The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-13

| Francis A. Coffin and Percival 3. Coffin.
in the custody of Chief Deputy United
States Marshal John z. Foley and Spe-
cial Deputy George Casper, at II 80 a. m.
Tuesday left for Michigan City, where
they will enter upon their unhappy lives
in the prison north.
Early Tuesday morning, even before
the day turnkey at the Jail had entered
upon his regular watch, the Rev. George
A. Christensen, rector of st. Paurs church,
Of which church Francis A. Coffin has for
! a long time been a communicate, called
at the office entrance of the jail and rang
for admission. Unable TO attract atten-
ton he proceeded to the residence of the
sheriff, where he was admitted and
thence conducted to the prison and adj
mitted to a private interview with the
Collins.
The conversation was of short dura-
| ton and when Mr.. Christensen came from
"murderers' row" he manifested much
emotion. He said the convicted brothers
had slept we'll during their first night be
hind prison bars and were bearing up
we'll under the great strain incident TO
their unfortunate position. Mr.. Carsten-
sen had urged upon them to dissuade
their wives from accompanying them, as
at first intended, to the penitentiary, and
it had been agreed that the husbands
should go in the company only Of the
federal officers.
Breakfast at s O'Clock.
The Collins about o'clock had their
breakfast, served from a restaurant, in
the corridor Of the cell house upon a
table furnished by Sheriff Emmett,
covered with immaculate linen and set
with fine china. The meal was daintily
prepared and the brothers partook Of
their last meal in Indianapolis (at least
| for a number Of years. with well mani
tested relish. Later they withdrew from
the table and lighting fragrant cigars
were served with the morning papers and
| prepared TO digest the news; Francis
pacing backward and forward in the cor
ridOr, and Percival turning his back on
the outside court and pulling his hat
well over his eyes, refusing to look at
| those without who CHANGED to turn in
quiring glances his way.
To newspaper ren Francis A Coffin
! was polite as usual, but firmly declined
TO engage in any extended conversation;
said that he and his brother had passed
a restful night; that they were anxious
to go forward to their inevitable prison
life with as little delay as possible, and
planned, accompany them to Michigan
Sorrow for His Brother.
While 1t was noticeable that Percival
Coffin INDUCED in little conversation dur
ing the morning, it could be easily OBJ
served that it was largely due to his
naturally happy disposition that he bore
the ignominy Of his situation with
marked self-possession. The elder broth
er keenly felt the wretchedness Of his
position. and during the morning it was
demonstrated that much Of his sorrow
was for Percival. Once he openly eX-
pressed himself in that direction. He
protested that Percy had been guilty
of no wrong; that the younger brother
had been nothing more than a subOrdi-
nate employe Of the Indianapolis cabi-
net company, and that his guilt was no
deeper than that of Reed. who was then
enjoying his freedom. The wives Of the
two men called at an early hour in the
forenoon and remained in close CONVEX
sation with their husbands for a long
| time. Among the many others who called
were John Roberts and son. w. II. II.
Miller. Ferdinand Winter, j. w. Hess,
| Joseph r. Perry and family, Miss BaX-
ter and Miss MarmOn and Lawson Har-
| Vey.
Employees Received.
During the forenoon E. f. Conlen, an
aged and flly-dressed Irishman, who had
for many years been employed by the
Collins. called at the Jail and asked to
| see the Coffin brothers. At Franciss re-
quest the old man was admitted and
warmly received by his old employers.
Another unpretending caller was Mrs.
Watkins, an old Irish woman, who had
been for number of years a servant in
the Coffin family. She was also received
| IA, ba L ma IN left
the Jail. her eyes filled with tears.
| Pete Egan, the driver of. hack, who
said that he had lost the savings Of sew
eral years in the breaking of the Indian
apolis national bank, drove to the jail
and announced that he had come for the
purpose of giving the Coffin brothers
their last hack-ride to the Union station
on their way TO the states prison. He
was informed that his offer would be de-
| clned.
At 1920 a. m Marshal Hawkins. with
a chain-gang of federal prisoners, who
had been taken TO court for arraignment
| appeared at the jail accompanied by his
deputies. After turning over the prison
ers Of low degree he informed Tailor Col
Inns he was ready to start TO the Union
station with the Coffin brothers.
Marshal Hawkins Appears.
Marshal Hawkins had with him the
prison commitments for the Coffin broth
erS, the only dlIleTehce III the papers pV
ing the specified number of years in the
terms of Imprisonment. The commit
ment was as follows:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
DISTRICT OF INDIANA, IS.
The President os the United States TO thu
Marshal of the District of Indiana
Greeting;
Whereas, BY the judgment of the dis
trict court Of the United States In anS
for said district at the May term thereof
on the fourth day of June. A d., 1884
| Francis A. Coffin, who before, in sal.
court had been convicted of record G
~ .,rir.,a Of ,lnla tinn Of The naiinna