The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-22

Truro, Cornwall, England, July
20.-Mrs. Florence Maybrick is
free. She left here at HAS
a. m. today on her way to
France. Mrs. Maybrick's imprison-
ment was not terminated with the
clang of doors. the last sound which
remains in the ears of so many of her
fellow prisoners who had preceded
her to liberty from a Yalesbury pris-
on, where she spent, more than four
teen years of her life. 1t closed be-,
fore the arched doorway of the white
convent of the sisterhood of the Epri-
phany of this little town, with the
black-robed sisters softly uttering
their blessings and good wishes for
her future. With two companions.
Mrs. Maybrick entered the carriage
OF Miss Dalrymple, secretary of the
sisterhcod, and was driven rapidly to
Staustell a small station fourteen
miles away, where, after exchanging
good-byes with her companions, she
boarded a train and started on her
journey to France. She will not go to
America until her presence there is
considered imperatively necessary.
The greatest secrecy was thrown about
Mrs. Maybrick-s departure.
AT the railroad station orders were
issued forbidding the employees to dis
cuss Mrs. Maybrick, or even to admit
that she was at the convent.
The little town has taken deep in
terest in this international figure
crowds early stood at the iron gate
OF the grounds waiting for Mrs. May
orlck to appear, but they were barely
rewarded, as she went out when the
| road was reported clear.
When Mrs. Maybrick first arrived
mere she was kept under strict sur
Velliance, never leaving the convent
walls even for a walk in the grounds,
she would have to be under escort of
one Of the sisters. subsequently she
was allowed to walk in the quiet
streets Of this picturesque place. and
In the shady lanes in the vicinity.
Those who have seen the published
portraits of Mrs. Maybrick soon got
to recognize the black-robed woman,
with black bonnet and flowing strings,
ana gave her kindly greetings, which
frequently passed unnoticed, Mrs
Maybrick seeking so far as possible
to avoid the attention of the curious.
her time at the convent was taken up
| by sewing, reading and chatting with
the sisters. epdearing herself to them
by many acts showing that even the
many years of servitude- at Aylesbury
prison had been unable to stamp out
her innate kindly disposition.
Those who have talked with Mrs.
Maybrick say in the main that the five
months spent at Truro were happy
ones. She was compelled to observe
the rules of the sisterhood strictly, as
| the sisters were required to carry out
+, the regime of the prison. but the rules
were not enforced by warders, harden
ed by contact with criminals. but by
friendly sisters, who have been COM
panions as we'll as guardians, and Mrs.
Maybr1ck expressed her gratitude 10
them on her departure Her past
| life was not referred to at the convent
unless Mrs. Maybrick spoke of it.
When Mrs. -Maybrick left her peace
| ful retreat this morning she was dress
ed in grey, she wore a white boa
| around her neck and she had a gray
| hat with flowers upon her whitened
mead. These garments were sent by
her mother, the Baroness de Roaues,
and were the first colors worn by Mrs.
MayDrick since her imprisonment
| fifteen years back.
The fact that people ar Truro knew
| her 10y sight 5nd that newspaper cor
respondents had established them
| selves near the convent, caused Mrs.
Maybrick to determine not to leave
| Truro by train. on departing from the
| town, but to go to Stautstell. where
a fast express stopped After her de-
parture, it WAS said by 4 sister at the
convent that Mrs. Maybrick had given
no trouble whatever, and that her
| conduct had been most exemplary, she
| observing without question all the
regulations. She had not asked for
| and had not been given unusual fa-
vors. Nevertheless the mother supe-
rior was glad to be free from her re-
| sponsibility.
| Mrs. Maybrick is not freed uncon-
| ditioaally. She is out On ticket-of-
| leave. but to all inteats she Is as free
as any other person. can go where she
| will and will not have tc make re-
port ts. the British authorities, rs
| once Mrs MaybricIe is abroad. she
will he outside British Jurisdiction.