New-York tribune., 1912-07-14

The Tombs is equipped with 800 cells,
arranged in two corridors extending the
whole length of the building. The cells
are so arranged that they are back to
back. and a steel grating surrounds the
galleries, which has prevented prisoners
from leaping into the space below, as they
did in the days of the old Tombs prison.
To show how a prisoners comfort has
been looked after it is well 10 give de-
scription of the cells. There are cot,
hinged table, wash basin. toilet and IL
candlepower electric light in every cell
The end cells OF each tier are arranged
with shower baths. where prisoners must
take at least two baths a week. Then
there is a plunge bath, where the new
comers must submit to a scrubbing process
before they are real accredited guests.
There are exercise facilities, also, sucn Is
the roof garden" where there is no
cabaret show, of course, but where prison
lethargy can be shaken off by good, whole
some exercise. Harry Thaw used TO %
one of the handball enthusiasts when no
was incarcerated in the Tombs.
The new Tombs building cost about Sl's-
600 or $500 600, and was occupied for the nrst
time In 1902. The first persons TO be loeHeu
up in 1t were not prisoners. but representa-
tives of a contracting company who wers
inspecting the locks. They got inside
cell the bolts were shot and they "ero
locked in overnight and had TO be teo
through the bars. The company when hsa
put in the lock system had TO be commuhi.
Gated with and man sent to open the cen
before they could get out.
The old Tombs housed many FAMOUS
criminals. 1t was completed and ready iof
occupancy I'm 1888. BILLY" Muliigan' pro- 4
fessonal criminal, was the first man I"
enter the prison. He afterward married
handsome woman in the prison. ana NE
honeymoon was spent in smoking Cas-
when he was taken to Sing Sing.
One of the strangest mysteries IN CON.
nection with the older prison was ths'
which surrounded the elimination OF 'hs
case of John c. Colt, the murderer u
Samuel Adams. Colt, an influential man
and one OF the members OF the iahh''
whose name is associated with famous
make of firearms, was convicted and sem
fenced TO be hanged On the day OF ths
execution he married Caroline HensnaW'
woman who had attracted as much'a
tention during the trial rs the man hih'
self. Inc Kew. MI. AltiaIl bNiiN''
/ ceremony In the prison just four hou,'
before the execution had been scnedui.u.
The bride was accompanied by oo"
brother and joan Howard Payne, autho' 70
Home, Sweez Home" 49,.
The honeymoon lasted an hour. Az INV
end OF that time Colt asked to be lett aion.,
| Just as the time for the execution ne
arrived and a great crowd had surrouhass
the Tombs-hangngs were in style al .n.
time and were done In the prison s"'e
there was cry of "F1reP II was iooA
that the cupola OF the prison was apiaS''
The Rev. Mr.. Arthur rushed to the ~. >.
| of the condemned man. What he sa"
him stand aghast. He found the oo'y
a man with knife through his heart W."
that man Colt, or was 1t the BODY oi a..
other man substituted for him durins
excitement? Many persons believed ~
Colt escaped and that body was sa S.,.r
tuted for him. There have been dous -
Thomases, but the mystery has never W.
cleared up. 49,. .,d
Some of the notable guests In IN
Coutinued ON sevsnIn page