Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-02-04
DRISCOLL HANGED
The Leader Of the Gang Dies on b
GallOWa.

The Leader Of the Gang Dies On tho
GallOws.
NEW YORK, Jan. 23.-Daniel Driscoll,
leader Of the ''Whyo' gang, who mur
cered "Breezie' Clarity, was hanged in
the Tombs prison yard at 724 this morn
ing. Driscoll spent most Of the time last
night in writing letters of farewell and
chatting with the death watch. He arose
early this morning, and attended by his
spiritual adviser, spent some time in
prayer. He ate a light breakfast, and 4
short time after the sheriff read the death
warrant. TIE details of the execution
proceeded without interruption. Afte1
hanging about twenty minutes the body
was lowered and delivered 70 the rela-
tlves and friends Of the deceased.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
With the execution of Dan Driscoll,
alias George Wallace. the criminal haunts
of Gatham are relieved of the worst char
acter in the police annals of that CITY.
lie was the most dangerous rufian that
New York has everknown, an we breathe
easier now that the breath is out of hin
body, said q veteran police captain this
morning. Although but 33 years Of age
he had spent more than one-half Of his
lite in prison. His specially in crime
WIS pocket picking, in which it is said
ht had trained hundreds Of boys and
young men. He was arrested in 1870 aud
and again in 1878 for picking pockets on
Broadway, and in each case served a term
in the penitentiary for his crime. He was
the recognized leader and captain Of
the notorious "Whyo' gang, which has
its headquarters in Baxter street and
varied his thefts with stabbing and shoot.
ing the enemies Of the gang. Up TO June
70, 1886, when he committed the crime for
which he hangs today he had been arrest
cd no less than "eDty six times.
DriscOll crime was the murder of Liz
zie, better known as Beezy Clarity, Il
handsome girl Of 10. She was of respect
able parcntage but fell into evil ways.
and for some time had been the consort
OF Driscoll with the full knowledge Of
the latter's wife. At 4 O'Clock on the
morning Of June 26, 1886, DrisColl and
the girl, both under the influence of
liquor, called at the furnished apart
ment house 1853 Hester street, kept by
John Mccarthy. There was a fcud be
tween the two men, Mccarthy having
cJected Driscoll over a year before. The
latter swore revenge and repeatedly laid
in wait with the intention of killing him.
Only the week before he had twice fired
at him without result and upon each oc.
casion he renewed his oath. Mccarthy
saw the couple coming up the steps, and
fearing trouble cndeavorcd to close and
lock the door. Driscoll, however,
was too quick for him. He managed to
get his foot and shoulder between the
post and by sheer strength forced he
door open wide enough 10 enable the
girl To enter. Mccarthy now realizing
that Driscoll meant to Kill him put his
hand 10 his hip pocket with the intention
of drawing his revolver. Quick AZ a
flash the girl threw her arms around him
and exclaimed with an oath. "Iou must
not shoot By this time Driscoll, pistol
in hand was in the hall, Mccarthy threw
the girl away from him just as a bullet
grazed his head. 4 second shot was
heard and the girl fell with a shrek. She
had receiver the bullet intended for Nc
Carthy. The latter took refuge in an
adjoining room and jumped from the
window INTO the street. Driscoll OWNED
his intention and leaving the girl weller
ing in her blood rushed out of the front
door and tired three shots ut the retrcating
man. non OF them, however, took effect.
Then he took 10 his heels. About half
"A score OF police officers and detectives
had been attracted to the scene and an
exciting chase cnsucd. The officers fired
a dozen times, but Driscoll lodged the
shots and finally succeeded in climbing
up the ire escape TO his mothers room on
the top floor OF the tenement house, 100
Baxter street. Here he was found a few
moments later and, although hot and
painting for breath, both he and his
mother declared that he hadn't been out
Of the house all night. Meanwhile his
victim had been taken to st. Nincent's
hospital, where She died a couple Of hours
later, declaring with her dying breath
that Mccarthy and not Driscoll was her
murderer. When the case came to trial.
however, the latter was promptly con
yictcd, although some hard swearing was
done in his behalf. The case was taken
to the court Of appeals, but on Wednesday
last it was finally decrecd that the muir
derer should pay the penalty of his crime
upon the gallows. An appeal TO Gov.
Hill resulted in the granting of . respite