The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-07
Mrs. Bernice E. Fisher Sent to
the Woman's Prison at Sher-
born for Attempting to Effort
$4,000 from C. S. Barton
BUZZO ACQUITTED ON
THE FIRST BALLOT
Jury Found the Woman Defend
ant Guilty After Nine Hours
DeIiberation - Her Previous
Good Character Considered by
the Court in Imposing Sentence

Mrs. Bernice E. Fisher was sentenced
to IS months in Sherborn reformatory
for women, at $50 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. She was indicted with
George H. Buzzo for an attempt to
extort $4,000 from Charles S. Barton, by
means of a threatening letter, on July
IS.
The jury took the case Saturday af-
ternoon. They We're out nine hours.
Their verdict was opened at 1910
O'Clock yesterday morning. Mrs. Fish
er was found guilty as charged. Buzz
20 was found not guilty and discharg-
ed.
Mrs. Fisher came into the court
room at 4.30 O'clock. Her face showed
plainly the traces of severe mental an
guish. While waiting for sentence she
sat with her head resting on the
shoulder of her husband. Both of
of a permanent member Of the Wor-
cester Fire Department.
A dozen of the women friends Of the
defendant were present.
Mrs. Fisher was represented In the
hearing for sentence by Sullivan &
O'Connell. They called seven Witness
es, most of them neighbors of Mrs.
Fisher to testify to her good reputa-
ton.
The hearing was begun at $40 o'clock.
A. G. Rildreth, Worcester, overall
manufacturer, said he had employed
Mrs. Fisher for nine years. Believed
her character was good. Mrs. Mary A.
Walden said she lived close to Mrs.
Fisher, had known her for IA years.
She was an industrious, good woman.
Mrs. Logren testified that she lived
- M
common speech of people was that Mrs.
Fisher was a good girl. Mrs. George
Rowe, also lived near Mrs. Fisher, and
knew nothing of her that was not
good. Mrs. Richardson, had known de-
PENDANT for three years. She was hon
est and good. William J. Walton gave
evidence to the same effect.
Frank E. Fisher testified that he
married Mrs. Fisher one year ago, Oct.
"a. He earned 5000 year. Never found
fault with his wife. His married life
had been pleasant. He knew her for six
years before they were married. She
always worked hard. Her mother was
in poor circumstances. His wife want
ed to help her. She wanted to help
support sister who was going to
school and about to graduate. He let
her work on that account. John E.
Sullivan addressed the court. He said
1t was in the power of the court to
impose a fine, or to impose a sentence
of 10 years. The court might also
| send Mrs. Fisher to Sherborn for say
year.
This woman" said Mr.. Sullivan,
has suffered in the last three months
as few women ever have Her suffer
ing has changed her physical appear
ance.
"All will agree that the crime Of
which she is accused, was one of the
most stupid performances that ever
entered into the mind of a human be-
ing. 1t would indicate some mental
weakness on the part of it's perpetra-
tor. No money was lost by Mr.. Barton.
This woman is a ruined woman. What
can a woman do after leaving a prison?
1t is much harder for her to re-estab-
fish herself than it is for a man."
Judge Fox asked if Mr.. Sullivan would
prefer that Mrs. Fisher should be sent
to the House of Correction or to the
Reformatory for Women at Sherborn.
Mr.. Sullivan said Sherborn would be
preferable because there Mrs Fisher
would have a chance to exercise her
undeniable talent in certain directions.
Mr.. Sullivan suggested a sentence Of
one year. District Attorney Hoar said
that he believed there was some man
who knew about that letter written to
Mr. Barton. He did not believe that
it originated with the woman. No
money was obtained by the act and
little terror was occasioned Mr.. Barton,
but much anxiety must have been oc-
casioned his family. The court said
that while the offense of Mrs. Fisher
was a henious offense she was not
professional criminal and that her pre-
vious good character should be re-
garded. The court then imposed a SEN
tence of IS months at Sherborn-
The jurymen who found Mrs. Fisher
guilty, talked freely after the verdict
was rendered. They were convinced
that the writing of certain envelopes
found in Mrs. Fishers home, was the
same as that on the envelope which
J contained the threatening letter
/ The jury released Buzzo on the first
! ballot, but stood to 4 against Mrs
Fisher for some hours until all voted
her cr11ilfr