New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-16
STIELOW AND THE THIRD DECREE
Describes the Methods OF
Police Examnaon-Dr Squire Report His Low Mentality
and Behavior Like That of a Docle Child

CURED by narrow, prejudiced mind upon
which to base a finding of guilt They be-
lieve the man guilty, although knowing there
is not sufficient evidence to convict, while the
suspect may be absolutely innocent.
Believing him guilty, or strongly suspect
ing him to be guilty, and proceeding on the
theory that the end justifies the means, they
recklessly resort TO methods for the purpose
of extorting a confession which they conceive
themselves to be privileged to employ, but
which action dare say, constitutes an abuse
of the rights of the individual, and often in
wolves an innocent man and results in great
injustice.
1t is not generally appreciated to what
extent innocent persons undergoing the ter
rors and torments of the third degree may
be influenced to compromise themselves by
the Dr. Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde actions and at
ttudes of their prosecutors.
BENJAMIN LEVINSON.
New York, Aug. IA, 1916.
Statement on Stielow made by DR.. Amos
o. Squire, head physician of Sing Sing
Prison, to Stielow's counsel:
In accordance with your request for state
ment to Charles Stielow, have to state
the following, which is in all respects true
and correct to my own knowledge:
| have been a practising physician and
surgeon during the past seventeen years and
during the past eleven years owned and con-
Quoted DR.. Squire's Sanatorium, at Ossining,
N Y, in which town | reside with my
family on South Highland Avenue. / have
been prison physician and by special APP
pointment in state prison, Ossining, for a
number of years off and on, and assigned as
head physician to death cells since April
last; have been associated with other ply
sicans in execution chamber, state prison,
Ossining, since last December. Have been
regular head physician since April LIST, 1916.
In December. 1915, was designated by Super
intendent Riley to assist in execution during
DR.. Farr's leave of absence, and / took his
place in April last when DR.. Farr resigned.
am confirmed in the opinion that Charles
Steow is perfectly sane, but illiterate and
of retarded mental development ! have read
the so-caled confession of Stielow. There
are terms used in that document such as
doubt the condemned man is able TO under
stand, basing my opinion upon my daily con-
versations with the man, which have con-
tinued during the past four months, having
q pretty fair idea of his mental powers.
Have made an affidavit at the request of
the counsel for Stielow. in which | stated, as
do at present, that Stielow is mentally UNI
developed. When | went to take his record
he could not spell his own name. He got
an addressed envelope that some one had
sent to him and from that | had to get the
spelling of his name when first met him in
prison When / asked him why he got so
little schooling. he said the women folks al
ways took care of any writing that was TO
be done-Stielow is like a docie child. He
has never made any request since | have
been with him. He sleeps like baby at
night-nothing disturbs him.
To give you an illustration: Yesterday
was an awful day for him. and | asked him
il there wasn't anything extra, some delicacy,
he would like to eat. | said: Charlie, I'll
send you in some chicken and have the peo-
pie make an extra good supper for YOU; so
ordered the meal. and when | went to see
him last night, at 5 o'clock, found that ne
had not had any dinner at all; they had for
gotten to give it TO him. He was then get
ting his supper, but he made no complaint
Usually condemned men insist on their
full rights in like circumstances, and if any.
thing is overlooked are sure to remind the
keeper. All along Stielow has been remark
ably submissive. gentle and good natured.
He is different from any other man | ever
have had; he appears TO be without the usual
criminal characteristics.
said to him couple of hours before
the time set for his execution: "Now,
Charlie. you told me right along that you
have not killed these people, and if you
really did do it. would advise you to con-
fess to the chaplain so that you'll go to the
chair with clear conscience" He turned to
me and said: Doctor, / am as innocent as
a child II they take my life cannot help
it will have TO suffer for some one else"
AMOS O. SQUIRE