New-York tribune., 1906-06-20
KlDNAPPER SENTENCED
GETS TWENTY YEARS.
Of Freddie Muth ConUicted
IN Record Breakine Time.

laoor IN solitary confinement in the Eastern
reiiiIentlary was the sentence pronounced to-
DAY on John Joseph Kean the abductor of little
FREDDIE Muth. The enormity of the mans crime
which had aroused the whole city, stirred the
officers Of the law to quick action and the swift
ness with which justice moved has never been
equaled in this community
Kean fell into the clutches of the law yester-
day afternoon about the time the courts were
closing. Promptly at 10 o'clock this morning he
was photographed and measured by the Ber-
rlllon method. Twenty-Five minutes later he
had been arraigned before a magistrate and
committed to court without bail. The grand
jury quickly found true bill and at II: 30 a.
he was in the criminal court awaiting his turn
to face Judge Sulzberger. Shortly after - O'Clock
the judge passed sentence upon him, and at
1:3O O'Clock the great iron doors Of the peniten-
tiary closed behind him.
In his quick trip from liberty to the solitude
of Cherry Hill, the institution which Dickens
made famous in his American Notes by con-
demning its system of solitary confinement, no
friendly hand or voice was raised in the pris-
oners behalf If he behaves himself his SEN
tence, under the law, will be reduced to twelve
years and three months The court had the
power TO give him life sentence.
Much sympathy is expressed for the wife and
three children Kean leaves without means of
and disgrace that the abduction has brought
upon the family. She will break up her home
here and remove to New York where she has
relatives.
Had I the disposition of this case I would
summon a large number of mothers here and
turn you over TO their tender mercies, but as the
law fixes the penalty for crimes like yours can
do nothing but commit you without bail for the
action of the grand jury on the charge Of kid
mapping"
These words were addressed by Magistrate
EisenbroWn TO John Joseph Kean, the abductor
Of seven -year-old Freddie Muth
The magistrates office was crowded when the
abductor was arraigned for a hearing, many of
the spectators being women and muttered
threats could be heard when the prisoner was
placed in the dock
Freddie Muth was brought to the court b. his
father. He was different boy from the child
who was found, dirty and hungry, in the unoc-
cupied house after a weeks enforced absence
from home He attred in neat blue fan
mel sailor suit, and pink rose was pinned to his
lapel. Mr. Muth said the child none the
worse for his experiences
In strong contrast was the appearance of the
abductor. After a sleepless night in the cell
he was haggard and wan. His eyes shifted ner-
vousy and his whole frame trembled visibly.
He still seemed to fear bodily injury, and eyed
the spectators suspiciously. The police say he
paced the cell all night sobbing and moaning,
his wife and children being uppermost in his
mind.
When he was placed IN the dock Kean nodded
to Freddie Muth who sat beside his father and
the boy smiled. Pointing to Kean, the little
fellow said:
There he is papa. See?'
Kean appeared to exert a strange influence
over the child, who showed a feeling akin to
friendship for the
The hearing was brief Special Policemen
Clare and Vale told Of the arrest. James Lena
pan, the messenger boy who delivered the note
at the schoolhouse by which Freddie was in
veigled from his classroom, related the circum-
stance Of his meeting with Kean. Joseph Sager
the baker, testified to seeing the and boy in
Elmer Rhoades's cafe. and the latter verified
Sager's testimony.
Kean made a statement which was a repeti-
ton of that made to Superintendent of Police
Taylor last night He denied that he had re-
strained the child in any way. but said on the
contrary. that Freddie had opportunities TO
leave him several times. He said he had not Ill
treated the boy. and in this he was corroborated
by the Muth child.
The grand jury found true bill against Kean
and he was given an immediate trial and con-
victed in less than hour.
When Kean taken before Judge SulZberger
he requested that ne be allowed TO make a state
ment. He said there mitigating circum-
the judge told the prisoner he must plead either
guilty or not guilty Kean then pleaded guilty.
AS result of the conviction Of Kean in Phfladel-
phia yesterday. his wife and three children are left
penniless, and will have 10 depend upon Mrs
Kean's parents for support. Mr.. and Mrs. Giroux.
the parents. live No S46 East 1G6th street, The
Bronx, and highly indignant yesterday when
speaking Of Kean. They are old people. Mr.. Groux
being a French Canadian of seveHty-tbree. while
his wife is an English woman three years his
junior. The additional burden of Keans family will
be heavy strain their resources and it is pos
sible that the children may have TO be sent to an
institution.
Mrs. Giroux said, in speaking Of Kean:
John when first knew him. fifteen years
ago. a model young man. His habits were so good
that sometimes mistrusted him. My daughter
particularly pleased with him at first, but
he won her over. partly because he such a de-
vout Catholic.
almost Immediately after they married he
began drink, and very the Harlem
River Bank trouble. He had a good deal of money
at that time. but he handled of the banks
money.
He went to Canada first but soon moved to
Philadelphia. We have not seen him since, though
my daughter has been here.
She wrote to us last week that he had deserted
her and left her pennilesS We sent other
daughter Philadelphia TO bring her back home,
but we have heard nothing.
''Kean is villain but ! do not believe he has
into this affair with another woman, because,
with all his faults, he has never had that one"