In dealing with this subject we shall only mention the names of a few well known persons.
In 1842 the Tombs had a prisoner named Monroe Edwards; he is said to have been one of the most noted and boldest of all round forgers of the time. He had plenty of money and lived more like a prince than a prisoner. He was able to engage the most eminent counsel in his behalf. His wardrobe was the finest and most expensive that money could buy. He was allowed to furnish his cell in an elegant manner. Lady friends and admirers called upon him daily and brought bouquets and cut flowers in abundance, all of which he was permitted to receive, on the ground that the law presumed him innocent till found guilty. There must have been many abuses in the Tombs in those days, perhaps as glaring as those that exist to-day. For example, Edwards received other gifts from his lady friends besides flowers and knick-knacks for his cell. These consisted of a set of highly tempered steel saws for iron work, a silk rope ladder, grappling irons and a horse pistol. These were to be used to enable him to make good his escape, if he so desired. As soon as the Warden learned that he possessed these things, he went to his cell and made a demand of Edwards for their surrender. After they were confiscated many of Edwards’ privileges were cut off.
John Scannel, a Tammany politician, having filled a number of offices within the City Government, but who more recently was Fire Commissioner during Mayor Van Wyck’s administration, was an inmate of the Tombs in the fall of 1871.
On September 19th of that year he shot Thomas Donohue whom he supposed to have been the man who had assaulted his brother Florence. The charge against him was homicide. But like many other Tammany officials, he had a tremendous “pull” and was soon afterwards admitted to bail in the sum of $20,000. He was finally cleared.
The Tombs’ authorities have always been indulgent to the men who lived on “Murderers’ Row.” The foolish idea that comes down through the ages, which pictures the murderer resting on a pallet of straw with a chain around his neck, has certainly never been experienced in the Tombs. Twenty years ago and even later, nearly all the cells on Murderers’ Row received bouquets of flowers almost every morning. And some of them had bird cages, swinging shelves, lace curtains, carpets and draperies. When you entered such a cell, your feet did not touch the stone floor, but a rug or a Kidderminister. And the prisoner—he usually wore an elegant dressing gown, silk slippers and beautiful clothing; he is shaved and groomed daily; when he sleeps it is on a real bed of comfort. When the old prison was yet standing, every afternoon after he had made his toilet and was booted and gloved he walked into the yard for a stroll. Between four and five o’clock he dines; he never ate prison fare. His food came from the outside and consisted of a variety of dishes, such as oysters, quail, clams, fish, fowl, roast beef and vegetables—the best the market could provide, that is, for rich prisoners. The poor crooks had to be content with prison fare and take “pot luck.”
On January 6th, 1872, at 4:30 p. m., Edward S. Stokes shot and killed James Fisk, Jr., in the Broadway Central Hotel. After the coroner had committed Stokes to the Tombs, he was assigned to Cell 43 on “Murderers’ Row,” which was situated on the western side of the second tier. Soon after coming to the City Prison he was allowed to fix up his cell in a most lavish manner; for example, he was permitted to put a hard finish on the walls of his cell, fit it with several fine pieces of furniture, pictures on the walls, damask curtains and Turkish rugs galore! He was permitted to build a walnut toilet stand in his cell. He was also allowed the use of the yard whenever he desired and to walk about unmolested. The graft paid in those days for such liberties, must have been enormous as he had more privileges than any ten men.
It is also said that Stokes had a large room on the Centre Street side of the old prison where he received his friends who called on him daily. It was here that he ate the choicest cuts, the best turkeys the market could furnish, and where he and his friends regaled themselves with the best champagne and claret, and smoked the finest cigars. It is also said by men now living that Stokes often attended the Bowery theatre accompanied, of course, by a couple of keepers, who danced attendance on him—all of which cost money.
Stokes was tried for murder three times. At the close of the first two trials he was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to be hanged. At the close of the last trial he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to Sing Sing for four years.
Richard Croker, all round Tammany Hall leader and politician for many years, alderman and at the time of his involuntary confinement in the Tombs a city coroner, shot and killed John McKenna at Second Avenue and 34th Street, November 3rd, 1874. The shot that killed McKenna was intended for Ex-Senator James O’Brian, a brother of Inspector Steve O’Brian. It is said while an inmate of the Tombs Croker had the privilege of leaving the building and returning when he pleased. How true this was nobody could tell, but others who were able to pay for it had the same privileges since that time. Money and other influences have always been a tremendous power in the Tombs Prison.
Ferdinand Ward, bank president and bank looter, who stole no less than $2,000,000 from the Marine Bank and eventually ruined General Grant, spent some months in the Tombs and was finally sent to Sing Sing for a term of years.