The Washington herald., 1908-03-07
ON HIS WAY
TO BEGIN LIFE ANEW


ing the liberation. became more and more
remote. Machen grew more at ease. But
1t was not until the actual moment ar
rived and he stepped out Of the prison a
free man. that his spirits returned to
their Wonted buoyancy.
There was no ceremony attached 10 his
departure from the prison. The details
had been attended TO early in the day.
At the stroke OF midnight, Machen was
in his Office and bedroom that has served
as his cell. He rose and walked. 10 the
circular iron cage through which passage
is permitted by use of a wheel operated
by the outer Office guard.
Machen was admitted 10 the Office and
spent some time talking with Capt Daw-
son and the other officials and friends
gathered there. When train time drew
near, Machen said good-by and walked
out the big front door with his escort
He had been privileged 70 leave the
prison every day during his term. but
never after o'clock AT night The late
ness Of the hour was the only outward
difference between his departure on this
occasion and his solngs and conlinss OF
the past three years
But. although he said nothing, there
was that in his demeanOF that showed
how deeply he felt the difference from
this step from prison 20 real freedom,
and the parole ntroils that had taken
him beyond the penitentiary walls SO
often before.
Friends Join I'm Last Meal.
He ate his final meal at the prison in
the hospital mess. with the officers and
prisoners who, as TRUSTEES" form part
OF the administration Of the Institution
Tom Watson. OF Washington. formerly
OF the District assessors Office: jim
Fields, the Washington lawyer. convicted
of emheZzlement. and ". W Karr, for
merry OF the disbuTsing Office or the
Smithsonian Institution.
These three and Machen have been par
ticularly friendly. Fields was perhaps
the least so Of the little group OF Wash
ington inmates.
Machen's farewell 10 Watson and Karr
was pathetic. The two men left behind
with long. weary months Of servitude
still before them. wished their departing
fellow w-prisoner good luck and shook
hands with him heartily
As he turned and left them they fol-
lowed him with wistful eyes Then they
returned 10 their tiny. dark cells. Karr
10 think OF the seventeen months be-
tween him and liberty. and Watson 10
look drearily into the span OF four years
that stretch before him on his way 70
the world beyond those grim, gray walls.
KRrr Il Prison PHOTOGRAPHER.
Karr is taking his Imprisonment game
~ He is the official photographer Of the
prison. and has q studio back OF the bal
cony OF the chapel.
Here The Washington Herald CORE
spondent found him yesterday, behind a
pair Of painted photographers back
grounds. having his straight gray hair
trimmed by an Italian convict. an assas-
sin. by the way
Karr was sfIabIe He inquired about
the way % things in Washington in a
casual manner.
He was asked as 10 MS plans for the
future when he is released, a year from
next July.
I haven't quite decided - he saiG, but
shall probably go in the mining game
in Mexico. I have been made an offer,
and it looks good 10 me"
Karr was convicted Of embezzling
something over $4,000 Of the moneys Of
the Smithsonian Institution, and got five
years for IT,
Watson Objects TO Washington.
Watson Is also taking his medicine. he
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