The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-22
USED WARDEN'S CAP
TO ESCAPE Sing sing
Too Much Wine Blamed for
Mutual Welfare Lcagucr's
WalkOut.
NO TRACE or WHO LEFT

OsstNiSG. April 21.-t:mulatins the
Sing Sing inmate. John Boris. "A convict.
took advantage of the absence OF a
guard set TO watch him by slipping out
OF the prison early this morning. These
escapes, occurring less than eight hours
apart. are regarded by prison officials
and inmates az rejecting only slightly
on the grip held by the Mutual well
fare League on the prisoners. No trace
Of the men has been found
cullen was a leading member Of the
league and prominent In the internal
affairs of the prison, but his apologists
explain hat his longing for freedom
was probably stimulated by some wine.
taken 10 the prison for Passover cele,
brations for the Jewish prisoners. Cul-
len, unaccustomed lately to alcoholic
exhilaration. moinentarily defiant be-
cause of his situation and morose over
the fact that "A ten year stretch behind
the prison walls was scheduled to begin
yesterday. lost his head. say his friends,
and decamped.
Boris was not even n member OF the
league, and just took advantage of an
opportunity.
There X a strong belief in some prison
circles that as soon as cullen realizes
what he has done he will return III the
hope Of Offering reparation for the black
name his action has brought IN the
league. No such hope is entertained IN
the case OF boris.
cullen. who was sergeant at arms OF
the league. was one of Warden Osborne's
hardest workers when Mr.. Osborne was
working ont mis- plans 70. prison better
ineut. Cullen was "A strict disciplinarian
and a willing cNhorter, ~denouncing Bit
terry the backsllders OF the league. Tie
was grand marshal OF the 81. Patrick's
ihay parade. Last August he married in
Warden osborne's office Miss Julia Sui
ivan. then wins AZ j2l West Twenty
seventh street. New York.
cullen was sentenced in 1913 to serve
,t'n Yeas IN prison fo- burglary. He
had. served a previous term for bur
gldry. during which he got about two and
half years uN FOR good behavior. Be-
fore ms present. sentence began, accord
Ing To law. 'c mad To- serv. the two and
- half years out Of his former sentence
Tat term was up yesterday.
cullen has always maintained that
l.~ I-yont iiN was due to a police pot.
lie said that he was arrested for a
burglary h" did not commit. but his
.i,,urd was bad and he thought IL ad-
lN'>dblr 10 plead guilty.
B.for, las, midnight Cullen passed
Through the double gates leading 20 act
Ing Warden kirchwey's office. telling the
guar! ne ha-l an appointment with the
warden. The 10 o'clock count revealed
'hd' lac lad disappeared SO had Mr..
Nirchwry's cap and the overcost OF
spencer Mile. the warden's secretary.
\ search OF ,ho grounds failed to reveal
Rim aud sone time after midnight the
/ police were notified.
Policeman lemucl SniEen. stationed
near the railroad station. said he saw
: ullsn going toward the depot. but paid
10 attention to him heCius" the prison
bad not sent ont AN alarm.
Ror.s. sentenced :" nine wears for
arson 10 Kinks count iiy. N..ar> ago.
was pat to work In the printing office
last night on a rush job, Al $50
this morning his guard went on "A tour
of Inspections. leaving Boris alone. Boris
got on. OF the shop and scaled the north
prison wall
Warden Osborne. who had just re-
turned from Boston, said yesterday.
after %" had despatched two former
Mutual ~l~agi.rS on a search for cul-
len. that ne has strong hopes that Cul-
len VIII return To the prison. Dick
Richards and Harry Eolasky. former
couvicts. who induced Tough Tony Ma
r"uo to return 10 prison when he es-
capped last winter. were sent on the
mission
wv. have communicated with Gull
.l,u's wife" said the warden. she was
much distressed at his escape and wants
him tu return 10 the prison.
81 believe that Cullen is NIli OF re
morse over his act. lie LETT on a sud
den impulse; he believes he was uu-
Justly treated when arrested for the
Grim. for which he has been serving
time. He pleaded guilty not because
II. had committed that crime. but be-
cause he you'll otherwise be convicted
because of his record.
Mr.. Osborne confirmed the story tina,
Cullen had taken some Passover wine
This wine is usually diluted. hut Cullen
got some which was undiluted. Mr.. Ds.
born. said that convicts' heads are more
quickly turned by liquor than other
persons.