The morning call., 1894-12-09
SAT IN SECRET.
The Prison Directors at
San Francisco.
A Notable Character Who Began His
Career in 1851 to Be
Set Free.

The State Board of Prison Commission
ers met in secret session at San Quentin
prison Yesterday, and in addition TO ordi-
nary business matters cons dered appica-
lions of prisoners for pardons. There
were TWO sessions, and each was behind
closed doors, even when financial and other
prison affairs of the past month were I'M
der consideration.
United S ates Marshal Barry Bald win
appeared before the commission with re-
quest that Thomas st. Clair, now under
sentence of death in San Jose Jail, be
hanged in the State prison at San Qusn-
tin. st. Clair is United States prisoner
He was condemned TO death for killing the
mate Of the American bark Hesper when
on a voyage from Australia to San Fran
cisco. The Mars was puzzled as to how
he could carry out the sentence of the law
on st. Clair. as the new State law pro-
hlblts hanging in county jails. So he went
to San Quentin and obtained perm ssion
TO hang ST. Clair on the permanent scat
fold at That place. But it was distinctly
understood that the State officials would
have nothing TO DO with the execution, and
that ihe Marshal must hang S. Clair.
The execution will take place on Decem-
Der u.
William Fredericks. who shot Cashier
Herrick at the savings bank at Market
and Fell stree s, was IN straitjacket,
and his case was reported 20 the board.
At A. NJ, week ago yesterday, he
was found In his cell almost suffocated.
He had cut open his mattress and set the
straw afire, it Is supposed TO lead the
AUTHORITIES to believe he was insane.
When rescued he was found lying on the
floor with a coat ronnd his head, and he
was unconscious. The guard moved him
to the hospital, where Dr. Man sfield had
a difficult task to resuScitate him. Then
Fredericks became violent and butted his
head against the wall, tor hich they put
him in loose canvas bag, in which he
could move easily without doing harm to
himself
When questioned yesterday, he declared
that Warden Aull and Hale had perse-
cuted him because he wanted to recile his
own poetry, composed on such inspiring
subjects as the Folsom outbreak" and
the Murder of Sheriff Pascoe." 'When l
would recite my poems." said he, 1.-THE
wardens would put chloroform over my
face"
The prison physician says that Freder-
icks IS shamming. and as soon as the muir
derer is in fit condition to be removed he
will again be locked up in a CELL After
the fire FreGerlcks' white undershirt was
removed and across its front was prin ted
with lead pencil: Murdered by Warden
Aull."
Rico Morasco, who killed an italian
rancher near Vacaville, has not yet been
informed by the prison officials that the
Supreme Court had denied his appeal and
he was quite hopeful yesterday. His case
was taken up, and he will have to be re-
sentenced before the Warden can hang
him.
Bills for the month of November
amounting to $10,618 % were audited and
ordered paid.
Fred Marbourg. convicted last March in
San francisco of EN- beZzlement from Will
q Finck, and sentenced to four years In
San Quentin, presented petition for a
Communication of the sentence to one year,
which was granted. He will be free March
Is, 1895
Charles Blackburn, one of the Lake
County whitecaps who terrorZed that sec
ton Of the State about five years ago, ap-
piled for Communication of his sentence.
He was sentenced to San Quentin for
twenty-five years for manslau7hter and
has served four years. His petition was
submitted tot he Governor without a
recommended or denial
An in'eres ing character is TO be set at
liberty from San Quentin within day or
two, and the off cials are glad his peculiar
case has been disposed of. He is Henry
Moore, an inveterate horsethief with q
strange record of crimes. Moore came 10
California with the first pioneers.
There was every opportunity for him to
make fortune, but when others were
growing rich around him in 1851 Moore
stole horses and went to the State prison.
but recently established. Hardly had he
regained his liberty when he stole another
horse and went to Jail. And so it has
been with Moore for the last forty-three
years-stealing horses and going to Jail.
On January 20. 1883, Moore was con-
vlcted in the courts oil Placer County as a
horsethief and sentenced to two years in
San Quentin. On the way down to prison
he was caught at Stuck ton and there SEN
fenced to seven years for a like offe nse
His sentences were to be served concur
rently. He escaped from San Quentin in
June, 1884, and was captured In June,
1889, and returned to prison. Then the
court of Marin County sentenced him to
one years imprisonment for escaping.
There was much difficulty and con-
fusion about determining the date he
should ba liberated. as he lost all credits
and his commitments were not quite clear.
The Warden reported that Moore's time
expired on October 4. 1894, and the COM
mission ordered him released.
The Commissioners held an extra even
ing session to clean up applications and
petitions of convicts.