Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1860-05-23 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SUICIDE OF • PRISONER IN HORSEMONGER- LANE GAOL.—On Monday evening a most determined suicide was committed in the Gaol by one of the male prisoners. On the 18th of last month a pauper, named John M'Carthy, was committed for trial to Horsemonger-lane Gaol, from the Southwark police-court, for cutting and wounding Mr. Oliver, the task-master of St. Saviour's Union Workhouse. He was moved with the other prisoners from the police-court, and seemed quite cheerful ' at the change, and in due course was placed in that portion of the prison where prisoners are kept awaiting their trial. On Monday evening at 6 o'clock he had his tea, and was seen quietly sitting in his cell, but about half an hour afterwards one of the warders, on returning to his cell, found him hanging to the gas-pipe by the neck. He was cut down immediately, and medical assistance sent for, but life was quite extinct. He would have been tried on Monday last. DISTRESSING Casa—The inhabitants of Edinburgh have within these few days heard with painful surprise that Hector Mackay, son of the late Mr. Charles Mackay, of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, has been tried in Canada on a charge of murder' and being found guilty by the jury, has been condemned to be executed on the 7th of June next. From the few particulars which have reached us, it appears that Hector Mackay held the office of e. constable, and having been ordered by a magistrate to pursue and secure a fugitive from justice, a struggle ensued, in which, as it would seem, far self-defence, Mackay drew his pistol and shot his antagonist. Supposing this to be the nature of the case, one cannot understand how the act could be construed into the crime of murder; for there was obviously neither premeditation n r malice prepense to invest it with this serious character. At all events, the unhappy young man, as we understand, lies in prison in Perth, Canada West, waiting the dread execution of the law. The intelligence of the circumstance has given the greatest possible pain to all who remember the many excellent and genial qualities of the late Mr. Mackay, who may be said to have gained a world-wide celebrity by his personation of the immortal Bailie Nicol Jamie, of Sir Walter Scott. Moved by every good feeling, a humble and respectful petition to Sir F. W. Head, Governor-General of Canada, has been signed by a large number of our leading citizens, headed by the Lord Provost, praying that his excellency will take the case of the unfortunate Hector Mackay into his merciful consideration, and commute or remit his sentence. The petition left by the mail on Saturday, and we earnestly trust that its prayer may be successful, at least so far as commuting the capital punishment.—Seetsmon. AN AMERICAN BIGAM IsT. —John Iverson was recently arrested and imprisoned at the South for aggravated polygamy: he had thirteen wives. The daughter of the gaoler whose hospitality this insatiable polygamist was enjoying while awaiting trial believed him innocent, pitied him, loved him, opened the prison doors, fled with him, and became his fourteenth wife. After eight days of domestic bliss the husband disappeared, and left neither trace nor money behind. A reward was offered for his capture; a description of his fascinating person was circulated; he was recognised in a village tavern by a man who thought of the reward offered, and set about preparing nis toils for the victim. In order to instil confidence into his breast, he made his acquaintance, invited him to his mansion, and then went off to procure legal assistance. When he returned, his home was deserted alike by his intended prey and his own wife, whom Iverson had led astray. A wretched man suggests that a proper, though a terribly severe punishment, would be to compel this polygamist to live with his fifteen wives at once.—New York Tribune.  How IT