New-York tribune., 1894-06-17
MIR. WIMAN CHEERFUL.
EVIDENCES OF SYMPATHY FROM MANY
QUARTERS.
INCIDENTS OF HIS DAY IN THE ToMrs-vIsIToRs

INCIDENTS or HIS DAY IN THE ToMrs-VisIToRs
BRING HIN WORDS or COMFORT
Erastus Wiman spent Friday night comfortably
IN cell No 4 OF the ground roor Of the old Tombs
prison The five days Of the trial had completely
exhausted him physically. After he had received
the verdict and been conducted to his cell late In
the afternoon he denied himself TO all callers: and
overcome by fatigue. the reaction enabled him to
fall asleep as soon he lay down uron his couch
His siumbers were sound and almost entirely un-
broken and when morning came he was thoroughly
refreshed
A Tribune reporter who him during the trial
and at the announcement OF the verdict visited Mr.
Wlman al the Tombs yesterday afternoon and was
SURPRISED 10 observe the marked Improvement In
his appearance. -Four men. including the reporter.
awaited his coming In the reception room. Among
these was n gray haired old man carrying big
paper bag filed with bananas. lie was much as!-
tated Finally the CHEEKY voice OF Mr.. Wlman was
heard as he advanced across the prison yard. ac-
companied BY the turnkey. with whom he was con-
veTsing
THE VISITOR BURSTS INTO TEARS.
AS the iron gate opened and Mr. Wman APP
poared the old man tottered forward. threw his
arms around the shoulders OF the prisoner and
burst into In one hand he still clutched the
top OF the bag Of bananas. Mr. Wiman exclaimed
heartily:
We'll well. old friend I'm glad to you. And
you have brought something good for me. too!
knew you had as they told me you were
here" Then putting his arm around the old mans
neck he added Well rs come to this: but never
mind II is all right. Come with me into the other
room and we will have little talk"
Mr.. Wlman. still supporting tho trembling form
of the old man. spoke cheeringly as he led his
visitor through the narrow door into the adjoining
room whore they sat down and talked.
This incident by reason OF the facts which pre-
ceded IT, affords a remarkable Illustration OF the
mutations IN the fortunes OF men. In the period d.
rectly following the close Of the war an energetic
man Of business Instincts and possessed Of repu-
tation for honor and integrity failed in business;
a Judgment for 5000 procured against him
and he was lodged In Ludlow street Jail pending It's
settlement and remained there several years under
the old imprisonment for debt law.
few years ago Erastus Wiman interested him
self in the repeal Of this harsh law. The result OF
Mr. Wiman's efforts combined with the influence
OF others In the community, an act OF repeal
by the Legislature whereby about 400 persons I'M
prlsoned for debt In this State rcgained their lib
erty. one OF these the man who carried TO
Mr. Wlnan yesterday the humble Offering Of
bag OF bananas.
He was Augustine r. Mcdonald. so long the
most conspicuous prisoner in Ludlow Street jail
THEY HAD EXCHANGED PLACES.
The two men had exchanged places. The one
who had been instrumental largely in securing the
release OF hundreds OF prisoners had come 10 De
a prisoner himself. and the other. now possessed
Of liberty. had FASTENED to the cell OF his bene-
factor to extend his sympathies. AS the two men
stood in the Tombs yesterday with their arms
claspng each other one might have thought from
the CHEEKY consoling words Of Mr. Wiman that he
himself was the visitor from the outer % %oru nn ana ia
the weeping whiie-halred old man was 'he one III
misfortune and distress
After Mr.. Mcdonald and the two other VISITORS
had taken their leave. The Tribune reporter had
long chat with Mr. Wiman. In the course oi "h'ch
he said ,,, 49,. ,,-,,,,,
stances / rested well. and that the worry Is
over am feeling frst-rate. They treat me very nicey
ias, February and" added Mr Wiman. with a
laugh 'they knew me when returned
HIS FRIENDS STAND BY HIM
Mr. WIman said he had passed the day pleasantly.
and had received many letters and telegrams OF
sympathy from all parts OF the country. IT seems
10 me-" he added. that have more friends now
than ever before" He showed the reporter mum
Der OF letters and telegrams and the names AZ
!sGaeq !sGae1s 10 cerrniny istGed Mr. Wman feeling
turnkey handed the prisoner card Mr. Ninah
read the engraved names Of Mr.. and Mrs
"Weii well. well!" exclaimed Mr. Wiman, In sur
nrise MIR - and wife! That Ia very kind. ne
Continued half -muslngy, as he passed the caro- ~
New-York business man. As the reporter was Ieav-
ing the and woman entered ana tme s.res.ns e.
on tbe mart Of the visitors was tendery sympathetic
coOD WORDS FOR JUDGE AND JURY.
Whom Mr Wiman saw an interview in an after
noon paper. in which he made to criticise JUS
tice Ingrahams charge, he said: THAT Is an error
II was not my intention say that Judge 1ngraham
fet that he was very moderate In his charge ~
view OF the Interpretation which he no DOUBT nom
FANNY sds their duty as they understood It. can
Gnd no fault with the trial. except that perhaps