The sun., 1897-10-07
CLARK'S STORY OF THORN.
n MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ETI-
DENCE, SAYS OLCOTT.

Thorn's Opinion OF MRS. Nnck-A Foolish wo-
man-Sho Once sat in the Electric Chair to
Crafty Her Morbid Nature-A Letter or
Thorn's I'm Reply TO One from Mrs. Nnck.
Frank Clark, also known as William +. Clark,
tho Tombs prisoner who made n sworn state
mont ms to certain matters which no said he
had learned about the Giedsensuppe murder
case while he was the collmate of Martin
Thorn, made an additional statement yesterday.
District Attorney Olcott said that part of
Clark's statement, at least, had proved true, in.
asmuch as certain things of which he told tho
authorities had really been found to exist
when Clark first communicated with me-"
said Mr. Olcott, II was not inclined TO believe
him. Then he said: in order TO show you the
truth OF what will toll you you will find GER
tain thing, valuable piece of evidence, at a
certain place l sent TO the place specified and
found what CLARK described. This, Of course,
verified his story that he had been on moro
than friendly terms with Martin Thorn. then
had his story told in tho form Of an affidavit.
1t is one of the most important pieces of evil
dence yet discovered by the prosecution. Clark
also told us that Thorn had referred to Mrs.
Mack as very foolish woman, saying that six
months ago. when he and Mrs. Mack had first
planned tho murder, Mrs. Mack visited Sing
Sing Prison and sat in the electric chair. Thorn
told Clark this, and added that Mrs. Mack
showed her morbid nature in many things SINH
lar to this" BA
Clark is awaiting trial on acharge of grand
larceny, second degree, second offence. He
was arrested on Aug 25 with William Highly.
Highly was the negro servant in the employ Of
tho Rev. DIR. Neil, and with Clark had planned
to give tho Clergyman Knockout drops in order
to rob him. Clark has been in the hospital
ward of the Tombs since his arrest. He is
anI hao roI q, Gtofn
prison for various crimes.
A branch school of new journalism has been
Island City, where one of It's graduates is seek.
ing ing fame 4 in a euiprits cell One Of the gradu.
% sa sss fEs ss se s9sp
in springing sensation which was launched
yesterday. According to the story printed
.trusty." That is, he gained the confidence of
jail officials and acted as sort OF spy upon the
footing return op his services 70 s as
spy certain privileges were accorded to him.
This ARRANGEMENT allowed him communication
wormed himself into their confidence and
finally became a go-between in delivering notes.
printed note was delivered ii bs Mrs NJ W SasE sot to
tho "trusty" addressed to Thorn. After the de;
s Thorn had IT u hs f
story of yesterday read. sherifr Doht and JaiIer
terrific struggle ensued for possession of the
note. In the scufe it was torn to fragments,
while Thorn swallowed u part Of it. With
commendable foresight. however, the '.trusty''
had made tracing OF the note before deliver:
ing 1t, and the newspaper produced the alleged
note in duplication. 1t was written in Ger
man. Then an afternoon edition of the same
paper printed a fac-simile OF the torn note in.
Guiding the missing pieces which the edition Of
the morning had stated Thorn had swallowed.
When Sheriff Doht got to his office yester.
day morning and began unravelling things
there was CONSERVATION among the yellow re-
porters when they learned that in their haste
through their fingers. First the Sheriff took
occasion to dcnounce the story as "Plaster of
Paris, cabbage. head journalism" Next he
proceeded to tell the true story. Late the day
purpose Of taking away razor Them had been
permitted to use. He saw Thorn tearing up a
piece of paper. This handed over on the
Shcriffs demand. There was no struggle, no
choking, no swallowing OF pieces OF the letter.
The note proved TO be an answer to one the
prisoner had received from Mrs. Mack. When
the Sheriff asked Thorn for Mrs. Nacks note
Thorn replied that he had swallowed it. Tho
Sheriff declared positively that the note as
published by. the newspaper in question never
Of the note really seized by the Sheriff were
then given out. 1t is as follows:
MY DEAR: You wrote of self-destruction-
that would be the best. | had thought it over
would be the best for me, but not before all Is
done to gain liberty. Perhaps it would be the
better way, and will, it would be easy to
accomplish ii. l have a prescription that
thence and endurance, and say what would
write to you, and i it comes to extremes then
1t is time, and will arrange 1t SO. 1t is not on
account of living would like to get free. but
In spite of people here"