The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-04
MRS. WALDEN
OUT or PRISON.
Ministers Daughter Who Mur-
dsrsd Hsr Husband Pardonsd
WRECK OF HER FORMER SELF.
After Release Sh, Says An Glad WAS
Sent 10 Prison Bscaus, II Has Brought
Mo 10 My Senses"
WRECK OF HER FORMER SELF.

Auburn n Y, Jan. l--'T had expected
to spend the remainder Of my life behind
prison bars TO atone for my sins, and
now-I am free free once more. oh. what
a blessed New Years gift! / pray to God
that lie shall lead me in the future so
that may repay Him by doing good"
The speaker was Mrs. Annie Walden as
she stood AT the gate or the womens
prison. Nine years had elapsed since she
entered that gate, sentenced 10 life inn
prisonment for numbering her young hus-
band. New York turfman. in 1891.
The mail had brought to Warden Meade
the pardon signed by Gov. Roosevelt as
one OF his last Official acts The pardon
was not unexpected al the prison. Miss
Blanche Lord OF the Prison Guild. had
been there New Years Eve to see il it
had arrived.
You are free. Annie Matron NyeIch
had said when the looked-for paper did
come. II am glad for your sake"
IL took some time to exchange the
prison garb for new dress Mrs. Welch
had selected for the young woman. young
for Annie Graham. though old I'm knowl-
edge OF evil. was barely ~ when, 10 years
ago she married young James Walden,
whom after a few stormy months, she
shot In the shadow OF the Metropolitan
Opera House. in West Fortieth street.
Mrs. Welch." said Annie Walden, as
she left the prison, when | was first inn
prisoned l was very bad woman i
realize that have sinned and i fully de-
served the punishment which the law in
fiicted upon me. / am glad that | was
sent TO prison. because II has brough. ma
TO my senses.
81 have not always been bad women:
but fell. and thanks be to God that lie
comfort while was In prison. and l shall
try TO repay Him 10y trying 10 lie good
woman I'm the future"
Mrs. Walden il but wreck OF her for
mer self. Since her arrest she has un-
dergone numerous operations. She told
Mrs. Welch that she hoped To he permit
ted 10 live quietly hereafter. She said sne
wanted The world to forget that there
ever had been such person as Annie
Walden. convicted of murder.
Mrs. Annie Walden walked across TO the
station and was met by Mss lord, who
escorted her TO New York.
STARTS FOR PARENTS HOME.
On arriving in New York Miss Lord
turned Annie Walden over 10 Mrs Beck
man De Peyster. the President OF T. e
Prison Guild, for one OF fo,. foosevelt's
conditions was that the woman should
not be left alone in New YORK.
Sitting In the parlor OF Mrs DO 1'ey.
ster's apartments at the Hotel Erdcott
Mrs. Walden told the story OF her prison
life 10 Mrs---De Peyster. who. more than
any one else, was responsible for her
freedom
II promised Gov. Roosevelt" said Mrs.
DE Peyster to a reporter. thar ! would
not let any one worry Mrs. Walden while
she was in New York The poor girl il
the most grateful creature thar I ever
saw. She laughs from sheer exuber.nce
of spirits. She told me that she had
dreamed OF freedom so often that she
almost expects to wake up and see the
moon shining through the gratel VIM
dows at Auburn
1T wrings my heart to hear her talk.
and yet how glad am that she is free
j am glad because she has thoroughly
reformed and is a sweet little Christian
woman She has been taught many
things I'm Auburn-the fine intricicics of
sewing TO write a fine womanly hand
She has put in her time at Auburn read
ing the best books
she Is far more OF woman than she
would have been had she been released
the year after her crime. Personally
speaking for myself, ] think that there
may have been justice i'm her shooting
her husband She has developed so much
character in the nine years that no one
would treat her carelessly IL is one of
the greatest triumphs OF our prison sys-
tenn that have ever known.
"She Will so to her father. who Is
Presbyterian minister at Almedia Pa.
town OF 500 population near Bloom
burg Her parents arc old and feeble
and are nearly overcome with Joy over
the return OF their daughter. When they
last saw her she was degenerate. unruly
and thoughtless. She comes back TO them
warm hearted. with the determination to
live uprighty and make the most Of life
She will keep house for the old people
and cheer their declining years