The sun., 1897-03-06
RUSSELL TAKES MORPHINE.
THE BLAOKMAILER SAYS HE MEANT
TO KILL HIMSELF.
Tho warden OF Raymond street Jaii Thinks
re Knew That tho Amount Hs Took would
Not Kiil Him-Nr-. Bird's Counsel Denies
Al of RusseII,- statement. About Her.

re Know That tho Amount Hs Took would
Not KIN Him-Mr-. Bird's Counsel Denies
All or Rus.eiI'- Statements About Her.
Edward J. Russell. alins Edward Meredith.
who was convicted on Thursday OF attempting
to blackmail former Corporation Counsel Almet
+. jerks OF Brooklyn and Is to be sentenced on
Monday. took "a dose OF morphine In his cell in
Raymond street Jail ON Thursday night. He
says he took the drug to end his life. but there is
strong suspicion that che act was merely for
dramatic effect. After his return from tho
court on Thursday evening he was thoroughly
searched, IA Warden Shanlcy AYERS and was
put in his old cell. 4, on the ground floor. Before
retiring he spent some time In writing and talk
ing with other prisoners. Arrangements had
been made 10 put him in cell l on the second
tier yesterday morning 50 that he might 10
under closer surveillance.
Keeper smith, in making his rounds at $50
o'clock yesterday morning, found Russell still
apparently asleep on his cot. An hour later,
when he was again passing tho CELL Russell was
still on the cot, but wide awake Smith told tho
prisoner to get UP, as he had instructions to
take him to another cell
"I can't" Russell family replied.
whats the matteri Are you sick T. tho
keeper asked.
"wcll. guess am. have taken poison"
was the response.
Warden Stanley was summoned, and to him
Russell again declared that he had taken poison
to put himself out OF the way. 1t had been
given to him In the court room, he said after his
conviction. The poison, he said, consisted OF
three grains OF morphine. DIR. Pfarrc OF Brook
lyn Hospital says that he found Russell In n bad
condition. The pupils of his eyes were much
contracted and his pulse was very weak. lie
was unaucstionably under the influence OF some
powerful narcotic. DIR. Pfarre injected nitro
glycerine and administered other remedies. He
then gave instructions to the keepers to walk
Russell up and down the corridor and keep him
awake. II was Dr. pfarrcs opinion that two
grains OF morphine would have brought about
,hc condition in which he found the prisoner.
lar Jail physician. arrived. Russell told him
that he had taken three grains OF morphine
Shepard found that the pupils were still con
tractcd; but pronounced the patient out Of dan
Coroner, found in Russell 5 cell:
81 hnye been found guilty OF u crime OF which
! am absolutely innocent. Almet !. jerks de-
iibssrately s charged me with a. crime knowine n. nc
ness stand on my own behalf because s would
ones at home. did not wish to worry my wife
and mother by making their home life subject
brought In verdict OF guilty after listening 10
the voluntary admissions on tho part OF Mr..
jerks without having been questioned by me at
| story, / am aware II was strongly worded In
several places. but ALWAYS have a habit OF call
| jury which convicted me leave them the rec
objection OF Mr.. spicro's address to their own
In closing the letter Russell. it may he. in the
| expectation that the poison would not kill him
and that he would have TO appear for sentence
| on Monday writes this about Judge Hurd:
| For Justice Hurd leave my most grateful
! thanks. Noinan who ever sat rs Judge since
fathsrly attention 10 a caso. May God bless and
! make happy his home and all his family. For
me will bc his best reward"
Warden Shanley il convinced that Russell
knew that the dose OF poison he took was too
| habit OF taAinK morphine, and hence might well
| have known how much he could take with
! safety.
| MIR. A. y. Weller. counsel for Bishop Little.
| john. and Mrs. Bird. his daughter. the former
| wife OF Mr. jerks, has sent the following TO THE
The termination OF the trial of this notorious
criminal without calling as witnesses Bishop
| either OF them an opportunity to rc.ute the
statements concerning them in the article with
| which he attempted TO blackmai Mr.. jerks,
makes it proper that as counsel for them in al.
! tendance upon the trial. should briefly explain
that m th i'm i'm bt S" nrec G so far
| II relates to her are absolutely false III sub
| stance and in detail.
| days, anxious TO be called Hs witness, so that
| she could make these dcnials under oath III
|
| tion NJ Il black mailer required so solemn rcfl.
tHtionl, but the learned Judge ruled in the early
part OF the trial. that II was not prosecution
| Tor libel the truth or fasity OF the article was
| not IN the case, the only question being. Was
| Mr.. jerks blackmaiIcd by It's use This ruling
| OF the learned Judge. which was undoubtedly
correct, prevented Mrs. Bri from taking tho
| stand in her own behalf. and she could no, be-
| come witness unless the defendant called her.
He had subppnacd her but at the last moment
| wisely concluded not to put her on the stand.
| "Mr. Backus, tho learned District Attorney,
| In summing up 10 the jury stated that Mrs. Bird
| and Bishop LittlCyohn had been in attendance 10
| take the stand in their own behalf, but as the
| prosecution was not 10 vindicate any body upon
| whom the article reflected they could not, he re-
! gTettcd be allowed to testify.
" II is true that both Mr.. jerks and Mr.. Grout
| denounced the blRckmailcr and character eriZed
his story as criminuy ibclous and false in every
respect, yet Mrs Bird desires that her cmphatic
| refntat ion shall be added to theirs. Hence
| think | am justified in sending TO your paper
| this communication upon the subject.
| Il desire 10 add that, when this most auda-
| cous man made his attempt to blackmail Mr7.
| Bird In Garden City, previous TO his calling
upon Mr.. jerks, she Immediately sought coun.
| sci, and under the advice she then received she
| determined TO cooperate in an effort to expose
him..