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diff --git a/75420-h/75420-h.htm b/75420-h/75420-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..827fb2f --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/75420-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4797 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Behind The Prison Bars | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} + +hr.r5 {width: 15%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 42.5%; margin-right: 42.5%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } + +.tdl {text-align: left; line-height: 1.5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right; padding-left: 2em;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; + color: #A9A9A9; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +/* Poetry */ +/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + +.fs70 {font-size: 70%} +.fs80 {font-size: 80%} +.fs90 {font-size: 90%} +.fs150 {font-size: 150%} + +.no-indent {text-indent: 0em;} +.bold {font-weight: bold;} +.wsp {word-spacing: 0.3em;} + + +h2 {font-size: 130%; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em; word-spacing: .3em;} +h3 {font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em; word-spacing: .3em;} + +/* Poetry indents */ +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp100 {width: 100%;} +.illowp15 {width: 15%;} +.illowp85 {width: 85%;} + +.lh {line-height: 1.5em;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75420 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 85%"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover"> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>BEHIND<br> +THE PRISON BARS.</h1> + +<p class="center no-indent wsp lh"><em>A REMINDER OF OUR DUTIES<br> +TOWARD THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SO UNFORTUNATE<br> +AS TO BE CAST INTO PRISON.</em></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">By E. E. BYRUM,</p> +<br> +<p class="center no-indent fs90 wsp lh">Author of “The Secret of Salvation,” “Divine Healing of Soul<br> +and Body,” “The Great Physician,” “The<br> +Boy’s Companion,” Etc.</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent fs80">“<em>Remember them that are in bonds,<br> +as bound with them.</em>”—<cite>Heb. 13:3.</cite></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent wsp lh"><span class="smcap">Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.</span>,<br> +<span class="fs80">MOUNDSVILLE, W. VA.</span><br> +1901.</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center no-indent wsp fs80 lh"> +<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1901,<br> +by<br> +E. E. Byrum.</span><br> +</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="AUTHORS_PREFACE">AUTHOR’S PREFACE.</h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p>Help a man who is in trouble and manifest a care +for his soul, even though he is an enemy; it touches +a tender chord of his hardened heart, tends to loose +the binding powers of sin, causing him to look up with +hope. Realizing the great neglect of duty toward +them who are behind the prison-bars, unable to help +themselves in many respects, inspired the writing of +this volume. It was not the intention of the author to +write a thorough work on this subject, but to call +attention to a few facts concerning the prisons and +jails, also the treatment and privileges of the inmates, +and thus awaken the people to a sense of duty and the +manifestation of a feeling of sympathy. The majority +of people have never visited a jail or state prison, +consequently know but little about them, and feel little, +if any, responsibility on that line.</p> + +<p>About two years ago the Gospel Trumpet Publishing +Company of Moundsville, W. Va., established a +fund for sending out literature free to the poor, to +jails, prisons, and wherever most needed. As much +as ten thousand dollars’ worth of books, tracts, and +papers have in this way been sent out during one year +to various parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, +and other foreign countries. Yet it seems only a +drop in the bucket, as it were, in consideration of +what should be done. It is our earnest prayer that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span> +the readers of this little volume will at once put forth +the greatest possible effort to properly supply the +prisoners and thus aid in bringing about a reformation +in their lives.</p> + +<p>In order to show the result of some of the efforts +put forth to supply the prisoners with good literature +and their appreciation of the same, quite a number of +letters from prisoners and prison officials have been +inserted. While these letters have quite a similarity, +yet it is hoped that their sameness will not destroy +their interest in consideration of the fact that thereby +the prisoners from a broad scope of territory have the +privilege of giving expression to their feeling of gratitude +toward those who have thus manifested their +friendship.</p> + +<p>The names have been omitted of those who have +written letters and testimonies; however, they appear +in full in the original manuscript and are genuine. +Only the serial numbers are given to those whose +biographies appear in the book. We are grateful for +the kind assistance of prison officials and prisoners +who have kindly contributed. Further communications, +or letters, from prisoners or any one interested +in this line of work will be gladly received by the +author. With an earnest prayer for the salvation of +every prisoner, I remain,</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="padding-right: 4em">Yours in Him,</span><br> +<span class="smcap">E. E. Byrum</span>.<br> +</p> + +<p>Moundsville, W. Va., July 4, 1901.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS"><em>CONTENTS.</em></h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> + + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"></td> +<td class="tdr fs70">PAGE.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">In Prison.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Make the Best of It.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#MAKE_THE_BEST_OF_IT">12</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Punishment.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#PUNISHMENT">14</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Capital Punishment.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Life Imprisonment.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Dungeon.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#THE_DUNGEON">28</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Cat-o’-nine-tails.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Buck and Gagged.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Lock-step March.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#THE_LOCK-STEP_MARCH">34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Literary Privileges.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#LITERARY_PRIVILEGES">37</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Tobacco Allowance.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Prisoner’s Work.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Stockades.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#THE_STOCKADES">48</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Chain Gang.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#THE_CHAIN_GANG">49</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Felon’s Cell.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Library.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#THE_LIBRARY">56</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Chapel.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#THE_CHAPEL">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Scaling the Prison Walls.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">A Prison Reform.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">History of West Virginia Penitentiary.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl fs80"><span style="padding-left: 2em">(As Written by a Prisoner.)</span></td> +<td class="tdr"></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Letters from Prison Officials.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Testimonies of Convicts.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Released from Prison.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS"><em>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</em></h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"></td> +<td class="tdr fs70">PAGE.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Black List.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i017">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Cat-o’-nine-tails.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i029">31</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Lock-step March.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i033">35</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Chain Gang.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i049">51</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Scaling the Prison Walls.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i059">61</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Tracked by Bloodhounds—Captured.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i067">69</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Penitentiary of the State of West Virginia.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i103">105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">The Younger Brothers.</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i143">145</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> + +<p class="center no-indent fs150 wsp"><em>BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.</em></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i007" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i007.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="IN_PRISON">IN PRISON.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>Our country is called the land of the free, but +could we at one glance behold the thousands and +tens of thousands now behind the prison-bars and +know their irksome lives, there would be an awakening +in hearts that have never known the bondage that +exists in our midst.</p> + +<p>A crime is perpetrated. Some one is arraigned +before the court to answer the charges as to whether +he is guilty or not. The jury renders a verdict, +“Guilty.” The judge pronounces the sentence a term +in prison. The poor unfortunate is now considered a +convict. Shackles are brought to make him secure, +in order to prevent his escape. An officer accompanies +him to his prison house, where he is to be in servitude +according to the length of his term of sentence. No +one but the prisoner realizes the awful feelings as the +prison door shuts behind him with a clang, and he +hears the click of the lock fastening him in an iron +cell. Whether innocent or guilty, he feels the awful +disgrace upon himself and his friends. It would not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span> +seem so bad if only the guilty were brought to justice in +this way, but ofttimes the facts reveal that not only +hundreds, but thousands, of innocent persons are thus +sentenced and brought into disgrace, many of them +serving a life sentence.</p> + +<p>There are two sides to prison life—a bright side, and +a dark side. It may be a query in the minds of some +how there could be any enjoyment or any bright side +to such a life, but this will be clearly shown in other +chapters in this book. There are many things that go +to make the prison life a dark one. Viewing the +matter from a natural standpoint, with no one to +look to but human help, the way does truly often +look dark and dreary. There are prisons where men +are cast into dungeons and left to almost starve to +death, or they are bound hand and foot and beaten +with the cat-o-nine tails, or hanged by the thumbs, or +made to pass through some severe ordeal of punishment +that is almost beyond human endurance. Even +in our own country there are yet stockades wherein +prisoners do not receive treatment that would elevate +them nor fit them for the higher circles of society. +Many of these stockades wherein prisoners have been +kept during the years past have been but little, if any, +better in many respects than were the Andersonville +or Libby prisons during the Rebellion. There are exceptional +cases to be sure. During the past year a +number of the states have not properly provided for +their prisoners. It has not been an uncommon thing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> +in some of these stockades to see a gang of men +shackled together with chains, obliged to go about +with the clanking chains to their feet, under rigid +rules, and having to suffer the severe treatment of +wicked and ungodly guards.</p> + +<p>The National Prison Association, which is generally +represented by officers from the various prisons +throughout the United States, have for a number of +years met annually to discuss the best modes of handling +and caring for the prisoners. Various methods +have been set forth. Experiments have been made, +and too often it is the case that hard-hearted officers +have used the most excruciating means and hard-heartedness +in their dealings toward their prisoners, +in order to keep them in subjection. Some officers +deem it necessary to speak to prisoners in the sternest +possible manner, imagining that being cross, gruff, +and surly toward them will make them feel a subordination +that can be brought about in no other way. +This only deepens the sorrows of the poor unfortunate +prisoner and tends to harden his heart and affections. +Such officers forget that kind looks, gentle actions, +and words of encouragement fitly spoken will elevate +a man and encourage him to show his manhood and +return the love by putting forth his best efforts to +show his appreciation of kindness. It is true there +are hard-hearted men in prison, men who would kill a +man for a trifle, whose consciences are seared over, as +it were, yet there are comparatively few men so hard-hearted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> +but can be touched by love and kindness. +There are times when more severe punishment must +be inflicted, but the warden and prison officers who +continually show forth kindness toward the prisoners, +greeting them with a smile and words of encouragement, +have but little trouble in bringing about a great +reform in the lives of those under their charge.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="MAKE_THE_BEST_OF_IT">MAKE THE BEST OF IT.</h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p>There are thousands in prisons whose hands have +been stained with the blood of their fellow men; +others whose hearts are hardened in sin and their lives +blackened with many crimes; while again, there are +those who are innocent, and some who have been cast +into prison for Christ’s sake. But whether innocent +or guilty, the most expedient thing is to make the best +of the situation. Worrying over the separation from +friends, the disgrace that is brought about, and bewailing +the condition of things in general, will by no +means help the matter. If a sin or crime has been +committed it is not hidden from the God of heaven, +and though the prisoner maybe shut in for years he can +have the soul liberated from all the sins committed, +by confessing them unto the Lord, calling upon him, +and believing that he does forgive; as the Bible tells +us in 1 Jno. 1:9 that, “if we confess our sins, he is +faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse +us from all unrighteousness.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> + +<p>The dear prisoner should make a decision for the +right at once, cast away his gloom, doubts, and fears, +and remember the words of the apostle, who urges +people to cast their care upon the Lord, for he careth +for them. He is a very present help in time of trouble. +By the help of Almighty God the prisoner can yet +make his mark in the world. He can rise above every +foe and be of some use before his life closes. While +he is in the midst of the most desperate characters in +the land, yet he can have good associates. He can +commune with God when alone in his cell. He can +call for good books and holy literature, read the Bible, +and make every effort to please the Lord and those +around him. He can so live that even the prison walls +will be a hallowed spot unto him. It was while John +Bunyan was serving a twelve-year sentence in prison that +he wrote the notable book “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” +which has been a help and comfort to multitudes of +people. He no doubt worked often under adverse +circumstances and completed his work through many +difficulties and much hard labor. Likewise Martin +Luther translated the New Testament while in prison, +and wrote a number of other valuable works. The +apostle Paul wrote a number of his epistles while in +prison. He and others with him sometimes were +punished by stripes until they were left lacerated and +bleeding, then cast into prison and bound hand and +foot. It was under such circumstances that one time +Paul and Silas were found praising the Lord, singing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> +and shouting at the midnight hour, when the Lord +sent an earthquake and rent the prison walls, throwing +open the doors and loosing the shackles, setting +them free; but they did not flee from the prison until +they received proper orders. It was their faithfulness +that caused the jailer to ask what he should do to be +saved. Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus +Christ. The generous jailor then took the brethren +and washed their stripes and properly cared for them, +and soon they were dismissed and sent on their way. +It often happens that some must suffer an unjust punishment. +To such we can only say, Be of good +courage; look up and trust for better days.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010a2" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PUNISHMENT">PUNISHMENT.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>People are sentenced to a term in prison on account +of crime committed. There are two systems of punishment. +One is called punitive or retributive system, +the other the corrective or reformative. Until within +the last few years the punitive system was almost the +exclusive one. However, our humane officers, prison +officials, lawmakers and statesmen are not only learning +better ways of bringing men and women thus incarcerated +into subjection, but in many places are +making and enforcing laws which require that prisoners +be more humanely treated and receive better care +and accommodations. Men have resorted to almost<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> +every possible device in order to make bad men good +and raise them from ignorance to intelligence, and in +so doing have inflicted the most severe punishment, +causing the prisoners to pass through severest ordeals +and most terrible sufferings imaginable. When we +say there has been a radical change in many of our +prisons in the land in discarding the severe corporal +punishment, we do not wish to convey the idea that all +prisons have yet accepted the more humane ways of +governing the prisoners under their charge. When we +say some of these punishments have been and are yet +severe it does not fully express the facts of the case. +The word “severe” is not a strong enough word. There +have been and are yet punishments that are brutal—brutal +to the extreme. Many prisoners who are within +the prison walls carry the deep lash marks of the +whip; the unjointed and deformed thumbs resulting +from the punishment of being hanged by the thumbs; +and there are other deformities. Many of us can no +doubt remember the time of our early days in the +country school when the schoolmaster was almost +constantly with a beach or birch whip in his hand, +something equal to an ox goad. This instrument for +correcting the youths of our land and bringing them +into subjection, when not in the schoolmaster’s +hand was in the corner near by and was generally +freely used. There have been, however, such a radical +change and better modes of government brought +about, that many schools are taught without once<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span> +using such an instrument of punishment. If such a +successful change has been made in our public schools, +surely as radical a change can be made in our prisons, +to take the place of the brutality of the past. Concerning +the easy government of the prisoners there is +much that depends upon those in charge of the prisoners. +The warden, chaplain, and prison guards who +have direct care of the prisoners should be good, +whole-souled men, kind and benevolent, and who are +capable of appreciating the good traits of a man even +though they may be covered by many dark ones. They +should be good readers of human nature and understand +the dispositions of those under their charge. +They should be firm and unyielding to their trust, yet +loving and tender.</p> + +<p>Mr. Meade, warden of the state prison at Auburn, +N. Y., says: “Till the nature of criminals undergoes a +complete change, nay, till the nature of man is much +altered, there will be times when punishment must be +inflicted on prisoners. Much as we have gained on +using the modern reformed treatment, and much as +we may justly expect to gain in the future, the fact +remains that there are times in the prison life of men +when the results of their former passions crop out irresistibly, +making them for a time not accessible to +friendly reproof. At such times, for the effect it has +on others, but quite as much for its effect on its +misdemeanant, it is necessary to forcibly bring him to +recognition of his obligations and his duty. But to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> +my mind forcible restraining, or to employ the common +term, punishing a convict, does not require the +use of the paddle or other instruments of torture; +furthermore, in my judgment, such process should be +condemned in the strongest terms. For they tend to +imbitter not only the man punished but all prisoners +against the officers of the prison, the rules of the +prison, and law itself. One instance of the use of the +paddle would do more to destroy the desired friendly +relation between officers and men than many months +of considerate treatment could restore. No! Experience +has proved to me that when it is imperative that +an inmate be punished, the screened cell or dungeon +without discretion furnishes an effective mode. Such +cells should be kept dry and well ventilated, but +wholly devoid of furnishings. Confining men thus +and supplying them with a very limited amount of food +and water has, in the great majority of cases which +have come under my observation, speedily brought the +desired result of making a man see the advisibility of +abiding by the regulations of the institution.”</p> + +<p>There are also other ways, however, of vividly impressing +the minds of those who are disorderly, or +who insist on not observing the prison rules. Most +prisons have what is called “short time;” that is, for +good behavior their sentence is shortened so many +days each month, and in some prisons a certain percentage +of the worth of their labor is placed to their +credit for good behavior. One of the effective ways of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> +bringing them to time when they become stubborn and +rebellious, refusing to obey the rules, is to withhold +the commutation, or short time, and also deduct so +much of the compensation money that has been placed +to their credit. This is generally much more effective +and pleads to the reason and common sense of the +prisoner more than some forcible persuasion by way of +corporal punishment.</p> + +<p>For certain offences some are black-listed to be punished +in various ways. One is, during working hours +or while others are resting or at services on Sunday, +the disobedient convict is to march for a few hours +around the prison square and carry a heavy piece of +railroad iron, weighing from fifty to one hundred +pounds.