Northumberland County PA Archives Prisons.....Convict Reception Register 

1888-1893, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia



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Northumberland County natives unless otherwise noted.

Sentenced in Northumberland County unless otherwise noted.



A4480 - John MILLER, 44, Schuylkill Co.  native, no trade, married, parents dead at age 

16,

2nd conviction (3 years for larceny in Northumberland Co), assault & rape, 4 years, 

sentenced 9/7/1888, received at penitentiary 9/14/1888.



A4807 - Pietro SACCONA, 23, native of Italy, miner, parents living at age 16, single, 

murder in the 2nd degree, 12 years, sentenced 2/15/1889, rec'd 3/14/1889.  Committed 

suicide 1/18/1890.

Newspaper story stuck inside reception register:



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	A Frightful Suicide

A Convict Cuts His throat and Then Tears It Open With His Hands



A ghastly spectacle met he gaze of Keeper Thomas FARLEY, of the Eastern 

Penitentiary, when, on his first round yesterday he peered into the cell of convict A4807 

or Pietro SACCONA, who was serving a twelve year sentence for murder in the second 

degree.  On the floor of his small cell, with his head toward the door, lay the body of 

SACCONA with his throat cut from ear to ear, bathed in a thick pool of blood.



The keeper at once called Warden CASSIDY, who entered the cell and discovered that 

the Italian had not only cut his own throat but had literally torn his windpipe and the gash 

in his neck open with his fingers.  On the floor lay the cobbler's knife with which the 

deed was done.



The Coroner's office was notified at once, and Deputy Coroner DUGAN visited the 

scene, and at once ordered the body removed to the Morgue.  An investigation developed 

that the fact that Pietro stood up while cutting his throat, and after standing by the door 

for some time, deliberately walked to his cot, laid down, and hastened his death by 

tearing the blood vessels with his fingers.

 

SACCONA was a miner and was sentenced to the Penitentiary on February 15 last and 

admitted on March 14.  On account of his exceptional good behavior he was put to work 

making shoes, and had become quite a workman.  His imprisonment was for the killing 

of his wife in Northumberland County.

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A5047 - John CURLEY, 60, native of Ireland, mason, parents living at age 16, married, 

larceny, 2 years, sentenced 12/5/1888, rec'd 9/17/1889



A5297 - Eli BOUSER, 32, native of Dauphin Co., barber, also was A2909, mother living 

at age 16, married, burglary & breaking &c., 9 years 9 months, sentenced 2/6/1890, rec'd 

3/12/1890

A5534 - Alexander BEST, 40, native of Montour Co., no trade, mother living at age 16, 

single, breaking & entering, larceny & rec'g, 4 years, sentenced 9/13/1890, rec'd 

9/19/1890



A5897 - Michael O'BRIEN, 28, native of New Hampshire, brakeman, father living at age 

16, single, breaking & entering, larceny, 4 years, sentenced 5/6/1891, rec'd 5/26/1891



A5898 - Blake CUSPARD, 19, native of Union Co., no trade, also convicted of horse 

stealing in Union Co., parents living at age 16, single, breaking & entering, larceny, 5 

years, sentenced 5/14/1891, rec'd 5/26/1891



A6157 - Henry BROWN, 28, native of Germany, farm laborer, father living at age 16, 

single, breaking & entering, 2 years 3 months, sentenced 12/10/1891, rec'd 1/5/1892



A6291 - Raymond MOORE, 22, thief, also was A2883, parents living at age 16, burglary 

& larceny, 3 years (2 bills), sentenced in Chester Co. 4/29/1892, rec'd 5/6/1892.  Brother 

in Sunbury serving 4 years for assault & larceny.



A6375 - Anthony LALLY (or LOLLY),  21, laborer in mines, parents living at age 16, 

single, larceny, transferred from Huntington Reformatory, sentenced 5/4/1891, rec'd 

7/9/1892.