The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-03
PAYNE H0oRE'S HAN LET GO.
corr GAVE HIM 10 YEARS, Gov
ERNOR PARDONS HIM.

Ho enO HIS Wno " Ofko0 tho Badger CANT
on the Late Martin Mahon. but Latel,
II IL Said the Prisoner Has Becom,
Rich by Inheritance Frem Unoie
Gov. Higgins commuted yesterday the
sentence Of William A. E. Moore, and Moore
walked out Of Sing Sing last night free
man after serving nearly seven years for
working the badger game In oonjunc-
ton with his wife, Fayne Strahan Moore
on Martin Mahon, former proprietor Of the
New Amsterdam Hotel.
Although the jury that tried Moore and
subsequently found him guilty strongly
recommended mercy, the prisoner was
sentenced by Recorder Gon to servo nine
teen years-one year less than the limit.
Fayne Moore was tried alo. but abe escaped
because Mshon failed to appear against
her, although he was the States star wit
ness against her husband. Tho badger
game was worked In tho Hotel 0renoble
on the afternoon of Nov. s. 1898. The
Moores were then living at that hotel.
Mahon, who had known the woman
testified on tho trial, In December, 1893,
that she got him to accompany her to her
rooms and that Moore broke through the
door and after beating him on the head
with the butt end Of q revolver demanded
money and got 317S in cash and the Jewelry
Mahon was wearing and made him sign
notes for 5000.
Mahon when he left the hotel appealed
to the police, and accompanied by Detective
Sergeants Cuff and McNau ght went back to
the Grenoble later in the night in the hope Of
securing the return of the notes. As Gun
smashed through the door Of the Moores
room he was struck over the head by Moore.
Moore was arrested and tried. not only for
e1tortion. but on two charges Of assault
for the damage he was alleged to have
done to the heads Of Cun and Mahon.
Fayne Moore visited her husband In Sing
Sing for time, but finally drifted away.
She appeared as chorus girl In London.
and later returned to this country and
obtained a divorce from Moore. She was
last heard Of in Paris.
Moore came Of good family in Glove
land and had friends there. Among
Is Gov. Myron T. Herriok Of Ohio.
Perhaps no ono worked so hard to secure
the release Of Moore as did Tom jolly.
formerly gambling house keeper in this
city and now interested In a similar insti-
tuition In Saratoga. jolly and Moore met
while playing baseball Moore after gradu-
alton from a small Ohio college played
the national game for several years and
Jolly was a star ball player in his younger
days.
President Roosevelt. when Governor Of
the State, was interested In Moores case,
but it came up at the close OF his term.
He left for his successor q memorandum
kho nnt 20 uhN
be reduced. Gov. Odell did nothing for
Moore. but the prisoners friends made
strong plea to Gov. Higgins
When Moore was young man he was
appointed Consul at Durham by President
Cleveland President Mckinley refused to
him. it is said, owing to Moore's
gambling proclivities. Moore came to
this city and was somewhat Of q high roller.
He practically made gambling bis only
business. In 1897 he met and married here
Fayne Strahan, the daughter of an Oregon
Judge. Moore stuck by the woman all
her trial and whom she brought
her suit for divorce he fought the case hard.
Several years ago wealthy uncle Of
Moore's died In Cleveland and left an estate
estimated to be worth $4,000. 1t is said
that the prisoner inherited one-fourth Of this.
Moore while in the Tombs was converted
to the Catholic religion. According to
his friends, he has been q regular attendant
at the church services at Sing Sing and
model prisoner.
Martin Mahon. on whose Testimony
Moore was convicted, died several years
ago In California.