The Washington times., 1905-06-27
George e. Lorenz Mop
Behind Prison Walls
Appears in Court TO Begin Two-Year Sentence.
Asserts His innocence and Blamcs Con-
vctOn Upon Remark of President
tion of Sentence.

Seated in the dimIy-lighted prison
room in the basement OF the courthouse,
George E. Lorenz, VINO was committed
today to the Moundsvi1le penitentiary 10
serve a two-year sentence for postal
frauds declared to a Times reporter that
his conscience was clear and blamed his
conviction upon public opinion inspired
by a statement in the Presidents mes
sage on the subject of the duties of
juries.
There is no haunting fear of guilt
with me for 1 sleep as soundly as a
child at night, he said. Public opinion
formed by public utterances had much
to do with my conviction Do you ra-
member what the President said in his
message just before my trial began
about the duties of juries? It was taken
up nthe pulpit all over the country
and it had its effect everywhere. The
uublic was impressed and juries were
swayed
Il believe all this thing is coming out
right. / have no fear of the future and
when it IS all over. l will go back home
and find my friends true to me. My trou-
Bile has not hurt me in Toledo Ny
friends and neighbors believe in me-
Gazing out of the barred window at
Il
iniscent mood: THE McKinleys were
friends of mine" said he There was
Abner. He and ! have enjoyed many
fishing expedition together, and l
knew William well.
Reiterates Innocence ~
Passing rapidly over his carly life.
its struggles and its hopes, Lorenz told
Of his business successes and spoke of
the pride it had given him to hear peo-
pc say that his progress was due to
honesty. He reitera ted again and a gain
the statement that he was innocent of
the charges upon which he was con-
victed and spoke peasanty of those who
had brought him TO justice.
LorenZ expressed no concern as to
when he woud be t&ken to Moundsville
and was ready when Deputy Marshal
SprinEman's Little Van" backed up to
the corridor door and the trip TO the
District jail was begun.
Lorenz was co-defendant with
Machen and the Crafts, and was SEN
fenced several months ago TO Il term
of two years in the Moundsvsile peni
tentiary, and TO pay a fine OF $lo000
Ills appearance as witness for the Gov
ernment IN the Crawford trial gave rise
TO hints that he had been offered i'm
munity by the District Attorney, but
the appearance of the prisoner III court
today for execution OF the sentence
disposes of the rumors Of this kind.
Appears For Commitment.
This morning when Justice Wright
convened court, District Attorney Beach
addressed the court as Follows:
May it please the court, George L.
l-o"enz presents himself before You for
execution Of sentence against him.
torenZ did rot utter a word as the
clerk of court signed the order of COM
mirment. He was turned over to DEPUTY
Marshal Sprigman, VINO confined Lorenz
In the cell room in the basement. This
was the first time he was ever behind
the bars. but he took things quietly.
spending some time writing letters in
Mr.. Sprigman's Office.
When the prisoner surrendered himself
20 the basliff his face wore the same
sphinX,iike mask which il has worn
throughout The Machen and Crawford
trials There WAS no evidence Of cX-
ctement or shame depicted there, and
50 Tar as looks were concerned he could
not nave appeared more careless if he
were going Oh "a fishing excursion.
BefoTe the court executed sentence
lIorenS brother. DR.. LorenZ. was in the
court room, but hurr.edly left the build