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i017" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i017.jpg" alt="The Black List"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">The Black List.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Captain Smith, a few years ago, in giving his biennial +report of the Kansas prison, said: “The discipline +has been carefully looked after and as a general +thing prisoners yield to a strict discipline better than +most people think. They seem to see and realize the +necessity of rules and very seldom complain, if they +violate them, at the punishment that is sure to follow. +Our punishments are of such a character that they do +not degrade. Kansas, when she established her +penitentiary, prohibited corporal punishment. She is +one of the few states that by law prohibits the use of +the whip and strap, taking the position that it is better +to use kindness than to resort to brutal measures. I +have often been told, and that too by old prison men, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span>that it is impossible to run a prison and have first-class +discipline without the whip. Such is not my experience. +We have had within our walls perhaps as +desperate men as ever received a sentence. We have +controlled them and have maintained a good discipline +second to none in the country. How did we accomplish +this? Our answer is, By being kind but firm, treating +a man, although a prisoner, as a man, and if he +violates rules, lock him up and give him an opportunity +to commune with himself and his Maker; also +give him to understand that he is the executioner of +his own sentence, and when he concludes that he can +do right, release him. It matters not how vicious, +how stubborn, or what kind of a temper he may +have, when left with no one to talk to and an +opportunity to cool down and with the knowledge +that when he comes to the conclusion that he will do +better he can be released, he leaves the cell feeling very +different from the prisoner who leaves the whipping-post +after having received any number of lashes that +the brutal officer may desire to inflict. One goes to +his work cheerful and determined to behave himself; +the other dogged, revengeful, and completely humiliated, +only lives in hope that he may at some time +take his revenge upon the person that ordered or inflicted +the punishment and upon the state or country +that would by its laws tolerate such a brutal or +slavish practice.”</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010aa" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CAPITAL_PUNISHMENT">CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> + +</div> + +<p>Being put to death for crime or some misdemeanor +is termed capital punishment. This is not the most +painful but is the most heinous of all punishments. +It is a heathenish practice, yet men make laws, sit in +judgment, render decisions, pronounce sentences, and +thereby shed the blood of their fellow men, trying to +hide behind the laws that are made, trying to screen +themselves by the Bible, hoping all will be well in the +day of judgment. Because of such lawmakers and lawyers, +many are sentenced and hurled into eternity without +being prepared to meet God. Will God hold us innocent +if we do such things? or if we cry not out against +such, will he not look down upon a government and +nation stained with human blood? Surely there is guilt +that must be removed. When the judge rises and +pronounces the death sentence, to ease his conscience +in the matter he sometimes quotes from Genesis 9:6: +“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood +be shed.” Even though that scripture could apply in +such cases in those days, it can not at the present +time. It is true that under the law of Moses life was +given for life as a punishment. For many trivial things +people were stoned to death, even for the breaking of +the Sabbath.</p> + +<p>“Then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth +for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span> +burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”—Ex. +21:23-25.</p> + +<p>“Then thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for +life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot +for foot.”—Deut. 19:21.</p> + +<p>“And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to +death. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; +beast for beast. And if a man cause a blemish in his +neighbor; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; +breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he +hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to +him again. And he that killeth a beast, he shall +restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put +to death.”</p> + +<p>We are not living under the law of Moses in this day +and age of the world, neither are we justified by the +law, but we are living in a different dispensation. Paul +says the law of Moses was a law of bondage, and +through Jesus Christ we are free from that bondage. +The law of Moses and the prophets were until John +(Luke 16:16), and we now live in the dispensation of +the gospel of Jesus Christ, and nowhere does he give +men the privilege of making and enforcing laws that +would make the taking of man’s life justifiable. We +do not read the instructions of Jesus Christ to be +“Life for life, eye for eye, and tooth for tooth,” +neither by way of rendering the sentence of the law +upon those who have taken the life of their fellow +man, nor by acting upon the impulse in taking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> +revenge for personal offence or injury. In speaking +of the law of Moses and what was written concerning +the people of olden times, Jesus in that memorable +sermon on the mount said: “Ye have heard that it +hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a +tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but +whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to +him the other also.”—Matt. 5:38, 39. Jesus Christ +taught the law of love, even taught that we should +love our enemies and do good to them that hate us +and despitefully use us. He taught that people should +show mercy to their fellow men. Even when wicked +Cain slew his brother Abel because of a slight offence, +and though he feared that men would put him to +death, God gave him to understand that he would not +have him put to death, but that he should be protected +from such a penalty, although his hands were stained +with his brother’s blood.</p> + +<p>In Galatians 5:4 Paul gave the people to understand +that they were not justified by the law of Moses; +he said: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever +of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen +from grace.” Neither are people justified in the sight +of God for making and enforcing laws that will take +the life of their fellow men. Merely quoting the +words, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall +his blood be shed,” will not remove the guilt. To call +such lawmaking and enforcement heathenism does +not give full expression to the subject; nay, it is barbarism<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> +in the extreme. Some may severely criticize +these terms and the views expressed here, but we +fearlessly assert that such is truth. We are glad to +know that a few states in our so-called land of liberty +have become awakened on this line and refuse to make +or enforce such a law. Those who still try to hide +behind the law of Moses, why not carry out that law +in full and stone to death every man or woman who +breaks the Sabbath?</p> + +<p>There is another side to the picture. It is sometimes +the case that a man who is put to death is innocent +of the crime for which he is charged. Whether +innocent or guilty, a great number of those thus punished +pass into eternity unsaved. With many of them +it has been an act performed on the impulse of the +moment. Their former lives, perhaps, have been +upright, viewing them from a standpoint of morality. +Again, it is often the case that a family is left in a +critical condition to battle for life with this cold +world. A delicate wife with helpless children must +thus be weighed down in sorrow and bereavement, +poverty staring them in the face, crushed with shame +and disgrace, with no one to provide for them and no +help nor special protection from the state whose laws +have forever removed the one to whom they looked for +maintenance and protection.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010ab" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIFE_IMPRISONMENT">LIFE IMPRISONMENT.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> + +</div> + +<p>Life imprisonment is an unjust sentence. Life prisoners +are those who have received their sentence for +murdering a fellow being. In many cases, however, +they can not really be classed as criminals. They are +victims of circumstances. The deed was not premeditated +but was brought about on the impulse of the +moment. The sentence of a lifelong imprisonment +forever deprives of the liberties of freedom and the +association of friends and relatives, and the only hope +of freedom is an escape, then to remain a fugitive +from justice. Mr. Meade in his report suggests that +the life prisoner should be allowed the same privilege +of commutation or short time as is given other prisoners, +and in this give him a hope of release. There +are tables which insurance companies use (and they +are supported by the courts) which fix an average limit +of years of the existence of a man, computing from the +first year; the interval beyond the present age naturally +decreasing as old age approaches. He says: “It +would seem that these tables furnish a foundation on +which a system for life prisoners should be based. For +instance, a man twenty years of age is convicted of +murder and sentenced to prison for life. Our tables +show that the average number of years for a man of +that age still to live is approximately thirty-four. +Figuring the legal commutation on this term of thirty-four<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> +years, we find the prisoner would be compelled to +serve about twenty-three years of solid time. A man +thirty years old would on the same basis, having about +thirty years to live, serve eighteen years; a man forty +years old, having about twenty-five years to live, would +serve sixteen years in prison. Thus we might continue +our observations indefinitely.”</p> + +<p>My views of this matter may be severely criticised, +nevertheless we do not consider that five years is unreasonably +short for the first offence of murder. This +releases the innocent man who may have been sentenced +through circumstantial evidence or otherwise +by false accusation. It is a long sentence for a man +who has acted on the impulse of the moment or in a +fit of anger; and even to the one who has premeditated +the crime, five years of hard labor and proper training +in a prison will be an impressive lesson to cause him +not to repeat the act. For a second offence it should not +be more than ten or fifteen years, and even for a third +offence it would not be out of reason to give him the +life sentence with the regular commutation. This +reasoning may to many at first thought seem ridiculous, +but upon proper consideration we should remember +that as long as there is life there is hope, and while +there is a possibility of reformation a man should have +some kind of a chance; not only a chance to reform, +but a chance to enjoy his liberty. Even after he has +served two or three terms he is not then a worse character +and not more dangerous to a community than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> +thousands of others who are just as guilty but have +not suffered the penalty of the law. When a man has +served according to the penalty here suggested, has +he not suffered sufficient to satisfy the law? and should +we not be willing to allow him the privileges of liberty +and to enjoy life once more? It is a hard heart indeed +that will place a man behind prison-bars for life. In +England there is a possibility of being set at liberty +after twenty years, on account of good behavior. +There needs to be a radical change in our laws on this +line.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010b" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_DUNGEON">THE DUNGEON.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>This is the dreaded place of all prisons and in many +places resorted to oftener than necessary. Many prisoners +who work in the mines have had to go to the +dungeon without their supper after laboring hard all +day, because ungodly and wicked guards reported a +shortage in the proper amount of coal mined, when +the facts of the case were that the guards had stolen +or removed a portion of the coal from the car after it +left the prisoner, because of their dislike for the prisoner +and by so doing could have him punished. It +also too often happens that prisoners refuse to work as +they should, and deserve the punishment. It is not +necessary to here describe the filthy, stifling, odorous +dungeons of war times or of some of the worst prisons<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span> +of the day, but a description of the dungeon of one of +the best prisons in our land will be sufficient. The +following is a description given by one who served a +term in prison. In describing the punishment to +secure good discipline, he said:</p> + +<p>“To me these contingency dungeons are, as their +name implies, dark, with similarity to an ordinary cell +with the exception of a door which in the common cell +contains open spaces for the admission of light, but +the dark cell admits no light, and not a sufficient +quantity of air. There is no furniture in this dark +cell. While undergoing punishment if a prisoner +desires to rest he can do so by reclining on the stone +floor. No refractory prisoner ever grows corpulent +while confined in these dark cells, as he receives only +one meal of bread and water in twenty-four hours. +The prisoner is often kept in one of these cells from +eight to ten days. Sleep is almost impossible. When +a prisoner enters the dungeon he is required to leave +behind him his coat, cap, and shoes. During the +winter months it is often very cold in these cells, +requiring the prisoner to walk up and down the dungeon +in his stocking feet to prevent his freezing, and +this for a period of ten days in nearly every instance +compels submission. After the dark cells thaw out in +the summer months they are excessively hot. Sometimes +in winter the temperature is below zero, and in +summer it often rises to 100 degrees. They are then +veritable furnaces. Generally after the prisoner undergoes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> +a freezing or baking process for eight or ten +days, he is willing to behave himself in the future. +They are sometimes so reduced and weakened that when +brought out of the dark cell they can scarcely walk +without aid. I have seen them reel to and fro like +drunken men. They are often as pale as death. In +many cases the prisoner contracts cold which later on +terminates fatally, and this is one of the principal +objections to this mode of punishment. If the prisoner +in the mine does not get out his regular weekly +task of coal, on Saturday he is reported to the deputy +sheriff by the officer in charge and is sent to the +blind cell before supper and kept there until the +following Monday morning, when he is taken +out and sent to his work in the mines. While +in there he gets only bread and water once in +twenty-four hours. This is a great inducement +to work, which certainly prevents criminals from +shirking their labor, and soon converts the lazy tramp +into a hustling coal miner. If being in this dark cell ten +days and nights is insufficient to subdue a rebellious +spirit of the convict he is taken out and placed in the +solitary cell. This is similar to the ordinary cell with +the exception that it contains no furniture. Here the +convict remains on bread and water until he is starved +almost to death or until he is willing to submit and do +his work as ordered.”</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010ac" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="i029" style="max-width: 43.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i029.jpg" alt="The Cat-o’nine-tails"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">The Cat-o’nine-tails</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CAT-O-NINE-TAILS">CAT-O’-NINE-TAILS.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>A few years ago while visiting an Indiana penitentiary +the warden said that some years before they used the +cat-o’-nine-tails in punishing their prisoners, but had +discarded that mode of punishment. There are men +both in prison and out of prison who carry furrows +and scars on their backs caused by the deep flesh +wounds of the cat-o’-nine-tails. This is a whip with +lashes some of which have wire interwoven so as to +cut the flesh with every stroke. The poor prisoner +must bare his back and be chained or shackled +to a post and beaten by a merciless officer, who +is often only too glad to wreak his vengeance in +that way. It is yet the case in many prisons and +stockades that a similar punishment is inflicted +with the exception of not so many lashes, and a strap +is sometimes used, from two to four inches wide, made +by sewing two pieces of harness leather together. The +same is perforated, soaked in water over night, and +dipped in the sand. This, when vigorously applied to +the bare flesh, causes the most excruciating pain. +This is not in the least overdrawing the picture of what +is constantly put into practice at the present time.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010ad" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="BUCK-AND-GAGGED">BUCK-AND-GAGGED.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + + +<p>This is another dreadful punishment which is still +in vogue in some places. The prisoner is taken and +handcuffed, his hands slipped over in front of his +knees and sometimes a stick passed through just under +his knees and over his wrists, his mouth opened ofttimes +by force, and filled with a large cork or piece of +wood, and left in this condition until life is almost +extinct. This punishment is serious and is apt to +make the prisoner revengeful instead of making him +feel that he has been justly punished.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010c" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_LOCK-STEP_MARCH">THE LOCK-STEP MARCH.</h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i033" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i033.jpg" alt="The Lock-step March"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">The Lock-step March</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>The lock-step march is a humane punishment, yet +when continued a great length of time is very tiresome. +Prisoners who have been guilty of some trivial +offence during the week, and who are not otherwise +punished, are generally called upon to fall in line and +proceed to the open square of the prison, and there +while the other prisoners are resting or at chapel exercises +they must keep in constant motion in the lock-step +march. This punishment is not as severe as some +others, yet it is not a desirable punishment, especially +when the others are all enjoying a rest or comfortably +seated in the chapel during religions services. When +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>the hundreds of prisoners are gathered in the chapel on +Sunday morning and comfortably seated, the warden +or some other officer reads the names of those who are +to join in the lock-step march. It is not for them to +retaliate nor plead their innocence, neither wait to be +told the second time. As soon as their names are +called they must immediately rise and as the last +name is called they are all marched out to the prison +yard and there begin their tiresome march. Some +who have committed greater offences must walk in +front and carry heavy bars of iron. This punishment +is given to stimulate them to observe the proper rules +and discipline of the prison.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010d" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LITERARY_PRIVILEGES">LITERARY PRIVILEGES.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>The literary privileges are so widely different in the +various prisons throughout the land that it would be +very difficult to render the proper information. There +are some penitentiaries, and especially the stockades +of the South, without libraries, and many prisoners +even serve a term without being granted any educational +privileges whatever, either by way of literary +work or reading of good books. It is more difficult in +the stockades to give the literary privileges than in +other established prisons. However, there are states +with established penitentiaries that have not provided +the same with libraries and proper literary accommodations.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> +On the other hand, many of the penitentiaries +have established schools wherein prisoners can obtain +a fair education. For instance, the Michigan state +prison more than twenty-five years ago established +graded schools, and all prisoners who have not a fair +education are required four evenings of the week to +attend these schools for an hour and a half. In this +way the prisoner is not only benefited, but it brings +him under a new line of discipline that enables the +officer in charge to become familiar with his mental +condition and capabilities and more fully understand +the dispositions of those under his charge. Men who +are thus drilled and properly cared for, after going +through this discipline day after day, cause less trouble +to those in charge. In the prisons where the most +humane reformative system of management is used +there can be many things brought to bear upon the +minds of the prisoners that will tend to elevate them +and fit them for the higher circles of society. By the +proper treatment and privileges they will soon learn to +have a taste for literary work. A few prisons give the +prisoners the privileges of general literary work, such +as delivering orations, recitations, essays, debates, etc. +These things, while they educate and develop the +mind, have a tendency to divert the mind of the prisoner +from the feelings of disgrace and the deplorable +situation; and instead of spending hours brooding in +despondency it awakens an activity of the mind and +new thoughts for consideration during the solitary +hours.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p> + +<p>Every prison should supply each cell with a Bible. +Many do this while others do not. The prisoners +should also have access to the library and permission to +call for any book in the library. Where they are thus +looked after it is the duty of certain prisoners to go to +each cell and learn what book is desired for the coming +week and to take up the one which was in their possession +during the past week. These requests are taken +to the librarian and the books selected and distributed +according to number. Prisoners who mutilate or destroy +the books in any way are denied the privilege of +having a book to read for a few weeks. If the offence +is repeated the punishment on this line is more severe +and they are then neither allowed to receive a book or +paper or are refused all privileges of the library and not +even allowed to have paper or writing material to communicate +with their friends. With most prisoners this +is a severe punishment. One who has not been thus +incarcerated or had to spend weeks and months in +solitude can scarcely realize the value of good books to +read under such circumstances. But he who has had +the actual experience knows just how to appreciate +such a privilege.