The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-27
IN DEATH HOUSE.
How Lawyer Patrick Passes the Time
at Sing Sing.

a. 0@AS 0A6s
Sing Sing, N. Y, Nee. 27-The fate of
Albert T. Patrick who is now in the
death house in Sing Sing under sentence
of death for the murder of William
Marsh Rice, the multi-millionaire from
Texas, by poison. will be decided in a
short time. as soon as Recorder Goff
hands down his DECISION upon the mo-
ton for a new trial on the grounds OF
newly discovered evidence.
l. The fact that the arguments for new
trial on newly discovered evidence were
the death house in Sing Sing Thursday
afternoon. The party who brought him
the news, for Patrick is not allowed to
read newspapers, was his faithful wife,
whom he married in the Tombs a few
days before he was taken to Sing Sins.
She found the condemned man In the
midst of game Of checkers with an
other prisoner in cell across the corri-
dor.
Mrs Patrick-she was his boarding
house mistress before he married her
after his conviction of murder-has been
one of the most devoted wives that ever
visited the gloomy old prison overlook
ing the Hudson river Regularly twice d
week. rain or shine, the woman has gone
to Sing Sing. Twice every week she
has stood in front of her husbands cell
without being able to even touch his
hand. For the rules of the death house
are exceedingly strict. No visitor. no
matter who he or she may be, is ever
permitted to touch the hand of one of
the condemned men, Nor is such a
! visitor ever permitted to pass single
article. no matter how innocent it may
be, into the mans cell. Every single
word that is uttered by the visitor and
] by the condemned man is overheard by
the prison guard, who plants his chair
between the iron screen behind which
the visitor stands and the cell door be
hind which the condemned man receives
| his guest.
Patrick is considered one of the mode
prisoners in the lighthouse. Warden
johnson and Principal Keeper Con-
naughton have no trouble with the con-
/ demned lawyer.
Patrick was overioyed when he learn
ed from his wife that the argument for
a new trial had been completed. ana
that the papers were in the hands Of
Recorder Golf awaiting his decision.
Il know I will be granted a new
trial" Patrick said to his wife and K
the keepers who are guarding him nigh
and dav. "and when I am put on trja
again, I know that ] will be acquitted
I am innocent of the crime that I an
/ charged with"
There are six prisoners in the deatl
house in Sing Sing. all under sentences
of death. Patrick is considered the mos
important one In the first place. he i:
considered important by his feIlow-con
/ demned men because he is supposed Il
tA4AON OH dOOQt raw Z ACTS dS lAi'
4 legal adviser to all the other condemn
ed. If one OF the unfortunates want
to know anything about his case OF
about the CHARGES he has for procuring
a new trial, Patrick is promptly con
suited His decisions are said to hav,
! been thus far in every instance in favo
of granting a new trial
Not only is Patrick the legal advise
of the deathhouse. but he is also con
sidered the best checker player in tina
gloomy old place. % to date Patrici
holds the championship in checker play
ing William n. Ennis. the Brooklyn
policeman who killed his wife, is a clos
second to Patrick in the deathhous
checker championship contest Patricl
loves to play checkers.
The game OF checkers in the deathhousi
was the invention Of Fritz Meyers, win
killed a policeman. Meyers long sine
died in the electric chair, the same chat