New-York tribune., 1886-11-11
FISH BREAKING DOWN.
DIR. JoHNsON's TRIP TO AUBURN PRISON.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER MADE Al
PRESIDENT CLEvELAND's REQUEST.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rpr,,,x,

AN EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER MADE AZ
PRESIDENT CLEvgLAND's REQUEST
IDY TELEGRAPH THE TRrnUSE1
SYRACUSE, Nov O.-Among tho passengers vbo
mere oy the Central Railroad this morning wss
Dr. John @. johnson, OF Brooklyn, who was on his
way to Auburn to make thorough examination a to
the physical condition Of James d. Fish, the impris
oned banker, who sentenced In New-York ia ten
years in prison for the of the affairs
OF the Marine Bank 1t has been reported in this ctv
ana IN Auburn within a few weeks that strong efort
was being quietly made to q pardon for Mr.
FISH lie has been visited recently by several of his
old friends who had not forgotten him in his adj.
versity His daughter, who made her home in Auburn
soon after Mr.. Fish was brough to prison. has taken
advantage OF every opportunity to be near him and t
is said that it has been through her that his present
condition has become thoroughly known. Miss Fish
has shown the greatest anxiety for her fathers
welfare. From her conversation with friends IL has
been learned that she and Mr. Fish as well knew that
MS days we're certainly numbered if he remained in
confinement Dr. johnson a former family phy-
sic An OF Mr. Fish. On his arrival Auburn he called
Immediately Miss Fish and learned from her in
al, ance that the was entirely broken down
and much disbeartened. His mind was almost made
up that he was to end his days within prison walls.
Dr. johnson called at the pr-on soon after % o'clock
examination of the convict exDbanker Mr. Fish vas
much affected when h. greeted his old ply sician and
almost burst INTO tears hen told tho nature of the
1
late: The examination thorough one and the
aged man made no secret Of his weakened ann ia q
measure helpless condition. complete record was
kept OF the examination which occupied the greater
part Of an hour.
When Mr.. Fish first confined in the prison he
was able to attend to the clerical duties assigned to
him in an admirable manner and proved a valuable
assistant in keeping the records but recently be has
reached such strait that he Is almost poweress to
even help himself in many ways DR.. johnson said
that he came at the request OF the
OF New York to report Fish's condition for the
benefit of President Cleveland. who has before him
petition for the prisoners pardon. He will report,
it is believed, that Fish is breaking down mentally and
physically and that humanity demands bis pardon.
DIR. Johnson said that rupture in Fishs right sido
was chafed sore by his truss. and varicocele made
standing difficult for Fish, while enla cement of the
prostate gland prevented his sleeping. He said that
Fishs condition the that of W. II. Van
derbilt just before the laters DEATH Fish s almost
blind through the granular condition OF his eyelids
The doctor says that he now write q full report
OF which this is the substance and which will be pre-
sented to the President at early date with .
recommendation tor pardon.
DR. John q. JOhnson returned to his homo in Brook
yn last evening. To . TRIBUNE reporter he said As
! was sent Official business, csnDot give you tho
details OF my examination OF Mr. Fish. Dr. Hoxie, the
prison physician, and myself will o concurrent
report l have been Mr.. Fish's physioan since 1857.
He 10 now-l may cay this wuch-a wreck physicsily
and mentally"