The times., 1897-06-11
BROKER CHAPMAN FREE
His Jail Sentence Expired at
Midnight.
In NO HURRY TO DEPART
Farewell to His Cell at 8 O'clock
This Morning His Conscience
Easy and Health EXcelIent-Vis-
tied by His Children-A Good
b Word for Warden Leonard.

Broker Eiyerton r. Chapman, the contu-
macious sugar witness, who for wo months
has occupied the public eye more than any
other private citizen, completed his term
of imprisonment in the District jail at mid
night last night. Contrary to various pre-
dictions, tie millionaire broker did not
take advantage of the release which the
law would have allo wed him at . o clock
Instead of that, he slept throughout the
night, and VIII take his brea kfast at the
Jail before he breathes the air of freedom
to-day.
Shortly after 9 O'Clock this morning the
family OF the broker viii proceed 10 the
Jail, accompanied by Manager Frank Ben
nctt. of the A rlington Hotel and will meet
him on the threshold as nc emerges from
his captivity. He Will then be driven di-
rcctly to the Arlington
Several Incidents occurred to enliven
the last day of Chapman's Imprisonment.
He rose bright and early, and after tax
ing his usual breakfast sent him FROM
the Arlington Hotel he proceeded -
pack part of his effects. At o'clock
a photographer, whom he had sent for, ar
rived To take pictures Of the cell in
which the broker had spent SO many
weary hours An excellent picture OF
the cell with its belongings was secured,
and then Mr.. Chapman directed the artist
to take another picture of John Nelson,
the 'trUsty'' who has acted as his ser
want during the twenty-five days Of his
term. That individual was called i'll
aud the camera snapped on him. Mr..
Chapman told the artist TO be sure To
give John the picture when 1t was de-
vclope:l.
Tnc most pleasant event of the brokers'
whole term occurred at 10 O'Clock. The
five children OF MIR. Chapman. who came
on from New York yesterday, paid him
their first visit. Heretofore Mr. Chap
man would not consent to have them come
to him, and il was only during the last
hours that he changed his mind A teie-
grain was sent and they took the next
train for this city, being met at the
depot by Mr.. Mccartney, VINO accompanied
them to the Arlington.
The meeting between the children and
their father was a most happy one. They
stayed with him nearly an hour and did
not seem at all oppressed by the fact that
they We're in Jail The eldest of the
children is a young lady who Is nearly
grown Three are girls. while the two
others are handsome, mani y-IOoking little
fellows They exhibited the greatest In
terest IN the Jail. and were shown over
the institution by warden.
Ia the afternoon Mr Chapman received
a Times reporter with courteous cordiality.
he looked very well; much better than at
In i'm. Of he uax trfo
was good, and his stay on the edge of
the fn;I,ariouS Eastern flats has been none
tie worse for him, If his appearance is an
indication.
Yes, am happy at the thought of
freedom he said to The Times man.
This moTotony has been getting mighty
irksome lately, and / admit I am glad
/ am spending the last day of it, Ny
surroundings here have been as pleasant
as possible, but after ALL there is nothing
like freedom. ] have done considerable
packing this morning, and l shall be all
ready for my departure tomorrow morn
ing. L have concluded to stay here tonight,
as there would he little advanta ge in my
leaving after midnight"
II suppose your conscience is in first
class order just at present, MI. Chap
mGn?' suggested the reporter.
We'll, have never posed as a martyr
or gone in for heroics at any time
answered the broker. "but I may say
that the satisfaction Of having kept faith
with my clients at the expense OF per-
sonal discomfort reconciles me to the sup
posed ignominy of jail sentence l sup
pose 1 have received letters from nearIy
every State in the Union, many of them
from people l never heard of, commend
ing the stand / took In the sugar in
yestigation. The papers have treated me
very kindly since my imprisonment, and
am grateful to them / would like to
say, however, that the elaborate bills of
fare which certain New York papers have
published as being enjoyed by me, are
considerably off. i have had good food,
but nothing like the princely menu given
as my daily fare
Mr.. Chapman was asked if he had tried
any Of the prison fare during his stay.
''Well, / have tasted it, replied the
broker, and l am confident that almost
any man could keep in good condition
on it''
In speaking of prison affairs, Mr. Chap.
man said; Il don't t think there lis a prison
in the world which is better conducted. and
/ am certain that no man living could at
tend TO his duties more strictly than does
Warden Leonard His discipline is abso-
lutely perfect and all are treated alike.
The system maintained and the perfection
of the smallest details in the management
of the prison are a source of continual
wonder to me"
Mr. Chapman said he would remain in
Washington until Sunday, at least, when
he proposed to leave for New York Those
who visited the broker during the day
were Mr.. John W. Mccartney. MI John w.
Johnson, of New York, and Mr.. Frank
Bennett, of the Arlington Hotel