</p> + +<p>During the civil war a number of Union men made +a daring raid through the Confederate line and were +afterward captured and cast into dungeons where they +spent weeks of suffering, amid heart-rending scenes, +and notwithstanding their extreme hunger, thirst, and +the stifling odor of their dark underground prison and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> +suffering much from their shackles and clanking +chains, they were taken from place to place and then +brought to trial. Seven of their number were hanged, +leaving about a dozen remaining who were expecting +to be called out to follow in their footsteps at any +time. Through some sudden change or maneuver of +war the remainder of these men were left in prison +with guards over them and only a meager supply of +food. As the seven of their comrades were taken from +their midst to the place of execution those who remained +were in much distress of mind. During the +morning hours before this they had spent the time in +playing cards, now and then an oath escaping their +lips, but now the scene changed. Some one suggested +that they should pray. There was but little hope of +them escaping the fate of their comrades and thus soon +be hurled into eternity, and what added more to the +darkness of the hour was the fact that they had not +made their peace with God. One of the surviving +party describes the occurrence as follows:</p> + +<p>“From this time forward we had religious exercises +morning and evening and found them a great consolation +and support. We began and closed the day right +and thus added sweetness to all its hours, supplying a +subject of thought not bearing directly upon our future +gloomy prospects and thus enabling us to maintain +better mental health. We always sang a hymn or two +on these occasions. We sang ‘Rock of Ages,’ ‘Jesus, +Lover of my Soul,’ and others of a pronounced spiritual<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> +cast. This greatly astonished the guards. They +were given strict charge to watch us closely with the +statement that we were the most desperate characters +in the whole United States. Then to hear us singing +‘hymns’ and know that we had prayer morning and +evening was a contradiction they found hard to reconcile.... +What would we not now have given for the +counsels and assistance of a minister whom we could +fully trust! Just how to be religious was the puzzle. I +know if I had a command to execute from an army +officer I would do it, if in my power, no matter how +difficult or dangerous, and I wished intensely that it +was just as easy to be religious as to be a soldier; but +there was the question of right feelings and right +motives that did not seem to come into play very much +in the army. For if a soldier did his duty he was not +apt to be asked how he felt about it. I had the belief +that I must have joy and rapture in thinking of death +and readiness to shout God’s praises, which I did not +feel; and for a time it seemed as if I could not reach +a genuine conversion. I diligently read the Bible +which we had borrowed, and while I enjoyed many +things in it, little direct guidance for me was found. I +asked counsel of our captain for whom I had the +greatest esteem and respect, but it was so easy for him +to believe that I thought his case must be very unlike +my own, so I spoke to another one of our company, +the only one of our number who had a clear religious +faith, and seemed to be happy in it. His first answer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span> +was very striking. I asked how he felt about death. +He thought I referred to our worldly prospect, and +answered that probably we would soon all be put to +death. ‘But what is your feeling about death itself?’ +I continued. He said, ‘I am not afraid to die if it is +God’s will. I trust him now and I expect to trust +him to the last.’</p> + +<p>He took my hand and there was a steady light in his +eye that made me believe every word he said. But when +I asked him how he got such a faith, he could only tell +me that he went to a ‘mourners bench’ two years +before and sought till he found it. This did me no +good, for there was no place accessible here. In sore +perplexity I read the Bible from day to day and prayed, +taking my turn in praying aloud and reading with +the others. At length I thought I began to see that +trusting Christ must be something like taking his +words and teachings for my guide, trying to do all +that he commanded, and leaving the result while I did +this with him. This was not that sudden transformation +that I had hoped, but I soon found that it opened +up a good many things that I had never dreamed of. +One of these seemed especially strange under the circumstances. +I had yet but a slender hope of ever +escaping from the prison except by the way of the +scaffold. But in spite of that dark prospect as an +absolute test of my obedience—‘Will you, if satisfied +that it is God’s will, be ready to give up the profession +of law if you ever get home and go into the ministry?’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> +The first and spontaneous reply was, No! I had +studied law and meant to practice it if I ever got +where law reigned. But at once the self response was +clear, ‘What kind of obedience was this?’ I saw that +I was not sincere in professing to enlist under Christ +as my captain unless I would really obey him. It +would be a poor allegiance that stopped short with the +things I wanted to do. For a long time I could not +pass this point. The difficulty when communicated to +my prison companions seemed utterly absurd. ‘Try +to serve God in the prison where you are,’ they said +with a cheer plausibility, ‘and do not bother about +preaching, being a lawyer or anything else, when you +get out, for you never will get out.’ This seemed +good advice but it would not give a serene mind or the +victory over the fear of death, which I so much desired.</p> + +<p>“One after another of those in the prison found the +comfort I lacked. And it was not until wearied and +worn-out that I vowed that if God would only give me +peace I would serve him as sincerely in prison or out +of it as I had tried to serve my country, and in any way +he might direct. From this time I did have a steady +conviction that I was on the Lord’s side and that I +had a right to commit myself and my life to his keeping. +Though all newspapers were strictly forbidden, +yet through the kindness of negro waiters we were +supplied and thus kept posted regarding war news.... +We all remember with deepest gratitude the visit of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> +a minister. When he left he promised to send us some +books and did not forget to promptly forward them. +These we took good care of, read thoroughly to all in +the room, and then returned, asking for more. These +he generously gave and we thus continued until we had +read nearly his whole library. Those only who know +what a dreadful weariness it is to pass days without +any definite employment can realize the great boon +these good books bestowed on us. It made the prison +room a veritable school, and in view of our religious +efforts the character of the books was just what we +would most have desired, as they were of a religious +cast, which only made them the more welcome. But +there is no employment upon which I look back with +more pleasure than that for which the minister’s books +furnished us the material. With fifteen persons in a +room not more than eighteen feet square it was needful +to preserve quiet if any reading must be done. +We therefore appointed regular reading hours, two in +the forenoon and the same in the afternoon. During +this time no one was permitted to speak above a low +whisper and all noise and running about was forbidden. +Those who did not wish to read might sleep. +Sometimes the books were read silently, but for a part +of the time in nearly every period a volume of general +interest would be selected and read aloud. These +books would often furnish subjects and arguments for +discussion in the debating periods that followed. We +gained a great deal of knowledge in our novel school,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span> +which has been of lifelong value. Books of travel, +adventure, history, biography, and theology—no +fiction—were freely read and brought the freshness of +the outside world into our dreary captivity.”</p> + +<p>The foregoing gives us a vague idea of what can be +done for the welfare of the prisoners in the jails, work-houses, +and penal institutions of our land, towards +making the prisoners happy by supplying them with +good books, tracts, papers, and such like. Oh, the +neglect on this line! Were prisoners thus supplied, +their minds would not be occupied during the solitary +hours in scheming and planning the best modes of perpetrating +crime. Get a man interested in a good book +and you thus place him in good company. He may +never see you, but with deep feelings of gratitude will +ever have the kindest feelings toward those who thus +bestowed the kind favor of placing him in possession +of such a companion.</p> + +<p>For the entertainment of the prisoner and to develop +an interest in literary work they have been allowed to +publish prison papers. Some of these are very small +while others are large and well edited. About three +years ago at Sing Sing Prison, in the state of New York, +it was decided to issue a bi-weekly twenty-six-page +paper to be edited and printed entirely by convicts. +No article is allowed in the paper except those composed +and furnished by the inmates of the prison. +When papers are thus printed and distributed among +the prisoners it has a great controlling influence and +creates a general interest in literary work.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010ae" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="TOBACCO_ALLOWANCE">TOBACCO ALLOWANCE.</h2> +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>Most prisoners are users of tobacco, yet there are +many who do not use it. Some prisons allow a pound +of tobacco a month, some two pounds every month. +This is generally manufactured at the prison where it +is used. One of the modes of punishment, and a very +effective one too, is to deprive the men of their tobacco +for disobedience. With many this is one of the most +severe punishments instituted. When a man enters +prison he is given a copy of the rules of the prison and +also a ticket stating the privileges of the use of the +library, books, letter-writing, tobacco allowance, etc. +Failure to comply with the rules ofttimes means to be +deprived of these privileges for a month or longer. +Some time ago we placed a number of tracts in prisons +showing the evil effects of tobacco on the human system, +the filthiness and offensiveness of tobacco, etc., +and we were pleased to note the results by way of convincing +many prisoners to discontinue the use and +give up the habit. While some are able by strong willpower +to discontinue the use of it, yet but comparatively +few people can in their own strength quit its use +and rid themselves of the appetite. But many can +testify that they have not only been able to quit its use, +but have had the appetite removed by the power of +God in answer to prayer.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010af" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PRISONERS_WORK">PRISONERS’ WORK.</h2> +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>Men and women are sent to prison to work. The +sentence is generally so many years in state prison +at hard labor. It is right and proper that they should +work and should be made to work faithfully. It is not +supposed that they receive a sentence to enter a paradise +for so many years. In the different prisons the +work is quite different. There are prisons where the +prisoners are required to spend almost their entire +time of working hours from 600 to 800 feet under +ground digging coal. At some places the veins of coal +are so shallow that the prisoners are compelled to lie +down and stretch themselves out or be in a half-way sitting +posture while at their work. Such prisoners often +contract colds, rheumatism, and other diseases which +rapidly shorten their lives. In other prisons they are +taken out in gangs to work on the public highways +and crush stone. However, some prisons furnish the +prisoners work within the prison walls. Much of this +labor is let out to contractors who have a business of +making clothing, harness, whips, brooms, etc. In +such cases the contractors pay the state a small +amount each day for the labor of the prisoners. Many +complaints have been made, and many of them justly, +because of the unfair requirements and treatment of +the prisoners. This should be more carefully looked +after by the prison inspectors of the state, and we are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> +glad to know that in many places it is receiving attention.</p> + +<p>The time for working ranges from ten to fourteen +hours per day. In the United States prison at Leavenworth, +Kans. they rise at six o’clock, and when the +men are ready to go to their work, three hundred of +them march two miles and one-half to their work, a +hundred more go two miles in another direction to +work on a farm, while others are otherwise occupied +till six o’clock in the evening. As a general thing, +if the prisoner is careful to obey the rules and work +well, he is not likely to have much trouble with the +officials. However, in some prisons very few escape +extra punishments of some kind.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010e" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_STOCKADES">THE STOCKADES.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>The stockade is an enclosure, or pen, made with posts +or sticks stuck in the ground. It is generally a temporary +affair. These are to be found in the South and +Southwest mostly. Here is where the worst treatment +is to be found among the prisoners. Some of the +southern states are providing better for their prisoners, +but others are far behind what they should be. +A stockade is sometimes made on the top of a mountain +or in some suitable place for working mines. In +these southern states not only mining is carried on by +the prisoners, but building of roads, railroads, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> +such like. For instance, where a railroad is being built, +large cars are roughly and strongly built in which the +prisoners are locked when not at their work. Women +in some of these places are required to clear the land, +roll logs, do drudgery, and in many instances are so +shamefully used and treated that it is a disgrace to a +civilized nation. But while such is the case there are +noble men and women who are not connected with the +prison, as well as many of the more noble prison +officers who have been working faithfully for years to +bring about a prison reform, and much has been done +and is being done on that line. However, could the +veil be drawn aside that all might fully realize the +situation, the reformation would be more rapid and +effective. The stockades do not have literary privileges +as a general thing as do our older and well-established +prisons. We have received communications +from officers in these stockades who are very anxious +to have good literature placed at their disposal, assuring +us that the same would be highly appreciated and +used to the advantage of the prisoners.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010f" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_CHAIN_GANG">THE CHAIN GANG.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>It is not an uncommon thing to see a chain gang +of prisoners, especially about the stockades. Sometimes +they are marched to and from their work shackled +with handcuffs, while others are fastened with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> +clanking chains. There are also men to be found with +iron bands or rings welded around their necks, to which +a chain is fastened with the other end of the chain +attached to a ball to prevent their escape. These are +generally the most desperate characters.</p> + +<p>To those who are acquainted with such scenes it is +shocking indeed, and creates a feeling of pity and +sympathy which calls for a more humane treatment in +behalf of the poor unfortunates. There are men who +serve almost an entire term of sentence in stocks or +irons, or go to their work in the chain gang, because +of a lack of proper provision of accommodations on +the part of the state or government, or by unjust, +inhumane treatment.</p> + +<p>Few men have fallen so low in sin and degradation, +or have been so hardened by crime, but yet have at least +a spark of humanity or manhood which can be kindled +to a flame by proper humane and reformative treatment; +where, on the other hand, an undue amount of +the imposition of irons and chains causes them to +grind with revenge, and seemingly the little spark of +manhood is seared over with a more hardened conscience, +leaving him still a criminal almost beyond +redemption.</p> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="i049" style="max-width: 43.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i049.jpg" alt="The Chain-gang"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">The Chain-gang.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010a" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_FELONS_CELL">THE FELON’S CELL.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>When one is taken to serve a term in prison, has +exchanged his citizen’s clothes for a suit of stripes, +is measured, and a full description is written in the +prison books, he is taken to a cell which is to be his +future abode during his confinement, except what +time he is at work, at his meals, or is otherwise +stationed by the prison officers. We can here only give +a description of what is commonly found to be a prison +cell. It is a small iron room with a stone floor, and +when two convicts are to occupy the same cell, there +are two bunks or beds in the cell. The bed-rack is made +of iron or wood slats, and the bed-tick is generally +filled with corn-husks or some similar material, likewise +the pillow. When the beds are not in use they +are fastened to the side of the wall with a chain. +When down and in use they take up nearly the entire +space of the cell, so that it is impossible for the two +occupants to pass each other in walking to and fro. +The other furniture generally consists of a small tinbucket +holding about two quarts of water, and a washbasin. +A short-handled broom is also found in one +corner of the cell with which the convict brushes it +every morning. The walls are either iron or stone, +decorated with a small looking-glass and a towel. +Each cell contains one chair, as there is not room for +two; so that when one sits on the chair the other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> +stands or occupies a seat on the stone floor. The door +is made of half-inch iron bars crossing each other at +right angles, leaving spaces about two by six inches. +Through these spaces come the air, light, and heat.</p> + +<p>To give the reader an idea of how one would naturally +feel on the first introduction to such a place, we +will give it in the language of a prisoner, who says: +“After examination I was shown to my cell. It was +now about two o’clock in the afternoon of my first day +in prison. I remained in the chair during the entire +afternoon. Of all the dark hours of an eventful +history none have been filled with more gloom and +sadness than those of my first day in prison. All my +life I moved in the highest circles of society, surrounded +by the best and purest of both sexes, and now I was +in the deplorable condition of having been hurled from +that high social condition down to the low, degraded +plane of a convict. As I sat there in that desolate +abode of the disgraced I tried to look out down the +future. All was dark. For a time it seemed as if +that sweet angel we call Hope had spread her wings +and taken her departure from me forever. The black +cloud of despair somewhat settled down upon me. But +very few prisoners possess the ability to make anything +of themselves after having served a term in the penitentiary. +I sat brooding over these things for an +hour or more and my manhood asserted itself and hope +returned. I reasoned thus: I am a young man, I enjoy +good health, there will be only a few months of imprisonment,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> +and then I will be free. I thought of my +loving wife, little children, my aged mother, my kind +friends, and for their sake I would not yield to despair. +Soliciting aid of a kind heavenly Father I +resolved to do the best I could toward regaining what +I had lost. I was aware of the fact that when I got +out of the penitentiary all the money I would have +with which to make another start in life would be +five dollars. The United States presents her prisoners +upon discharge with a suit of citizens’ clothes and +five dollars. This was my capital.”</p> + +<p>Truly such a sad condition would be deplorable, but +the prisoner can only assert his manhood, lay his plans +for the future, and determine to rise above it all, which +is not impossible. Many have risen to a good standing +in life. What has been done can be done again.</p> + +<p>Prisoners who are sentenced to be hanged are generally +taken to a cell in the execution house separate +from the other prisoners. The convict thus doomed +spends the time in this prison and is not required to +work. A few months ago I visited a prison, and in the +execution building I found two prisoners in solitary +cells. One seemed to have made his peace with God, +but the other was in deep trouble over his soul, was not +ready to meet God, and had only a few more days to live. +It seemed he could not pray. He had been reading his +Bible and other religious books, but hope had almost +fled. After talking with him for a time, I said, “Young +man, your time is short unless God in some way intervenes.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> +If you have been guilty of crime and are +trying to hide it from your fellow men or denying the +charge, you can not hide it from God. Acknowledge +before him the facts as they are and call upon him for +help.” After praying with him for a while he gave +vent to his feelings in most earnest pleas to God, crying +out, “I am a murderer.” He continued his earnest +pleas until the Lord did forgive him. A week or two +later when the death sentence was read to him in his +cell, he was ready, and made the remark that they +could only take away his breath, for his soul would +be forever landed in peace. I saw him march up to +the gallows, and as his legs and arms were being +strapped and a rope tied about his neck he glanced +heavenward as if breathing a silent prayer, and when +the electric signal was given, he dropped into eternity.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010g" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_LIBRARY">THE LIBRARY.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>While many prisons are not yet supplied with a +library, there are efforts being made on this line for +the education and elevation of the minds of the prisoners. +For those who have already received an education +there are many valuable books in the library to +furnish them something to occupy their minds at such +times as they may have to read. Some states furnish +so many thousand books and an appropriation of $500 +a year for library purposes. Among the books<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> +furnished are scientific works, history, biography, and +others of a religious and moral nature, together with +many novels and works of fiction. The Christian +people of our land should see to it that a greater number +of books of a real spiritual cast are placed at the +disposal of prisoners.