Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-08
IN A CONVENT.
~ - i H1kNNa
Mrs. Maybrick Serving Last
Months of Her Sentence.
An Unprecedented Act Toward I
Prisoner in England.
Permitted to Walk in Town but Under
Strict Discipline.

London, Feb. Mrs. Maybrick is
serving out the last few months OF
her sentence, for killing of her hus-
band. in the quiet country home Of the
Sisters OF the Epiphany at Truro,
Cornwall, under an assumed name. and
with her identity completely hidden.
She IS guarded from communication
with the outside world as jealousy as
il she were still in Aylesbury prison.
Though the fresh Cornwall air is
bringing the color back to her checks,
the strain of her IA years of confine-
ment, commencing with the imposition
of the death sentence, passed under
the severe discipline Of various prisons,
is still evident in her careworn look.
This however, is the only outward
sign she shows Of her ordeal. Even
the sisters with whom she associates
and the servants have no idea that she
really is Mrs. Maybrick. She wears an
ordinary black dress with white frlll
at her throat. occupies a pleasant, SIM
pie furnished room in the home, and
rises at 6 o'clock, each morning.
Though a free agent in many ways,
she is obliged to conform to the strict
discipline Of the convent. She takes
her meals in silence and is not allowed
to converse except upon religions top
les during the day and at tea time,
when for an interval the sisters are
permitted to talk Of mundane things,
Mrs. Maybrick retires to her own
room. She must be in bed by o'clock.
No newspapers are allowed her and
only such books as are given her by
the sisters. At first newspapers wefe
surreptitiously supplied her, but this
was discovered and severe reprimand
followed.
A part Of the day Mrs. Maybrick
works in silence in the sewing room
with the sisters. who make all their
own clothing. Last Sunday, she at
tended service in the Truro Cathedral
and has been allowed to walk about
the town accompanied by one of the
sisters. Mrs. Maybrick is supposed to
be recovering from an attack of in
fiuenZa and passes merely as one of
many visitors to the SiSerhOOd who
pay for their accommodation. She will
remain in charge of the sisters until
she Is released. next July. though prior
to that time. when the weather imprOv-
es. she will be removed probably to
the cOnvalescent home under the same
management. which is located in one
Of the widest spots on the Cornish
coast.
In her present sanctuary. Mrs. May
brick appears to he happy by COMPARE
son. The change from the prison fare
and discipline is almost as complete
as the perfect freedom of the large.
beautifully kept grounds surrounding
the sisterhood building. which over
looks the sleepy little cathedral town
of Truro. where the breezes sweep from
the Cornish mOOrs and coast.
Many members OF the English aris
tOcracy are inmates of the home. The
mother superior of the sisterhOod is
the Hon. Miss Dairympye. while sew
eral other sisters under only their
Christian names conceal well-knoWn
patronymics.
The sisterhood of the Epiphany con-
stantIy receives within it's walls titled
women who wish to find a temporary
rest from the world in IA religious re-
treat. hence Mrs. Maybrick's arrival
Causei no cOment. She WAS driven
from the Truro railway station to the
home in Miss Dairymp!e's private car
riage and remained in strict incognito
for nearly a fortnight.
The acting mother superior is one
of the few who knew of the identity
of the visitor. and she guards her from
all interviews with a vigilance worthy
Of an old-timc abbess. This sister alb
solutely refused to convey Il letter or
a message to Mrs. Maybrick from the
representative of The Associated
Press. \ rescue home for fallen girls
and a laundry for their employment is
carried on in connection with the
Epiphany convent.
Until now the sisters who knew Of
Mrs. Maybrick's identity have evaded
inquiries regarding her by saying she
was net in the rescue home. which is
quite correct. as Mrs. Maybrick has
nothing to do with this department of
the convent.
Mrs. Maybrick's somewhat anoma-
Ious status was explained as follows to
The Associated Press representative
by one of the chief officials of the
Epiphany order:
Mrs. Maybrick is still a prisoner
and has not even been released on
ticket Of leave Those in charge of her
are practically her jailers and all COM
munication with her is forbidden eX-
Cept through the home secretary"
These appear to be teXtually the Off
Cial instructions which accompanied
Mrs. Maybrick on her departure from
the Aylebury prison. No prison ward
en- Is with Mrs. Maybrick. the sisters
being implicitly intrusted with her safe
keeping. which fact is generally re-
Earded as constituting an unprecedent-
ed indulgence to a convict or prisoner.
The Baroness de Roques will. it is
expected. come to Truor later in order
that she may be near her daughter
EARMER EAeHc 40 DAMS