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Case File: 2840 Kensington Ave arson (1888)
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MRS. HALLIDAY INSANE
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She Was Transferred From the Peniten-
tiary to Blockley.
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Warden Cassidy Tells of Her Imprison-
ment on Conviction for Arson
in This City.
Further investigation of the career in the city of Mrs. Halliday, known while here as Maggie Hopkins, the now notorious murderess, shows that while imprisoned at the Eastern Penitentiary she became insane, and was so pronounced by the prison authorities and physicians.
Warden Michael J. Cassidy, of the Eastern Penitentiary, yesterday told the following story of her prison record:
“If, as you say, this Mrs. Halliday is identical with the Maggie Hopkins sent here in 1888, I can tell you all that occurred in regard to her of any interest while here in a few words. The record shows that she was sentenced for two years for arson March 17, 1888, and was received at the prison on May 4. She said that she was 25 years of age, and did not look older, and was fairly good looking. She was five feet and a half inch in height and weighed 117 pounds. She was a model prisoner, and no infraction of the rules is recorded against her. She used to worry and often inquire about her little boy, who had been sent to some home. About two months prior to the expiration of her sentence she became insane, and was transferred to the department for the insane at Blockley. She was pronounced insane by the prison physicians. Since then I have heard nothing of her. I am confident that she was insane and not shamming when transferred to the Almshouse. She had but $1.55 when brought here.”
HER BOY IN A HOME
Secretary J. Lewis Crew, of the Society to Protect Children from Cruelty, says that his records show that Charles Hopkins, the son of Margaret Hopkins, was committed to the care of the society by Magistrate Pole at the complaint of Detective Almendinger on March 21, 1888. At the time the boy was 7 years of age. He was first turned over to the care of a Mrs. Patterson and a few weeks later to the Friends’ Home for Children, where he still remains. Further entries in the record show that on May 4, 1888, the society received notice that the child’s mother had been sentenced to the Penitentiary for two years for setting fire to her home at 2840 Kensington avenue. On January 14, 1890, word was received by the society from the Eastern Penitentiary of the mother’s insanity and removal to the Almshouse. The record also shows that Mrs. Hopkins’ attorney wrote on numerous occasions to inquire as to the child’s welfare.
CONFESSED HER CRIME.
Mrs. Hopkins’ attorney at the time of her trial for arson says that she endeavored to throw responsibility for the crime on Alexander Miller, a neighbor, in whose home she took refuge on the night of the burning of her home. After conviction, he says, Mrs. Hopkins confessed her guilt. She did not impress him as an insane person. After her conviction she frequently sent him word to make inquiries in regard to her child. Her neighbors, so her attorney says, testified that she used to treat her child with alternate cruelty and affection.