</p> + +<p>About two years ago, after receiving some earnest +letters of appreciation and thankfulness from prisoners +who had received books and papers, a deeper +sympathy was awakened in their behalf. For some +days I became greatly burdened in behalf of a certain +prison, concerning supplying the prisoners with a +library of good books. Not knowing whether they had +a library or whether the prison officials would receive +the books and put them into the hands of the prisoners, +I hesitated. As the burden for this matter +could not be so easily thrown off, my next step was to +visit the prison and make investigations through the +prison officials, and was not a little surprised to find they +were without a library, though at that time were preparing +a large library room, intending to make a plea to the +people for a donation of books. As soon as the room +was finished it was my pleasure to see that $1000 +worth of well-bound books were placed in the library +for the prisoners, being donated by those who +have an interest in the men behind the bars. It +has also been a source of gratitude to know that these +books have been appreciated and enjoyed by the many +prisoners who read them in their cells and in the library.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span></p> + +<p>In some prisons about twenty per cent. or more of +the prisoners are unable to read or write. For this +reason schools are being formed where such, especially +those who desire to do so, can have a chance to receive +an education. These schools are generally held in the +library room and taught by one of the prisoners.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010h" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_CHAPEL">THE CHAPEL.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>The chapel is the place where prisoners get most of +their public instruction aside from what is obtained in +the library. It is not often that they have the privilege +of attending educational lectures as if they were +attending a college or public school; however, in our +better prisons steps are being taken to give the well-behaved +prisoners advantages on this line occasionally. +The general meetings on Sunday are held in the +chapel, to which the prisoners are marched in regular +order, where several hundred are in weekly attendance. +The chaplain generally conducts the regular +services or has ministers from the city to take their +turns in preaching to them. Prison evangelists are +often given the privilege of talking to the prisoners or +visiting them at their cells for the welfare of their +souls. There are prisons where all visitors and gospel +workers are admitted free, while other prisons charge +twenty-five cents admission fee. Aside from what is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> +known as the regular chapel services, the prisoners who +desire to meet before that hour or remain after, in a +social religious prayer-service or Bible class, can have +the privilege of doing so. All prisoners are allowed to +sing at the general services, although they generally +have a select choir. One man in giving a report of the +prison choir said: “At one time we had two horse +thieves, two rapists—one with a sentence of forty +years—three murderers, two hog thieves, and several +others with equally villainous records.” It would be +difficult at such a place to select a choir that had a +clean past record. While these men were criminals +when incarcerated, some of them will doubtless always +remain criminals, while others have so reformed as to +be worthy of a better name.</p> + +<p>Many prisoners during their confinement actually +get a real experience of salvation, and those desiring to +be baptized by immersion go from the chapel to the +laundry, and there in a well-filled tank or long troughlike +tub receive the ordinance of baptism. The chapel +does not have stained-glass windows nor the finery of +many modern church buildings; nevertheless the place +is supposed to have everything neat and in order, and +the men are to observe the strictest decorum and +reverence while in attendance.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010i" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="SCALING_THE_PRISON_WALL">SCALING THE PRISON WALL.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>There are in almost every prison those who are called +“trusties”—prisoners who are given the privilege of +doing work outside of the prison, going on errands, +etc., without the presence of a guard. Others have +unusual liberties within the prison walls. Life prisoners +and those who have received a sentence for a +number of years and have not yet made up their minds +to reform, often give the officials considerable trouble +in trying to make their escape; although, as a general +thing, life prisoners are well-behaved persons. +There have been some noted and desperate efforts +made to escape prison. Desperate characters have +used all their ingenuity in devising plans for an escape +and watch an opportunity to raise an insurrection at a +critical time. There have been times when the insurrection +was so great as to defy the prison officials, +and the disturbance could only be quelled by the daring +boldness and wisdom of the warden or general +officer in charge. When a number of desperate prisoners +get such an advantage they will fearlessly face +death rather than yield. A few such noted instances +are on record. It is, however, very difficult for a prisoner +to make good his escape. If successful he must +go under an assumed name and always be a fugitive +from justice. If a failure is made he is apt to have to +serve his full sentence instead of having advantage of +the commutation of “short time.”</p> +<br> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="i059" style="max-width: 44.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i059.jpg" alt="Scaling the Prison Walls"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">Scaling the Prison Walls.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> + +<p>Bloodhounds are kept at the present time for the +purpose of capturing those who try to make their +escape, and there are men behind the prison walls who +carry ugly scars made from deep flesh wounds by the +bloodhounds during the time of their capture. There +are times when a fire breaks out in a prison which +must receive immediate attention of all available help. +It is at such times that desperate characters undertake +to raise an insurrection and make their escape. Many +prisoners have been known at such times to show their +manhood, and offer their services and manifest their +loyalty by aiding the officers in keeping the prisoners +in subjection and in extinguishing the flames. Such +prisoners should be highly rewarded, and many of +them shortly afterward receive their pardon in honor +of their loyalty and good principles shown. The prisoner +who desires to have favors shown him in prison +should, upon first entering, decide to obey the prison +rules to the best of his ability. Anything to the contrary +will bring the ill favor of the prison officials upon +him. An attempt to escape will not be forgotten and +he will be very closely watched and denied many +privileges which he could have otherwise enjoyed, and +is not apt to be made a “trustie.” It is therefore a +wise plan to decide upon perfect submission from the +beginning of the confinement.</p> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp15" id="i010j" style="max-width: 26.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Decoration"> +</figure> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="A_PRISON_REFORM">A PRISON REFORM.</h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>The highest ideal of prison life is not simply punishment +for evil doing, but should be a reformation in +the lives of those who are thus incarcerated. We +are glad to know that there is really a reformation +being brought about in the rules and government of +the prisons in our land.</p> + +<p>It is said of one of the kings in a country in Europe +that, being desirous of knowing how the common people +lived, he dressed himself as a peasant or tramp and +went about from place to place among the poorer class +of people, and while thus lounging about the city he +was met by a policeman who demanded him to give an +account of himself. Not giving the proper satisfaction, +the policeman hurried him off to a dungeon-like +cell. The prisons under that king’s domain were in a +sad condition—dirty, filthy, alive with vermin, and +were most degrading places. Thus the king was obliged +to spend the night in such horrible quarters, which was +in great contrast to the royal palace. However, it was +a night well spent, though but little enjoyed by the +king. He was touched as never before by a sympathetic +feeling for the poor unfortunate human beings +who were cast into such places. He at once ordered a +renovation of all the prisons throughout his kingdom.</p> + +<p>Aside from our penitentiaries, there are jails, work-houses,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> +and places of imprisonment, many of which are +allowed to become filthy, with lice and other vermin +in almost every crevice, making the place not only extremely +unpleasant but unhealthful to every inmate. +No doubt if many of our lawmakers and other influential +people of our country were compelled to +spend a few days or nights in such prisons there would +speedily be a great reformation in the prisons of our +own land.</p> + +<p>Aside from cleanliness and government of prisons +and jails there is a reformation in which we can all +have a part, and help to point the unfortunate ones to +Him who is able “to bring out the prisoners from the +prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.”—Isa. +42:7. A number of our penitentiaries +have comparatively good libraries furnished by +the state; some have not yet been supplied with libraries; +and even among those that are supplied there +are more novels than good, wholesome religious works. +However, in some prisons each prisoner is supplied +with a Bible of small print, and there has been an +earnest plea from the prisoners for good, wholesome +religious literature by way of books, tracts, papers, +etc. Our jails have as a general thing been sadly +neglected on this line.</p> + +<p>A few months ago we made an effort through the +Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company, of Moundsville, +W. Va., to supply jails and prisons with small libraries +of good unsectarian religious books, such as would be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> +a benefit to the prisoners and tend to lead them to a +higher aim in life. We were soon greatly surprised to +realize the demand from prisoners for such literature. +A few hundred jails were thus supplied with libraries +and religious papers. It was almost astonishing to +learn in reply by their letters of appreciation that in +many places they had never been thus remembered +before. Some prisoners had been in for a number of +months without any religious reading matter and +scarcely any one to visit them.</p> + +<p>Being thus reminded of a lack of duty brought to +mind the words of Jesus, as mentioned in the twenty-fifth +chapter of Matthew, wherein he was speaking of +the end of time when the nations should gather before +him and he would separate the good from the bad. +And we read where he says, “Then shall the King say +unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my +Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from +the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, +and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me +drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, +and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I +was <em>in prison</em>, and ye came unto me.... Inasmuch as +ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, +ye have done it unto me.”</p> + +<p>My dear reader, how will it be with us when we appear +before the King in all his glory in that day? Can +he say of us that he was in prison, and we came unto +him? Or shall he be compelled to utter these words:<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> +“Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared +for the devil and his angels: for I was an +hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and +ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took +me not in: sick, and <em>in prison</em>, and ye visited me not. +Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of +these, ye did it not to me”?</p> + +<p>While we enjoy our beautiful homes and the pleasures +of life and freedom, the question comes +directly, Have we done our duty toward the prisoner? +Have we visited Jesus in the prison? We may not be +able to go there in person, but we can visit them by +providing them with silent messengers by way of good +books, tracts, papers, etc. There are doubtless thousands +of professing Christians who never gave a dollar +to help a prisoner, who never visited a prison in person +or in any other way. There are those who could +spend hundreds of dollars in supplying prisons and +would not feel the weight of it financially, but we +should make an effort on this line by giving to the +extent that we may feel the weight of the sacrifice, +and thereby God will be greatly glorified and many +prisoners led to seek the Lord and live a pure and holy +life.</p> + +<p>Some of the most intelligent and highly educated +men are found behind the prison-bars and fill felons’ +cells. It is not always the man of low type, ignorant +and uneducated, that thus meets his doom. There +are men and women from every class of society. There<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> +are men who are hardened in crime, whose consciences +seem seared, yet none so hard-hearted, none +so low down in the depths of sin that they have not a +spark of manhood to which there is an appeal. Brutal +treatment will not reach such specimens of manhood; +however, they must be brought under strict discipline +of the requirements of servitude and given to understand +that perfect obedience is required; yet with all +that, when they are told in a kind, gentle, loving +manner and given to understand that they are entitled +to the best privileges of the prison as they deserve it, +that little spark of manhood will soon be kindled into +a flame. There are prisons where a small per cent. of +the monthly earnings are placed to their credit, which +in a few years amounts to a large enough sum to give +them a fair start at the time of their release. If they +are disobedient, so much is taken from their credit. +But aside from the kind moral treatment there must +be something more effective. The hearts of these hardened +criminals must be changed by the power of God. +The prison officials who fail to realize or recognize this +necessity have to a great extent failed in their reformative +efforts. Every effort possible should be extended +in behalf of the spiritual welfare of the prisoners.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="i067" style="max-width: 44.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i067.jpg" alt="Tracked by Bloodhounds—Captured"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="center no-indent">Tracked by Bloodhounds—Captured.</p></figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>There is an evil existing in our jails and work-houses +that is startling and alarming, nevertheless it continues +throughout the breadth of our land. A young +man or wayward boy is arrested for some trivial +offense; it is probably the first time he has been guilty +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>of thus breaking the law. He is placed behind the +prison-bars to await a preliminary hearing before a +justice of the peace. He is then liable to be sentenced +for from thirty to ninety days in jail, or bound over +to court, which is to be in session a few weeks or +months later. In the meantime he is confined in the +jail to await his arraignment before the court.</p> + +<p>Let us now take a look at the jail itself and its +inmates. It is well secured with solid walls, iron +doors, and prison-bars. There are a few private cells, +a broad hallway, and large room into which from five +to fifty persons are confined. Sometimes even a +greater number are thus imprisoned without grade or +discrimination of crime. The tender youth must +intermingle with those who are steeped in sin and +hardened in crime. He is here taught to play cards, +read novels, use vulgar and profane language, practice +the most vile habits, plan for burglaries, and +comes forth a rogue at heart, and a hardened criminal. +Otherwise, had there been the proper discrimination, +separating those who are just starting on the downward +course from the hardened criminals, there would +be a reformation in their lives instead of a degeneration. +These are facts that can not be denied—facts +that stare us in the face, and are sad truths that will +continue to hover over us, as it were, until the good +people rise up and protest against it for a proper reformation +on this line. The good people of our land +would be surprised, yea, stricken with consternation,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> +were they to visit most jails and work-houses and make +a thorough investigation, to behold the filth and +general sanitary condition of the place, which is +infested with lice and other vermin.</p> + +<p>It is right and proper to send people to jail or prison +who will not behave themselves. They need both +punishment and reformation. This can be done +effectually and with good results if the proper course +is pursued.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="HISTORY_OF_WEST_VIRGINIA"><em>HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA +PENITENTIARY.</em></h2> + +<hr class="r5"> +<h3>WRITTEN BY A PRISONER.</h3> +<hr class="r5"> +</div> + +<p>In 1863 the state was admitted as one of the constellation +of states of the union. Virginia had seceded +from the union by a majority vote. The strong and +indomitable minority citizens of the Old Dominion +residing in the western part of it, many of whom were +Scotch and Irish descendants and natives of the adjoining +states, who had taken up their homes in the +valleys and on the hillsides, were loyal to the Union, +loved well the flag, and reverenced with an undying +affection the builders of the union of states for the +greater blessing of the people, and stood firm and +unyielding for an indivisible united country. By +their hands and brave hearts they built a state stretching +from the Potomac to the Ohio river, carved out +of the Old Dominion. The war-born daughter of the +historical commonwealth proved, in the subsequent +years, to be rich in the production of materials in +active demand in the marts of commerce, and she now +outstrips her mother state in the race for greatness, +prosperity, and happiness.</p> + +<p>Many regions of the state are mountainous, and the +principal industries are lumbering, mining, and oil<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span> +production. Many of the white people are typical +mountaineers and somewhat rough and uncouth in +manner, while the negroes, many of them, have drifted +from North and South Carolina, Alabama, and +other southern states to be employed in the development +of these industries.</p> + +<p>There are very many respectable farmers, professional +and business men, and cultured ladies residing +in these almost inaccessible parts; but the rough +element in many places predominates, and the order +of the day and night is drinking and brawling, ending +as a rule in desperate encounters and murder. +Most of the white and black inmates of the penitentiary +have been and are now composed of the lawless +men from these regions, from the time it was only a +stockade of ten acres in 1866, when Hon. J. W. McWhorter +of the Tenth Judicial District was appointed +warden by Governor Boreman. He resigned the +position after viewing it. In a letter to Warden Hawk +he states it was for the reason that there was not so +much as a building erected for the shelter of the inmates, +and he thought he could not work the convicts +to advantage under the circumstances. The +penitentiary has been improved from time to time to +the present, by additions, until it is a massive structure +of stone and iron, with a high stone surrounding +wall. It has 695 inmates at the present writing.</p> + +<p>The center, or main building, is built after the +old baronial castellated style of architecture, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span> +with its several stories height, it makes an imposing +appearance. It is flanked on the north and south +by the stone and strongly-barred buildings, wherein +the old and first built stone cells and the modern +steel ones—900 in all—are placed. Entrance is to be +had into the prison proper by means of a round turning +iron-barred cage in the main hallway of the central +building.</p> + +<p>The cell-building halls are kept in a neat and clean +condition; the cells are in good sanitary condition and +are kept in good order by the inmates, many of whom +are artistic in taste and paint and make many fanciful +designs as adornments of their small sleeping +quarters. The yard, limited in area by the shop, dining-hall, +engine and hospital buildings, is artistically +laid out in grass-grown plats and flower beds in +season. Around the area of space on brick-laid +pavements the prisoners are permitted to walk in columns +of two according to grade for exercise during +the afternoon after working hours, and Sabbath forenoon +prior to and after chapel services. At the four +corners of the penitentiary walls are stone turrets +where armed guards are placed from four o’clock +a. m. to 9 p. m.</p> + +<p>Upon West Virginia establishing a state government, +Wheeling was selected as the capital where the +legislature met in session in 1863, with Hon. Arthur +I. Boreman as chief executive. The prison was +located in 1866 at Moundsville, Marshall Co., then a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span> +beautiful village a few miles from the seat of government. +The location, for drainage and sanitary conditions, +might have been better selected from one of +the many surroundings hills than in the midst of +the village in the valley on the banks of the Ohio river.</p> + +<p>Moundsville has since the location of the penitentiary +there, grown into the eighth city in population +of the state, and is now a manufacturing and resident +town possessing daily and weekly newspapers. Modern +improvements prevail, with water and electric light +systems and street-car lines connecting with Wheeling +and adjoining suburbs. The magnificent mound +erected by the Mound Builders many years gone by +for the burial of their dead, to be seen near the penitentiary, +is one of the attractions to the thousands +of persons who visit the locality.</p> + +<p>Hon. G. S. McFadden, of Moundsville, was the first +active and practical warden of the penitentiary. With +the means at hand he made many praiseworthy improvements +for the amelioration of the inmates during +his incumbency. The condition of the prisoners during +the four years past and now, is a vast improvement +over the old system. Skilled and humane prison +managers for many years were wanting. The condition +of the inmates was at times deplorable in the +extreme. The methods of punishment in vogue were +extremely severe, the work laborious, the clothing +of the zebra kind, the lock-step exacting, the supply +and kind of food indifferent and bad. The employment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> +of the prisoners on the state account or under +contract was unprofitable, and expenses for the prison’s +maintenance piling upon the taxpayers, who +made just complaint. Loud demands were made by +the people of Moundsville and throughout the state, +conversant with the deplorable condition of the affairs +of their penal institution, for a change.</p> + +<p>After Governor Atkinson’s inauguration, March 4, +1897, he appointed Colonel S. A. Hawk as warden of +the penitentiary. He was at the time of his appointment +a well-known business man of Huntington, +Cabell Co. For a number of years he was also known +as a popular employee of an Ohio river steamboat running +out of Huntington. He was at one time a successful +merchant, hotel-keeper, contractor, and during +President Harrison’s administration as President +he was an official of the Interior Department in +charge of the public domain in Arizona Territory.