The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-28
Were Convicted Of Completely 10 tho Phoenix
Park Murders.
INQUIRY MADE BY 4 SPECIAL BOARD.
Proceedings We're Secret, hul The Decision Was
Based on Law fobiddIng Admission Of AnI-
one CoMcsi Of fslcny.

New York. May 2S.-James Fitzhar-
ris alias "Skin the Goat" and Joseph
Mullett. the two surviving members OF
the Irish Invincibles. who were recent
ly released from prison In Ireland,
where they were sentenced for com
pllcity in the Phoenix Park murders OF
1882. were yesterday ordered excluded
by the board OF special inquiry at the
Immigration station. and ordered de-
ported
The exclusion was made under the
INTERPRETATION OF the law which for
bids anyone being admitted 10 tnis
country who has been adtudged guilty
of felony, crime. infamous crime, or
misdemeanor involving moral turp-
itude."
The two men were recently pardoned
by Earl Cadogan, lord lieutenant OF
Ireland, from sentence or lie I'M
prsonment, and reached this city
among the steerage passengers on the
Lucania on Saturday last After
conference with Commissioner Fitchie.
the men were ordered back TO Ellis
Island, TO await the action OF the
board OF special inquiry. This board
was composed OF William Wiehe, chair
man; III. II. Moler. James A. Tenor and
Maj. Charles $. Sonsey. The two men
We're taken before the board on Ellis
Island yesterday morning. The inqui-
sit,on WAS secret. The only one al the
Barge office TO meet the two men and
who showed any interest in their be-
half. was Rocky Mountain O'Brien.
The men were then sent 10 the Eek
cluded pen.'
The case will probably be appealed 10
the authorities at Washington. and IL
not, Fitzharris and Mullett will leave
this port on Saturday next on the
Lucania.
After the meeting of the board II was
learned that Fitzharris was the first
of the two men to be examined by the
members. He admitted he had served
nearly IL years for crime committed.
After being asked the usual questions
az to his age. nativity and residence.
Fitzharris was asked of what crime he
had been convicted. and answered.
Treason" He was then questioned
as TO CHS charge. and he told the board
that he had been arrested about nine
months after the famous Phoenix Park
murders. In company with % others.
These % were accused of having been
accessories after the fact. while Fitz-
harris was charged with having been
an accessory before the fact. Three
months later he was brought 10 trial
with others OF the accused. Five of
them were sentenced 10 be hanged. and
fltLndFfls Was sentenced 10 pendf SER
vitude for life. WhIle telling his story
10 the board. Fitzharris declared that
at the time of his trial he was offered
e1o,000 by the English government II
ne would turn informer against tho
other members OF the band. This he
refused TO do. and of his life sentence
he served about IL years in the Mount
JOY Chatham. Downpatrick and Mary
lebone prisons. Eight months ago he
was pardoned. Fitzharris said that
ne and Mullet had about S25 between
tnem when they reached this port
Firzharris asserted that while he was
on British soil he was compelled 10 re-
port TO the pol CO every month as 20 his
doirgs and VIII ereabouts.
II came TO this country" he added.
because | want a chance to rest and
recuperate. l wanted TO stay here
about three months and then go back
To my family"
Mulett Indignantly refused to an
Rwer any of the. questions put TO him
by the board. He declared he was not
being accorded the proper treatment
by the government His examination
lasted only a short time, as he would
not respond 10 questions.