Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-07
BEHIND PRISON BARS
A. W. Machen and Croft
Brothers Confined in Cell.
SURRENDERED TODAY
CONDITION OF SAMUEL GROFF'S
HEALTH SUBJECT OF INQUIRY.
Proceedings in Court Preparatory to
Transfer of Prisoners to West
Virginia Penitentiary.

and Samuel A. Croft were taken
into custody by the United States
authorities today, and for the
first time since their sensational ar-
rest and the trial of the con-
spiracy eases in which they were in
volved they were deprived of their
liberty. After being temporarily
confined in cell at the city hall pro-
ceedings were begun preliminary to
their transfer to the West Virginia
penitentiary. They will be taken 10
Moundsville this afternoon.
For the first time the prison bars inclose
August w. Machen and two of his CO.
conspirators. convicted in connection with
the Post Office irregularities.
Machen and Diller B. Croft surrendered
themselves into custody this morning, and
after spirited colloquy in court Samuel
A. Croft, who, it is claimed, is quite i'll.
was sent for, and was driven to the city
hall in a carriage. He also was surren-
dered into custody, and escorted to the
directed that he be turned over to the
warden of the Jail, which was DONE The
situation was considered and word was
sent to the Jail physician and to one of
Mr.. Groffs physicians to report for the
purpose of making an examination Of the
prisoner. Should the medical men decide
that he is able to travel he will be sent to
the penitentiary tonight. Should their re-
port be to the contrary he will remain In
Jail here until he is able to stand the jour-
ney.
Soon after they had reported at the city
hail. Machen and Diller B. Croft, at their
own suggestion, were taken to the cell room
in the basement of the city hall and there
placed under lock and Key. The reason for
this was that while in the marshals office
they proved the center of interest and
were the cause of the assembling of q
large throng OF curious people,
AS soon as the result of the physical ex-
animation Of Samuel A. Croft Is announced
the prisoners will be transferred from the
city hall TO the jail in the regular van
They are scheduled to start, with eleven
other prisoners, for Moundsville on the train
that leaves at $50 o'clock this afternoon.
Machen Declines to Talk.
While behind the bars Machen, in reply
to the queries of the newspaper reporters
declared he had nothing to say beyond the
fact that he must face the inevitable He
and Diller B. Croft partook of luncheon,
uCii UTueTeu sent IN 10 them from
the cafe in the building.
Since last seen at the CITY hall Diller p q.
Groff's white beard has grown considerably
IN length, and many who were familiar
with his appearance during the famous con-
splracy trial had difficulty in recognizing
him today.
Machen was accompanied to the city hall
py ms bondsmen. David Moore and Col. O.
u. staples. Attorney Samuel Maddox re-
ported at an early hour that Diller B. Croft
was in his office across the street and
could De had when wanted. A few minutes
later Gfon appeared, accompanied by his
Sou. Dines G +. GroH AT that time the
United States marshal was without author
ity TO receive the prisoners. Before long.
however, he received the commitments for
them from Criminal Court No. 1.
Inquiry Into Condition of Lorenz.
United States Attorney Beach last night
received telegram from Attorney ]. F,
kumier of Toledo. Ohio, counsel for George
=. Lorenz, to the effect that Mr.. Lorenz
and he today took steps to ascertain the
actual condition of DIR. Lorenz by co-opera-
ton of the Post Once Department, A post
office inspector at Toledo will immediately
investigate the facts in Lorenzs claim of
tiness I'm ,s, ana ne VIII telegraph report on
Unless it is shown that Dr. Lorenz is
dangerously i'll he will be taken into Gus
tody and will be taken to Moundsville in
charge of deputy marshal
Mr.. Beach has all along been prepared
Tor claims of illness and imperiled health
at the last moment, and determined that
there should be no delay in the execution
OF the sentence by pleas of that nature
That determination it is said, will be
carried out in the case of Lorenz who is
the only remaining one of the sentenced
postal defendants now out of custody At
the same time Mr.. Beach announces that
there is no intention of harassing or i'm
periling the life of any of them.
Later in the day Machen and the Groffs
We're taken to the District Jail to wait until
the time came to leave for the MoundsviLe
penitentiary.
Late this afternoon Mr.. Beach received a
telegram from Attorney Kumler that Mr..
Lorenz is in the control of his bondsman
and that his physician is of the opinion that
he will be able to travel in about three or
four days.
Croft Able to Travel.
Upon examination by DIR. Shute at the
District Jail this afternoon, it was found
that the condition of Samuel A. Croft was
not such as would make it a hardship for
him to make the trip to the penitentiar,
today.
number of prisoners will be for
warded to Moundsville this afternoon on
a b. and O. train at 80 O'clock and
Machen and the Croft brothers will be
included.