The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-19
BENNETT AND MRS. SMITH.
TALK WITH norm OF THIN CONDEMNED
PERSONS IN THEIR CELLS.



Henent Aione-Mrs. sW,Ith's Anxiety for
Him-The Motion TO Disn,Is. tho writ.
Covert ID. Bennett and Jennie r. Smith,
under sentence for the murder OF Mrs. Smiths
husband were visited In Jail by n reporter for
THE Sun. Benefits room II. in boarding house
parlance. about the size OF hall bedroom.
sparsey furnished and very neat. The leaves
OF tho oak outside had pushed themselves
through the Windows; the sunlight fell on the
white floor; the Jingle Of the car bells and the
voices OF the passsrs by were borne in on the
breeze. Time and confinement have told So
vercly on the prisoner. His eyes have grown
dull: his lips ara almost colorless. and are
tightly compressed. and every word is uttered
with CONCLUSIVE effort. Gu being introduced
the prisoner flushed family but rising with an
inclination of his head. expressed himself hon
orcd by n call in such situation. Tn the con-
versation that followed he was asked what in
duced him to go on the stage.
"A love Of the profession. he replied. When
l left school | had no money to go into business
nor means to live on while fitted myself for
any other profession. / knew that II once
obtained a foOthold on the stage could earn
my living as went along. When began with
melancholy smilel | was the youngest man in
the profession and thought myself very for
tunate in obtaining n chance at Booths. After
ward played IN minor roles at the Academy Of
Music with Clara Morris and Fechtrr. My
progress WINS slow hut steady. and had great
hopes that with hard work. might amount TO
| something"
" Had You made any engagement for last
season."
| with Mary AudcrsOu's company. and ! felt that
/ all my future depended on that opportunity;
| It WIS the best ever had"
" II 1t had not been for this event you would
| have pursued your profession. then p
I Yes was the nugwer from twitching lips.
my heart was set on succeeding. saw how
! other people worked up with study and pa
/ uence. and that gave mo fresh incentive
When the reporter rose 70 40. Bennett re,
! ferred 10 Miss Ahhotts kindness. saving: II
| you should see that noble woman, will you tell
/ her how deeply feel the angelic goodness she
| has shown TO ner treterring 10 Mrs. smith |
/ had been for both"
Tho writer was told on unquestionablc au-
! thority that 50 great Is his inntuation for this
! woman. whom during tho mst eleven months
/ he has seen only In the court room. that when
q few DAYS ago an uncle sent him $500 toward
! the new trial. conditional on its being used Tor
his defence alone, he sent 1t back. saying that il
WIS an insult 70 her; he did not wish 10 be
| saved alone, and he would not accept II.
! Mrs Smiths cell Is similar 10 Bonnetts, only
II Is al little nenrer the trc.tops. rose WIS CO.
! Iueushy twisted in her yellow crimps. and a
| played a beautiful pair Of arms to the ell w
| md hands dimpled and plump as baby's. She
| has lorne her confinement better than could be
What do you do all the time ?" WINS asked
enough. TRY 10 read but my mind wandcrs
| of and now. excepting the Bible, hardly read
| anything else but newspapers.
yqu,yI" OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
] lately nave read some accounts OF that terri IDLE
! HUI murder. never used to rrad such things.
! and when | saw how every little item was
put in the papers about me. and everything
| that WIS found that could make me look guilty
| WIS used. | felt prosecuted but sce they do
! Iust the same now. and suppose they always
" Do many people come 20 see you?'
=. There have been great many since Miss
| Abbott sent the money Everything has changed
| since III, n. II seemed Hs II she WAS inspired
| like one OF Gods angels. wish | could see her
once TO thank her. though have no words to
| When the writer arose 20 20 she asked. visit
fully; You have been to see Mr.. Bennett; how
| does he looki'
Very pal, and depressed"
| They tell me he never sheds tear hut sits
| silent aud motonless hour after hour wish
| he would cry: It would be- n great deal better.
| They say he cannot. II | did not weep my
| heart out now and then my head would give
way II gets so hot and full with thinking she
Mrs smith has been visited every day by DR..
| Rice, who has prepared her for baptism. and. II
the Bishops health permits, she will also be
| Miss Emma Abbott said 20 the reporter that
| she had been frequently questioned IA 10 how
| the case attracted her attention. In reply to
such question. she said: OF course I read
| the papers like everybody else. and in watch
| ing this ase II did seem b. me that the poor
woman had hardly n fair chance; and when
| they said hang her there seemed something
SO awful In tthal could not get 1t out Of my
| mind il haunted me. Ii makes no difference
| what her character was She was not going
To be- hanged for her character. 1t was not u
| question whether she WIS "A saint or a sinner.
| Tut whether she WAS guilty OF this murder"
| What DID your friends saw about ~"
| Well. they advised me not to do it. fearing |
| would be misunderstood. But that was not a
| big question to decide-whether should run
the risk Of being misunderstood. or she should
be hung"
| You first thought Of an entertainment ?"
| Yes" chimed in "a lady present. and Miss
| Abbott telrgraphcd 10 Sara Jewrtt. Clara Nor
| ris. and Mary Anderson to learn II they would
| Join her. and they never sent a response"
| on. never mind that said Miss Abbott
| hastily. tried to get my troupe together.
| but saw it would take too much time