</p> + +<p>Prior to the incumbency of Warden Hawk the +West Virginia penitentiary had for years been running +behind the legislative appropriation many thousand +dollars annually, and not much, if any, success +was made in the reformation of the prisoners. +Altogether the prison was in bad order when he took +hold as warden, he not only introduced reformatory +treatment with respect to the prisoners, but he has +made the institution bring to the state an actual profit +over and above all expenses for maintenance. Warden +Hawk took hold of the penitentiary management May<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span> +1, 1897. He discovered that his predecessor’s method +of punishment was principally solitary confinement. +Twenty-seven or more prisoners were undergoing the +punishment on bread and water, and they presented a +pitiable condition. Their labor was lost to the state; +their mental, moral, and physical health undermined; +hope seemingly was blasted, and they were strangers +to God. The warden turned the key and liberated +these men and put them to work, which they gladly +expressed a willingness to do.</p> + +<p>He adopted the new and advanced method of prison +management in line with up-to-date penalogists; viz., +The grade system, plain clothing in lieu of stripes, +more and better food, first-class medical attendance, +every prisoner at work, more personal liberty and +exercise granted; he made himself approachable to +those prisoners having a grievance, and in so far as +he could within the bounds of true discipline, rectified +them. Religious worship was fostered and encouraged; +punishment for willful infractions of the rules and +regulations governing the prison, sure and certain, by +black-listing from special privileges, for a period of +thirty days or more; the lock-step, by carrying on the +yard an iron weight during working hours, and in +extreme cases of fighting and other reprehensible +misconduct, corporal punishment with a leather strap +was inflicted, or by buck-and-gag. Other changes of +a minor but not less ameliorative nature were made +conducive to the moral welfare of the inmates.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p> + +<p>To bring about these humane changes many and +substantial improvements were made in the way of +buildings and additions without cost to the taxpayers, +for the prison was more than self-sustaining, and +a handsome sum of money was on hand for this purpose.</p> + + +<h3>PRISON LIBRARY.</h3> + +<p>January 1, 1900, Warden S. A. Hawk completed +the erection of a two-story brick addition to the prison +dining-hall. The second story room, 40×40 feet, +was dedicated by him to the use of a library and +school. The fixtures were placed in the room but +there were only a few mutilated books at hand to begin +with. E. E. Byrum, President of the Gospel Trumpet +Publishing Company of Moundsville, hearing of the +situation, offered his gratuitous service to the warden +to aid him to build up the library to a respectable proportion. +Upon the assurance given him that there +was no available appropriation to purchase books for +the library, Mr. Byrum called the attention of the +members of his company to this state of affairs, and +upon their advice and with their consent, a splendid +lot of artistically bound religious and other suitable +books valued at $1,000 was placed at the disposal +of the warden for the use of the prison inmates. So +grateful were the prisoners, the warden, and prison +employees at the generous gift that it was</p> + +<p><em>Resolved</em>, That the prisoners of the West Virginia<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> +penitentiary, through Warden S. A. Hawk, tender +their grateful thanks to E. E. Byrum and to the +Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company, Moundsville, +W. Va., for the very welcome gift of books placed in +the prison library for their use.</p> + +<p>This fine gift of standard literature, including 500 +song-books, was a nucleus for the building up of an +excellent library, few equaling it in the state.</p> + +<p>Thousands of circular letters were mailed by the +warden to the leading citizens of West Virginia and +leading publishing houses of the country asking for +donations of literature. The responses were generous—donors +sending from one book to cases containing +hundreds of books. One year after the opening of +the library twelve thousand standard religious and +secular books and magazines were donated. It is true +many of them were second-hand and worn, except +those received from the publishing firms—such as the +people of the state could afford to give.</p> + +<p>The library represents to every inmate the warden’s +desire that every one of them should feel that an opportunity +for newness of life to them is open, and in +such opportunity may be found an ample encouragement +of good purposes and well-meant efforts. Better +life, better men, hence a hope for the prevalence of +improvement.</p> + +<p>A night school from 5.30 to 7.30 p. m., for two +hundred and more illiterate white and colored inmates, +ranging from seventeen to seventy-two years of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span> +age, was begun in the library at its opening, without +intermission during every week-day of the year. The +good result has been more satisfactory in the teaching +of spelling, reading, arithmetic, geography, and writing +than the most sanguine could have anticipated. +Every one of the illiterate prisoners at the end of the +year can read. The attendance of the pupils, thirty-two +white and forty colored, being voluntary on their +part, alternate nights. The prisoners are visited at +their cells every Saturday evening by assistant librarians +(who are employed in shops during the day), with +slips in hand, and their order taken for whatever book +or magazine they may ask for. The magazines are +securely bound, three in one volume, minus the advertisements. +The number of the cell is taken down +with the prisoner’s serial number. The literature is +carefully selected by the librarian and made ready for +his assistants to place in the inmates’ cells, and each +book is charged to the prisoner by his serial number, +to be kept for one week. If, however, the book is +one that can not be read during the regular period of +time, upon application, a further period of a week is +allowed. The books issued the previous week are collected +and returned to the library, there to be carefully +examined, for intentional mutilation the culprit +being black-listed and deprived of the use of books, at +the pleasure of the warden. At the first and several +issues thereafter illiterate and mischievous prisoners +marked their books, but by judicious use of the black-list<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span> +and reprimand the practice on the part of these +culprits ceased, and they cheerfully refrained from +committing themselves again, and they are now most +careful of their literary treasures. For a period of +seven months of the year no reports for mutilation of +books have been made.</p> + +<p>The following are most in demand: Mothers’ Counsel +to Their Sons, Pilgrim’s Progress, Fox’s Book of +Martyrs, The Kingdom of God, Divine Healing of +Soul and Body, Grace of Healing, Boy’s Companion, +and Letters for Our Girls—the last being in demand +by the female inmates, there being twenty-seven white +and colored of them. Many books on tobacco and its +effects were also issued to the inmates above named. +The books are a part of the Gospel Trumpet Publishing +Company’s donation. From close observation +of the readers of all this admirable literature the good +results are carefully and conscientiously given as follows: +Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons is in constant +and steady demand from young men to the +“manor-born” of West Virginia. They are a unique, +original, and reverent body of criminals. Far too +many are illiterate, possessed of high, lofty, and impulsive +dispositions, their very souls throbbing with +vitality, their eyes beaming with inspiration, doubtless +inspired with the magnificent scenery of their native +and well-beloved state. Their hearts and minds seem +to expand with the thought ever present with them, +“Mountaineers will ever be free.” While restraint is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> +irksome to them, they are, however, sensitively +susceptible to kind treatment. They love their +mountain homes and hearth-stones and cherish with +fond remembrance the parents at home, and they are +keen to read literature that brings these close to +their prison home.</p> + +<p>Pilgrim’s Progress is called for by older inmates +from other states, white and colored alike, and also +those from foreign lands, some of whom have enjoyed +the benefit of early home religious training or have +been picked up during their wanderings around the +world and about the country. They seem to get much +good from their reading of John Bunyan, his temptations, +trials, and triumphs. All of these men continue +in their demand for Gospel Trumpet literature +until they have read all of the different volumes of the +donation. A marked and decided improvement is +noted in the good discipline and the attendance at +religious services of all of the readers of good literature +and the warden and guards are pleased with +their exemplary behavior. The warden has found it +convenient to stop altogether the issue of tobacco to +the inmates, doubtless accounted for by readers of +“Tobacco and Its Effects,” who are now non-users of +the weed. It is to be hoped that the contractors do +not issue to their employees as much tobacco as heretofore. +May the use of it grow less until in as well +as out of prison its use may be entirely eliminated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p> + + +<h3>RULES TO BE OBSERVED BY PRISONERS WHEN +USING THE LIBRARY.</h3> + +<p>Rule 1st. Upon entering the library prisoners +must promptly remove their caps and go to their +seats in a quiet manner.</p> + +<p>Rule 2d. Chewing tobacco, smoking, or spitting +on the floor is strictly forbidden.</p> + +<p>Rule 3d. Books, papers, or stationery required by +any prisoner can be had by raising the hand and asking +the librarian or teacher.</p> + +<p>Rule 4th. Undivided attention must be given to +the teacher; his instructions promptly and respectfully +obeyed, and the whole time of the prisoner who +is learning must be devoted to study.</p> + +<p>Rule 5th. Books, magazines, and papers will be +issued for not longer than one week. Care must be +exercised not to mark, tear, or mutilate them in any +way.</p> + +<p>Rule 6th. Should a violation of any of these rules +result in a prisoner being reported for punishment, he +will be black-listed, and denied the privilege of school +or library.</p> + +<p>Rule 7th. The privilege of the library will be given +to prisoners of exemplary record, where they will have +free access to books, magazines, and papers, after +working hours.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span class="smcap">S. A. Hawk</span>, Warden.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span></p> + + +<h3>LITERATURE FOR CONVICTS.</h3> + +<p>The Greenbrier (W. Va.) Independent says: “A +short time ago Judge McWhorter of our town shipped +to S. A. Hawk, warden of the state prison at Moundsville, +a lot of books, magazines, etc., donated by himself +and others. We are permitted to publish Mr. +Hawk’s letter to the judge in acknowledgement of +the donation:</p> + +<p>“‘Your fine donation of literature came to hand to-day +(March 10), for which please accept my sincere +gratitude. I am gratified to inform you that from +donations received from the generous people of West +Virginia and some few publishers, I have about 10,000 +volumes of books and magazines—the latter securely +bound and covered. The library is indebted to the +Wheeling Intelligencer and News for very many daily +exchanges. The library room is 40×40 feet, handsomely +furnished and fully equipped.</p> + +<p>“‘I have an evening school of sixty pupils—thirty +colored and thirty white, boys and men—the hours +being from 5 to 7.30 p. m. Their progress is very +satisfactory. Taking into consideration that I sent +out my appeal for literature January 20, 1900, I think +that I have met with unprecedented success, for which +I am certainly grateful.</p> + +<p>“‘I feel conscious that the new and more liberal +system of discipline inaugurated by me since my management +of the prison, and the many improvements<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> +made, is a duty I owe my charges and for the future +protection of society, because these men feel that the +hand of every man is not raised against them and that +upon their release they will be encouraged to make of +themselves useful citizens.</p> + +<p>“‘Assuring you that I completely appreciate your +kindness, I am sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span class="smcap">S. A. Hawk</span>.’”<br> +</p> + + +<h3>THE BIBLE CLASS.</h3> + +<p>Had been in an intermittent state of organization +from 1890, with but moderate success. Some two +years ago (1899) the Gospel Trumpet people took an +active interest in the welfare of the Bible class, which +meant that henceforth renewed and intelligent effort +was to be made for the future. The class under the +new order of arrangement and new infusion of God’s +Spirit greatly increased in membership in a short period +of time. To this class of earnest Christians the +Gospel Trumpet people and denominational ministers +of Moundsville give their attention and best effort in +their respective turn, every Sabbath morning from 8 +to 9 o’clock. The commendable progress the members +of the class have made in their work is to a large +extent due to these ministers of God. Very many +remarkable conversions have been brought about, and +baptism given by the ordained ministers from the +Gospel Trumpet office.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span></p> + + +<h3>NOTABLE REFORMATIONS.</h3> + +<p><em>Serial No. 2282</em>—A veteran inmate from Randolph +Co., aged 56 years, received at the prison in 1892 to +serve his natural life for the crime of murder, this +being his second term for the same kind of crime. +About twelve years ago he was pardoned by the governor +upon well established grounds of mitigating +circumstances connected with the alleged crime.</p> + +<p>For the second term he has been an inmate for +nine years. He is a large man, six feet in height, +with a good looking face and possessed of a warm and +tender heart. His prison record is exemplary, and he +is employed in the tailor shop, filling a responsible +position. Four times has the Bible class selected him +as their class-leader, recognizing his Biblical learning, +industry, and signal ability at prayer and exhortation. +He says that during the years prior to the aid given to +the class at the hands of the Gospel Trumpet people, +he was somewhat lukewarm in his class work. However, +with their hearty assistance and material aid he +took on a new spirit and inspiration for more and better +work for God. He is much encouraged by the +many conversions made and by the growth of the class. +He canvassed for subscribers for very many Gospel +Trumpet literary works; of these and the Gospel +Trumpet paper, he is a constant reader.</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 2320</em>—Received from Cabell Co. in 1892 +to serve a life sentence for murder, is a young man of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span> +fine education, culture, high resolve and noble purpose, +a scion of Christian family residents of Ohio. +The crime into which the unfortunate man was probably +led appears to have been a concocted scheme +made up and he enticed to join in, for the purpose of +putting him out of the way in order to accomplish +certain designs his enemies had against his life and +property to be inherited by him. To make sure of +their work the railroad officials and detectives were put +on the job, so, when he and his companions made +the attempt to stop and rob the railroad passenger +train, they were fired upon by a posse of armed +guards, which they returned, killing one of the +passengers. He was seriously wounded, losing the use +of his right arm.</p> + +<p>He was converted several years ago and baptized. +His health has long since been undermined by confinement +and he is in a precarious condition, but above +all things else he is a true Christian and child of God +and entirely fit to be pardoned and restored to society, +home, and friends. He has served one year as leader +of the Bible class, and owing to his lovable disposition, +learning, and industry he gave entire satisfaction +to his classmates.</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 2547</em>—Received from Fayette County in +1894, for murder, to serve his natural life in prison, +age at the time 20 years, is a notable example of complete +reformation within the prison-walls. He is a +native of Virginia, raised to do hard work in the coal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> +mines, where he was without much, if any, advantage +to enable him to obtain an education. Possessed of +natural abilities and doubtless awed by the shadow of +the gallows from which a loving sister saved him, and +the prison environments, he purposed to obey the +prison rules by industry at his employment and civility +toward the prison officials and his comrades. It seems +also that early upon his entrance into the penitentiary +he resolved to be a godly man. He taught himself +how to read his Bible while in his cell at night. Attending +the Bible class he learned how to pray. He +gave his heart to God one Sabbath day while listening +to a sermon. His classmates selected him as their +leader and he served so satisfactorily that during the +end of Governor Atkinson’s administration he was +pardoned by and through the untiring effort and +devotion of the sister who had saved him years before +from the gallows. One and all rejoiced and prayed +God that the Governor, at the end of life’s journey +may be rewarded for the mercy he granted even unto +the poorest and lowliest prisoner in the penitentiary.</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 2504</em>—Received from Berkley County in +1894, for grand larceny, to serve a term of twelve +years, upon entrance to the prison started in to make +it unpleasant for the prison officials by stubbornly +refusing to work and by violent acts of misconduct. +It was found necessary to punish him severely several +times. He was one of the prisoners in solitary confinement +when Warden Hawk took hold of the prison.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> +He was released with others, and at once taken in +hand by the warden for individual treatment. A good +position was given him in the laundry and other privileges +granted to him as well as good counsel given and +amiably received. It was soon observed by the prison +officials that he was a constant attendant at the chapel +Sabbath services, then at a pathetic and prayerful invitation +went forward one Sabbath day and gave himself +to the service of God and was baptized. He was +in charge of the Bible class for a while. He was recently +released by habeas corpus proceedings on the +ground that having been committed to the penitentiary +on two sentences, one for four years and the +other for eight years, from different counties, the +greater sentence embraced also the lesser one, in that +the date of sentence in each case commenced from the +day of sentence.</p> + +<p>A close Biblical student and possessed of considerable +natural ability, power of prayer and exhortation, +it is hoped and expected that he will continue to be a +worker in the Lord’s vineyard.</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3595</em>—Received from Monongahela Co. +in 1898, to serve a term of four years for grand +larceny. Upon entering the prison he became an +active worker in the Bible class. He is an exemplary +prisoner and thought well of by the warden and prison +officials. It is expected that, upon his release, his +experience in prison will make of him an efficient +Christian worker. Possessing some ability and ambition +as a hymn-writer, herewith is a sample:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p> + + +<p class="center no-indent fs80">“A BROTHER OF JESUS.”</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother of Jesus, a comrade to fight,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother to conquer, and strive for the right,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother in daring, a comrade indeed,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother to venture, whatever the need.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother in spirit, when dangers surround,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A comrade in courage who stands his ground,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother who’s faithful, loyal, and true,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A comrade who fights, and fights his way through.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother for heaven, who stands by the cross,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A comrade obedient, whatever the cost,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother who’s ready and willing to die,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A comrade who will not his Savior deny.</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother on duty, by day and by night,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A comrade who’s trusting in Jesus’ great might,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A brother so Christlike, O Savior, I’ll be</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="center no-indent fs90">DEGENERATES.</p> +<br> + +<p><em>Serial No. 4035</em>—Was received from Pocahontas +County in 1898, to serve two years for horse stealing. +He claimed upon his entrance to the prison to be a +“preacher.” It is alleged by persons who know his life +and character that he is an old and experienced horsethief, +who had served many terms of imprisonment in +the different penitentiaries of the country, and was +looked upon from a criminological point of view as a +moral degenerate of the first degree. While playing +the role of a “mountain evangelist” in the county +from whence he was committed to the penitentiary, +he there applied his first and only calling, as a horsethief<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span> +of the first degree. Upon his introduction to the +prison he professed to be very religious, and stoutly +maintained that he was an innocent man much +maligned and persecuted. He was made janitor of the +chapel, doubtless owing more to the fact that he was +a cripple, having only the use of his left hand, and a +glib talker and not of use elsewhere.</p> + +<p>He soon ingratiated himself into the good graces of +the visiting ministers, who looked upon him more in +pity than aught else, and they extended to him charity +which covers a multitude of sins. He did active +and good work, however. Upon his release from prison +he made loud professions of reformation and made +pretense of going to serve God and by so doing become +a good citizen. It was, however, soon after his +release observed by persons interested in his welfare +that he was secretly treading the path of wickedness. +Soon he was a fugitive from justice with big rewards +offered for his apprehension and conviction for the +larceny of many horses from the farmers of the state +and of Pennsylvania. Sheriffs of many counties were +on the lookout to apprehend him. Recently the +sheriffs ran their quarry down and landed him in the +Mineral County jail and doubtless he will soon be returned +to his old familiar quarters, there to once more +ruminate the error of wrong-doing. It might well +be said of him with Pope, “Why formed so weak, +so little, and so blind.” He has received another +sentence of ten years in state prison.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p> + + +<h3>PATHETIC.