Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1900-01-20
Convicted COnspiratOr in the Du-
POnt Barn Burning Cases Will
Go Free Monday.
STILL DECLARES INNOCENCE
SAYS SHE WAS THE VICTIM OF
PLOT - PAST EIGHT YEARS
OF HER LIFE HAVE BEEN SPENT
IN NEW CASTLE JAIL.

Mrs. Mary f. Clark, the convicted
conspirator in the Dupont barn burn
ing cases Will be released from New
Castle Jail on Monday next, her SEN
tence expiring at that time.
The burning of the DUPONT barns,
which occurred nine years ago, and
the subsequent trial and conviction of
the Clarks and William j. Gibbons for
the offense, created widespread interest
at the time. The trial began in No
vember, 1891, and terminated in the
sentence of the accused parties on
January %, 1892.
Although Mrs. Clark was not charged
directly with firing the buildings, she
was adjudged the chief conspirator,
and was sentenced to serve a term of
eight years in the county Jail, at New
Castle. Her husband, Edward Clark,
was also convicted OF conspiracy and
was sentenced to seven years in jail;
Joseph Clark was sentenced to three
years. and William j. Gibbons, con-
victed of barn burning and conspiracy,
was given a sentence Of ten years in
the county jail.
HOW THEY LIVED.
Immediately after sentence was pass
ed the prisoners were given in charge
OF Sheriff Simmons and taken to the
New Castle Jail.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clark were placed in
cell No 80, and from that day to this,
Mrs. Clark has occupied the same cell,
her husband having been released
January 21, 1899.
The Clarks cell, although OF the
same dimensions as others in the in
stitution. had less OF the appearance OF
a place Of confinement than any other
in the Jail. They were allowed to fur
nish their own bed and bedding, and
procure their own meals. An oil stove
was provided and upon this Mrs. Clark
was permitted to cook what food she
chose, and the couple lived as husband
and wife during Clark's detention.
Mrs. Clark's cell is neat and tidy and
its appearance indicates that at least
she is good housekeeper. Since her
husbands release she has occupied the
same apartment
MRS. CLARK TALKS.
Mrs. Clark was called upon last night
by an Evening Journal reporter and
asked for a statement for publication.
This she positively declined to give
saying: Il hate the Delaware papers, as
luCJ udfI uCNtI lltdlcu US 4dlllgs Duk
when / do get out Ill give a statement
to the Philadelphia press, as it has al
ways been just to u.s."
Continuing, Mrs. Clark said: "Oh,
do hope they will let me go on Mon
day, when my time is up. have beer
treated kindly by everyone since I've
been here. but I'd rather have been in
a penttentiary. Here everyone is per.
mitted to stare at you as If you were
wild beast in cage. At times 1t wa:
awful.
Just TO think, I am innocent ant
have been confined here for eight Ions
years. It's awful when you think o
it. The DuPonts hate, as it was thei
money that placed me where / am TO
day, but some day the truth will b.
known. heard that Detectives Nc
Vey and Witsil got $500 a piece 70
hunting up evidence against us, ant
although they deny it, l believe it i
true
when / get out of here intend d
leave Delaware and join my husband
who is now in Philadelphia Thos
letters that figured in our trial were al
fixed up by that woman detective an
We knew nothing OF them"
PACKING HER EFFECTS.
Mrs. Clark is now busy packing u
household" effects preparatory to he
departure on Monday, and is countin
the hours until the time Of her release
Since she has been in New Castle jai
she has been a model prisoner in ever
respect, and has been accorded ever
privilege that could be allowed he
under the regulations OF the prison.
Il H.. - -
Of about 80 years of age, and has born
her incarceration well. She y a fiuer
talker and can converse upon all th
topics of the day, as she has speI
much of her time during her confin'
ment in reading.