The morning call., 1894-08-18
Will Mrs. Martin Receive
a Pardon ?
ONLY A WEEK IN PRISON.
Said to Be in Need of Instant
Surgical Aid. 49,
ONLY A WEEK IN PRISON.
MARKHAM is AT SAN QUENTIN.
An Effort Is Being Made to Release
the Woman From the San
Quentin Prison.

Mrs. Mary Martin, the woman VINO mas
been giving continued sensation to the
people of Oakland for the past two years
since arrested for obtaining $4,000 from
Miss Leonard by some hypnotic process.
again comes into public view in a still
more startling light than her former OK
ploits afforded. This time she is an I'M
willing actor. however. as the part she
has taken will in all probability close
against her wishes in death.
Since she went to San Quentin prison a
week ago her condition has been growing
worse rapidly, until at last IL assumed
alarming symptoms. She had not been
shamming, as was generally supposed, for
a disease which the doctors fear cannot
now be averted threatens her life. So
alarming, indeed, has her case become tina
two doctors specialists in their line)-Drs.
Mclean and G. G. Gear OF San Francisco
were called over to the prison by DR..
Mansfield for a consultation. Governor
Mark ham arrived this afternoon, and it is
said he came for no other purpose than to
consider Mrs. Martins case.
The physicians held consultation and
came to the conclusion that IL an opera
ton was not Immediately performed Mrs.
Martin will die. When told of this she
protested against an operation in prison.
dreading death inside the convict estab-
lishment. She was obstinate in saying
that on no account would she submit. but
if taken outside she would willingly IN
dergo the ordeal, as no other hope is left
for her life.
Here difficulty has presented itself to
the prison authorities, for there is no law
whereby she could be pardoned Temporal
riJy or conditionally. Once out of prison
she would be free woman.
However. the Governor has undertaken
to act, it is said, in the cause of humanity,
and, though his visit is ostensibly for a
days rest as the guest of Warden Hale,
those who claim to be familiar with the
case say there are more substantial con-
siderations, or at least some subtle in
fiuences at work to secure the woman's
release.
Mrs. Martin has the reputation of pos
sessing considerable wealth. The S14, 900
is planted" or hidden away, and with j,
are still larger sums. Her dearest wish is
to get free if only to die without the
stigma of the penitentiary on her at the
last moment. She would only too gladly
forfeit the whole sum rather than die
where she is.
Another argument that will be advanced
in favor of her release is that there is no
suitable place for such an operation at the
prison, and even if she allowed it to take
place the chances would not be in her
favor. DR.. Mansfield believes that room
could be arranged for the safe perform
ance of the operation, but still Mrs. Mar
tin stubbornly objects.
"She should never have been sent here"
the doctor said tonight, "for the woman
was no fit subject for the prison. She is
suffering from virulent tumor, which has
grown to such proportions it prohibits the
possibility of digestion. For the week she
has been here not particle of solid food
has passed her lips. l have been feeding
her on beef tea, matted milk. etc.. and
even then she cannot retain them.
She can't live long, not more than month
or so, without an operation, and tits doubt
full il she can recover from the effects of sur
gical treatment so far has her disease
gone. The tumor was neglected and it is
now dangerous to operate on. wonder
she didn't die coming over here from Oak
land and that her case had not been at
tended to long ago.
in the consultation to-day we came to
the conclusion that an operation should
be performed at once"
who invited the San Francisco physi-
clans to see her," was asked.
81 did. Pm not specialist and wanted to
have good advice on case that looked so
serious. She was so sick / saw something
need be done quickly. The Governor will
see her tomorrow and consider what is
best to be done in her case"
SIS there any talk Of granting her a
pardon?"
Whatever the Governor does will be in
the interests of humanity" was the reply.
81 believe he is interested In this case. but
be told me this afternoon there is no law
on which she could be taken from here
and returned. / asked him this question,
thinking there might be an opportunity of
removing her for an operation and know
ing she will n OF let US touch her here. His
answer was as I've stated and that the
only way out of the difficulty is to grant
her pardon. Regarding her crime I've
nothing to say. That is subject that does
not enter into my thoughts, but l feel that
humanity at least would only be served
Justly in setting the suffering woman free
so that something might be done to save
her. To remain here lie sure death in a
very short time and l doubt IL she can
| live anyhow after the shock of an opera
ton"
| Warden Hale was reticent regarding Mrs.
Martins case. ut is very, very serious"
he said. "But | don't know how any
thing can be done toward giving her
pardon unless by calling special meeting
of the Prison Directors. About the serious
ness or nature of her case you had better
see the DOCTOR"
SIS her condition such that it would be
| advisable TO pardon ber?"
1T is very serious, and l believe she
should Tot have been sent here. I'm not
a doctor. however. to pass Judgment on
the matter"
HAS there been any effort to secure her
pardon ?'
That cannot say. If any should come
it would be case needing prompt action.
and the only thing for me to do would be
to call special meeting of the Directors.
The Governor is here tonight and we
have not talked any business whatever.
He is here for a rest for a day or two. but
not on prison business-simply l invited
him to stay here for a rest over Sunday.
He has not taken this case unoer consid-
Grafton, though am certain if he does it
will be after careful thought He never
acts hastily in pardons and naturally