The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-20
COL ONEL fINIGAN'S
PRISON DINNERS
How the Rich Man Fares
While in Marin'S
Jail.
Permitted to Leave His Cell
to Partake of Wine
SupperS.
Judge AngeIotti Orders an Inves til
cation OF the Sheriff's
Conduct.

SAN RAFAEL. CAL, April 19.-The
proceedings in the Finigan divorce case
were of decidedly interesting character
this morning. Sheriff Henry Harrison of
Marin was before the court to show cause
why he should not be adjudged guilty OF
contempt for violating the order made by
Superior Judge +. II. Angelotti to confine
Millionaire Peter A. Finigan in the County
Jail until he paid $3.50 alimony and costs to
his wife. pending the action for divorce
instituted by Mrs. Emily B. Finigan.
When the case came up for hearing T.
]. Crowley, one OF the attorneys for Mrs.
Finigan, and upon whose affidavit Judge
Angelotti cited the Sheriff for contempt,
read the charges, which he said were a
matter of public notoriety. Although
Finigan had been ordered confined in tn e
prison the Sheriff had not, Crowley in
sisted, complied with the order, and the
millionaire was free to go il and out of
the jail TO get French dinners at hotel
across the road from the courthouse.
District Attorney E. B. Martin ELI made
a statement on behalf OF Sheriff Harrison.
He said that while he did appear as attor-
ney for Mr.. Harrison the Sheriff had re-
quested him to state in his behalf that he
was extremely sorry that these things had
happened; that since last Friday, when
the matter had been brought TO his alten-
ton, he had locked the millionaire in q
cell in the basement of the Courthouse
and thereafter the wealthy prisoner had
been constantly under lock and key. The
Sheriff, ne continued, had no inten-
ton OF violating the order of the court
and in the future Finigan would be
closely confined. Mr.. Martinelli then
apologized to the court on behalf of the
Sheriff, and said that Mr.. Harrison would
abide by its decision.
Attorney Crowley addressed the court
and said that he was glad the Sheriff had
admitted the facts. While he had no per-
sonal feelings in the matter he believed
that the order OF the court should be
com piled with. 1t was fact that Mr..
Finigan had boosted that he would neve
pay the alimony, and that he was enjoy
ing himself in the prison. He could have
French dinners sent 10 him, yet ne would
not pay the $3.50 allmony to his wife. The
lawyer said that If II was necessarylhe
could prove that Colonel Finigan had eft
the County Jail entirely and had gone off
with MS friends; that the doors were not
barred against him, and he was not given
a cell in the County Jail, but vas occupy
ing room in the basement OF the Court
house.
Judge Angelotti said this was one OF
the most serious charges that could be
brought against a county officer. 1t was
so serious that ne would like thorough
investigation of the charges, and wanted
the Sheriff's deputies examined and also
others who could throw light on the
subject.
II was decided to postpone the hearing
until next Monday afternoon, when the
Sheriff could be represented by an attor-
ney.
When seen to-day Sheriff Harrison said
that he intended to fight the case; that
Finigan had been and was then con-
fined in the County Jail proper, and that
1t was not room that he occu pied, but
cell with iron bars on the window and
an iron G DOR such as was on any of the cells
In the prison. The same cell had been
occupied by murderers and other crimi-
mails, aDd it was the one in which Lee
Doom, the Chinaman who afterward COM
mitted suicide by hanging himself, was
confined for time. The Sheriff dis
claims any intention OF trifiing with the
court and now has Colonel Finigan
firmly locked up.
The millionaire does not complain. He
does not think the new order of things
will mean his confinement in the haunted
cell. For fourteen days he has lived in
prison and his health is in no way i'm
paired. His daughters visit him regu-
larry every day and he takes great inter
est in the affairs of the prison. When
new prisoner is brought in he learns all
about HIM and spends much of his time
In reading. He has the daily papers and
copies OF the weeklies. When asked when
he expects to gain his freedom again h e
says that there is plenty of time; his at
torneys Will look after his interests and
they tell him not to worry but be patient