</h3> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3984</em>—Under sentence of death for the +murder of his brother-in-law, is an object of great +pity. This man for the love of his sixteen-year-old +boy murdered a man, for which deed the law demands +his life. He and the man murdered were both wealthy +farmers at Terra Alta, Preston Co., West Virginia. +Last November (1900) his boy was arrested by the +brother-in-law for breaking into the cellar of his house +and getting drunk on his cider. He had him +indicted, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary +for the term of one year, which angered his +father, who took a shot-gun and shot his brother-in-law +dead in his own barn in the presence of a hired +man. The father escaped and lived in the mountains a +month, gave himself up, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced +to be hanged Feb. 15, 1901.</p> + +<p>His neighbors, who were kindly disposed to the +erring man, at once put in circulation a petition to +the Governor praying for a commutation of sentence +to life imprisonment. His wife signed a remonstrance +against granting the petition of her husband’s friends. +However, the governor, in order to enable the condemned +man’s friends to present the petition to the +advisory board of pardons for their consideration, +granted him a respite until April 13. Upon his +arrival in the penitentiary he was permitted to see his +wayward boy, and the scene between father and son +was truly pathetic.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> + + +<h3>HUMOROUS.</h3> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3715</em>—An illiterate white boy from Calhoun +County, to serve two years for grand larceny for +stealing a heifer, sensibly availed himself of the privilege +afforded by the warden to attend the night +school. He made remarkable progress in his studies, +so that he could read and write a legible hand. He +was so elated with his success that he stated before his +release that he was glad he was sent to the penitentiary +for stealing the heifer to procure money to take +his girl to the county fair, for now he had a fair +education and could get on better in the world.</p> + + +<h3>MEN EXECUTED FOR MURDER.</h3> + +<p>The West Virginia Legislature passed an act February, +1899, viz.: “The sentence of death shall in +every case be executed by hanging within the walls +of the penitentiary and not elsewhere. The officers of +the court imposing sentence may be present, and +twelve respectable citizens, a physician and surgeon, +and such representatives of the press as the warden +may desire; and the condemned may by request have +his counsel, ministers of the gospel, and such relatives +as the warden may deem prudent.”</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3745</em>—Colored, of middle age, who had +served a term in the penitentiary for stealing, was +brought to the prison in 1899, from McDowell County, +to suffer the penalty of death Oct. 10, 1899, for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> +unprovoked murder of a “scarlet” negro woman. +Upon his entrance into the prison he asked for and +was given a Bible, which he constantly read during +the time he awaited to be executed by mandate of the +law. Ministers of his race paid him frequent visits, +anxious to aid him in spiritual and temporal affairs. +He professed sincere religious belief and that upon +confession of faith he would be saved, yet he did not +seem to accept with good grace the assistance offered +him by the negroes.</p> + +<p>During his former imprisonment while he was employed +to clean and scrub the guard-room and the +main-building hallways, he frequently met the chaplain; +so he made request to the warden that he be +sent for to pay him a visit. The chaplain responded +at once and devoted much of his time to giving religious +consolation and words of good cheer. He, however, +constantly maintained that he was innocent of +the crime charged; that the negro with him at the +time of the shooting was responsible for the woman’s +death, by means of a shot-gun. He doubtless was +possessed of a scheming mind, and hoped that he +might by some means escape the penalty for his +crime. Many negro prisoners as well as white ones +deeply sympathized with him, for he was considered a +“good fellow” when they knew him in prison as one +of their number.</p> + +<p>A collection amounting to $50.00 was taken up from +among the prisoners to pay a lawyer to procure a copy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> +of the record of his trial to enable him to file an appeal +to the Supreme Court for a new trial. The lawyer +received and acknowledged the receipt of the money, +making in return therefor full and profuse promises +what he would do to save his life. He took and spent +it for liquor, became drunk on the money, and did +not turn a hand to save the life of his confiding client. +The unfortunate man, hearing of the reprehensible +conduct of his attorney, and the time near at hand for +his execution, grew despondent and weak mentally +and physically. He was baptized, professed repentance, +confessed he murdered his mistress, and the night of +his execution between the hours of 12 a. m. and 1 p. m. +it was found necessary to administer powerful +stimulants to brace him up for the trying ordeal. +With zeal and courage his spiritual advisor prayed, +counseled, and assisted him to the scaffold. His +neck was broken by the fall and his death was painless.</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3746</em>—A splendid specimen of the young +mulatto, possessed of a fair education for one with +the limited opportunities within his reach, by occupation +a coal miner. He was received into the prison +from McDowell County under sentence of death for +the willful murder of a sixteen-year-old negro boy, +while he was in an intoxicated condition; also to be +executed Oct. 10, 1899. He asked for and was given +a Bible. He was a musician, playing the guitar with +skill, and possessed of a fine tenor voice he was fond +of singing hymns, which he did with pathos, rhyme, +and music, to the delight of his hearers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> + +<p>He stoutly maintained that his victim was not intentionally +but accidentally shot by him; that he accidentally +fired his pistol into the dwelling wherein +the boy was domiciled out of his sight. Upon learning +that the boy was wounded, perhaps fatally, he +procured a doctor to whom he paid $50.00, all the +money he had saved from his earnings, to save his +life. The boy proved to be wounded beyond the hope +of recovery and soon died. The chaplain also ministered +to the spiritual welfare of the prisoner and +became much impressed with the young man’s apparent +religious sincerity and his plausible story of +innocence of murder. So much was he interested in +him that he made personal and strenuous efforts to +save his life. The Governor was appealed to, the +Attorney General was called upon for assistance to +procure a copy of his trial record, and statements +made by him were investigated, and the whole matter +submitted to the pardon board for their consideration. +After an exhaustive and painstaking consideration of +the facts submitted to them the pardon board concluded +that he lied and was in fact guilty, and should +suffer the penalty for his crime. The Governor, after +the conclusion of the pardon board was made known +to him, paid the prison a visit. He called upon the +doomed man in the death-cell, and the latter made to +the Governor a most eloquent and pathetic plea to save +his life. With tears streaming down his cheeks, the +Governor kindly said, “Would to God I could do so,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> +my boy, but the facts as presented to me are undeniable +as to your absolute guilt.”</p> + +<p>Now knowing that all hope for escape from the +gallows was gone and that he must die, he read his +Bible, sang gospel hymns, and played his guitar. He +confessed that he was in fact guilty of the crime and +was now content to suffer death, as he believed he had +made his peace with God. He was baptized, and his +demeanor to the scaffold from his cell was admirable +and brave. He firmly ascended the stairway leading +to the death-trap, stood over it without a tremor while +his hands and legs were strapped and the rope adjusted +about his neck. When asked by the warden if he had +anything to say, he replied in a manly and firm voice, +“I have made my peace with God. I am guilty. The +causes of my downfall were whiskey and women. +Jesus will take me and I am ready and willing to die.”</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3772</em>—Colored, was received at the prison +in 1900, from Fayette County, to be executed for the +willful murder of a prominent negro saloon-keeper who +refused to furnish him more liquor when he was +already drunk. He asked for a Bible, and when it was +given to him he seemed to be pleased, and constantly +read it. His attorney, however, was skilled in criminal +law, and was an indefatigable worker. The +prisoner, an intelligent colored man, peaceable and +quiet when sober, believed that he would not have to +suffer the penalty for his crime. Strenuous efforts +were made by his attorney to save his life. The Governor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> +and the board of pardon were respectively +appealed to, but the guilt of the man was so conclusive, +and the murder so unprovoked, that at all points +his appeal for clemency was refused. He bravely and +uncomplainingly paid the penalty decreed by the law +and professed his belief in the saving power of Jesus.</p> + + +<h3>UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.</h3> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3944</em>—Committed from Wirt County, under +sentence of death for the brutal murder (by means +of an ax) of his wife and step-son, a child in years, +the motive being to obtain money to be inherited by +them, is a constant reader of the Bible, and at all +times is ready to argue passages of the Scriptures with +any one who will do so with him. His attorneys +secured for him a stay of execution pending an appeal +to the Supreme Court.</p> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3972</em>—Colored, was committed from +Kanawha Co. in 1901, for the brutal and unprovoked +murder of a negro on account of some money won by +gambling. He is a large, middle-aged, gross-looking +negro, who has served a term in the penitentiary for +stealing. From his life record he appears to have +been a vagabond, gambling, preying on the people of +his race for a living. He is possessed of some education, +a glib tongue, and appears to have made some +friends among white people, whom he says are his only +friends and are the only persons who will give him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span> +any assistance in his effort to escape the gallows. He +was to be executed March 22, 1901, but his attorney +procured a stay of execution until April 25, pending +an appeal to the Supreme Court. He is a constant +reader of the Bible.</p> + + +<h3>AN INNOCENT MAN.</h3> + +<p><em>Serial No. 3789</em>—Committed to the prison in 1899 +for twelve years, from Jefferson County, for the alleged +crime, in company with other persons, of entering the +Potomac river bridge toll-house at Shepherdstown and +robbing Richard Morgan and wife, whom they bound +and gagged, is an unfortunate victim of untoward +circumstances. Evidence has come to light, proved +by affidavit, that he is innocent.</p> + + +<h3>THE PRISON CHOIR.</h3> + +<p>The prison choir is made up of a number of good +singers, white and colored, the latter predominating. +They are under the skill and direction of Mr. Chas. E. +Woodburn, a well-known business man of Moundsville, +who has devoted a number of years of his valuable +time to these boys as well as to the chapel services, +and aided the warden in providing amusement on +holidays for the inmates.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span></p> + + +<h3>APPEAL FOR A PAROLE LAW.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="padding-right: 2em">West Virginia Penitentiary,</span><br> +Moundsville, Jan. 1, 1901.<br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sir: Gratified that the generous people of +West Virginia have in response to my letters of appeal +to them dated Jan. 20, 1899, for donations of literature +enabled me to build up a library for my convict +charges to 12,000 volumes of books and magazines, I +desire to further trespass on their generosity by asking +for your support to bring about another measure +of reform, viz., a parole law.</p> + +<p>The parole law is in force in a number of up-to-date +state penitentiaries with remarkable success, bringing +protection and good results to society. It saves trouble +to prosecuting attorneys and criminal judges, and +enables convicts to gain their liberty solely through +their individual efforts. For instance, by virtue of the +criminal statutes a convict may be sentenced for the +minimum of one year or the maximum of five years. +The criminal judge upon conviction of the prisoner on +trial imposes an indefinite sentence. The convict after +the expiration of one year may become eligible to +parole if his record is exemplary. Two reliable +citizens are required to become surety for the convict’s +employment and future good conduct, then he is +paroled.</p> + +<p>Upon violation of any of the parole conditions, he +is returned to prison to serve the maximum sentence.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> +If the convict is a man of family, he is enabled to provide +for them; and if he is a single man, he has a +chance to become a respected member of society and +no longer a menace thereto. Respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span class="smcap">S. A. Hawk.</span><br> +</p> + + +<h3>THE WRITER’S LIFE.</h3> + +<p>That the reader may know and perhaps become interested +in the writer of this sketch of the West Virginia +prison, he herewith respectfully and modestly submits +to them a sketch of his life. I was born in St. Louis, +Mo., in 1844. My parents, possessed of more than the +ordinary education the poor people of Ireland were +enabled to receive, journeyed across the American +desert to California, having their troubles with the +Indians and their Mormon allies. My father hoped to +strike a gold mine and become rich, and in the new +Eldorado build a home and surround his wife and +children—a girl and boy—with all the good things of +earth that money could buy. Soon after our arrival +at San Francisco, the cholera made its appearance, the +plague having been brought to the golden shores of +California by emigrants traveling from the east by way +of Central America. My father was stricken with it +and died. In the Lone Mountain cemetery, of the +metropolis of the Pacific coast, he has lain buried for +years. The remainder of the family escaped the dread +fifty-one disease. Mother was left to struggle alone in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span> +a strange land and among strangers to provide for her +children. Not afraid of work, she did her duty to her +children nobly, faithfully, and well. She now lies +buried beside my father in Lone Mountain cemetery, +twenty years gone by.</p> + +<p>The war-bugle of the Rebellion rang in my ears and +woke me to the realization that I had a country to +protect and to save. I enlisted in a California regiment +of cavalry and served three years with some +merit. Upon my discharge from the army I entered +an Illinois college to perfect my neglected education, +and after graduation I located in Kansas City, Mo. I +began at newspaper work, and have continued in that +line of work to the present time, with occasional +lapses from it to engage in other and more lucrative +employment. A soldier of the civil war, having been +wounded, injured, and having contracted disease in +the line of duty, I was prompted upon McKinley’s +election as President to apply for a pension. I went +to Washington, D. C., to press my claim in person +with the Commissioner of Pensions. He turned me +down after I had some words with him relative to his +delay in granting to me that which was mine by legal +right and title, expressed by the American people +through their representative in Congress assembled, +and in fulfillment of promises made to the men who +saved the nation. Somewhat addicted to the drink +habit, I became drunk at my disappointment and the +next day I found to my surprise that I was in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span> +police station charged with breaking into and entering +a small grocery in Washington City, two miles +from my place of dwelling. The alleged damage +inflicted was small, but Justice Clabaugh, who had +recently been appointed from Maryland, said to me +that five years was little enough for the alleged crime.</p> + +<p class="right"> +Serial No. 378.<br> +</p> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i103" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i103.jpg" alt="Penitentiary of the State of West Virginia"> +</figure> +<br> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LETTERS_FROM_PRISON_OFFICIALS">LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS.</h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> +<h3>PRISON LIBRARY DESTROYED BY FIRE.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="padding-right: 2em">Nebraska State Penitentiary.</span><br> +<br> +Lancaster, Neb., March 7, 1901.<br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sirs: Your consignment of eight books at +hand, which is very much appreciated. We are doubly +unfortunate at the present time, as we have just lost +our entire library by fire. We realize too with you that +imprisonment is the turning-point for the better in +some men’s lives, as we see it exemplified here. At +some future time we will send you for publication the +views of some of the above men who believe they +have been benefited by their prison experience.</p> + +<p>Thanking you again for the books sent, and in advance +for any books you may see fit to send us, we +remain, Yours respectfully,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Librarian.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent"> +Clinton Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Dannemora, N. Y., March 8, 1901.</p> + +<p class="no-indent">Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span></p> + +<p>Gentlemen: The books and tracts so kindly forwarded +by you for the use of the prisoners in this prison +have been received, and the note enclosed to the +warden handed me for reply. Having charge of all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span> +literary material that comes into the prison, I take +great pleasure in acknowledging receipt of same; +and would extend to you my personal thanks, as also +the gratitude of those whom this material was designed +to benefit.</p> + +<p>I am glad that the spirit of the “inasmuch” as inculcated +by the Lord Jesus, in relation to those who +are in prison, is occasionally manifested, and that the +rush and friction of wordliness does not wholly shut +out from view the moral and religious needs of the +“men behind the bars.” The good people to whom +you refer in your letter, who are endeavoring to supply +our prisons with good and wholesome literature, are +entitled to great credit for their efforts in this direction, +in these last days of the dispensation. May the +blessings of our Divine Master be with them in their +good work. Sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Iowa State Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Fort Madison, Iowa, March 17, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +The Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: The books sent by you to the penitentiary +have been received, and will be placed in the +hands of the men. Thanking you for the same, I am, +Sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Onondaga County Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1901.</p> + +<p>Dear Sirs: Received three packages of books from +Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co., Moundsville, W. Va., +for the benefit of the convicts in our institution. +Hope the gift is accompanied by the prayers of all concerned +in the donation. Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Kansas State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Lansing, Kans., March 6, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: We have received to-day your donation +of books to this prison. We assure you that this gift +of books is highly appreciated by us, and will be of +great benefit to the inmates of this institution. We +wish to thank you and others who are placing these +books in the prisons of this country. Thank you for +donations of the “Gospel Trumpet” to prisoners each +week. Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>BOOKS WANTED FOR FEMALE PRISONERS.</h3> + +<p class="center no-indent">Penitentiary at Anamosa.</p> +<p class="right">Anamosa, Ia., March 6, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span> +</p> + +<p>We received this day one copy each of “The Kingdom +of God,” “The Better Testament,” “Mothers’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span> +Counsel to Their Sons,” “Divine Healing,” “The +Secret of Salvation” (English and German editions), +“Songs of the Evening Light,” a Bagster’s Teachers’ +Bible. I find we have now seven copies of the book +“The Secret of Salvation” in our library. We are +obliged for copies of these and shall hope to inclose +them in our revised catalogue which we hope soon to +publish. You perhaps are not aware that we have a +female department to the prison, but seeing “Letters +of Love and Counsel for Our Girls” listed, leads me +to refer to this fact. Your letter to the inmates is +appreciated. Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Acting Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="center no-indent">New Jersey State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Trenton, March 5, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +E. E. Byrum. +</p> + +<p>Dear Sir: The package of books and tracts which +you sent for the benefit of the prisoners in our state +prison came duly to hand, and the warden desires me +to thank you for your timely gift. I will see that the +books and tracts are judiciously distributed, so that +good under the divine blessing may come through the +reading of such good literature.... I will be glad to +have you send religious reading matter for the prisoners, +knowing that with His blessing much good can +and will be accomplished by such a course. One of +the factors leading to a life of crime has been the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span> +character of reading allowed in the home. Parents, +ignorant or indifferent, have permitted their boys to +devour dime novels and kindred literature until their +minds have become saturated with evil. Now the +antidote is good reading for the poor victims of parental +neglect such as you propose to furnish.... +Thanking you for the interest you have taken in the +welfare of those incarcerated here, and praying the +blessing of the Great Head of the church upon you, +I am, Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>MORE GOOD BOOKS DESIRED.</h3> + +<p class="center no-indent"> +Louisiana Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Baton Rouge, La., March 13, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co. +</p> + +<p>My Dear Friends: Please allow me to thank you in +behalf of the prisoners for the six books and Bibles you +so kindly sent recently. We all appreciate the kind +interest you take in us in sending the Gospel Trumpet +and sincerely trust you will continue sending same, as +we all very eagerly look forward to receiving it. If +you have any more good books to spare we will be very +glad to receive them, as we all enjoy reading very +much. Again sincerely thanking you for past favors. +Very respectfully,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Librarian.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Allegheny Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Allegheny, Pa., March 20, 1901.