The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-05
A VOICE FROM PRISON
Appeal Of Libbie GarFabFdnt VINO Has
Been in Jail Is Years.
WAS SENTENCED FOR LIFE
Convicted of Killing Ransom F. Bur-
roughs by Poison When She Was
Only a Girl of g Years, She
Asks For Compassion.

terests a whole state, has appealed to the
people of this city for compassion. She
goes further, and in n brief note asks
them to assist her to get out of the state
prison at Trenton, where she has spent 70
years of her life for killing Ransom K.
Burroughs on Dec. q, 1871.
On May of the following year Libbie
Garrabrant was sentenced to be hanged
by Judge Joseph ID. Bedle, the late gov
ernor of New Jersey. But no sooner had
she been sentenced than charitably in
clined people began their efforts to secure
a mitigation of her punishment, and on
June 25 of that year tho court of pardons
took into consideration the petitions
signed by / 200 women of this city, asking
for mercy, and the sentence of death was
committed to life Imprisonment.
Since then several efforts have been
made to secure Libbie Garrabrant's re-
lease. At one time the late Judge Albeit
was interested in her case, and promised
to secure her pardon after she had served
a few years longer, but after that he was
no longer governor.
The crime for which she was sentenced
to life servitude was committed on Frank
lin street, this city. The wife of Ransom
L. Burroughs kept a disreputable house
in New York, and later removed to Green
street, this city. Libbie was one of her
protegees. The Burroughs were arrested
for the offense, and both were convicted.
Burroughs got off with fine, but his wife,
who it had been shown was the greater
criminal of the two, was sent to state
prison for one year.
Shortly after his wife was sent to prison
Burroughs removed to a house in Frank
lin street and took Libbie, then a girl of
,,.;+ ip, hanGaEaanar
One of the frequent visitors to the house
was Van Wrinkle Bogart. One day a writ
of attachment was issued by Justice of the
Peace Brush on Burroughs furniture, and
Constable William Monks proceeded to
execute the writ. He found the house
locked and deserted and with little furni-
ture left in it. In the middle of the floor
of the front room, used as parlor, stood
a rocking chair, a human form in it being
covered by Counterpart. The removal
of the sheet revealed the body of Bur-
roughs. 1t was supposed to be a case of
suicide. and this theory was further
strengthened by q letter which was found
in the pockets of the dead man, to the eff
feet that he had committed suicide be-
cause his wife had been sent to state
prison and because Libbie Garrabrant
had left him. In the letter he declared
that no one was to blame but himself.
Coroner Quinn became suspicious of
Libbie during a conversation with her and
had her locked up as n witness. Later
she admitted writing the letter, and at
the trial before Judge Bedle it was proved
that she had poisoned Burroughs to gain
possession of what little money he had
and his furniture, which she had removed
from the house. During the trial she said
that she would not have committed the
crime but for the influence of Van Wrinkle
Bogart had over her. He was afterward
tried for completely in the crime, but ac-
quilted.
Libbie Garrabrant is now q woman of
medium height and proportionately de-
veloped. Her black hair is freely sprinlIled
with gray, as she is now past 40, and this
is marking her face with wrinkles.
In an interview with n reporter at the
prison a short time ago, Libbie said that,
had she been older at the time she COM
United the crime, she would not have done
SO, but then she was like a child which
does as it is told. 1.-THE older l grow the
moro keenly do l feel my situation" she
continued. About six years ago, she says,
she experienced change of heart. The
good women of the Christian Temperance
union had been visiting the institution
for ID years, but not until six years age
did they make any impression upon her.
And now, how kindly l feel toward them
for their talking to me has brought on a
consolation without which L know should
have died." she said, pathetically. Re.
covering herself she turned her sympa
thetic. tear-staned eyes on the reporter
and continued:
you have no idea how horrible it is to
think that you must remain in prison un
I'll death. / have frequently though
il would have been better haC
been executed. but of late
wears do not entertain sucl
thoughts, for l know that it is Gods viii
that should live and suffer. feel as i
there is no end to it, and still hope anC
religion arc all l have to live upon. Oh
God, that l had my life to live owe
againW
She told the reporter that she would
like to see her aged father before he dies
He lives in Brooklyn with another daugh
ter, and Libbie received letter from hel
sister last week saying that her father wa
not expected to live long. Il know
would make his last moments happy T.
know that his daughter had escaped iron
a living death, for that is what my life is,
she continued, sobbing.
Il was nothing when came here.
had never learned 10 pray and / kne'
nothing of the Lord Jesus Christ and hi
mercy. My people were worldly and tina
is the way / was brought up. was youn
at the time and did not seem to realiz
the enormity of my sin. and it took :
long for me TO realize my situation, tina
Twas in reality dead among the living
one of the very few persons who are alIv
without any hope"
Libbie has become an expert IN needle
work. and as a seamstress she has n
equal in the prison. She says that, if r
leased. she will devote the remaining ycal
of her life working for her dear father an
mother. IF / could only regain m
freedom. those who have interested Jheu
selves IN me would have no cause 10 II
cret il.