Year: 1874

William ID. Coleman Conveyed to the


renttcntiary. .. RS


w. D. Coleman, late secretary OF the
Board Of Public Works, whose defalcation,
trial, and conviction attracted so much Of
public attention during the two or three
months past, was yesterday conveyed from
the city Jail 10 the State penitentiary TO serve
out bis sentence Of four years impriSon-
ment. Immediately after being sentenced
Coleman received sixty days suspension
Of judgment in order to allow his case to
be taken to the Supreme Court of Appeals.
That period expires on the 2Sth instant.
He WAS at first under the impression that
Notwithstanding the decision of the Supreme
Court was adverse to him, he could still
avail himself Of the full time OF the suspen-
sion OF Judgment. But day or two ago
Sergeant Moore informed him that this view
Of the matter was wrong, aud that he must
prepare to 80 to the penitentiary. Coleman
accordingly made his preparations.


Yesterday morning about 0 O'Clock, in
charge of Jailor Cummings, he was taken in
n close carriage from the Jail to the pcnisen-
tiary. On the way he maintained control OF
his feelings, and talked quietly and calmly to
tuition, and when the gates were shut upon



tered, and he wept very bitterly.


OF course he was subjected to the treat
ment prescribed by law and common to all
prisoners upon their arrival. When he
came to be disrobed and clothed in the
striped suit he cried as If his heart would
break. There were three or four officers Of
the institution present, and though they are
daily confronted with misery and grief in
all forms, and to certain extent have their
feelings biunted, seeing his great shame and
agony OF mind, they could not suppress an
exhibition of their Sympathies. Every one
OF them shed tears. They declared with sin
cerity that they had never before had more
disasreeable duty to perform than TO take
charge of him. The jailor was overcome
with emotion, and so blinded by tears that
when he turned to go away he could not
readily find the door.


The prisoner was placed Ia clean cell, OF
which be is hereafter to be the sole occu-
pant. Being visited by Superintendent
Strother, he said to that official that be re.
cognized the fact that he was convict, and
therefore expected no leniency or treatment
other than is usually accorded the prison.
ers generally. -...-..


Coleman sat up the greater part Of the last
night spent in Jail and diligently employed
his time writing out his "vindication." He
was, however, unable to finish it. He took
the manuscript with him to the penitentiary,
and expects to be able to complete 1t there
as snon as he gets in condition to resume
work upon it.
The superintendent has not yet assigned
him to any particular labor or duty. In do
ing so he will exercise the same care he does
in all other instances of employing the prI'
soner in the way that will be most bench
cial 10 the State.


In the Hastings Court yesterday on mo-
ton of the CommonWesth's attorney
nolle prosequi was entered in the lndlct
ment which charges Coleman with larceny
of bonds belonging to the Sinking Fund.
Coleman stated yesterday that no applica
ton for Executive clemency had been made
either with bis knowledge or consent.