</p> + +<p>Dear Sir: I feel very glad that you are now and +have been for some time so deeply interested in an +uplift of the moral forces in prisons, and that your +laudable work may result in much good, is my sincere +desire. We have no prison paper published here to +send you. We have a school six hours every day +except Sunday for the illiterate, a Bible and hymn-book +for each man that will use them, a library of +8,500 volumes, hundreds of daily and weekly papers +and magazines, Moody’s books and tracts, etc., by which +we are striving to give light and spiritual help to the +prisoners. Sincerely,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Connecticut State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Wethersfield, Conn., March 6, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: The eight books sent this institution, +including a Bagster Bible and song-book, came duly to +hand. The Bible has been given a life prisoner, the +song-book went to the choir, and the other books were +turned over to the chaplain—who is the librarian—to +be placed in general circulation. Respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Warden.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="center no-indent">Idaho State Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Boise City, Idaho, March 8, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: Yours of recent date enclosing letter to +prisoners and referring to printed matter sent under +separate cover at hand. The letter referred to shall be +placed in a conspicuous place for review by the inmates +of our institution. The reading matter will also be +placed at their disposal. Be assured that this effort on +the part of the “friend” who has paid for them is appreciated +by the present Idaho Prison management. +Yours sincerely,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Warden.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Georgia State Prison Farms.</p> +<p class="right">Statefarm, Ga., March 5, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>My Dear Sir: Your books received, and the +Bible which is a very nice one. The song-book was +sent to the female congregation for use by them. We +have eighty-eight women there, some of them with +good voices, and they sing well. We hope the words +may prove a savor of life to them. The other books +were sent to the male department, where we have one +hundred and forty men and boys. We hope they too +will prove a blessing, for the thing most important for +a convict is salvation. I was pleased with the very +excellent quality of books sent.</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Supt.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>LETTER FROM A SHERIFF.</h3> + +<p class="right">Wheaton, Ill., April 23, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent">Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.</p> + +<p>Dear Sirs: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of a +package of books and tracts sent me for the use of +prisoners under my charge. Please accept my thanks +for same. I heartily commend your efforts and work. +Very truly yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Sheriff.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>PRISON CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.</h3> + +<p class="right">Jackson, Mich., March 22, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: The above named society desire you to +know of their grateful appreciation for the donation +of several valuable books. They comprise a splendid +addition to our C. E. S. Library, which is eagerly read +by the members and others. Thanking you for remembering +us, I remain, Sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +6890, Corresponding Secretary.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>HELP SUPPLY THE PRISONERS.</h3> + +<p class="center no-indent">Maine State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Thornston, Maine, April 30, 1901.</p> + +<p>Sirs: Your letter to the warden has been passed on +to me. We are pleased to receive religious reading to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span> +be distributed to the convicts in this prison. I have +an arrangement with many Christian friends who aid, +so I am able to furnish some Christian book or paper +to each convict each week. Yours in the work of saving +the fallen,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Sing Sing Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Sing Sing, N. Y., March 7, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sirs: The books you sent for use of the prisoners +in this prison have been received, and I thank +you for the same. They have been placed in the +library. It is always a pleasure to know that we are +in the thoughts and consciences of the people on the +great outside world.... Thanking you for your gift +and wishing you success in your efforts to lift up fallen +humanity, I remain, Fraternally yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain and Librarian.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>PRISON LITERATURE APPRECIATED.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +Alva, Woods Co., Okla., Dec. 20, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sirs: Yours along with the books you sent +were received last week and, as directed, the library +was placed within the steel cage, where the prisoners +could have free access to it. We would love to say a +word of encouragement to the good people who are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span> +interesting themselves in behalf of the poor unfortunates +behind iron bars, but we have not the command +of language to express our admiration of this +most commendable and noble work. No one can tell +the good that may result from these silent companions, +read by the poor unfortunates when shut in from +the world. While we have never hoped to start a +reform in prison life, we have often asked for more +Christian interest in behalf of the prisoners. Accept +our humble thanks for this most generous gift.</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Former Jailer.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">California State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Represa, Sacramento Co., Cal., Feb. 13, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of +eight books for prison library. We are very grateful +to receive anything in this line, and any sent will be +thankfully received. Respectfully,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, General Overseer.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>FROM A JAILER.</h3> + +<p class="right">Guthrie, Logan Co., Okla., June 14, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.:<br> +</p> + +<p>I am glad to address you with a few lines to inform +you that I received a package of books and tracts for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> +the prisoners in my charge. The same have been +handed them to read. I am glad to say that they +enjoy reading them very much. I take an interest in +reading them myself and think they are the best books +and papers I ever read, and a great gift to the prisoners. +They seem to condemn them of the crimes +that they have committed. I am glad to say that the +gospel can not be preached plainer than your books +and papers preach it. I learn through your books +and papers what it takes to constitute the church of +God. The prisoners of this jail send their many +thanks for the literature sent them.</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Turnkey.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">California Prison.</p> +<p class="right">San Quentin, Cal., March 8, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Editor Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.<br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your +kind favor of books and one fine Bible for the prisoners. +I have added the books to the library and +presented the Bible to one of the most worthy and +appreciative of the prisoners, whose letter I have enclosed. +I believe our prisoners have been much helped +by the distribution of your excellent religious literature +and kindly gifts. I shall be pleased to receive +any further contributions in this direction. Thanking +you in the name of the prisoners, I am, Yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">North Dakota State Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Bismarck, N. D., April 11, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gents: I have to acknowledge receipt of yours of +March 21st and owe you an apology for not giving you +an earlier answer to same. You are doing a good +work which is, I believe, appreciated by the unfortunates +whom you are seeking to benefit, as well as by +those who have them in charge. This is a small institution; +we have at this date one hundred and fifteen +inmates, all men. The moral conditions are, I believe, +fairly good in the institution but there is great +chance for improvement and I will be grateful for +anything you may be able to do to assist in that direction, +and trust that I may be able later on to assist you +in the noble work in which you are engaged. Respectfully,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Warden.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<h3>BOOKS USED UNTIL WORN OUT.</h3> + +<p class="center no-indent">Kentucky Penitentiary.</p> +<p class="right">Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 8, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>We have received from your publishing house a nice +package of good books. I take this opportunity to +acknowledge receipt of same, and to thank you kindly +for this generous donation. The books are turned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> +into the hands of the prisoners, who take them +eagerly, and are very grateful for them. They are +passed from one to another until they are literally worn +out. Allow me to say in this connection, that the +problem of criminology in this country must be solved +by other means than the punitive, and retributive idea. +We have been more than a century trying every plan +that man can devise to check and cure this growing +curse. We must turn to the means provided by God +Almighty. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only and +true remedy. Disseminating good literature, and +instructing in the ways of life, is a step in the right +direction. I have made a study of the subjects under +my charge, for nearly three years, and find that the +man who fails to accept Jesus, and have his soul +washed in his blood, in most cases leaves this place +still a criminal. May God help us to lead them into +the light. Many blessings upon you for your act of +mercy. Very truly, your brother and co-worker,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Michigan State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Jackson, Mich., March 11, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Gentlemen: We are in receipt of the very excellent +collection of books you sent us for the use of the men +in our institution. Please accept our grateful thanks<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> +for the same, and be assured they will be eagerly read +and highly prized by the men. Too much can not be +said of the beneficial influence of good books in the +prison. Men will carefully read books in here that +they would not look at outside. And then too they +have time to digest what they read. Again thanking +you for your kind remembrance of us, I beg leave to +remain, Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Chaplain.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="right"> +Dover, Del., Aug. 6, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>I received the tracts that you sent, and distributed +them among the prisoners. They seem to enjoy them +more than anything they have ever had in the way of +reading. I shall be more than glad to distribute all +such reading as that proves to be. Yours respectfully,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Warden of the Kent County Prison.<br> +</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="TESTIMONIES_OF_CONVICTS">TESTIMONIES OF CONVICTS.</h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> +<h3>FELLOW PRISONERS, TAKE COURAGE.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +Moundsville, W. Va.<br> +</p> + +<p>Through the kindness of the warden I am permitted +to present a small sketch of my prison life. I am +glad to avail myself of the opportunity of relating my +experience in the earnest hope that some one as unfortunate +as myself may be benefited thereby. That +this is written within prison-walls will, I feel, prove +none the less interesting. The first night I spent in +prison will never be forgotten. When the cell-doors +clanged, closing in upon me, I felt my very heart sink +within me. Then with a contrite heart I looked to +Jesus, and spent the night in prayer. Oh, what a +comfort he has been to me! I then and there made +up my mind to follow in his footsteps, and devote my +life to him.</p> + +<p>With a change of heart, Christ has ever been with +and bountifully blessed me. I meet with great kindness +from Christian people, and every consideration from +our noble warden and his officers. Because I am in +prison I need not be useless nor unhappy. I accept my +situation as of divine appointment, and will try to be +contented with it. Lamenting over the past will do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span> +no good, for I can not recall or change it. Complaining +of the present will not mend but make myself and +others wretched. Anxiety about the future will not +make it any better. My heavenly Father has permitted +things to be just as they are, and I know he loves me. +I will therefore leave all to him. No rebellion shall +be cherished in my heart, and no murmur shall escape +my lips. My Savior has promised that his grace shall +be sufficient for me. He will never leave me, but be +a present help in time of need. Trusting in him and +committing all to my loving Father’s care, I will do +what I can. I will make the place where my lot is +cast as bright and cheerful as possible, and work and +wait with patience till I am permitted to go to my +heavenly home.</p> + +<p>I am indebted to many of my Christian friends, to +all of whom I extend my heartfelt thanks for many +acts of kindness, of which one is in supplying me +with a fine Teachers’ Bible and other good religious +reading matter. My Bible has been to me a constant +source of pleasure, it has dispersed the dark cloud of +sorrow and let in the sunlight of God’s love. There +was a time when I believed every earthly friend had +forsaken me, and that I was only known by a number—the +number on the books of a prison. In a cell, +yea, shut away from the full light of day, shut away +from man, I was lonely, friendless, forgotten—a boy +who was once free as heaven’s sunshine, free as the +birds whose songs I loved to hear. I remembered my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span> +home, my mother, the good-night kisses, the lilacs, +the roses, the orchard, the swing, the schoolhouse, +and the playmates. Then I thought of that beautiful +and pathetic hymn, “Oh, where is my wandering boy +to-night?” and I resolved that I would flee to the One +whom God had appointed to bring forth the prisoner +from the prison-house of sin. My brothers, you are +not forgotten. If mother is alive, she is praying for +you, and the God to whom she prays loves you. “Yea, +I have loved thee with an everlasting love”; “and, lo, +I am with you always.” He has all the angels of +heaven working to help fallen humanity to be saved +from sin. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent +forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”—Heb. +1:14. And I am glad that I can testify +to the facts, that behind prison-walls, in the dark +shadows of a prison-cell, are sons and daughters of +God, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, heirs of +salvation, and to these heirs of salvation angels are +sent forth to minister. The angel in your cell waits, +brother. Kneel and pray. “If we confess our sins, +he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to +cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 Jno. 1:9.</p> + +<p>Can I, can you, live a Christian life in bondage? +My answer is in the affirmative. It has been tested +and proved beyond a doubt. I will recall the incident +of Joseph. When he was a mere boy he was sold by +his brethren and cast into bondage. He resisted +temptation, even when he knew that in so doing he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> +taking just so many steps toward the dungeon. Gen. +39:7-20. In adversity, as well as in prosperity, he +gave all honor to God. Gen. 41:16. He forgave his +brethren when most men would have been tempted to +punish them. Gen. 50:15-21. We can learn from +Joseph’s prison life a remarkable lesson. That God +was with him in all things was unmistakably true. +He was blessed and elevated to noble positions. This +honor he gained by his uprightness in his daily walk +before God. Gen. 39:21-23; Acts 7:9. God used him +as an instrument to unfold his plans. Gen. 45:5-8; +50:20; Acts 7:9-14. If Joseph, a mere boy, could +walk uprightly before God and receive a blessing in +prison, I or any one else can do the same by the grace +of God, and by his grace I will. And again, Peter, +the apostle of Jesus Christ, was imprisoned by Herod +and was delivered by an angel through the prayer of +the church, yet he could not realize that he was released +from his bonds and imprisonment, but thought +that it was a vision. Acts 12:4-9. Paul and Silas +suffered bonds of imprisonment, and stripes of persecution +for proclaiming the gospel of Christ, and +during all their persecution sang songs of praise and +lifted their voices in prayer to the Lord. Acts 16:22-26. +If all of these men could offer so much praise to +God under such trying circumstances, I or any one +else can do the same, but only through his grace. By +his grace I will. When we fully submit our minds to +God’s mind and plans, then God will teach us the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span> +sweet lesson that “all things work together for good +to them that love God.”—Rom. 8:28. Trust him +and open your heart to him and you will experience +this peace which he gives to his followers, a peace +such as the world can neither give nor take away.</p> + +<p>In conclusion I must say, if the dear readers could +but hear the pleading, fervent prayers and the touching +testimonies of these unfortunates, they would place +a higher estimate on the prisoner, and by word and act +help him rise, as it were, above his surroundings. The +prisoners are given to understand by our warden that +the prayer-meeting services are theirs, and let me say +there are about fifty of the boys here who try to make +the best of it, and in no single instance have they +violated the privilege granted to them during this +service. I consider it a privilege to stand up for God, +even within the confining bars of a penitentiary. My +brother prisoner, the Master is calling for you. Think +of it, whosoever believeth on God’s only Son, a free +and a full salvation shall he have, for God is both +willing and able to save. “What must I do to be +saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus +Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”—Acts 16:30. Salvation +is in the name of Jesus; “neither is there salvation +in any other: for there is none other name +under heaven given among men, whereby we must be +saved.”—Acts 4:12. “Choose you this day whom ye +will serve.”—Josh. 24:15. May God bless and uplift +the fallen everywhere.</p> + +<p class="right"> +Serial No. 2282.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<h3>SAVED BEHIND PRISON-BARS.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +Washington Co. Jail, Potasi, Mo., Sept. 23, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>I was a very wicked man when I was put in here, +but by reading books and tracts sent me I soon realized +my condition, and oh, how I repented of my many +sins and called on God for mercy! Now I am so happy +to tell you that he freely forgave me all. Praise +his dear name! Although I have been in here long +time my hours have been sweet since I found Jesus. +I expect to leave here in a few days for the state prison +at Jefferson City, but oh, I have the sweet promise: +“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” I have +promised God that the rest of my days shall be spent +for him who has done so much for me. I expect to +work for God all I can while in the penitentiary, distributing +papers and books that are sent to me for that +purpose. Dear ones, pray that God may ever use me.</p> + +<p class="right"> +J. H. R.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>FROM A CONDEMNED PRISONER.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +Santa Fe, New Mexico.<br> +</p> + +<p>Through the kindness of a lady in California a few +copies of your paper, the Gospel Trumpet, have found +their way into this prison (Santa Fe, New Mexico). +Each copy has been met with a hearty welcome, and +well read. This prison has about 230 men behind its +walls. About one hundred of these men can read the +English language, and are in need of the true gospel.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span> +If any of God’s children who read this feel that they +would like to send a few copies of the Trumpet, or +tracts, or any other spiritual literature to this prison, +the writer will take pleasure in distributing the same.</p> + +<p>I am happy to say that I feel the effects of the many +earnest prayers that are rising daily in my behalf. I +am a condemned man and have been lying under a +death sentence for over thirteen months. My case will +be disposed of in August, and I need the prayers of +all God’s dear people. Brothers and sisters, pray for +me. I have many friends and loved ones praying that +it may be God’s will to give me my liberty next spring. +Will every one who may read this join us in this prayer, +and always close with “God’s will be done.” Dear +ones, I am only in one of God’s schools, and his great +Spirit gives me strength to rejoice with all my sad +trouble. I was placed in this dungeon April 4, 1899, +and have not seen a star since. Oh, I know they +would look beautiful! The sun never reaches my +little palace; but I am happy to say, “There is sunshine +in my soul to-day.” Have not been sick an +hour since here. All the praise to my dear Savior. +I am expecting to get my case reversed in August, am +putting my trust in higher power than man. “If +God be for us, who can be against us?”—Rom. 8:31. +I know that I have the prayers and sympathy of every +one that loves Jesus Christ and his cause, and when +my case is decided I will let you all know the verdict +through the Trumpet. My enemies are many, and I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span> +will ask you all to remember them daily, in your +prayers. I love their souls, and my earnest prayer is +that I may meet them all in heaven. Reader, meet +me at Jesus’ feet.</p> + +<p class="right"> +W. B. H., Box 426.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="center no-indent">Territorial Prison of Arizona.</p> +<p class="right">Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sirs: Our honorable superintendent gave me +your letter accompanying some books and tracts you +sent to the prisoners in the Territorial Prison at +Yuma, Arizona, a few days ago. As it happens to be +my misfortune to be one of the number incarcerated +in this place, I take pleasure in writing you and telling +my experience of what Jesus can do for a man +behind the prison-walls. Like many others behind +the prison-bars, no doubt, I enjoyed the blessing of +being brought up in a Christian community, but had +never been brought to the realization of the fact that +I needed the protection of a loving Savior to guide me +through this life, and like the prodigal son I thought +I could take care of myself. But like so many hundreds +of others that take no heed to their earlier training, +fell into bad company, which finally led to the +cause of my misfortune that placed me behind the +prison-walls.