The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-16
Episcopal Bishop in Visit to
Prison Learns How Locked
Up C0nvicts Feel.
GUNMEN APPEAL TO HIM
Tell Prelate They Are Innocent
Beg Him to Aid Fight
for Freedom.

OssfSISG March I5-The Right Rev
David ". Greer. Episcopal Bishop OF the
diocese OF New York. confirmed a class of
thirteen convicts In the prison chapel to-
day. talked at length with the four gun
men In the death house and then. clad in
his episcopal robes. had the unusual ex-
perience Of being locked In a cell Just to
see what II was like
It was the first time an Episcopal
Bishop ever confirmed class In the
prison. Or. Greer went to the prison at
the request of the Rev. Burton II. Lee OF
St Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church.
who Is chaplain for the Protestant pris-
oners In Sing Sing. The Bishop came 10
Ossinng TO confirm a class at ST. Paul's.
The services in the prison chapel were
begun at ? o'clock. The thirteen members
OF the confirmation class sat In a semi
circle clad In their prison clothes. As the
Bishop took his place they advanced and
knelt before him. At the conclusion OF
the service AS he was going out the con-
victs applauded him heartily. whereupon
he turned and made little extempore
speech 10 them which they seemed TO APP
preciate heartily.
BishOp Tells Convicts . story.
Remember the story OF the two frogs
who fell in bowl OF milk" said the
Bishop. "One frog gave up and drowned.
The other. more courageous, kept kicking
and swimming around and when morning
came he found that his exertions had
formed a cake OF butter. from which he
was able 10 spring to safety. Pattern
yourself on that. Never give up, keep
on hoping and fighting and the morning
will come for you too"
In honor OF the event Warden Clancy
gave permission to have the chapel
decorated with flowers from the prison
greenhouses. About forty residents Of
Ossining were present at the services as
guests OF Mr.. Lee. The names OF those
in the confirmation class cannot be given
under the prison rules. They were con-
frmed under the numbers which they
bear while in prison.
On his way out Bishop Greer was asked
by Mr.. Lee to go to the dollhouse OF the
condemned men and talk with Frank
Cirohci. Dsgo Frank, who is an Episco-
palian. The gunman had expressed n de-
sire to zee the head OF the Church. Ciroflci
Vas confirmed at the San Salvatore Mission
in New York by the late Bishop Potter.
Mr.. Lee while teaching at the mission
became acquainted with Franks brother
and on that account has paid special at
tention TO the prisoner visiting him daily.
Dsgo Frank Pleads for Aid.
when Mr. Lee and the Bishop stopped
in front OF Cirohci's cell the prisoner
thrust his hand between the bars and
shook hands warmly with Or. Greer. They
talked together for ten minutes and In
that time the condemned man went into
his case. showed DR.. Greer the brief of
the trial and pointed out discrepancies
between the testimony as given In the
brief and the testimony as set forth In
the decision handed down by the Court OF
Appeals affirming the death sentence.
Il am innocent Of that murder" said
the gunman earnestly. 81 had nothing
20 do with It. knew nothing OF It. None
OF us had anything to do with IT,"
Bishop Greer expressed great interest
In Cironcfs statements and said that he
would do all he could to help him. Dsgo
his Church and said that he hoped some
thing could be done to get new trial.
DO you read your Bible?" asked the
Bishop.
Tho prisoner showed him well worn
volume and Informed him that 1t was
read constantly. in which he was con
frmed by MIR. Lee.
The chaplain took the Bishop to the
cells of the other gunner. Whitley Lewis.
next to Cirofici. and Lefty Louis and
Gyp the Blood. across the aisle. The
Clergyman shook their hands and con-
yersed briefly with them. He then said an
especial good-by to Cirohci and told him
to be Of good cheer.
II don't know whether or not you will
get OUT" said DR.. Greer. but whether
you do or not do not lose your faith In
God. That will sustain you in all your
trials and bring you through triumphantly
whatever may be your earthly fate. Never
lose your trust in God and lie will COM
fort"
Gunmen knreI with Bishop.
The gunner listened eagerly and when
he told them to join In prayer the gunner
knelt In their cells and In the corridor be-
tween them knelt also the Bishop Of New
York In his stately robs and the clergy
man with him.
The prayer was short. but II affected
the four prisoners extraordinarily. Other
men heard the prayer and
seemed much affected. Bishop Greer said
II was solemn and an unforgettable
scene.
"Good-by. Bishop" chorused the gun
men AS the Bishop and his escort passed
through the doors
Near the door IN the way out OF the
prison DR., Greer and Mr.. Lee passed one
OF the huge cell blocks where ordinary
prisoners are confined. The Bishop ex-
pressed curiosity as to the arrangement,
so the two went inside the iron doors that
bar OF each block. A cell door was open
and DR. Greer stepped inside. Mr.. Lee
closed the door upon him and for a mo-
ment the chaplain and the guard who
vas with them had the unlIAlial omar