The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-20
DIAMOND QUEEN
is IN SAVANNAH
RELEASED FROM PRISON.
LEFT MTLLEDGEvILLB FARM IN
MORNING FOR HOME.

Wants to Breathe Pure Air of
Freedom Before Deciding on Oc-
cupatiOn-NOne OF Her Relatives
Met Her mt Train.
without friend or relative to meet
her. Mamie DeCris, The Diamond
Queen, who was pardoned from the
state farm at Miledgeville, two days
before her sentence expired, arrived in
Savannah over the Central last night
at 7:10 O'Clock.
There was nothing about the modest
ly attired woman who stepped from the
train to in any way suggest the Dia-
mond Queen. whose escapades were
neralded from one end Of the country
to the other.
One would never have supposed that
the neat travelling suit worn had only
the same morning taken the place of
the prison stripes. And there was
something in the modest bearing of
the woman herself. which would or
dinarily Have precluded the thought of
diamond thieves, convict garbs or the
lash of the prison boss.
Thankful for Liberty.
1
glad to get back to Savannah" said
the Diamond Queen. Il appreciate
very much the efforts that were made
to get me a pardon. l feel thankful
to the Prison Commissioners and the
Governor and to every one who had
anything to do with getting me out"
She looked worn and tired, which
fact may have been due to her trip
on the train. She complained of the
trip and said travelling always fatigued
her. For the last several months she
says she has had very easy time
at the farm and has nothing but
praise for the present warden and his
family.
Left Prison Life Behind.
When asked about the whipping
which Warden Allgood administered
to her, she refused to talk on the sub
3ect. Indeed. she declined to talk
about any phase of her prison life, ex-
cept to say she appreciated the kind
ness, which had been shown her.
when I left the farm at Milledge-
Vile this morning." she said, Il left
my prison life behind, and I don't
care to discuss it. 1t is better that it
be passed over as quietly as possible.
1t IS ended now and l wish to forget
it. I have obtained enough notoriety
end 1 think the least said about my
prison life the better"
At the train there were not more
than half a dozen persons who recog-
nized Miss DeCris. She had expected
some of her relatives. and seemed dis
appointed that none of them appeared.
She first started out Of the side en-
trance of the station, but thought per-
haps some one was waiting at the
oaT 10 ooaf kcr v76 hot rrrr4r
She stopped in the ladies' waiting room
few minutes, while a satchel which
she had checked was being obtained
She then took a cab and drove to Hab-
ersham and Liberty streets, where she
took a trolley car for Thunderbolt,
where her family resides.
ooh, 1t Is Mamiew
Reaching the humble cottage at
Thunderbolt not a light shone in the
home that had once been hers. For
time she was afraid the family had
moved away and she was visibly af-
fected. Knocking on the door, there
was a response apparently from the
rear Of the house.
ITS Mamie" shouted the woman.
"Oh, it's Mamiel' chorused the
brothers and sisters Of the returning
woman.
Within a few minutes the door was
opened and one after another OF the
family, sister, brother and mother
were embracing her. The failure to
appear at the train had not been
caused by any loss of affection for the
prodigal daughter.
Pure Air of Freedom.
The woman said she had not decided
on her future occupation. She wanted
to think the matter over carefully be-
fore arriving at any decision, she said
Whatever she decided to do, however
she said she intended to go at in
such a way as TO retain the confidence
and friendship of those who had aided
her while she was in prison.
II wish to breathe the pure air o.
freedom for a while before making VI
my mind" she said. Il have thought
of a great many things, but have
come to no conclusion. Since / hav,
been at the farm I have met a grea
many prominent people from all owe
the state. who have befriended me
and whatever l do ] must keep thei
good will and respect"
Stage Newspaper Talk.
That was simply newspaper talk,
she said when asked about the re
port that she was going on the stage
'As l tell you, have not decide,
what 1 am going TO do, and 1 won
until 1 have had a chance to thinl
quietly by myself.
Il want to do something that vii
show those who have been kind to m
that I am leading a new life. AS sooi
as ! decide on what it is. / wan
everybody in Georgia to know It.
must never again cause myself to boy
my head in shame. I have had TO
many good friends. l only want I
take up some useful occupation an
quietly pursue it,"
May Write n Book.
When asked IL she were likely (
write an account Of her life at tn
prison farm. she said she had been ad
vised to do so by several lawyers, bu
had not made up her mind
No plans for the future will
formed for several days. She desire
20 rest at home and get a taste
freedom before even thinking of goin
at work at anything She will probabl
remain in Savannah for some tim
She expressed her pleasure at bein
able TO return here and intimated this
she intended TO make this her home.
She had a very quiet trip. No on
on the train knew who she was aft,
she transferred to the regular Atlant
train at Gordon. She stopped for dill
ner with the other passengers at II
regular dinner house." Even whe
she left Milledgeville there were onl
q few persons present who knew he
Quiet Trip Home.
She was driven to the station by OF