River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-05-31
BARRED FROM AMERICA.
Two .Irishmen of Notoriety Land In
New YOr<-Inquiry Board Or
ders Their Exclusion

New York, May 2s.-James Fitzhar-
ris, alias "Skin the Goat" and Joseph
Mullett, the Irish inyincibles who
were recently released from prison in
Ireland, where they were sentenced
for completely in the Phoenix park
murders in 1882, were on Sunday ex-
cluded by the board of special inquiry
at tine immigration station and or
dered deported. The exclusion was
made under the Interpretation of the
law which forbids anyone being adj
mitted to this country who has been
adjudged guilty of felony. Infamous
crime or misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude.'
The two men were recently par
doned by Earl Cadogan, lord lieuten-
ant of Ireland, from a sentence of life
Imprisonment, and reached this city
among the steerage passengers ON she
Lucania Saturday last. After con-
ference 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 Weihe. chair
man; ii. II. Moller, James A. Toner
and Maj. Charles S. Sensey. The two
men were taken before the board on
Ellis island Sunday morning The in
QUESTION was secret.
After the meeting of the board it
was learned that Fitzharris was the
first of the two to be examined by the
members. He admitted he had served
nearly II years in prison. After being
asked the usual questions as to his
age, nativity and residence. Fitzhar-
ris was asked of what crime he had
been convicted, and answered: Urea
SON." He was then questioned as to
this 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 90 were accused of hav-
ing been accessories after the fact,
while Fitzharris was charged with
having been an accessory before the
fact. Three months later he was
brought to trial, with others of the
accused Five of them were sentenced
to be hanged, and Fitzharris was SEN
fenced to penal seryitude for life.
While telling mis- story to the board
Fitzharris declared that at the time of
his trial he was offered 10000 by
the English government if he would
turn informer against the other mem
bers of the band. This he refused TO
do. and of his life sentence he served
about II years in the Mount JOY,
Chatham, Doawnpatrick and Marybone
prisons. Eight months ago he was
pardoned. Fitzharris said that he and
MulIett had about S25 between them
when they reached this port. He as
serted that while he was on British
soil he was compelled to report to the
police every month as TO his doings
and whereabouts. II came to this
country" he added, because / want a
chance to rest and recuperate.
wanted to stay here about three
months, and then go back to my fam
ily."
Mullett Indignantly refused to an
swer any of the questions put to him
by the board. He declared he was not
being accorded proper treatment by
the government. His examinations
lasted only short time, as he would
not respond to questions. The men
were then sent to the excluded pen. .
The case will probably be appealed to
the authorities at Washington. and if
not, Fitzharris and Mullett will leave
this port on Saturday next on the
Iucania