Edward
Connelly
Cincinnati Daily Star, Wednesday, 21 January 1880, page 2
Newport, across the river, looms up again this morning with another sanction, this time in the shape of a murder most foul, and the details of which are shocking in the extreme. The scene of the murder is the old rookery known as the Newport Jail, which is situated immediately in the rear of the Court House. John Manning, alias Guilfoyle, is the murder and his victim is Ed Connelly.
The cause that led to the crime was a quarrel that sprung up between them this morning about which should occupy a certain bunk in the jail. During this quarrel, Connolly called Manning, a d--m liar, at the same time striking him a severe blow on the nose with his open hand hard enough to bring the blood. They then grappled and a lively --- ensued. Manning jerked loose and ran to the further end of the jail and Connolly after him.
The clenched again and Manning again broke loose and running to his cell procured a razor with which he made at his victim, striking him a desperate blow on the left side of the neck, which entirely severed the jugular vein and cut again fully six inches in length. Connolly staggered for a moment and fell, the blood gushing from the horrible wound in a torrant. Jailer Schwartz head the scuffle and gained admittance to the jail as soon as possible. Dr. Thornton was first called but, but it is said he refused to go, giving some trivial excuse.
Dr. Phythian was the next summoned, but it is said he refused, saying his wife was sick. Dr. Dameron was called on, but he was lying sick in bed. Dr. Davis was out of the city and finally Dr. Adam Meissenheimer was called and on arrival, the man was fast sinking. The dying man was placed on a cot and and he lived fifteen minutes after the cutting.
Edward Connelly was aged twenty-three and was a son of ex-Councilman John Connolly, deceased. He resided with his mother on Isabella street, near Bellevue. John Manning, alias Guilfoyle, and sometimes called "Gilly" resided with his stepfather near the head of Columbia street. His father and mother both died when he was quite young. He is now aged twenty.