New-York tribune., 1907-01-10
FROM ASYLUM TO BAR.
Plaintiff Subponas Jerome, Ode"
and Justices.

Edward J. Russell. who was recently uahsleiLeU
from the Dannemora Asylum for the OF'i'iia4 IL
sane To the Wards Island Insane Asylum was Oe
fore Justice Truax I'm Trial Term, Part H. yes'ei-
dav on a writ of habeas corpus sworn out oS ms
,,,o+bar NIrs Margaret NJ. Fox. While he was oe-
ino, brought TO court by keeper and a physician
from the asylum ne slipped away from the'i at 'i7
11sth street elevated station OF the Ihlrd AVenu7
line and proceeded downtown by himseiI, VIZ
the nbvsIcian and the keeper were securing the
CITY for him Russell who had got off at the next
station was breakfasting at little restaurant
After he had finished his breakfast he went 10 tle
courthouse and began his action for freedom III
the mean time the physician had gone 70 romeo
HEADQUARTERS and sent out an alarm
In 1SSS Russell was convicted Cf working the
badger game on Phil Daily and sent TO Sing sing
In 1897 he was sent to prison for attempting 10
blackmafl Justice Almet F. jerks before MS term
expred he was declared insane and sent 10 tne
Dannemora Asylum. and from there he was trans
rerred to Wards Island.
When Justice TruaX called the case yes'e'uaS
Russell said he would conduct his own case he
had subpcenaed as some of his witnesses ex-Gov-
ernor Odeu. Clark Bell. Justice Gaynor, Hirschoerg
and jerks. ex-Justice Keener. District Attorney
Jerome; George W. Morgan. former Superintendent
OF Elections, and Justice Truax. who is assigned
to hear his case. Russell charged that he was
the victim of a conspiracy I'm which many promi-
nent men were involved Among the witnesses he
examined yesterday District Attorney Jerome.
George w. Morgan and Clark Bell Drs. Austin
Flint Carlos Macdonald and other aHenists
watched Russell ntently-
Russell called Mr.. Jerome his first witness
There answer and Justice Truax directed
that he be teephoned for. Russell then called
George ". Morgan. He asked him to send 10 the
District Attorneys office for documents relating
10 his case. but this Morgan refused to DO. sug-
gesting that Russell send for them himself Among
other things Russell asked Morgan If he understood
what perjury was and whether he was defective
mentally. After asking MIR. Morgan If he had been
appointed Superintendent OF Elections by Governor
Odell and reading several long typewriter docu-
ments and letters which he wanted TO know IL
Mr.. Morgan had not before in the District
Attorneys Office. Russell said: Il expect to prove
that and my mother appealed 10 Mr. Jerome and
that he detailed this and another to investi-
gate my and that they reported that l
perfectly and kept in confinement TO
protect Governor Oden"
Mr.. Morgan replied that he did not remember
having seen the documents or letters before and
was then excused 10 make room for Mr.. Jerome
How old you?' asked Russell
Il will he forty-eight next April II I live that
long" replied the District Attorney.
Mr.. Jerome could not recolIect having seen a let
ter which Russell showed him or having seen Mrs.
Fox before He said woman had TO see
him about a prisoner in Dannemora, but that he
could not remember anything else about the
Your memory is very poor is il not?' asked
Mr.. Russell.
1T is very good replied Mr.. Jerome. smiling.
Mr.. jerome said he had no recollection OF having
he remember having written letter to Russell
saying that he had sent for his mother. Justice
Truax asked Russell II he had such letter. and
he replied that he had and would produce it later
Mr.. Jerome then said he would send his letter
books for January and February, 1902 10 the court
for Russelrs
Russell assured the District Attorney that he
was not inclined 10 believe that he had guilty
knowledge of what Morgan and the others did. but
asked merely In the interest OF justice that Mr..
L. ohout h.
excused Mr.. Jerome
Another Of the witnesses examined by Russell
Clark Bell
What did you do besides taking S26O from my
mother as the associate of Mr.. lie Barber cat
time Russelrs COUNSEL in my case?' asked Russell
4 never got any money from your mother" said
the witness.
Didn't she retain YOU How could you be re-
tanned If you didn't get money!"
Your mother gave me her note. and this was
afterW ard paid
Then you did get money from herr"
You are qubhling. Mr., Bell
II Eoa Rsr Rs sec a2 m % sHS your RR,
sell.
bow ala yon consult with him. them"
Over the telephone"
Judging by letters. did you think that was an
insane mani asked Russell
DO you press that question:
y told your mother that your letters would be
prejudicial and detrimental To- your interests. 1
thought that You wrote too much, and did all that
|
assailing public and your letters showed some
OF the common haucinations of the insane. Your
mother said that she couldn't do anything to stop
you
You thought that | had the Itch for writing
ra ther than | insane?' asked Russell
Yes
Russell then asked to be as a witness He
said he was born in Albany forty-six years ago and
that in the endeavor to a woman from dis
grace he pleaded guilty and sent TO Sing Sing
In 1891 he said he was sent to Clinton Prison and
told how he furnished information OF prison abuses
by sending out letters through keeper which
resulted in the removal of several of the nrison
Offl blamed aud Il
sent TO the insane asylum at Auburn. finally OH
tanning his release through the efforts OF Colonel
Cockerill.
Russell described how he arrested for at
tempting to blackmail Justice jerks and said il
was the result of trap being laid for him because
he about to publish book exposing the man
agement of the prisons. Russell asserted that his
intellect was better than Mr.. Odell's and that il
was to him the latter owed his political down.
fall" Ex-Governor Odel said. after the hearing
that he had never heard of Russell and did not
know why he was subpunaed The case will be
continued to-day.