The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-25
SHERIFF REILLY.


AN EXCITING SESSION BEFORE COMMISSIONER
cURTIs-REooRDs DESTROYED AND W.T.
NEssEs SPIRITED ANYMORE ABOUT LUD-
Low STREET JAIL MORALITY.
Commissioner Curtis continued the investigation
into the management OF Sheriff Reiys office yes
terday. The examination of Deputy McGonigle was
resumed by Mr. Bush He said that in the Freeman
arrest he went to the District Attorneys office
with his prisoner and there told it not de-
sired that Freeman should be locked up. As the bail
was 100000 witness was very anxious to have him
locked lest he should lose his position by keeping
him out.
Mr.. Bush-What services did you render for the
$500 which you admit Freeman gave you? A. had
him out in my charge two weeks for the purpose Of
giving him an opportunity to settle up his affairs
with the Globe Life Insurance Company as well az
his family matters.
To Mr. Larocque-I paid any part of the
fees of the department to Sheriff Reilly he re-
ceived any part of the fees of the department. tho
Sheriff appoints the head OF the Order of
partment and takes bond from him. the Sheriff
has nothing to do with the execution Of the pro-
cesses know of several cases in which the Sheriff
undertook exercise control the Order of Ar
rest Department.; in several instances there were
complaints made to the Sheriff. and he sent for
or Major Quincy and said, "Gentlemen. want this
won't have it, Tar from any complaint having
ever been made about the money received from
Freeman. his sisters ana friends came to Inc and
said they couldn't sufficient repay me what
had done, / had treated him SO kindly.
DESTROYING THE RECORDS
Mr.. Thomas J. Moore. clerk in Major Quincya
Office, was recalled aud Mr.. Bush handed him q re-
ceipt for S2l rs. signed with the name of Major
Quincy. "Ihe signature OF Major Quincy is in my
handwriting" the reply to Mr. Bush's question.
He further stated that he paid portion Of it to
did not remember which; that was the amount
usually paid in such cases. the balance being paid to
q. You have kept memoranda Of these transact
tions what have you done with them A. Some
times keep hem; sometimes destroy them.
q. Have you in your possession any OF the MEM
oranda from January l. 1877 to April 49, 1879. for
any portion Of that period A. have not
Q. What became of them A. don't know; I
put them in the safe and they disappeared;
not tell who destroyed them or took them away
missed them two months ago.
q. Can you give no information as to whether
made in of orders arrest? Objected to.
Mr. Bush propose to show by the evidence
OF this witness. which is supported by that OF
McGoulgle, that Mayor Quincy, whether wilfully or
otherwise, did not state the facts when lie said that
such fees were not received by him. The memo
randa would have proved the fact beyond question.
but now we have the announcement that they were
destroyed.
their disappearance: never kept any books con-
tanning accounts of moneys received in the office;
only keep an index and register: have received
money from all tho deputies; McGonigle gave ma
sums repeatedly. but don't know for what pur-
out memoranda of the amounts. and these have
disappeared after paying the expenses of the Office
the remainder Of these sums goes to Major Quincy;
cannot remember particular pad into the
Order of Arrest Office in the Freeman case; in the
of the officers Of the Teutonia Bank eight
OF the officers arrested and S25 were received
for each case; the money thus received followed the
usual course; Daniel 7. Finn was deputy and may
have paid me money in connection with the arrest
of Allan w. Griswold, but am not certain; he il
not now deputy; don't know where he resides.
In answer to Mr.. Larocque the witness said that
he never rendered any account OF the money
ceived to the sheriff Mr.. Knox subjected the wit
to sharp and searching examination in relation
to the amounts paid into Major Quincys office.
especially in the Freeman case, but the witness said
he had no recollection these matters, and after
some severe structures by Mr. Knox his treacher-
Gus memory, he was allowed to retire. and recess
Bernard Fitzsmmons, the Acting Warden of Lud-
low Street Jail, then testified. in answer to Mr..
Bush: 81 know Valentine Gleason: he was boardel
in the Jail and paid $40 week during his mprison-
ment; made entries in the cash book Of the
amounts received from boarders; don't know
where the book is now; it last in November.
1875 the book was placed by me in the drawer OF the
desk at the office; Warden Watson. John
the cleaner. had to it: it contained the
names OF the prisoners sndsthe amounts paid by
them; also kept ledger, and it also lost; after
that Kept the accounts single Sheets
one sheet was filled destroyed it, carrying the bal
ance over to new sheet generally kept the Old
sheet few days before destroying it.
Q. So that all the accounts OF the Jail from the
time the books lost have been destroyed by
you? A. Yes; my reason for doing 50 was because
l did not like any person to look over them
Mr.. Bush-No, don't think you did.
MORALITY LUDLOW STREET
Witness-I knew prisoner named Degans; he
came there in July. 1878; he was brought there by
Deputy McGonige he accompanied by his
wife, she not prisoner; know she his
wife because McGonigle told me so; showed him
cell No. 81 which said he could have for SIS .
week, but he did not like it and turned up his
when he it; told him II he wanted . better
place he must pay for it; I then showed
him my room the Office floor and he
delighted when he it, especially when he
noticed the carpet on the door; l not at first
disposed to allow him keep his wife there, but
reflection l did not wish to turn her out, as she
might be in danger In that locality, got her TO
sign paper agreeing not to suetne Sheriff for false
imprisonment; before she went stairs she gave me
$50 for weeks board in any cell to which
might assign them; when they selected my room
demanded SIS more making $45 week. and they
consented collected that amount for two weeks
and then, at the suggestion of Warden Watson, re-
dEccd the amount.
The Commissioner then announced that he would
adjourn the case till this morning.