Erastus Wyman, a well-to-do Staten Island Real Estate operator, lay in the Tombs for many months. He had a hard fight against a horde of persecutors who sought his ruin. His case went to the Court of Appeals, where he received a new trial. He was never tried again.
Another rich banker—I well remember him—was Cornelius L. Alvord. He got away with more than $700,000 from the First National Bank.
He was in a cell in Murderers’ Row, in the old prison. While there he ate the best food and smoked the finest cigars till he took up his abode in Sing Sing. His sentence was seven and one-half years.
Roland Burnham Molineux, a popular young man, was arrested February 2nd, 1899.
He lay in the Tombs about nine months before the first trial. Mr. Molineux was plucky, courageous and optimistic. It is needless to say he made many friends, all of whom were glad when he received his liberty. In manners he was a perfect gentleman, courteous and obliging to all. While in the Tombs he was very kind to his fellow unfortunates and frequently fed, clothed and shod needy prisoners at his own expense.
Then there were Fritz Meyer, Carlyle Harris, Doc. Kennedy, and Patrick, besides, lawyers, doctors, bankers, insurance agents and walking delegates without number.
Harry Kendall Thaw, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., a multi-millionaire, shot and killed Stanford White while in Madison Square roof garden June 6th, 1906. He lay in the Tombs over ten months. His first trial lasted nearly three months. His immense wealth brought around him an army of friends who flattered him night and day—for his money. While in the Tombs he had unusual privileges, all of which he doubtless paid for highly. Physically his imprisonment made him a new man. His defence is said to have cost him a million dollars. He came from a first class family.
At his second trial the Demosthenes of the Brooklyn Bar, Littlefield, successfully defended him and saved him from the Electric Chair. His mother, who is known as a lovely Christian lady, visited him regularly during his confinement. Thaw is at present in Matteawan. He has made several efforts to secure his freedom but has failed. The general opinion is that if he keeps at it he will succeed.