Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-23
A STRANGE TRIAL.
MuRDeREHs IN THE ToMBs AMUSED
THEMSELVES WITH MOCK COURT.
Elephants but One Were After
ward Hanged.

The most singular trial In tho annals OF
Jurisprudence was that held in the Tombs
few years ago. II was trial jury in
which the court and the counsel. says the
New York Press. were composed OF men
under sentence Of death and literally living
in the shadow Of the gallows.
After tho attempted escape Of Danny
Lyons and Danny Driscoll had been frus-
traied Warden Osborne conceived and
carried into execution q scheme which
made like attempts out OF the question
Murderers' row in the old building was
vacated and the ground floor of the left
corridor III the new "ten-day" house
fitted up for the reception and afe-keep-
ing Of those doomed to death according TO
law. The varden's idea was novel one.
He had screen OF strong wire built from
between each cells door TO the windows
on the opposite side OF the corridor. Tbs
gave each convict separate space to walk
in for exercise. Tho death-watch occupied
chairs between each screen and the men
were constantly in their sight. IL also
allowed them 10 see each other and their
visiting friends and to.converse when they
felt in that mood.
FIX SUEDERxRs AT ONCE.
iut DrsA 10 OCCUPY INe cells were
men convicted of murder in the first de-
gree and sentenced to be hanged in the
Tombs. They were Giblin; Psckenham.
Carolin. Lewis, Nolan, and Carleton.
They were all executed excepting Giblin.
who killed a baker named Getz. whose
sentence was committed TO imprisonment
for life. Carleton, who was known by the
sobriq,isf of Handsome Harry" who shot
and killed Officer Brennan. was the last to
be hanged and was the last one executed
in the Tombs.
Sunday IS always the dullest day in the
Tombs, for no visitors are admitted. and
the condemned were left to their own sad
thoughts.
TO EyLIvKs A DULL SUNDAY.
Giblin proposed that they try one OF
their number BY Jury. and Carolin, who
chopped his unfortunate wife to death
with q Ratchet, was singled out TO be
tried. Old man Packenham, who killed
his wife with pair Of SCISSORS. was made
judge; Giblin. district attorney; Garlic
ton. counsel for the defence, and
Lewis and Nolan. the jury. After
the consent OF Deputy-Sherif Ca
raher was gwen the trial proceeded.
every part OF the judicial programme be-
ing minutely carried out. even to putting
Carolin on the stand 10 testify in his own
Dehai'. but, despite the argument OF
Carleton that IL could only be man
slaughter and not murder, the jury found
him guilty without quitting their seats.
BRoEE CAROLYN DOWN.
The effect on Carol!n. the Deputy Sheriff
said. was painful and pitiful to witness.
He never raised his eyes while Old Nan
Packenham sentenced him 10 die on the
29th of August. 1889. From that day be
seemed 70 weaken and the authorities
were afraid he would break down com
pletely. Fathers Pendergast and Gslenas,
with the Sisters, who were daily in at
tendance, tried To comfort and rally him,
but without avail. The verdict of ais fell
lows had almost killed him.
As GiblIn had been COMMITTED and
Carleton was awaiting appeal, only Lewis.
Packenhaml CAROLYN. and Nolan were 70
die. and the men drew lots TO see VINO
would be companions on the gallows
None Of them wanted 70 die with Mig
ger" Lewis, and hence the drawing
Carolin broke down completely when
he found he had 10 90 with Lewis,
although the latter up 10 the very
last moment tried his best to awaken
some manly feeling in the breast
of the trem bling wretch. and even cross
ing the yard TO the scaffold Lewis several
times asked him to die like man and not
he cur. But he was almost dead when
the rope was adjusted about his neck.
So ended the most extraordinary trial
by jury ever held.