Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-21
MRS. COBB WALKS OUT OF PRISON
Norwich Woman Was Released Saturday Afternoon After Her Long Imprisonment-T Go to Home of Daughter in Lebanon First Ride in Automobile and First Use of Telephone Went to Theatre in the Evening.

For the Sirst time in nearly 36 years Mrs. Kate Cobb stepped through the gates of the state prison at Wethers- field Saturday afternoon, a free Wom- an. Mrs. Cobb was pardoned on Fri day by the state beard of pardoas af-s ter having served practically S6 years of life sentence for the murder Of her husband in Norwich in 1878. There walked through the corridors to the office of Warden Ward A. Garner, signed the official documents that meant freedom to her. passed through the prison door, entered the warden's automobile, the first motor car she had ever seen, and in a few seconds the low stone and brick prison buildings were behind her and before her was freedom and the privilege to spend the last years of her life with those near and dear to her.
 Will Live With Daughter.
 Mrs. Cobb's first evening after her departure, from the prison was spent in a moving picture and vaudeville theatre, where she saw the movies for the first time. and appeared to enjoy every minute of the performance. She was taken to the theatre by Mrs, Will liam l.. Bagley of No. 5S Oak street, Hartford, to whose house she was taken by Warden Garner from prison After the theatre, Mfrs. Cobb returned to the NBagley home with MT. and Mrs. Bag ley, and there she spent the first night of her new freedom. She will remain for another day, perhaps two, at the home of Mrs. BagIey, and then she will go with her daughter, Mrs. Luther Spaulding to the dSughter's home in Lebanon, far out in the country, there to breathe the air of freedom and to forget the long years in prison.
 Never Had Seen an Automobile.
 For the first time in her life. Mrs. Cobb used a telephone Saturday. She had never seen an automobile when and assisted her into his car. Trolley cars she had seen, but much that she saw on her ride into Hartford and away from the prison was new to her, and she remained quiet. looking from one side of the road to the other with apparent interest.
 Still Maintains Her Innocence.
 Kate Cobb left the state prison as she had entered it 36 years ago next month, protesting her innocence. In all the years of her imprisonment she has never admitted her guilt, but has always declared that she did not kill her husband. For more than 35 years she has insisted that this was the truth. and when she left the prison Saturday it was with the same decla- ration-that she had forfeited the best years of her life for a crime of which she was not guilty.
 The strictest secrecy was maintained ali Saturday morning and afternoon as to when Mrs. Cobb would leave the prison or where she would go when she departed. To all inquiries Warden Ward A. Garner and her friends re- piled that they could say nothing about her plans.
 Special Messenger to Prison.
 The warrant for her release was kl-.- office Of Senator Harry W. Reynolds to the prison at Il o'clock in the morning.
 It was s.45 o'clock when Mrs. Cobb passed out of the prison which has been her home for so many years. She was assisted into Warden Gamers automobile, and was taken at once to the home of Mrs. Bagley. Her part ing from the prison was a simple one. She bade an affectionate farewell to the matron and waved her hand to several of the other women inmates as she went from her cell to the warden's office to sign her papers.
 Do you know" said Mrs. Cobb in an interview with a newspaperman Satur- day, shortly after her release, that l used telephone today for the first time in my life, and rode in an auto- mobile. had never seen one before. Of course, there were trolleysI had seen them
 She did not once mention the long years that have ended. Mrs. Bagley told of her plans for her guests stay at her home, declaring that she was going to make her happy" during her stay.
 We're going to the moving pictures tonight" laughed the hostess. "she has never seen them"
 "Oh, can't go,'' cried Mrs. Cobb in alarm. but Mrs. Bagley quieted her nervousness, batting her arm and as- suririg, her that everything would be all right
 You know. Mrs. Cobb and I are great friends" declared Mrs. Bagley. T have visited her as often as could for the pest IS years, and no one was more glad than I when she was freed Why. it was only two weeks ago that she had sent in her application for pardon: don't suppose it will do any good, have sent so many she said to me but told her to go ahead and