The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-29

While serving his term in prison Scott
died. Mrs. Mary ScottRowland (she
married after his DEATH. who was an inno-
cent sufferer from Scott's crime, clung
with remarkable constancy to her hus-
band even after his conviction, and de-
voted years OF her life TO the work OF
ameliorating the condition OF his prison
life and also that OF his accomplice, Dun
lap.
In the hope OF influencing the Massa-
chusetts authorities In favor OF Dunlap's
pardon Mrs. Rowland related the story OF
her life. She was notified of the arrest OF
the burglars by Pinkerton detectives,
February IA, 1876, on the morning oil
which day her husband had affectlonately
kissed her good-by, promising 10 return
soon. The arrests were made In Philadel-
phia, and the prisoners were soon after
removed to Northampton, and there she
visited her husband as soon as she could
gain access to the prison.
1t was while a pupil Of the Moravlan
Seminary. Bethlehem, Pa. she said. that
she was introduced to Robert G. Scott by
a schoolmate. He was a handsome, ath-
letic fellow OF twenty-three, eight years
older than the girl whose love be won.
Her parents thought she was too young
to marry. and refused their consent,
whereupon the lovers eloped and went to
New Jersey, where on May l5 1873 they
were married.
At this time Scott's habits were thor.
oughly domestic and his tastes and in
clinations cultivated and refined. He was
passionately fond OF music, and insisted
that his wifes voice should be cultivated
by capable masters, remarking that In
case anything should happen to him, she
would have at least the means OF earning
an honest livelihood. In accordance with
this idea the young wife received musical
instructions from Prof. Torriani Albert
Berg, organist OF the Little Church Around
the Corner. and at the New York College
OF Music.
After Scott's arrest his wife went to
Northampton, and thence followed her
husband to the Massachusetts State
prison, which he entered at the age OF
twenty-eight years. He was perfect
specimen OF physical manhood, and pos
sessing a sensitive nature, he felt keenly
the disgrace in which he had plunged
himself. He regarded his twenty-years'
sentence as practically a life term. He
grew depressed and melancholy, his
health broke down under the terrible
strain, and after only eighteen months
imprisonment he was transferred to the
prison hospital. where he remained until
his death occurred, April 25 1882 He was
thirty-two years old.
Mrs. Scott said he died OF consumption
and a broken heart. The faithful woman
nursed him tenderly during his illness
and he died holding her hand. Almost his
last words to his wife were these:
Mary never desert poor Jim Dunlap
Be as sister to him and do as much for
o..
cease In your efforts to obtain his pardon,
for am the cause OF his being where he
is."
To this trust the faithful woman proved
true.
Scott made will in which he left to his
. wife many trinkets and menantoes for
friends and relatives:shmongw which was q
cameo ring, which he asked her to place
on Dunlap's finger on the day OF his lib
Grafton. He also handed his wife his let
ters and papers and the manuscript OF q
drama he had written in prison and
which he hoped might be produced some
day with success and profit to her.
"Thls is oil / have 10 leave you," he
said, except a dlshonorcd name. After
reasonable time after my death i hope
you will find n husband who will be
worthy OF YOU"
Mrs. Scott always declared that the man
who planned the burglary was the princl-
pal States witness and thereby escaped
punishment. This schemer." she de-
clared. "was the master mind In the rob-
berry, and yet he received large reward
for the despcable and infamous part be
played"
Through the persistent efforts OF Mrs
Scott widespread interest and sympathy
were aroused in behalf of Dunlap, and
many prominent citizens of Massachu.
setts united In the appeal for his pardon