Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-06

far as mention of him or his person
al affairs TO those who came in con.
tact with him In course Of prison ad.
ministration. Chapman said nothing
about himself, his former lite. or his
family connections.
AS. prisoner he was known as
Gerald Chapman and the records
bear that name with the aliases which
were on the writ of commitment as
prisoner under sentence of death
and In. the decree Of the court which
ordered the warden Of the prison to
execute him. The names in the court
orders were Gerald Chapman, alias
Waldo w. Miller, alias George Law
renee Shelburne, alias George Chart
res, alias G.. v. Colwell. alias c.. w
Eldridge, alias. Edward Bryce.
While Chapman had often been re-
ferred to outside the prison walls as
the "silent prisoner" he was not 80
spoken of within them IS his reti-
cense was looked upon as a natural
train combined with the fact that he
seldom had anyone to talk with with
whom he had any interest.
It was the opinion of officialswhose
| duties and experience qualified them
! to judge of the man, that Chapman
vas unlike any other prisoner evel
ever held here under life sentence OF
death sentence. He was spoken OF
by those who lookd after his comfort
as an exemplary prisoner, courteous
gentlemanly, considerable at all times
He never offered complaint at any
time about his cell, its furnishings OF
his food. His requests were few and
OF the simplest kind.
| At no time during his years i'm.
prisonment under sentence did any
| one see him in his cell except those III
some way connected with the prison
| administration, such as the officials
| members OF the prison board, Rev
| Father Michael P. Barry. his counse
| and the guards detailed to watch
| him. -
No. one applied at the prison fol
! permission to see him claiming rela-
| tionship except two women, early il
| his confinement. who said they were
sisters but who left when questioned
to determine the truth of their claims
and were not heard of afterwards.
NO outsider ever applied as q
friend to see him. ,trgt~ it-
| In none Of the meagre correspon.
dence which came addressed t.
| chapman at the prison was there an,
mint OF relationship or close friend.
ship. There was nothing in the let.
ters to connect him with his previou.
misdoings, it was said with author.
ity, nor any indication that anyone
IN the outside world had a real In.
terest in him
About bushel of correspondent,
was received. at the prison. addressed
20 chapman but 80 percent of it made
up religious tracts. The remainder
We're letters Of obscure persons. WHIT
were curious over the prisoner ant
| his fate.
| Chapman communicated with no per
Son outside the prison who was not di
rectly connected with his case which
was pending. Prison officials were 0,
the opinion that be had no desire t,
| communicate with any outsiders,
| Up till the last day Chapman mad,
no will, indicated to intention of doini
so or showed any interest in any pos
sfble belongings he may have ha,
| while free man. The prison Off
Gals were not informed Of any posi-
BILE instructions he may have give,
to counsel in their last meeting, il
case he had such belongings.
During his year in a cell he wa,
given as his personal property a bool
| of synonyms and antonyms, which h
used constantly. Most OF his readn,
matter was taken to him from tn,
prison library. Most. OF his readin,
was of ordinary fiction. He read con
stanty and he smoked cigarettes a
| frequent intervals.
In the latter part Of his confinement
1 "a ~, o.
mostly to give information to his at
torneys about his case and some poet
ry. BY those who had opportunity t,
read his writings the opinion was heI,
that he had some literary talent.
| Hereviewed several books and II wa
his analysis. clear and evident, he ha,
| fxed opinions on many matters. To (;
member of the prison directorate will
whom he talked freely. more so prob
ably than to any person save Fathe
Barry, he discussed come problems
He once spoke freely OF his own life
but this conversation was broken OF
when his voice faltered and his eye
| filled with tears, and was never re
sumed. What he said about his earl.
life was not revealed. but the directo
has said that he had opportunity I,
penetrate the reserve OF the man an
to ascertain some of his views an,
philosophy Of life.
Chapman said little to prison Off
cials who went to his cell. Rev
Father Barry called at the cell fire
quently, had many conversations wit
Chapman and was pleased with tn
visits. He looked forward to his calls
Father Barry never spoke to the pris
on officers as to the conversations an
I s-Ir ~ ~I,oN ~