The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-07
CELIA PERRYN AND HILDRETH,
THE nor TRAIN WRECkER.
ne Il In Auburn Prison for Lire and she Has
Bcen visiting Him Every Month Orders
Given TO Restrict Her Privileges Hereafter.

Ne d. in Auburn Prison Tor Lire and she Has
Bcen visiting Him Every Month Orders
Given to Restrict Ser Privileges Hereafter.
AUBURN. March 6.-oncc every month since
John Watson Hlldreth has been confined in tho
Auburn State prison he has received a visit
from Celia Perryn Of Rome. Hcnccforth her
visits will not he so frequent by half. A recent
order OF Warden Mead, the new head OF the
prison, has curtailcd tho visits to a single hour
once In two months.
Hildreth is the young scoundrcl who conceived,
and with the assistance OF three other dime
novel reading youngsters carried out, tho plan
to wreck the fast mail on the New York Central
Railway. near Rome, a year ago for purposes OF
robbery. He was sentenced to Auburn prison
for life; two OF his companions, Plato and Hib-
bard. were sentenced to imprisonment for forty
years each, and the other member Of the quartet
of youthful despcradoes died of consumption be-
fore the trial.
Before the commission OF tho crime Hildreth
had formed the acquaintance Of Celia Perryn.
He had run away from his home In New York
city. and after a series OF adventures had landed
in Rome. He was bright and made many friends
In Rome. Among them was the girl, who was
about his own age, and a warm attachment
sprang up between them. When he was arrested
upon a charge OF murder. after the wrecking Of
the train, she did not desert him. but visited
him frequently while he was in Jail. sat
near him during the trial, and after he
was brought to Auburn began to visit him
as soon and as frequently as tho rules OF tho In
stitution would permit. The prison regulations
were stretched several points to admit her Wis
its at all. Convicts are not allowed to ro-
coive regular visits from any ono except rela-
tives, and from them only once a month. Miss
Perryn was not related to Hildreth, but when sho
made application to see him cx-Warden Stout
had not the heart TO say no" II IL probable
that, II the Warden had imagined that the visits
would be continued for any length OF time, a diff
fcrcnt answer would have been returned to her
appeal. 1t was believed that after she had seen
Hildreth in prison garb, shorn OF all the glamor
which his notoriety had thrown around him.
she would be cured OF her infatuation, and would
forsako her convict lover. Far from doing this,
she kept on comm; TO see Hildreth.
Regularly as the month rolled around she APP
peared at the prison. On the day Of the visit she
rived In Auburn at s:25. She at once crossed
the street from tho railway station, passed
through the ponderous gate OF the prison. and
greetings to Hiidreth. After the greetings the
pair would sit down In a corner OF the
visitors room and remain oblivious TO every
one and everything until 1t was time for
the young CONVICT 10 go to the mess hall for his
dinner. Then Miss Peryn would leave the
would eat luncheon. after which she would
return pnmn to the 5P! prison, S nic being on hand md
hour NJ which she could be admitted TO see Hill
drcth in The. afternoon. ANOTHER visit of two
bid Hildreth an aifectionatc good.by, hurry to
the station, and board the ESQ train for home.
on these occasions. On one occasion she brought
n bottle OF. pickles. Another time she presented
iS n fiEst slsi L p eSs q brought saTsSM0fHfFfiEd i ls%, her on p si%Gss
in n prcttily embroidered frame. tho work Of her
own hands, and her picture now adorns the boys
bon.bons having a decided preference.
hftcr, this had gone, on for some months 1t
dawned upon the prison officials that these
visits were having an injurious effect Upon Hi.
and icprcssed.' When Warden Mead Ia asssSmedd
aware OF the facts, and after. satisfying himself
that there was really ground for alarm, he deter
didn't take at ali kindly to the new Arrangement,
and she didn't hssitate to express her feelings to
had sought refuge in tears, The @,"rdsnn gave Y
the girl some wholesome. fatherly advice. -, -,
Mr., Mead, "He is dead to the world.a prisoner
for life; You should have some ambition beyond
now than later. II will he easier for you both"
NO, no." interrupted the girl.
"Somc day, IL Is to be hoped, you will marry
some honest man. and then you will look back
With shame and horror at your prison associa-
'iou ohtinucu thC "hTutH. v hTc yOuEk,
and what now seems TO you to be q grand pas.
sion will in after years bring a blush to your
cheek. Now. l do not wish to DO unkind. but
your visits are doing harm 10 the ono you are
trying to assist You are not a rela-
tive OF Hildroth, and you have not, under tho
prison rules, any right to visit him at all. am
not going to say that you shall DO entirely sepa-
rated, but you must curtail your visits
Miss Perryn sobbed and protested, but tho
Warden was inflexible and she finally left the
prison. AS for Hildreth, no took the announce
ment Of the new restriction in grim silence. II
he felt any pangs OF grief they wero hidden. He
accepted the order as he has everything else in
the p~rison-as a matter OF course.