Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-07-09
ARTIST Thief DYING
Genius, Who Is Burglar, Nears
End In Prison.
william Dunn Cared For by New
York Salvation Army, But Yields
TO the Lure Of crlme-WlnG
Governors Notice.

New York.-Word comes from Dan
nemora prison that William Dunn, ar
list by temperament. burglar and
hlghwayman because, as he said, he
could not control his impulses toward
crime, lie dying there OF tuberculosis.
AS is common with sufferers from that
disease. his mind at every rally builds
castles for the future all based on an
honest life; but Doctor Ransom, the
hospital physician, says the last stage
has been reached and he may die any
day.
Many families in the upper part OF
the city have on their walls examples
OF Dunn's art Although uninstructed
In any school. he had the knack OF
reproducing familiar objects In faith
full likeness. and his pencil and brush
earned him an easy living when he
chose to employ thon.
He would paint roses, looking as
II fresh picked. on common thin
wood holder, the kind on which but.
| ter Is trayed. and they we're eagerly
bought Whenever he tried more last
ing work purchasers seemed almost
equally eager to buy at better prices.
He never lacked a market when he
wanted 1t, but he has spent twenty
one Of his thirty-seven years in prison.
que to his inability to resist the lure
Of crime.
In prison his work has been as pro
life as circumstances would permit.
The keepers have let him keep pen
ellis In his cell and sometimes colors.
There was no market there and when
be made his sketches he gave them
freely to other prisoners. One OF
them, a picture in colors of the Vir'
gin, was retained by the warden, who
framed 1t and hung 1t in the prison
chapel
1t attracted the attention OF Gov
ernor Dix on a visit to the prison
shortly before the end of his term Of
Office, When Warden Kaiser in
formed him that a prisoner had paint
ed it the governor said he would like
TO see him. Dunn was brought for
ward. His disease had already marke,
him.
Did you paint that picture?" thu
governor asked.
Il did" Dunn replied, timidly.
You are too good man to be II
jail" the governor said, land vii
see that you get out"
LIT
incident from the governors mind, 70
nothing came OF 1t.
Dunn began his present term Of te
years in Dannenora in November
1911. For some time before that b
2 had occupied a basement room In tn
( Salvation Army employment agenc
In Thirteenth street west Of Sixt
avenue, where Envoy Thomas Ande
son, who looks after discharged an
paroled prisoners, had fitted him OF
with working material.
Every night Anderson took the day
d collection of sketches and colors
, meetings where he spoke, told Ii
E story of the prisoner who was tryiI
. to get on his feet and let the audienC
carry the work away, leaving for
- whatever money they liked. Good T
turns were coming in daily by tn
u means when, suddenly and withoI
, warning, Dunn failed to appear in h
y basement studio. On Anderson's re
ular visit to the Tombs the next F.
day Dunn was there.
r What was the matter?" the envt
asked.
81 couldn't help it; always to
:" you l couldn't help it," Dunn a
swered.
Weren't you doing we'll, and did,
we treat you nicely?"
II YES; must be insane" said Dun