The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-12-06
PATRICK QUITS
SING SING CELL
Wife and Daughter With Him
as He Leaves Prison
IS RESTORED TO CITIZENSHIP

VIII Devote His Energies 10 Complete
VIndieatIon Of His Declared Inno-
eenes-Brother-I In Law Poets $780,
900 That II Win Be Proves Within
Ysar-PrIsoner Never Abandonsd
Fight For Freedoua
New York, New. 4e.--Afbgt y.
Patrick left Sing sing prison yester-
cay a free man, with the full rights
OF citizenship restored to him after
being confined for moro than ten
years, sometimes within forty eight
hours Of the electric chair. to which
he was sentenced on April 7, 1902,
when found guilty of the murder Of
William Marsh Rice.
His wife, whom he married four
days after his conviction, while he
was still in the Tombs, and who has
aided his long fight for liberty, met
him at the prison gate with the two
daughters born of his first marriage.
Patrick's first step will be to at
tempt to prove his innocence Of the
charge of numbering the wealthy and
aged Texan. He has contended he
was absolutely innocent Of the charge,
and has convinced thousands that he
is right. His brother-in- law, John
7. Milliken of st. Louis, who has
spent fully 81 900, 900 In Patrick's de-
tense, has told Governor Dix he will
place 500, 900 on deposit in a New
York bank, to be turned over to some
charity if Patrick does not establish
his innocence within a year after his
release from Sing Sing.
Patrick was told by John 8. Ken
nedy, warden of Sing Sing prison,
early yesterday that Governor Dix had
pardoned him and Pasduale Doti, SEN
fenced to life imprisonment. Pat
rick took the news with no change |
from the cold and austere manner
which has characterized the man since
his arrest.
81 expected It, he said. ut is only |
Justice. Now that l am free, can
show absolutely that I am innocent
Of the charge upon which I was con-
victed. It has been long fight, but
l have never feared the outcome. AT
ter establishing my innocence, shall
acknowledgements reinstatement to the
bar"
When Patrick left the prison his
wife, and two daughters were with
him. They had met in the warden's
cffice. With a single glance at the
prison Patrick started at once for
New York, where he had his Thanks
giving day dinner with his family at
the apartment his wife has occupied
here when she was not at the cottage
she had hired at Ossining.
Prison life has dealt gently with
Patrick. Since his sentence was COM
muted he has been one of the most
active and valuable prisoners at Sing
Sing.
Patrick, tall and straight, appears
in better shape physically than when
he went up the river sentenced to ,
death. He has gained in flesh and his !
eyes CLEAN as keen as ever.
Patrick's stay in this city, 1t is ,
said, will be brief. AS soon as pos
sible he intends to go to St. Louis to
meet his brother-in-law, Mr.. Milliken,
who has much information which Pat ,
rick and he believe will help greatly
in establishing Patrick's innocence.
In issuing the pardon to Patrick,
Governor Dix said:
There has always been an air OF
mystery in this important case.
Quoting from the minority opinion,
the atmosphere which surrounded the
defendant showed that fair and i'm
partial trial was scarcely possible. l
trust Patrick will devote his energies
to complete vindication of his de-
c!ared innocence. During the year l
have given much consideration to this
case and | am convinced that the de-
PENDANT is entitled to have full par
DON"
Altogether Patrick made twenty
seven separate appeals to the courts
in his fight for freedom from the time =
he was convicted in 1902 until Gov :
ernor Dix's pardon made him a free .
man with all his rights Of citizenship Q
restored. His sentence TO death was f
committed to life Imprisonment Dec. P
20. 1906, by Governor Higgins.
To keep Patrick in prison II Is esti-
mated that the state has spent at least
$500 900, while far gretaer sum has
been spent to free him by Milliken.
Not alone did Patrick fight for HIM
self. but to many another almost
hopeless prisoner in the death house
he gave valuable assistance.
A lawyer Of no special standing OF
promise of unusual ability before he
was sent to Sing Sing, Patrick de-
yeloped one of the keenest legal
minds in the history of the country
.fter he began to battle for his free
iom.
Japanese War Minister Resigns
Toxic. Dec. 3.-Lieutenant Gen.