;EAsE.
The last of the prisoners confined by the English
government on charges of complcity with the
Fenan conspiracy arrived in this city last evening
by the steamer Marathon. His name is Edward Peter
OKelly and he sentenced to penal servitude for
life in June 1873 in Dublin. for shooting with intent
to kill, David Murphy, who supposed to be
giving secret information to the Crown concerning
Fenian movements His release, which granted
ON the 18th inst. is coupled with the condition
that he is to remain in exile for the rest of
his life. That fact, well as his embarkation
the Marathon, were made known in New York
through cable dispatches to the HERALD and his
friends have for two three days been anxiously
awaiting the arrival of that Yesterday after
noon about a dozen of them went down the bay
board the revenue cutter W. E. Chandler and boarded
the Marathon off the Quarantine landing. striking
scene then took place. While some of the committee
shaking hands with him his old fellow prisoner,
Patrick Tierney. who released from Spike Island
about month ago. mingled with the crowd and
called out. "Where is 49, 1888 2? that being the num-
berby which OKely designated in accordance
with the English prison system. The newly liber-
ated man stood aghast for moment at being hailed
on his entering New York by his old prison title.
He looked round. exclaiming. ''Who calls me like
that?"
Its I, 12,9o1," said Tierney, stepping forward;
and the two comrades exchanged cordial greeting.
then addressed to OKelly by Mr.. j. j. Rossiter.
chairman of the reception party after which all re-
entered the cutter and proceeded to the landing place
at the Battery, reaching that point at about
=. M.
THE LAST FENIAN EMILE.
Edward O'Kelly was the last prisoner confined in
Great Britain charge arising out of the Fenian
movement He was bern in Dublin about 1916. He
was connected with Fenianism from an early PEE
rod in its history, but escaped arrest until October
1872. O'Kely was tried three times. The jury dis
agreed the first two occasions. On the third,
NNh hfch nnk an in he ylnfa lnd
sentenced penal servitude for life by Judge Dowse
who had been the prosecuting officer his former
trials, and who gained much prominence by defend
ing the Fenian prisoners tried in 1865.
O'Kelly ut first imprisoned in Mountjoy
Prison. Dublin but afterward removed to Spike
Island. in Cork Harbor. While here he treated
with exceptional severity For three and half years
he allowed outdoor exercise whateyer and
was long employed on laboring work OF the hardest
description His cell-one of those used for rerac
tory prisonerswas i'll ventilated, and the utmost
change he was allowed was halt hours walk daily
during the last few months. Notwithstand-
ing his comparative youth, he is at pres
ent quite gray and partially bald though
his friends say he black haired when he entered
prison. His health has picked up q good deal
during his voyage, which was long and rough. His
conditional release announced to him the 18th.
and on the 14th inst. he placed board the
Marathon being taken to her from the island in
boat with five warders He refused to accept any
money from the governments, and would only accept
steerage passage, being unwilling to incur any
| obligation at their hands.