Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-03
M CRAY, CHEERFUL
IN SHADOW Of PEN.
Dimes IN TERMINAL
-x-Governor's Train Arrives
Shortly After Noon-Com-
panion Prisoner Escapes
From Their Coach

Warren 7. McCrav, as joyial as
any man cast in such u role, reach
ed Atlanta at noon Thursday and
after luncheon ut the Terminal sta
Ation, went to the federal penten-
stiary to begin serving ten-year
sentence that came as an anti-cll-
max to his career as governor of
Indiana.
Twenty-six hours after his resig-
nation became effective, the former
governor stepped down from the
rear coach of the "SuWanee River
Special" and walked briskly upstairs
! to the Terminal station dining room
where his journey to the prison was
Interrupted until he had lunched
with E. j. Fogarty, warden of the
Indiana state prison; Harry WertZ,
United States deputy marshal, and
several Indianapolis newspaper men.
His companions said McCray was
more cheerful Thursday than at
any time since his trouble began,
ending Monday with his conviction
on charge of using the mails to
defraud and the imposition of the
tenyear sentence in federal court.
He greeted Atlanta newspaper men
cheerfully, obligingly posed for pic
/ ture and then ordered light repast.
Few Observe Arrival
The former Indiana chief executive
! reached Atlanta almost us any ,pri-
waite citizen, without show or dem
onstration save for the furry occa-
stoned by the photographer shots.
This was done almost on the run.
! however, so brief was the pause, and
only a few in the station knew
! that probably the best-advertised
citizen of the Hoosier state was an
Atlanta visitor for some time.
His reception at the prison was as
informal as his arrival in Atlanta,
the same procedure that is carried
out almost every day except that for
mer governors are unusual guests.
The stereotyped formalities of being
photographed, finger-printed and eX-
amined occupied only q short time.
It will be several days before regular
duties are assigned him.
81 will enter upon the new situa-
ton with courage and confidence,
fully conscious of my innocence OF
any Intentional wrong doing" de-
clared the former governor in a state
ment just before reaching Atlanta.
Explains His Past
II am facing the decree OF fate
with courage and fortitude and sub
lime confidence in my individual in
teSrity of purpose. Unfortunately.
my personal fortune became in
VOWED through the agricultural de.
preston of the past four years and
from my inability to meet the over
head expenses from the proceeds of
IF
which l own, in order to carry on, l
was compelled to borrow large
amounts, expecting and believing
that the vastness of the property
with restoration of farm values
would enable me to meet in full
every obligation made.
81 have never speculated unless
the buying of this fertile farm and
the breeding of my blooded cattle
could be called speculation. My per-
sonal habits and domestic relations
have been of the most frugal and
simple. 1 have devoted myself as
siduously and Fundamentally to
my official duties without regard to
the demands OF my private enter
prises. My official acts have never
been questioned. The measures l
have succeeded in putting forth for
the benefit and cooperation Of the
people Of Indiana in the way of inn
proved highways, better schools,
better care of the dependents and
unfortunates will live Ions after the
present difficulty is forgotten"
kTust before reaching Atlanta, the
|N&ner governor said: There were
Rslutely no irregularities in the
f&Nnancial accounts Of any OF the de-
partments of the state of Indiana
and investigation will prove it."
Once on the train, when a remark
seemed to hurt him, one Of his com
panions said, But governor, you
have all of your friends backing
you"
Yes" McCray replied, "and
there's many of them and they are
loyal and true | couldn't have
stood it without their support"
Expresses Sympathy
sympathy for the tornado victims
in the south was expressed by Nc
Cray while en- route to Atlanta.
NV heart goes out to those who
lost their loved ones and thel.
homes" he said
The former Indiana governor
maze TINS comment dl NOlnG, Gtt.i
during a brief stop OF tho Southern
railway train on which he made the
trip from indianapolis. When told
Of press dispatches from Indianap p
oils regarding his trial, McCray said
First, let me comment upon a
much more startling and shocking
story. l mean this tragic tornado
which has increased the death toll
in your south. My heart goes out
to those who lost their loved ones
and their homes"
Another prisoner in the party
made his escape as the train passed
trough Rathburn, Tenn, early
thursday morning. He was Robert
lambert, convicted of theft Of an
automobile in interstate commerce
lie dived through a window while
he guards took their eyes from
| lin for moment.
AS sovernor of Indiana, Mr.. Nc
Cray went on trial in federal district
court at Indianapolis several weeks
ago, and was convicted Monday or
an indictment charging fraudulent
use of the mails. Tuesday he wrote
out his resignation as governor, eff
fectiVe at 10 as m, Wednesday, anC
shortly after his successor had beer
sworn in he was sentenced by The
Judge TO serve ten years in prison
and pay fine of $4,000.
HooEloo Ev>xoeeoe