The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-21
NEEDS INVESTIGATING.
Edward Gil1i1and Escapes
From a Constable at
Snake Hill.
DID THE KEEPER HELP HIM f.?
Policeman Murphy Fails to Convict
Mrs. Gilliland of a Serious
Offense.

This morning when Policeman Murphy
was testifying against Mrs. Gillaland in
The General Sessions Court on an indict-
nent charging her with keeping a dis
orderly house, he created somewhat OF a
sensation by stating. during the course of
his testimony, that Mrs. Gillaland's hus-
band, who had been confined at Snake
Hill, had escaped. made an investiga-
ton and was told story which places
Deputy Warden Fowler, of the Peniten-
tiary. in queer light.
Gillaland was arrested in Jersey CITY
some months ago, and convicted of
malicious mischief and returned to Snake
Hill. He seemed to be on friendly terms
with the keepers, and was reported to
have done much as he pleased. Since
Glllaland's Incarceration at Snake Hill.
more of his queer doings have come TO
lighGand complaint was lodged against
him for embezzlement and a warrant
was issued for his arrest. The warrant
was placed in the hands of Constable
Egan, who went TO Snake Hill to serve
1t yesterday morning when GiIlaland's
term for malicious mischief expired. The
rest OF the story is perhaps best told by
Constable Egau.
E.
81 went out to Snake Hill yesterday
morning." he.said, EARNED with the war
rant and never anticipating auy trouble.
When went to the Warden's Office and
produced the warrant, Deputy Warden
Fowler received me rather coolly. GilIa-
land had just been discharged, ana was
preparing to go to Jersey City.
Il went up to him, showed
him the warrant and told him he was
unuer arrest. He said he'd be damned if
he'd go with me as he was with friends.
He made a lunge forme, and pulled my
club, and aimed a blow for him. He
lodged the blow and grappIed with me.
Then l put my hand in my pocket to
draw my revolver.
"At this point several of the keepers
ran up and interfered. They said I had
no right to kill the man. 1 said that I
wanted Gillaland to go with me peace
ably. Gillaland asked me, then, if he
could go into the Warden's office. I
thought he would be safe there and
agreed. Deputy Warden Fowler was
inside, and finally I got tired
of waiting for Gilliland to come out, and
started TO go in. l was met at the door by
Fowler
There goes your man across the hills,'
said Fowler. l caught a glimpse of Gill
laland about half mile away, running
over the hills. l ran after him but he dis
tanced me and was lost in the hills and I
came back to Jersey City Without my
prisoner
II don't want to accuse Fowler of aid
ing Gillaland to escape, but these are tho
facts, and people can Judge tor them
selves"
1t is likely that Warden Grimes will
order an investigation.
MRS. GILLALAND ACQUITTED.
Mrs. Maggie Gillalaud, a rather pretty
young married woman, with anburn hair,
was placed on trial on an indictment
charging her with maintaining a dis
orderly house at No. 269 Second street.
Patrolman Murphy was the principal
witness for the prosecution. He testified
that neighbors had called his attention to
Mrs. GiIlaland's house and he had it
under suspicion for some time.
On the morning of November
about four O'Clock the po-
liceman went into the house and found
the defendant and another woman IN bed
with young man. He arrested all three.
State, but none of them had seen any
thing wrong going on, although they had
heard Mrs. Gillaland quarrel with her
husband. Lawyer Ryerson denounced
the arrest as entirely uncall ed for, and
Mrs. Glllaland took the stand.
Her pretty blue eyes filled with
tears as she told her story. She said
that she retired early and about four
O'Clock in the morning she was ARE sted
by Patrolman Murphy. He struck her
with his club and the blow caused a
premature birth in the County Jail Az
ter Judge Lippincott had delivered fair
and impartial charge the jury promptly
brought in O verdict Of not guilty.