The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-02-01
John F. Gaynor and Benjamin D.
Greene to be Given Freedom
from Federal Prison
Next Week.
DEFRAUDED THE GOVERNMENT
Good Behavior Resulted in Reduction
Of Sentences Eleven Months-To
Leave For Europe Soon A-
ter Being Set Free.

Atlanta, Ga, Feb. 1.-Messrs. Gay
nor and Greene, two of the most not
ed inmates of the big Federal prison
here, will be released from that insti-
tuition within a few days Under the
good d-behavior rule their sentence of
four years was cut down TO three
years and one month, which period
will expire next week The exact day
OF their leaving the prison has been
kept secret, owing to the desire of
the prisoners TO avoid publicity. They
will be met at the prison gates by the
members of their families. who have
resided in Atlanta the most of the
time since Gaynor and Greene began
serving their sentences. According to
popular belief both prisoners have
managed to retain a considerable
is rumored that long sojourn in
Europe will follow their release.
Made Fight for Freedom.
IL is doubtful II any case of its kind
in the history of the country has at
tracted more attention than that OF
John f. Gaynor and Benjamin ID.
Greene. chiefly because OF the long le-
gal battle they waged to escape trial.
Their troubles began in December,
1900, when both were indicted by a
grand jury in Savannah of having de-
frauded the government i'm conspiracy
with Captain Oberlin M. Carter, OF
the United States Engineer Corps. II
had been demonstrated that Carter for
years had conspired with the Atlantic
Construction company. of which Gay
nor and Greene were the chief part
ners, to the end that only this com
pany could bid for the work of river
and harbor improvements around Sa-
vannah; that Carter drew specifica-
tions that only the Atlantic people
could meet on time, and that I'm this
and other ways the government was
defrauded of about $2,OO0,OOO.
Forfeit Their Bonds.
Carter was convicted and sentenced
to prison and TO pay a fine. Gaynor
and Greene being arrested in New
York. began to contest extradition
to Georgia. They carried the case
finally to the supreme court, which de-
cided against them; and on the eve
of their being taken To Georgia they
fled, leaving their bondsmen to for
felt altogether the sum OF $4,000. on
May H. 1902. they turned up at the
Chateau Frontenac, Quebec. Proceed
ings for their extradition were at once
begun. The Canadian officers, fearing
delay. arrested them and took them
by boat to Montreal The prisoners
lawyers tried to stop the tug and serve
writs of habeas corpus, but they fail
ed.
international Dispute.
With the prisoners confined In Mon
treal there was a repetition Of the old
struggle between the courts. The Que
bee courts wanted the men back there.
whereas Extradition Commissioner
LaFontaine wished to hear the case
against them in Montreal. Finally the
Quebec Judge scored and they were
returned to that city. on Aug. 13.
1902. Judge Caron dismissed all
charges against the prisoners, n de-
cision which aroused a storm of pro-
test from the press in both Canada
and the United States, The United
States government then appealed to
the English privy council. which de-
cided against Gaynor and Greene. The
men then applied for a writ of habeas
corpus. which was denied.
Spent s75o,ooo for Defense.
Following their return to Savannah.
Gaynor and Greene, who already had
spent over $750O0O in their defense.
appealed TO the supreme court OF the
United States on technicality. but
they again lost and the judgment
against them, which covered fine
OF the same amount as the money
supposed to have been taken, was af-
firmed. The legal battle lasted over
six years and u was not until the
beginning of 1907 that the men were
received at the Federal prison In At
lanta TO begin their sentences.