The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-24
MERCY TO A FALLEN WOMAN.
HUSBANDS PLEA SAVES HER
FROM THE PENITENTIARY.
Recorder Sends Her 20 the Bedford Re-
formatory After Commenting on Her
Case-Thirty-one Prisoners Get Less
Severe Sentences Than They Expect.

formatOry After Commenting on Her
Case-Thirty.one Prisoners Get Less
Severe Sentences Than They Expect.
Recorder GofY cleaned up the August
calendar in Part H., General Sessions, yes
terday, sentencing thirty-one prisoners
This is an unusual days work in any OF the
criminal courts. The court room was
crowded with lawyers, pawnbrokers, who
came to hand over stolen goods, witnesses
and friends and relatives OF the prisoners.
Knowing Recorder COTS reputation for
sternness and severe sentences, the prs-
oners expected to be dealt with harshly.
But they were agreeably disappointed.
The Recorder, according to those who
watched him, was unusually mild The ag-
gregate sentence for the thirty-one pris"
oners was fifty-eight years and seven
months.
Recorder Goff gave several of the pris-
oners long lectures before sentencing them.
He was particularly severe on Mrs Frances
Williamson Of 304 West Thirty-fourth street.
She had been convicted of stealing $3.50
and some jewelry from a man named
Thomas Reilly in her fat. She is the
mother Of two children, but two years ago
she became a streetwalker. Her husband
has done everything he could for her ana
even appealed to the Recorder to be lsnient
with her. In passing sentence the he
corder said
-Your case marks the most pointed moral
that has ever come before me. 1t Is true
that you have never been convicted before,
but 1t IL also true that you are now before
me OF your own will.
81
married woman. You had kind and loving
husband, a respectable business man. You
had good home. You had two beautiful
children. And yet you left that home,
your husband and children and took up
life of shame in the streets.
"For two years your husband knew Moth
ing about you. But after you got INTO
trouble you wrote him a pathetic letter ana
said that il he would help you in your mis-
fortunes you would return to live with him.
clemency. l have no comment to make on
his wishes, EXCEPT to say that under the
circumstances a man must be of peculiar
makeup to make such a request
He thinks that he can reclaim you
Maybe he can. You have associated with
thieves of your own will, and I could send
you to the pententiary for long term,
But will be merciful and instead will send
you to the Bedford Reformatory for
women"
Inc heCOrder Qlu not sentence LII.
Edward T. W. Ellis, a dentist, without
severely arraisning him, Ellis is son son Of #
staff. He stole 5000 worth Of gold from
dentist in West l25th street. Recorder
Goff said:
Il have received enough letters in your
behalf to FIJI two waste paper baskets, and
! have consigned them there: If believed
one thousanGth part Of what has becn
written to me about you should have to
consider you the most white souled man
on earth
But have looked up your record.
You have been in this court. before on a
criminal charge. You are the son of u
distinguished man, who died for his country
and you are living on his reputation. You
have been wild. hayward and uncontrolled
man."
Ellis, however, only got nine months in
the penitentiary. The Recorder was just
as mild with julius Huddell, conductor,
who was convicted Of attempted arson In
the first degree The Recorder said he
could give him heavy sentence, but as he
didn't think his act was premeGitated
he would only give him eight months in the
penitentiary.