Evening star., 1907-11-13
DUCHESS VISITS THE TOMBS
CoNSUELo OF MARLBORO AND
MRS. MACKAY INSPECT JAIL.
Gross the Bridge of Sighs-Col.
George Harvey Chief Escort.
Thaw Averts Face.

NEW YORK November 12-Carnations
and chrysanthemums not infrequently find
their way into the Tombs, and so do roses
and vioiets. Orchids, however, happen
only once In a while, and orchids with a
duchess for a background are sufficiently
rare to be an event.
Consequently the prisoners all sat up
and took notice yesterday afternoon as
Consuelo Of Marlborough. accompanied by
Mrs. Clarence Mackay. chaperoned by
Col. Harvey. escorted by Warden Flynn
and followed by as many persons as
could get past the officials. glided through
the corridors, occas asonaily- stepping into
a cell and pausing now and then to speak
to some one who seemed especially 10 ap-
peal to her sympathy.
When the two automobiles containing
the party stopped in front of the main en-
trance Of the prison at about half-past
the crowd was so dense that the duchess
looked about her half timidly she
a.ighted.
A passageway was quickly cleared by
the regular police squad, which had not
been enlarged for the occasion. but several
photographers had opportunity for series
of Snaps before the visitors entered the
vestibule, where they were met by Com
missioner Of Corrections Coggey and War
den Flynn.
The latter conducted them at once to
the top floor of the mems prison. Thence
they proceeded to the lower floors, enter
ing one or more cells on each tier.
Mrs Mackay seemed in somewhat of a
hurry, but the duchess showed a d!spo-
siton to linger. She was much interested
in everything she saw and seemed espe-
cially Impressed with the mechanical con-
trivance Of raising and lowering the beds
The electric lights In the cells Sc med also
to s+rike her fancy. and she switched them
on and off several times.
Thaw Playing Ball.
The way from the mems prison to that
Of the women led through the yard, where
| Harry Thaw was playing medicine ball
with Tony Bones and two other Italians
Thaw. who was in his shirt sleeves with
his arms bare to the elbows. retreated
to the Lafayette street gate when he saw
the visitors and averted his face.
Matron o'Brien acted as guide In the
Women's quarters, where the duchess
examined everything in detail.
What a fine quality of linen" she muir
INJURED as she fingered a sheet. and Mrs.
o Brien beamed with pride.
About forty women were loung1ng in
the corridor, some of them reading maya
zines.
DO you have plenty Of reading mat
ter?" asked the duchess of young wom-
tence.
Why, Of course said the girl, her
gaze travelling rapidly over the orchids,
the silver fox stole. the blue and green
turban and the smart but severe tailor
suit of her questtoner.
To the apparent disgust Of Mrs. Mackay
her guest insisted on seeing the hospital
and the kitchen and dining rooms.
You see," explained the former. We
been all over this ground before with
Magistrate Barlow. SO it doesn't interest
me so much
Bridge of Sighs.
Then the duchess announced that she
really couldn't leave without crossing the
Bridge of Signs, SO the members Of the
little procession repaired by that route TO
the criminal courts building. where they
| tarried for a few minutes in Judge Rosal-
sky's room. Here they listened to part of
| grand larceny case.
| After peep into the grand jury room
| the two women were hurried down the
stairs by Col. Harvey to the Lafayette
| street entrance.
The subject Is really too big and too
| complicated for me to discuss said the
duchess when reporters asked her what
she thought of the building. THE fact
| that the prisoners are allowed to COM
| municate with each other is feature that
specially interests me, but would prefer
| not to talk.
Mrs. Mackay wouldn't talk either, but
she remarked that she was delighted with
the spickness and spanness Of everything
she saw