The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-09-05


variable CRY, but the matron cannot tel
sou more. In the prison Office however
We ind that Aunt Nancy is Mrs.
Seaebach Of Galena, Ks. Seven years
ago her sons and husband were con-
yicted on circumstantial evidence OF
having murdered a stranger and thrown
his body in an abandoned prospect hole.
The old mOeher refused TO testify
against her children and was con-
yicted of being accessory after the
fact" which is legal expression mean
ing zone who, after an offense, assists
or shields the offender, not being pres
ent at the commission Of the crime"
Waving the guilt or innocence Of the
sons, is it strange that the old woman
should shield her offspring? What
mother wouldn't? She shielded her
sons and believed them innocent and
believes them innocent to-day, and one
of them died in her arms in the prison
not long ago protesting his innocence
with his last breath. Thus seven years
ago Aunt Nancy, her husband and two
sens Edward and George, were brought
to the State Prison. @
Seventy-five years of age. with the
rallor OF seven years of prison life on
her withered face, old Aunt Nancy has
little prospect Of seeing the light Of
freedom unless she is pardoned. II was
born Christian girl and have tried to
live Christian life and it is hard to
think of dying in prison." said the old
woman when asked how she was treat
ed. 81 am treated we'll; couldn't ask
for better treatment, but want to be
free. want a chance to clear our
name before I die; haven't long to
live"
Considering her age the old woman is
remarkably bright and talks intel
ligently. Her hearing is splendid, but
the sight of one eye has gone ere she be-
came a prisoner. Speaking of her, the
matron said: ''She is a remarkable
old woman and we all like her and
sympathize with her. She Is a tireless
worker and just finished a big order fol
drawn work that would have tried the
eyesight and patience of younger
person greatly, yet she delights In
working. We favor her all we can
without causing jealousy among the
other prisoners. She has aged greatly
/ in the past year and is failing rapidly
now. ] would do anything in my power
Ito see the poor, harmless old soul
free"
l. Aunt Nancy was born in New York
State and has been married twice. She
is the mother Of IA children, but only
three Of them are now living. she was
a widow for "A years before she married
her second husband, who Is now in the
same prison. She is allowed to visit
her son and husband once in each three
months for half an hour. When asked
II she would be better off free, she said:
I"Oh, 1t would be enough to know was
free, but I have a daughter who has
written that she would gladly care fol
me the rest Of my days
! When questioned concerning her
family, the old wonan's eyes fill with
| tears and her lip quivers. Il will never
| forget she said, "tt1e night they took
lme away. was with my daughters
little children, two Of them, one 5 ant
the other 8. Poor little orphans. with
no papa. and their mamma In her grave
how they loved their granny, and wher
the men came for me and told me wal
Ionly wanted for an hour to give testi.
mony ! tucked the little things In Their
little bed and told them would be bacl
lin an hour / never saw them again
The poor little babies, they've never
seen their granny since. and God only
| knows where they are now. I am TOLD
they were adopted by family that
afterwards moved away and broke up
and I don't know where my babies
| went. That hurts me worse than any.
| thing. told them / would come back
and / never did. Two years ago my
son, Edward, died in my arms In the
hospital over there. He told me he was
innocent, and believe him. Oh, won.
der If mothers who have lost their dea,
ones can know how felt, me d convict
with my convict son gasping out hts lift
| in my arms in prison. They buried hin
among felons. little dreamed when
rocked his little cradle how 1t would Ill
end. Oh, God, have suffered. have
lost H." and the frail little body shook
i with sobs. S@s~a E
| Warden Jewett, in speaking Of the
old woman, said: I'VE are all very
sorry for the poor old woman, and
would heartily rejoice with her to Sci
| her gain her freedom. think the end
of justice have been met lii her case
and it would be a charity to let the old
woman die in freedom. We try to max,
her comfortable, but she Is q prisoner
and that fact is bound to assert Itself
every day. I don't know of an Older
female convict In the country. - kana
as City journal sg% t4#@
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