Iron County register., 1900-05-31
THEY'RE NOT WANTED HERE.
James Fitxharrfs and Joseph Mule
lett, Irish Ex-Convicts, Or
dered Deported.

New York, May 28.-James Fitzhar'
| ris, alias 'sSkin the Goat" and Joseph
Mullett, the Irish invincibles who were
recently released from prison in Ire
| land, where they were sentenced for
| completely in the Phoenix park mur-
ders of 1882, were yesterday ordered
excluded by the board of special in
quiry at the immigration station, and
ordered deported.
The Law of Exclusion.
The exclusion was made under the
Interpretation of the law which forbids
anyone being admitted to this country
who has been adjudged guilty of q
felony, infamous crime or misde-
meanor involving moral turpitude."
Held for Examination.
The two men were recently par
doned by Earl Cadogan, lord lieuten-
ant of Ireland, from sentence of life
imprisonment, and reached this city
among the steerage passengers on the
Lucania Saturday last. After con-
ference with Commissioner Fitchie, the
men were ordered back to Ellis ISL
and to await the action of the board
of special inquiry. This board was
composed of William Weihe, chairman,
II. q. Moller, James A. Toner and Maj.
Charles S. Sensey. The two men were
taken before the board on Ellis island
yesterday morning. The inquisition
was secret. The only one at the barge
Office to meet the two men and who
showed any interest in their behalf
was Rocky Mountain O'Brien.
Before the Board.
After the meeting of the board it
was learned that Fitzharris was the
admitted he had served nearly seven
teen years in prison. After being
asked the usual questions as to his age,
nativity and residence, Fitzharris was
asked of what crime he had been con-
victed, and answered:
Was Convicted of Treason.
''Treason." 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 % were accused of hay-
ing been accessory after the fact,
while Fitzharris was charged with hav-
ing 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 sentenced to penal
servitude for life.
An improbable Story.
While telling his story to the board
if01, o,.,.ss.S hof o& %hn
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 seventeen years in the Mount
Joy, Chatham, Downpatrick and Mary
tone prisons. Eight months ago he
was pardoned.
Came to this Country to Recuperate.
Fitzharris said that he and Mullett
had about two hundred and fifty dol
this port. He asserted 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 I want a chance to rest and
recuperate. I wanted to stay here
about three months and then go back
to my family"
Refused to Answer Questions.
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 examination
lasted only short time, as he would
not respond to questions. The men
were then sent to the Excluded pen."
May Appeal to Washington.
The case will possibly be appealed to
the authorities at Washington, and if
the finding is affirmed, Fitzharris and
Mullett will leave this port on Satur-
day on the Lucania.