The New York herald., 1879-12-04
Governor Robinson Releases Him to
Attend His Wife'S Funeral.
MRS. GILMAN'S SUFFERINGS
Her Heart Broken by Her Husbands Crime
and Her Daughters Death.
SURPRISE AT AUBURN
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

frlehds OF the party most concerned special COM
mutation or pardon for William g. Gilman arrived
with the morning mail at the prison here to-day.
The document in the phraseology usual
with such papers, and stated that the Governor had
decided to commute his sentence from hve years to
two years. one month and twenty days. 1t will be
remembered that petition. signed by wealthy and
Influential persons of New York city, had been pre-
sented to the Governor for Gilman's pardon.
which he declined to grant, and also the re-
quest later of Ex-Governor Horatio Seymour.
Presumably In consequence of Gilman's additional
weight of woe in the death of his daughter and wife
he has now consented to this special commutation.
Indeed. it is generally supposed the Governor was
actuated to grant the Communication by reading q
notice of the death Of Mrs. Gilman, suddenly
did the document It's appearance. and with the
idea that he should be enabled to attend her funeral
WAS RECEIVED.
There some singular coincidents connected
with the event which will be interesting to relate
here. Gilinan's brother-in-law. Mr.. Lane. of New
York. arrived in Auburn early yesterday morning.
and after breakfast at the hotel he handed
message, which informed him of the
death of Mrs. Gilman. at Norwich. Conn.
He impaired the sad intelligence to
Gilman afterward. who greatly overcome
by the shock and shed tears of Last nights
train brought Miss Gilman. of Norwich. Conn.,. q
tination Of the pardon that soon to
follow Mr.. Lane left the previous evening
for home also in ignorance Of the Cover
nor's clemency. The document opened
at the prison soon after eight O'Clock this morning.
and Agent and Warden Moses conveyed the glad It'd
ngs to the prisoner. He vsibly affected by the
intelligence Of his release from servi-
tude, but received the very quietly. He
had but just received the mournful of
the death of his faithful wife certainly could not
feel much JOY even in his liberation. OF his own
voltion he remained in prison until halfpast four
O'Clock this afternoon. when he forsook Copper
Johns domain for ever. in COMPANY with David B.
Mcneil. Of the prison officials. and his sister.
He clad in neat suit of black.
and wore new hat with . weed, but from his ap
pearance no one would suspect he had great cause
for rejoicing The party dined with the hospitable
household of Mcneil. Gilman continuing somewhat
melancholy. doubtless thinking Of the funeral Of
the morrow The half-past six P. NJ. train bore Mr..
and Miss Gilman eastward. with Norwich their
objective point. and where they will arrive by
tomorrow in time for the funeral.
GILMANs INTERVIEW WITH WIFE.
The last time Gilman his wife alive
about ten days ago. when she came to see him
at the prison. and clandestinely it is said;
that is, she left the parties with whom
she was staying without permission mott
fcation Her mental arrangement had made itself
manifest thus early. Their interview was held in
the chaplain's office, Mrs. Gilman exhibiting consid
erabc excitement. Her mania seemed to be in
regard to securing her husbands pardon. and it is
sad to think Of her death just her greatest earthly
wish met its realization.
GILMANs LIFE IN PRISON.
It will be remembered that Recorder Hackett sem
fenced him to hve years Imprisonment at Sing Sing.
knta 1S1-
ferred to Auburn October ~ Of the same year.
He was Immediately assigned the position Of
confidential clerk of Dr. Elisha Harris. then
State agent for discharged criminals. which
he has also held under the Doctors successor, Mr..
Ross. He also assisted occasionally in making up
certain monthly statements at the prison. He
allowed to eat and sleep In the hospital as being
most convenient to the Office where he
was employed, but. Of course. the
striped uniform of the ordinary convict. His
conduct in prison has been most exem-
plary. and not unkind word has ever
been addressed to or uttered by him. He has ex-
erted very healthful influence all with whom
he has in contact especially the inmates of the
institution. "The way of the transgressor is hard"
said gentleman here to-day. "but can ques-
ton Gilmans true repentance and full atonement."
The feeling in this city is of great satisfaction at
his liberation.
A PATHETIC TALE OF surFERING-How THE
FoRcER's WIFE DEVOTED HER MEANS AND
ENERGIES TO SECURE HER HUSBANDS RE-
LEASE.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
NORWICH Conn.,. Dec 3. 1879.
feeling of deep sympathy was aroused in this
city on Monday by the announcement OF the death
OF Mrs. w. @. Gilman, q woman who, during the last
three years of her life. has suffered almost beyond
description This evening a street rumor was
started to the effect that William c. Gilman. who
three years ago sentenced to Ave years in the
Auburn State Prison for immense forgories in New
York city. had been pardoned by Governor Robin.
son ana his way here to attend tho funeral of
his late wife, which appointed for to- mo rrow
noon at Norwichtown. The truth of the report was
streng gthencd at late hour tonight by telegram
to gentleman here requesting postponement of
the obseauics. saying. 'wilam is coming home"
HERALD correspondent interviewed Mayor Ii.
II. Osgood, who is a friend of the Gilman family
and that gentleman related the following history Of
tho affair.":
MRS. arLMAN's TRIALS.
"when William G. Gilman consigned to tho
New York State Prison his wife took up residence
in Norwich town with her sister. aud had there lived
o quiet life. surrounded by her family, beautiful
girl. and two remarkably intelligent but younger
boys. trihe over two weeks since the girl, Bessie
Colt. died. at the aye of thirteen. The mother who
since her husbands imprisonment, has been very
feeble in mind and body. was prostrated by the
shock and never rallied to her usual health
afterward. Ten days before her death Mrs.
Gilman visited her husband. and subsequently
Governor Robinson. whom she tearfully impored to
pardon the imprisoned man. She was unsucccssfui
and returned home. Not satisfied with her attempt
ahe rnpdt 10 Ne Yor md rev iaif ed fha
Governor but with the same success as before sho
arrived home. exhausted. last Saturday. and was
consigned at once to her bed. Toward night
she sank into q stupor. in which she lin
gercd until Monday evening, when she opened
her eyes and recognized her friends and at
once went into frenzy. which far
worse than the pitiable scene which she went
through when her beloved daughter Bessie died. A
few hours later she sank back on the pillows and