New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-10
JAMES D. FISH ALMOST FREE
ONE DAY MORE FOR HIM IN AUBURN PRISON.
DEv1sING HIS CELL PROPERTY TO ooNv1crs
NOT HAVE DOLLAR WHEN HE
LEAVES PRISON.
lBT TELEGRAPH TO THE rarBusE.I

Auburn, n. Y, May 9.-James D. Fish, ex-presi-
dent Of the Marine Bank Of New York City, viii do
the last day of his sentence for misapplying the
funds Of the bank IN Auburn Prison tomorrow.
He viii be released from the prison on Saturday
morning and will take the 0 40 a. m train from
this city Tor New-York He will be accompanied
by his daughter, Miss Anna Fish, who removed to
this city shortly after her father came here and
has been here ever since cheering the old man by
her daily visits to him at the prison.
Fish is preparing for the great change
but he is doing it coolly. There is no sign in his
face OF the Joy that he must feel at the termination
Of his Imprisonment II ever a man took his pun
ishment like a philosopher, Fish is that man.
When he entered the prison IL was with a deter
rination TO accept the fate brought about by his
own dishonesty like a man. He has never COM
planned and has not tried to impress the world out
side the prison through the newspapers that he
was an innocent man. When reporters called at
the prison they were in every case met with the
simple statement, have nothing 10 say
1t has beer learned, however, through persons
in the prison who had gained his confidence, that
he blamed Ferdinand Ward and the Grants for his
downfall, but especially Ward lie has never said
much about this, and what he has said was more
in spirit Of sadness than of anger or reprOach.
latter was depositor at his bank.
His deposits were in small sums, but
he kept at it, and in the course OF tiGf began
to make little money. Fish WIS attracted by
his business ability and took him into his Office.
Fish has done nothing since work IN the prison
was abandoned. He spends his time in his CELL eX-
ceptng the two and one half hours allotted to
exercise each day. lie spent thesc two and half
bours to-day in bidding good bye 10 Jim King
and Tom Sheridan, two men sentenced for life
for murder Fish visited King an hour this
forenoon, and this afternoon he spent an hour in
the company of Sheridan. Another thing hc did
was TO make a will All the lcptceS Of the dOcu-
mcnt executed by Fish to-day are conyicts The
articles disposed Of are things in his cell, lie dis
poses of them in the following language:
The white blankets IN my room are for Pat
Brady. l want him 10 have them. The old
carpet and quilt are for Paul Gange. the clerk in
the Chaphin's office. The hair mattress and
north basement. / want them returned 70 him.
| will leave gray flannel shirt and Il pair Of sus-
penlcrS in Captain McNeips office for Michael
lallcarim."
Pat" Brady, one Of the egntecs, is in for life
lie killed a keeper at Danncmora Prison IN an
sttcmpt 20 escape, WIS sentenced 70
be hanged, and had his sentence conimutcd
20 Imprisonment for life Fish has received many
letters from Ncw-York friends Offering him aid
and stating that they VIII receive him with open
arms lie sIys that hn has not a dollar. His
sens are IN the real estate business IN Newly loTk,
and he SAYS that they have made little money.
The old man busted himself part Of the day writ
ing his name and future address on cards which
lac handed TO his friends. This is what he wrote:
JAMES d. FISH,