New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-20
JUSTICE MAY BE THWARTED
BIG TOM KINSELLA'S WIDOW DIES SUD
DENLY IN LONG ISLAND CITY.
SHE WAS AN IMPORTANT WITNESS IN COMING
TRIALS OF MEMBERS or HER HUSBANDS
GANG OF BURGLARS AND HAD BEEN
GUARDED BY POLICE SUG-
SHE WAS AZ

GEsTION OF POISON
Mrs Jennie Kinsella the wife OF big Tom
Klnsella who is now serving a fifteen years term
In the Wethersield Prison. at Hartford died at her
home No. SO vernon-ave Long Island City. last
night.
The death has some peculiar circumstances con-
nected with It. Some weeks ago the woman asked
the police for protection. saying she feared she
would never be able to appear in some criminal
cases in which she was the chief witness II she
was not protected The protection granted. ana
time four policemen watched the woman
day and night. Recently the guard was reduced to
one man. and now the woman's expressed fear has
been fulfilled.
Mrs Kinsela's husband. big Tom" was the
leader Of the gang of burglars who for several
months pundered the residents Of Long Island city
and the east end OF Long Island At that time
Mrs Klnsella and her husband lived in Greenpolnt
Her house was he headquarters OF the gang 1t
was there the robbery Of Cord Meyers home was
Planned. well a more OF others.
The gang had great fortune for some time. They
I'D not conine their operations to Long Island.
Connecticut and the Berkshire Hills about lenox.
Mass. attracted their attention. and they operated
with good results to themselves through large
section OF country. The luck turned one day ana
big Tom" was arrested while robblng the house
Of j. NJ Wheeler. at Bridgeport. He was sentenced
TO fifteen years at We;hershe.d In being arrested
he was more fortunate than his companion in the
I burglary. Edward Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick at one
time vas "a constable In Long Island CITY. When
he and big Tom" surprised at Bridgeport.
Fitzpatrick tried to get away and was shot. He
died "A few days later.
About the time Knsela and Fitzpatrick were put
out Of the way Michael Sherlock, another of the
gang was caught robbing house In Lenox HIS
trial IL set down FOR to-day at Pittsheld. Mass.
The gang thus lost it's three leaders and ceased
to operate especially the other members were at
once suspected.
A short time ago Mrs Kinsela and her brother
! in-aw Christopher Madden. had quarrel Mad
den WAS another OF the burglars She caused his
arrest and also that OF George Fomer. another of
/ the gang They had several hearings before JUS
tIce Duffy. in Long Island CITY. and Mrs kinseIa
gave Il long and detailed history OF the gang from
th. time her husband started TO commit petty rob
/ berries until the formidable gang had been organ
, zel and the long series OF big robberes com
| mencrd The history was given with much detail
| Mrs Kinsella feared from the start the gang would
! have revenge and put her out OF the way she
| could do them no more harm than she had.
! When Madden and Folmer were arrested she
aek.d for police protection She showed why II
should be given her and the Police Commissioners
| OF Long Island CRY thought her fears 50 well
! grounded that at time FOR weeks was she with
| Af,er the hearing before Justice Duffy the guard
! was reduced In number. and recently the NUMBER
Of officers was reduced to one at tim"' o.coc,
! Policeman Mclaughlin was on quar- Al
/ o'clock Mclaughlin Vas relieved by Policeman
! Fitzgerald. At o'clock yesterday stteI. mo.
Fitzgerald was In turn relieved by Policeman am ,
! eron. Cameron was relieved in the early evening
- "hort Inn. before the death occurred Or
! Forls Of Ravenswood. was called on TO attend ms
woman lie could do nothing 70 save her ne, -
is NOT thought he knew anything or the peculiar
| circumstances OF the case. - w., -
| Three weeks ago Mrs. kinsella called on III trey
! OF Long Island city. and told him she had heart
| disease He wanted her to submit 10 an eNanilha
| on and shc promised 10 DO 50. She never returned
! 10 have the examination made. .
The -lghbors OF the woman say the ponce qua guar
! over her has been farce FOR some time. neg
lowed near her there was continual stream o'
| visitors and tina, FOR some days there has oeen a
drinking ca-ouse going on In he house. one woman
| living near the house said that 10 n"r khOWl"is'
| sixty bottles ~ whiskey passed into the mouse
within the rOrty-rlgh, hours preceding the woman
death This. she says. was In ADDITION 70 ING NUN
Der which must have been carried In when she was
| not Looking or when she was asleep Tor the ca
rousal was going when she went 10 Ded ne
ncighbors also Intimate that there was any nuno'i
| OF OPPORTUNITIES 20 poison the woman ana that the
police guarl was worthless. nv,
The police say they acted under or1ers. IhrS
could NOT control the womans dongs IN any way
| They hal orders 10 admit one to her excep'
! those whom she consented 70 see.
1 Mrs Klnsella 10 have started THIS morning
| for pittsne.d Mass. give testimony agalns'
| sherlock and her sudden death is considered sus
| picious She weighed about $50 pounds ana ap
| n.,r.d N good health A short time before she was
J taken sick The Coroner has not yet begun an IN
| Dr Fordes was out a call last night when a
! reporter went his home. Il Is understood ht
| treated her for Brghts disease.