Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-01
BANKER FISH.
On His Way to Prlaon--Hs Thinks His
Career IL Ended

in New York, Saturday, which sent him
TO the Auburn Peuitentiary for ten years,
the Deputy Sheriff said: Let US 90, Mr..
Fish" Yes, replied Mr. Fish, ''let us
60" They then hastened ont Of the court
room and took the elevator to the street.
Thence, in cab, Deputy Marshals
Jenreys add Bible and tbe former bank
President were rapidly driven back to
Ludlow street Jail. On the way
back Mr. Fish sat in deep thought.
II wish it had been to the Kings
County Penitentiary, instead of to Au-
burn, so that my friends might come
ottener to see me, i" was all he said ON the
ride On arriving at the jail he seemed
puzzled as to the length OF his punish
ment, and asked the Deputy Marshals if
it WAS for 10 years on each count. They
told him no, and that with good conduct
he would not have to remain 10 years. He
did not realize this, and said he did not
think 1t was so.
There also seemed to be some misuuder-
standing among the spectators in re ard
to the sentence, and several persons I'M
dersL0od the Judge to mean that the pris-
oner must remain in prison for lite on the
remaining counts of the Indictment. The
sentence, however, WAS termed a con-
current one, that is, while on tae first
count he WAS sentenced to the term OF
years he must serve, for the other speci-
fed counts of the Indictment he was
also sentenced to what may be term
ed the same 10 years. II Mr..
Fish's behavior is good in
prison, and he obeys the rules faithfully,
a considerable Communication of sentence
results. 1t is arranged in Auburn prison
as follows On ten years sentence, for
good behavior, forty months are taken of
as follows: The first year is counted en-
tire; for the second three months are
taken of, and for the third year the same;
for the fourth year four months are taken
off, and for the remaining years of the
term five months on each. According to
this computation Mr.. Fish may leave the
prison after serving six years and eight
months.
After Mr.. Fish returned to the Jail he
retired Immediately TO his room. Visitors
began to pour in TO express their condo
lence, but the old gentleman declined see
ing any but members of his own family
and a few OF his old friends. To Jerome
Z. Fellows Mr.. Fish unburdeued his
mind and spoke bitterly of the position to
which he found himself reduced. ITO
think" said MIR. Fish, ''that after years
Of prosperity and social position of finding
myself a convict. 1t is too much; it is
too mnchv
1t was suggested by Mr.. Fellows that a
ten years sentence really meant less than
seven years. ''Well," responded Mr..
Fish, ''sx years or six months make very
little difference. 1t is really a life SEN
4 tence. | can see no other way out Of it,.
! ! am an old man and this experience has
4 aged me more than people think. / shall
never survive the agony and disgrace Of
! having spent one minute Of my lite IN
i State prison. l am dead to the world al
| ready and / care not how soon am called
upon to leave it in reality"
Mr.. Fish after a while descended to the
sitting room Of the Jail, and spent the rest
I of the afternoon previous to his departure
4 in conversation with his family. He as
i sumed cheerful manner and seemed
4 perfectly unc0ncerned He presented
\ little souvenirs of his jail life to some of
! his fellow prisoners, Joking with them
J upon the necessity Of his leaye-taking.
/ mr. Fish had become general fayOTite in
4 Ludlow street, and is regarded as one OF
! the most remarkable prisoners the place
/ has ever held.
III AS Dir. Fish attallling with some friend
! behind the Warden's Office, Deputy Mar
hhals Bible and JetTfeys came in. "Are
/ You ready Mr.. Fish 20 said Marshal BIZ
/ BE. Mr.. Fish replied he was; he knew
/ ahev lad come to take him to his prison
/ AOl8a He then shook hands nth q num-
/ der If persons sittin.- around. One of
/ dis sons and ono daughter, together
tith Jerome d. Fellows, who was
y NJ hm nearly all the after
! nd Whad gone just little before. He
/ shGr II hands warmly with w arden Kier-
/ nanHnd then, accompanied by his son,
4 Irvirk d. Fish, and his eldest daughter,
] "a L. t. E.sln
they we're to take the 8 80 express on the
/ New York Central and Hudson River
| road to Auburn.
"We stall not need these" said Deputy
/ Marshal Bible, as he ratified the handouts
/ in his coat pocket. The little party walked
4 overt TO FORSYTH street. Where they boarded
a car of the Second avenue line.
"Who pays Tor us, the government or
/ l." said Mr. Fish, with quiet laugh, as
/ the conductor came around. He then
couhted the party and handed out five
nilels. He seemed cheerful, and
cd led pleasantly during the ride.
% out and walked across
/ to he Grand Central station. Mr..
! FisbHwalked ahead with his daughter.
/ She &utched his hand tightly all the way.
/ He cM-ried "A plain black grip sack in the
othrH and marked in gilt letters on one
/ side I'll d. f." He was dressed in a plain
suiti4black cloth, with a soft felt hat. On
enterM the station, before sitting down,
the a. bank President went up to the
new and and bought blank book and
par A boy standing near, just as
Mr.. ID was making his purchases, said
to I'll news dealer, not knowing who was
by hisM de: james ID. Fish is going up
on thi train"
"YeW said Mr.. Fish, looking grimly
over spectEcles, "and there are lot
Of de4 following him. He then
turnedyway, leaving the bystanders IN
ignOrar See that he was the man in ques.
ton. hr. Fish talked with his son aud
daught4r while waiting for the gates to be
opened and his brother-in-law, I. II.
Dudleyl was also present. Not many in
the wal Ting room knew him.
Mr. Fish retained his stoical demeanor
TO the and and did not break down once
His goodpyes were said quietly he kiss
ed his daughter gently, and held ont bis
hand tYher 'agnm as be came up % the
gate. Y She restrained her feelings
wonderfully well and said good.
bye WIN a firm face. Al
the Jail lshe had shown considerable
emotionl IShe watched him from a win.
dow TIL he had entered his car Then
with her brother she lett the building
DIT. Fish. lust after passing ont Of the
gate, handed cigars 20 the Deputy Mar.
sinai who will accompany him 10 the end
Of bis j0uRuey, and the two entered the
gmOl.f n IL chr