The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-23
LIVED LIKE A LORD IN JAIL
New York Lawyers Remarkable
Privileges While a Prisoner.
PROSECUTED HIS BUSINESS
He Had Refused to Pay Alimony To
His Wife and Was Locked Up for
Six Months-His Cell GorgeOusly
Farewell Banquet to
Fellow-PrisoEerS.

New York, April 90 George Robinson,
a lawyer, OF No. 50 Nassau street, who was
committed to Ludlow street Jail, Octo-
ter 20, 1896, for having defaulted in the
payment OF $4,000 aIinony TO his wife,
Lila, who obtained divorce from him
inthe supreme court, June 90. 1894, was re-
leased from Jail Wednesday night at mid
night, the tenn OF six months imprison-
nient, beyond which length of tame he could
not Toe detained in the institution, having
expired at that hour
Robinson name has become well known
to the public because OF the TACT that by
permission of the courts he continued to
practice law during the entiIe time tina lie
has been in prison. His cell has been TIA nd
Somely furnished, and his meals have been
furnished from restaurants.
Robinson has been exceedingly popular
with the other prisoners, because of his
liberality and hospitality. He has often
aided the more lmpecuniouS of his fellow
prisoners with free legal advice, W nile he has
frequently invited Other of his associates to
breakfasts, dinners md luncheons.
HedeCided some days ago TO give twenty
five OF the prisoners dinneTin honor of his
approaching release. lie ut fist thought
OF giving a supl er last night, but changed
his mind when Ec reflected that he might he
busy at that time n packing up his effects.
The dinner was, therefore, givenon Monday
night.
Since his commitment TO jail Robinson
has ordered all his meals from the restau-
rant of August Gloisting, near Essex and
Grand streets GloiSung began making
all arrangements for the farewell dinner
several days ago, and promised Robinson
that he would give him something extra
in the way Of a dinner.
The table was spread in the large dining
room of the Jail and handsomely decorated
with cut glass and flowers. They were half
dozen Courses, served by three walters.
All the articles of food were carried from
the restaurant to the jail in large, covered
receptacles, and on reaching the Jail were
heated up when necessary over the jail
range.
The etiquette of Ludlow street Jail does
not permit OF late dinnerS al1 it was there
fore necessary for Mr.. Robinson to ask his
guests to sit down at the questionable
hour Of 4:30 O'Clock. Although no wine
OF liquor were served many toasts were
given in milder beverages.
Mr. Robinson's health was proposed
several times ana many wishes for his
future success expressed. At O'Clock
the dinner came to an end. A better meal,
il - said, has not been served in the sail
for years, and Robinson felt satisfied that
he had done the thing up brown
Robinson was chiefly engaged yesterday
afternoon in receiving the congratulations
of the other prisoners on has approaching
release
Precisely at midnight he was escorted to
the front cltranc- Of the jail. and the door
was thrown wide open for him. His furi.i-
ure and perS Jnal effects had been removed,
SO that when he was given his liberty he
had nothing to take with him except a
hand satChel.
RobiRson's cell, which was on the sec
ond floor, was ten feet square. He sent an
order to an upholStering establishment and
had handsome heavy portieres hung over
the grated doors of the cell Lace curtains
hid the barred windows. Expensive rugs
covered the oiIcIoth floor, and paintings and
sketches adorned the walls fine leather
covered bed lounge was placed on one side
90 the room, while On the opposite side was
modern rUl-tpp desk. \ couple Of leather
covered easy chairs added to the furnish
ing Of the apartment. OF clean bed and
other linen there was large supply.
Three clerks from his Nassau-street law
office called On him daily for the purpose of
consulting him about the affairs of his Of
flee, and clients came to consult him each
week day. special corner in the general
reception room having been appropriated
by him for the conferences With his clients
His business hours were from o O'Clock in
the morning until I'm the afternoon Sat
urday afternoons he usually refused to see
clients, that tan and Sunda being his days
for rest, when he prepared himself for the
business of the coming week