The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-01-05
Governments BIGGEST THIEVES
LIVING HIGH IN A SOUTHERN JAIL

MACON, Ca, Jan. 5.-"When
serving time or waiting for a new
trial without bond, do not fail to
visit the Greene and Gaynor hotel.
/ located at Mulberry ST., one of Ma
cons most fashionable thorough.
fares. Caters only to the most ex-
elusive trade"
The hotel is the Bibb county Jail
and the star "boarders" are Captain
Benz. D. Greene and Col. John F.
Gaynor, who, after many exciting
experiences as fugitives from JUS
tice in Canada, were returned to
this state, convicted last March Of
swindling the United States govern
ment out of hundreds of thousands
of dollars in connection with work
of improvement upon the Savannah
harbor, and sentenced to terms of
four years in the penitentiary in ad-
dition to fine of over 100000
each. They are now awaiting a
hearing upon their appeal for new
trial, set Tor Jan. b.
Messrs, Greene and Gaynor are
sole occupants of the hospital ward
on the second floor of the Macon
prison.
The large room, Illuminated by
electric light, is furnished with
comfortable cots, chairs and tables,
piled high with newspapers, maya
zines and books. The stairs leading
to the apartments are near the front
of the building and thus it is never
necessary for the occupants to mix
or mingle with the common herd Of
criminals.
Despite recent assertions of Off
Gals that Messrs. Greene and
Gaynor have lived strictly within
prison rules 1t is generally known
in Macon that they have enjoyed
liberties prisoners convicted OF
much lesser offenses never enjoy.
During the past baseball season
the two were interested spectators
at baseball matinees at Central
park A sporting writer for local
paper one day referred to the lusty
cheering done by the former govern
ment contractors, whereupon, it is
said, they Immediately resigned
from the rooters' club. Perhaps
they didn't care for notoriety.
Greene and Gaynor have often
been seen walking or driving upon
the streets of this city, accompanied
by obliging bailiffs. Col. Gaynor has
gone SO far as to make excursions
into the country. Capt. Greene, the
older of the two, appears more re-
firing in disposition. He Is said to
spend a good portion of his time in
the back yard of the jail, either
walking for exercise or seated be-
meath a tree, porting over a French
novel.
In explaining the appearance of
Col. Gaynor upon the streets, an
official of Uncle Sam is quoted as
follows:
"Mr. Gaynor is a sufferer from
asthma of the worst type and is
also afflicted with locomotor
ataxia. On account of his condi-
ton we have driven him out into
the country, where he has been
able to inhale the pure ozone, but
he has always been closely
guarded"
Curiosity was naturally aroused
as to how the men occupied them
selves in the evening. One night
angry citizens stormed the Jail for
the purpose of securing another
prisoner. Soon after their arrival
Messrs. Greene and Gaynor were
seen on the outside Of the prison
mingling in the edge of the mob. 1t
was suggested that they take advan-
| tage of the excitement of the mo-
ment and escape. They laughed at
| the idea.
| Mrs. Greene and the wife and
grown son of Col, Gaynor spend
much of the time in Macon, stop
ping usually at leading hotel, and
are frequent visitors to the jail.
Young Gaynor has entry to exclu-
sive circles of society among the
young men.
| Financiers state that checks for
amounts as high as $1,000 have been
placed in circulation bearing the
Greene or Gaynor signature.
The two have their meals sent
regularly from one of the best
| hotclc In tho fnwn