William J. Sharkey

William J. Sharkey ( 1847 – after 1873) was a New York City politician and convicted murderer who earned national notoriety in the late 19th century for escaping from a New York prison disguised as a woman. He subsequently fled to Cuba, which was part of the Spanish Empire at the time and not subject to extradition treaties. Sharkey was never captured, and his ultimate fate is unknown.

Early life Sharkey was born in New York City around 1847 and came from a respected and well-to-do family. A physical description of him in his late twenties stated that he was about five feet seven inches (5'7") tall, had high cheekbones, dark hair, and a "thin face somewhat feminine in appearance ... the eyes sharp and clear". Contemporaneous sources described him as handsome, well-dressed, interesting, and confident. Sharkey decided at an early age to adopt the "flash life" of a burglar, pickpocket, gambler, and "sporting man". Sharkey returned to his old ways: "After this, he gave up hopes of office, and devoted himself to the pursuit of his ordinary avocations, gambling, and stealing." He lost $4,000 in five days. He then returned to New York City and recruited an associate named Robert S. Dunn, a professional gambler who also held a position as a public servant in the office of the Comptroller. Sharkey provided him with $600 to win back the money that he had lost. Dunn apparently lost as well and returned to New York City empty-handed. He was arrested by Captain Ira S. Garland and placed in a Manhattan jail to await trial.

Trial Sharkey's trial was a sensation at the time. Each day, large crowds convened to catch a glimpse of the accused. The trial was covered extensively by The New York Times.

Sharkey was charged with first degree murder, a crime punishable by death under state law. His defense attorneys argued that Sharkey indisputably killed Dunn but there was no way to know if it was premeditated. The jury could thus only find him guilty of manslaughter.

Confinement Sharkey had been confined in a prison adjacent to the courthouse called The Tombs throughout the trial and sentencing. By most accounts, he was a troublesome inmate. One author noted, "He became so violent in his demonstrations that Warden Johnson ordered that he be locked up and put in close confinement," and that Sharkey was "continually insolent and abusive to his keeper".

Escape On November 22, 1873, Sharkey's lover Maggie Jourdan visited him in The Tombs with Sarah Allen, whose husband was also confined there. Both women were given passes to enter and exit the prison, but neither was searched by the guards.

Sharkey lived for a while in Cuba, allegedly visiting the American consulate in Havana to read about himself in the New York papers. His source of income remains unknown, although "he seemed to have plenty of money, and in answer to some inquiries made, he stated that his brothers furnished him with all he wanted from New York." Jourdan joined Sharkey in Cuba around 1876, and they subsequently married. She later returned to the U.S., an apparent victim of abuse.

In March 1875, it was reported that Sharkey was arrested while trying to sail to South America, and that his return to New York was imminent. An article appeared indicating that Sharkey had entered the military service in South America. The Auckland Star reported in June 1900 that Sharkey was "located in Southern Spain, where he is eking out an existence as a guide, and the police have information which should result in his capture". American journalist Herbert Asbury wrote, "They never found Sharkey" in 1931, when Sharkey would have been around 84 if he was still alive.

Although Sharkey officially remained a fugitive, he was born in , so it is certain that he is dead, and that his death and burial were recorded under an alias.