Year: 1875




penalty Of the Law. William Delaney, or, as he
will probably be known in criminal history by his
sefassumed aliases Of the ''Red Prate and Cast
Iron Bill was hanged in the courtyard at forty minutes
past eleven O'Clock yesterday morning, The crime for
which he suffered was the murder of Captain Leverett
Lawrence, who commanded the schooner Joseph E.
Potts Delaney, IL seems shipped at Port Johnson, N.
j. mate OF the vessel, which was loaded with COAL
the destination being Stonngton Conn The at
the time consisted OF cook and two lads each aged
about seventeen, the captain being well known
old cruiser in the Sound. Early on August p the
schooner was anchored in Cow Bay on account Of
fresh northeast wind blowing, and the evening of
that day the tragedy took place for which the mate
terday


YIELDED UP HIS LIFE TO THE LAW.


On the trial which took place before Judge Pratt at
the Queens County Court House. the 2lst Of octo-
ber the cook of the schooner testified that he get
ting the supper ready and going down into the cabin
with pot Of tea for old Captain Lawrence the mate
Delaney, followed him. The cook then went forward,
but soon heard a noise like struggle and man
choking. He stopped, spebound and afraid and the
awful sounds repeated. At length he.went aft
toward the cabin, and there spectacle that made
his heart stand still The mate standing over the
PROSTATE captain, and his hands were on his throat
Upon perceiyng the witness to his crime Delaney
snatched up pistol-one of pair he had stolen from
the master of the vesselordered the trembling
deck, and threatened him with death If he gave an
alarm. The terrified cook obeyed the orders of the
desperate man. Delaney's subsequent confession to
the officers who captured him supplies the links from
that moment until he forced the boys to row him
ashore He said 81 killed the captain because he was
always grumbng. After choked him once put my
head down and could hear his heart beat Then
gagged and robbed him; afterward went to my own



more to give the old another squeeze" As before
stated, no rowed ashore and disappeared in the
gloom of the night When last he going the
direction of Whitestone. A few days afterward he
was arrested in Philadelphia tor burglary but photo
graphs of his marked vsage had preceded him. and the
Queens county authorities notified of the belief
that the murderer Of Captain Lawrence was in custody
officers Wright and Smith proceeded to that city and
brought their to Hampstead JAIL where upon
proper trial and conviction of his henous crime ne was
sentenced to be executed the date fixed being Decem
Der TO-


The moment the death penalty was imposed the des
perate character of Delaney was made apparent For
several days he refused food but to think
better OF that mode OF suicide Then he assaulted his
keepers until they were obliged to shackc him to the
floor few days since he managed to saw through
his shackes with piece Of broken and free one
of his limbs, thus having in hand of his manacles
which he could use as a


arRDERoUs WEAPON AGAINST HIS JAnERs
Sheriff Sammis and his watchfu deputies Mr. Rush
more and son, discovered the condition OF their
prisoner and once again secured him. The diabolica
character OF the then developed his obscene
abuse of his attendants He dashed bottles against the
lattice windows of his cell on the appearance OF
those against whom his malice was directed He is said
have throttled his counsel when he visited HIM
he would not furnish him with knife, and only
two or three days since he hung the nth In his cell
OF the keepers. His ingenuity too, equal
TO his desperation the following facts will Attest
Two negroes, awaiting trial on the charge OF burglary,
occupied cells adjoining that of the condemned man
Delaney passed messages to them by of strips OF
bedclothng tied TO becf bone which he passed
the nterstces Of the lattice opening permitting II to
oscillae like pendulum until the end caught by
his neighbors, the communications being answered by
the same method Small bits OF wire were twisted into
the shape of grapnels and these lowered to the
floor OF the corridor graspng everything that could
possibly serve as file or anything eso that would
suggest means OF escape. Finally, when all seemed
to fail him,


THE DESIRE FOR REVENGE


apparently occupied every thought He professed to be
very friendly TO Jailer Hendrickson, and in of
his confidential moods asked him 70 bring Officer
Wrght-one of the officers who brought him on from


'What do you wish to see him forin asked the
keeper


only to shake hands with him, was the replv.
Nobody can be permitted TO come inside your cell
'WhyY" asked Delaney.


"lts against orders, ;" the officer continued
''Wel, then, only let HIM put his arm in the open.
ng," persisted the prisoner.


The earnestness of the appeal aroused Hendrcksons



desired to the against whom so lately he had
been SO bitter the criminal replied with fierce mpre-
cations:-


81 want his fist in here so grasp II, and with
blow break his arm short Off at the elbow"
HIS LAST NIGHT ON


In order to discover whether any change had taken
place IN the mans physical mental condition a
HERALD reporter went to the Jail Thursday night
TO the condemned and report the last moments
OF the violent prisoner Sheriff Sammis and his depu-
ties gave all facilities IN their power TO this end Pass
ing through the wide hall Of the ancient Jail massive
WaTp nj 9th fha
before the cell OF Delaney At this time-nine O'clock
the prisoner was in the corridor fronting the range
OF cells surrounded by several keepers As his
last night on earth the shackles had been removed
from his limbs but his arms still pinoned behind
his back Upon being addressed by the reporter he
came forward. His figure was over six feet in height,
his chest deep and broad and his sinewy arms and
limbs gave evidence Of extraordinary strength his acc
however was brutal in the extreme; small deep set
eyes, which had restless, furtive look high cheek
bones and wide, firm mouth, with thin lips, indi-
eating an iron will Upon being asked how he felt he
said, every WELL Give some whiskey won't youY,i


II was evident that no thoughts Of the approach Of
the supreme moment we're weighing upon his mind
and after few desutory questions and impatient
answers he resumed his seat laughing and listening
with pleasure to the broad and often obscene stories
told by avagrant an Englishman named Harry Wick
ham, who had known Delaney in former years and
strangely enough, rejoined his old companion in the
Jail here just In time TO witness his hanging When
asked II he had not fallen away flesh since his con-
1nement Delaney said he had lost about twenty five
pounds. ut wasn't from frettin though for never
worried bit IL was wearing them damned shackles -
He told Clark prisoner in the next cell that he would
die as game as hon. He was particularly anxious 20
know how Jackson and Jarvis he negroes hanged last
year, bore the ordeal and when told bravely nc said
They won't beat me for pluck
Attended by couple Of officers he took a turn |
through the second story OF the Jail and babe all the
prisoners goodby. He almost begged for whis- |
key, but Under Sheriff Rushmore was constrained TO |
refuse him.
Delaney persistently refused TO see Miss Titus, q |
Quakeress, who called during the afternoon, ana has |
only received spiritual minstratons from Fathers /
Sheridan and Macsherry. His appetite was good and
any little delicacies such as oysters and broied !
chicken, were cheerfuly served TO him. When Under
Sheriff Rushmore


THR DEATH WARRANT
he laughed dersivey and remarked, That's nice
enough TO be an invitation 60 a BALI"


Wilkinson and ANnr,. |