</p> + +<p>At first the thought of being in prison, and loved +ones at home, almost drove me wild. The days were +too long, the nights too long; I could not content myself<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span> +with reading, and could scarcely work. I thought +I was the most miserable man on earth, and almost +wished I could die. Finally I concluded to try to +read the Bible. I had scarcely looked in a Bible for +nine years, much less read a single chapter. So I +secured a Bible and began at the first chapter of +Genesis, and read a few chapters at leisure hours. I +would mark the place where I left off and commence +there when I had another opportunity to read. The +more I read the more interesting it became; so I +finally read it through. By the time I read it through +I had become so interested I would take the Bible to +the cell with me at night and read till the lights were +turned out, and I concluded to read it through again +and take more time in reading and try to get a better +understanding of it. Before I got through the second +time I was convicted by the Spirit of God. I realized +that I was not only a convict, but a sinner. I accepted +Christ as my Savior, and have been trying to serve him +ever since.</p> + +<p>It has made a new man of me. The days and nights +are now not too long, and I can work as though I were +drawing a salary. The Bible is the most precious +book in the world to me, and the longer I serve Christ +the more I am determined to serve him the remainder +of my life. My prayer is that every man behind the +prison-bars may accept Christ as their Savior, while in +prison; for if they wait until they get out, the temptations +are too great and the chances are against them.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span> +My advice to my fellow convicts is to read the Bible; +if it is not interesting at first it will become interesting; +it will broaden your minds, it will make +better men and women of you, it will help you to bear +your burdens, and may be the means of saving your +souls.</p> + +<p>I thank you for the books and tracts, and assure you +they will be read and appreciated by quite a number +of the men here, and trust God will bless you in your +efforts to lead fallen men to the Savior.</p> + +<p class="right"> +R. C.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Jackson, Mo., April 4, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>We, the prisoners of Jackson, Missouri, thank you +for sending us those good papers. We would to God +we were able to express our gratitude for the Gospel +Trumpet and to you for your great desire to help us to +be better men. I wish we had thousands of such men +and women as you are. I do wish that every poor +soul in this world could get a Gospel Trumpet and +read and see the great light it gives to any one trying +to serve the true God. I desire your faithful prayers +to help me bear the cross, and also wish the prayers +of all your brothers and friends that I may be a better +man. Pray God to deliver me from my enemies and +out of this prison. I have a dear wife and six little +children and want to return home to them. I will +leave here to-morrow for Jefferson City Mo. prison, +and hope to hear from you again. May God help you +to help every poor soul.</p> + +<p class="right"> +L. L. B.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="right"> +Charleston, Mo., April 18, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>In reply to your letter of April 16, it was kindly +received by the prisoners in jail, and we were very +thankful to you for those papers you sent. All the +boys send their many thanks. There are nine here +and expect to be here for quite a while, and would like +very much if you only had some one come here and +talk to us and bring us papers. Hoping to hear from +you again and receive some more papers. Many +thanks from all the prisoners in jail.</p> + +<p class="right"> +——<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="right"> +Greenville, Mo., March 27, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>Yours of the 26th received with roll of papers. +Must say we were glad to get them. We are glad to +have plenty at all times. As may be expected, there +are some in this prison who need something to encourage +them, and should you deem it expedient you +may send us some papers, such as you may think best +to send. I for one need reformation and will be +pleased to have your assistance in trying to follow the +steps of the Savior. Your well wisher.</p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="right"> +Jefferson City, Mo., April 10, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>We, the prisoners of Cole County Jail, received your +kind letter and papers this morning. We are very +thankful to you for your good wishes and appreciate +your interest in us to help us to be better men. It<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span> +is a matter to be deplored that in the great state of Mo. +there are so few who would put out the hand of mercy +to fallen humanity. Your papers will always be welcome, +and we hope they will do the good you intend. +With sincere good wishes we subscribe ourselves</p> + +<p class="right"> +Prisoners of Cole County Jail.<br> +</p> + +<p>P. S. A Bible and gospel hymn-book would be +very much appreciated.</p> + +<hr class="r5"> +<p class="right"> +Nevada, Mo., April 19, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>It is with pleasure I answer your most kind and welcome +letter received the 18th with joy and delight. +There are ten men in this jail and each sends his +thanks to you for your kindness. Nearly every word +in the papers has been read. I am not a Christian, +but I ofttimes wish I could be converted, for the +Christians seem to be so happy, and I cherish a hope +that I may soon get out of darkness into light. I was +in here four months without any Christian influence or +Christian papers to read, and my mind seemed to +wander away to some unknown realm of darkness until +the last night of March, when the door opened and +we were presented with some little books, and on +the first day of April we received another roll and also +some papers which were sent to us by the good Christian +ladies of Nevada, and you do not know how it +brightened my hopes and prospects. It made me +think that I had some friends to speak a word of encouragement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span> +to me. We like the Gospel Trumpet. +It is a splendid paper for any one to read, and I hope +I may have the pleasure of reading more of them. +Your true friend,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Centerville, Ala., Sept. 9, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>I will answer your letter. I was glad to get your +books; they gave me much light. I have been in jail +a long time and you are the first one that has ever +sent me anything to read. I would like to have some +more books to read. Yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +J. D. W.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Will County Jail, Joliet, Ill., April 7, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>We, the inmates of this institution, surely appreciate +the consideration which you have taken in us. +And as the County of Will does not furnish a library +we the inmates will be pleased to receive any literature +which you have to spare.</p> + +<p class="right"> +Inmates.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Georgetown, Del., Aug. 7, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>We received those little books and tracts, and we +prisoners were very glad to receive them, although we +are all sinners in this place. There are nineteen of us +at present—seven white men and twelve colored men. +We are treated very kindly by the keepers. Please +send us more books.</p> + +<p class="right"> +From the Prisoners.<br> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Hartford, Conn., Aug. 12, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>We have to again thank you for sending us books, +tracts, etc. We fully appreciate the motives with +which these books are sent, and are sure that they +will bear fruit in due season. The books, etc., are +very interesting and are looked forward to with great +pleasure. We trust that everybody who reads them +will be benefited by their teachings. And when we +are permitted to go forth into the world again, we +trust we may be able to render assistance to some +needy brother or sister who is seeking to find Jesus. +May God bless you in your good work. In behalf of +the prisoners in Hartford Jail. I beg to remain yours +sincerely,</p> + +<p class="right"> +J. W. C.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Jefferson City, Mo., Aug. 22, 1900.<br> +</p> + +<p>I will drop you a few lines in answer to yours, which +I received, and also a package of books which I was +also glad to receive, and pleased to hear from you. I +am still trusting in God, and will trust in him until +death. There are five boys in here beside myself, +who are reading those books that you sent me. They +think them good. It does me good to know they like +them. I am going to live for God the rest of my days, +and keep out of trouble. I have sadly repented of +this, and I know God forgives me. I have promised +my God that I will serve him the rest of my days, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> +I am going to keep it by the help of God. Many +thanks for those books. From your saved brother,</p> + +<p class="right"> +H. T. B.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>FROM A CALIFORNIA PRISONER.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +San Quentin, Cal., March 8, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>My Dear Friends: Your very kind letter addressed +to the prisoners has been given to me by the chaplain +to answer. It is a great consolation to the prisoners +to know that there are good people in the world who +sympathize with the unfortunate. The Gospel Trumpet +has been eagerly sought after and read with interest +and benefit by many of the boys. It is casting +bread upon the waters of life. We frequently have it +thrown in our faces—those who are trying to live the +Christian life—that state’s prison is a poor place to +come to get religion. Now I admit that this is true, +also that it is a poor place to come to for any purpose +provided that we are obliged to come as so many of us +are; however, I thank God that I have found the +way to a better life notwithstanding I am in state’s +prison. It is better to find Christ in prison than not +to find him at all. If we repent and ask Christ to +forgive us, he is willing and able to forgive us in prison +as well as anywhere else, and to cleanse us from all +sin. I thank God that I can report victory through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span> +grace. Christ is able to save me and keep me in +prison. The farther along, the brighter the way +grows. Salvation has made such a radical change in +my life that I can scarcely recognize my former self. +God has so strengthened my faith as to banish all +doubts and fears and filled me with humble, peaceful +love. Thank God for this glorious change. I am +indeed in full possession of a new nature; old things +have passed away; behold, all things are become new. +I received from our chaplain the elegant Bible which +you sent. I assure you that I appreciate it very much +and will keep it as a great treasure while I live. Those +other books are highly appreciated. Surely it is casting +your bread upon the waters of life. Christ said he +that giveth unto the least of God’s creatures a cup of +cold water will receive his reward. Your gift is a well +of water flowing over, and God will reward you in proportion. +Your brother in Christ,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Serial Number 1055.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>PAPERS AND BOOKS SOLICITED.</h3> + +<p class="right"> +Walla Walla, Washington, Feb. 19, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +Mr. E. E. Byrum,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>My Dear Sir: A fellow inmate of this, the Washington +State Penitentiary, has been kind enough, on two +or three occasions, to permit me a perusal of your +most excellent publication, the Gospel Trumpet. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span> +feel certain that I have been benefited through the +privilege, as within a sinful environment, such as +obtained here, one needs the wholesome and uplifting +encouragement that is breathed through the columns +of your magazine. In one of your issues I note that +you have a fund set aside the proceeds of which are +devoted to furnishing Christian literature to those +whose lack of means precludes them from otherwise +obtaining it. Had I the money I would gladly remit +for a supply, but isolated as I am I am unable to provide +it, and therefore, if I may presume upon your +charity, I assure you that I shall feel truly grateful for +any remembrance which your goodness may prompt +you to tender. Thanking you in advance for a +response, I remain, Yours very truly,</p> + +<p class="right"> +——, Prisoner.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<h3>FROM A LIFE PRISONER.</h3> + +<p class="center no-indent">Nevada State Prison.</p> +<p class="right">Carson City, Nev., April 18, 1901.</p> +<p class="no-indent"> +The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">Moundsville, W. Va.</span><br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Friends: Your kind letter and the books were +duly received, for which please accept my thanks. I +read your letter to the men one Sunday morning +just at the opening of service. The effect of its kindly +expressions upon the men in general I am unable to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span> +state, but personally I wish to thank you. I have +read your books and like them. I like the plain +speaking which I find there, in denouncing this makebelieve +Christianity. Above all men, the prisoner is +quick to see the non-practice of the teachings of Jesus +by his professed followers, and seeing it, they conclude +it is all pretense. I speak of those who read the Bible. +Consequently very few make any effort to lead a true +life, and care very little for Christian reading. Of +course they are wrong in that respect, as they have +been in many others, but being blind they are unable +to see, I know, and so does any one who thinks or +reads, that our penal systems are of the most unChristlike +nature possible, breathing more of the +spirit of hell than of the spirit that lifts heavenward. +Why our people will continue in this spirit I know not. +Perhaps some time a true soul will arise in this special +subject and bring about more righteous conditions. +God grant that it be so.</p> + +<p>With many thanks for your kindly interest in the +prisoner, and for the books sent, I am, with Christian +love, Respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="right"> +E. S. ——, Life Prisoner.<br> +</p> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p class="right"> +Jonesboro, Ark.<br> +</p> + +<p>Dear Friend: We received your letter and books. +We were so glad to get them. We were playing cards +when the sheriff handed them to us. We laid the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span> +cards away and went to reading, and the more we read +the more interested we became. I have prayed to +God to forgive me of my sins and I believe he does, +and I want you to pray for me. There are three other +men in here that have turned to God, and it all came +about through the letters and books. We thank you for +the Testament. Pray for us and please send us more +of those books and papers. They help us so much.</p> + + +<h3>FROM A PRISON WORKER.</h3> + +<p>The prison work is growing and precious souls are +being saved. It is wonderful how readily these men +accept the full teaching of the Bible, taking Christ +as their Savior and Healer. When I read their letters +so cheerful and so happy in Jesus, it makes me to +rejoice. The work is spreading from state to state +and calls are coming in for pure literature. The state +prisons have libraries in them, but they are filled with +novels (so the prisoners tell me), and they desire something +better. When these books and papers are put in +their hands they forsake the cards and novels and read +something that will do them good. We thank God +for those who have helped us so much in this work, but +our need this morning is greater than ever because the +work is greater, and we are praying God to touch the +hearts of his people to supply the free-literature fund +with ample means to send us another shipment of +books and tracts. A prisoner in Jefferson City and +one in Menard, Ill. have permission to distribute<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span> +books and tracts they receive and they are faithfully +discharging their duty. May God help us to keep +them supplied, and not them only but other prisons as +well. We do not feel like it is God’s will for us to +quit the field now and turn it over to the enemy when +souls are being saved. Let each one do his duty and +the work can be carried on without any one feeling the +burden. Your co-laborer in the work,</p> + +<p class="right"> +L. P——.<br> +</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="RELEASED_FROM_PRISON"><em>RELEASED FROM PRISON.</em></h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r5"> + +<p>A sentence to a term of years in prison in many +states is commuted to “short time,” so many days +being deducted from each month for good behavior. +An attempt to escape or continuance in disobedience +will require a full-term service. In some states there +is a parole law where for good behavior prisoners may +be paroled or given liberty to go anywhere in the state +by reporting once or twice a month, stating their +whereabouts, and at the end of a given period, if they +do not abuse their privileges by leaving the state, they +will be given a final discharge.</p> + +<p>The state of West Virginia has recently passed a bill +to create and establish a free public employment +bureau, which came into effect May 15, 1901, as follows:</p> + +<p>“Be it known by the legislature of West Virginia:</p> + +<p>“1. The Commissioner of Labor is hereby authorized +to organize and establish in connection with the bureau +of labor a free public employment bureau for the purpose +of receiving applications from persons seeking +employment and applications from persons seeking to +employ laborers.</p> + +<p>“2. No compensation or fee shall be charged or +received directly or indirectly from persons applying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span> +for work, information, or help through said department. +The Commissioner of Labor is hereby authorized +to employ such assistance and incur such expense +as may be necessary to carry into effect the purpose of +this act, but such assistance and expense shall not +exceed $500.00 per annum,” etc., etc.</p> + +<p>In compliance with this act of the legislature a free +public employment bureau has been established at +Wheeling, twelve miles from Moundsville penitentiary. +This will not only be the means of furnishing men +with work who have never been in prison and thus +keep them out, but will be a privilege much appreciated +by those who have just been released. It would +be wisdom on the part of the lawmakers of every +state to thus provide a similar institution somewhere +near their state prisons.</p> + +<p>To the prisoner whose term has just expired we +desire to give a few words of advice. You now start +out in life anew. There are great responsibilities before +you. No doubt many of you the world will meet +with a frown, and look disdainfully upon you because +of your past career, or that you have been in prison. +Do not give way to discouragement under such circumstances; +face the world with a smile, shun the places +of vice and wickedness, shun evil companions; and on +the other hand, seek society that will be elevating. If +strong drink was at one time a temptation to you or +the cause of your downfall, shun the places where it +is sold or used as you would shun death itself. Likewise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> +shun the card-table and pool-room, which only lead +to a drunkard’s life. Always have courage enough to +say No when evil companions seek to lead you astray. +There is a God in heaven who will help you. Let not +a day pass by without prayer to him for his direction +and his protection. If you have never received a +change of heart, do not rest satisfied nor cease pressing +the battle on that line until you have obtained the +peace of God in your soul, which is beyond understanding +and flows as a river from the throne of God. +You may have many temptations to fall back into your +old habits of life, but by persistent resentment and +applying to the Lord for help you will be enabled to +come out victorious. I remember a few years ago a +young man was released from a prison in New York +because of his good behavior and was given an honorable +discharge. He did not care to take up his old +habits again, but as he wandered about from place to +place meeting old companions and associating with +them, he found great difficulty in refraining from +picking people’s pockets, as he had been in the habit +of doing in former years. When the temptation came +upon him it was almost like the mania of a drunkard +for strong drink, but by asserting his manhood and +making a firm resolve and acting upon it, he decided +to live a true and honest life. He left his associates to +attend a religious meeting where he heard the gospel +preached in all its purity, and there he yielded himself +to God and was pardoned of all his actual transgressions.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span> +Although the effects of his sinful, wicked life +had been so great that he had many struggles for +months afterwards, he had taken a step forward and +there was a marked change in his life from that time +as well as in his heart, and soon he became established +in the ways of truth and righteousness, married a +respectable lady, and has ever since lived the life of +the righteous and been highly esteemed by those who +know him.</p> + +<p>A more striking illustration of the appreciation of +freedom could scarcely be given than that of the recent +liberation of the Younger Brothers. A little over a +quarter of a century ago the state of Missouri and surrounding +country were terrorized by daring raids made +by the Younger Brothers and James Brothers, who +formed a company of the most daring outlaws and +bandits known in this country.</p> + +<p>These desperadoes were captured and incarcerated in +prison at Stillwater, Minn., in close confinement for +almost twenty-five years. It is reported that for fifteen +years their lives have been reformed, and in July, 1901 +they were liberated under the parole law with the +restrictions that they were not to leave the confines of +the state of Minnesota. Neither are they allowed to +drink intoxicants nor lead a life that is anything but +sober and industrious.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="i143" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i143.jpg" alt="Cole and James Younger"> + <figcaption class="caption"> + +<p class="center no-indent"> +COLE YOUNGER. <span style="padding-left: 5em">JAMES YOUNGER.</span><br> +</p> +</figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>During the twenty-five years of their prison life the +outside world had made many changes. There had +been many wonderful inventions, and when released +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span>they were like school children on a playground. They +hardly knew which way to turn. The outside world +was all strange to them. Although being men whose +years number into the fifties, they went about as children, +laughed and cried alternately for joy, talked by +telephone, rode in an electric car, and enjoyed themselves +in many ways, while kind friends aided in clearing +away the mists caused by twenty-five years of awful +solitude. In order to better understand their appreciation +of freedom we here quote their conversation upon +entering the city. Cole Younger remarked to his +brother: “I assure you that this is the best moment of +my life. Just think of it! From now I can act just +the same as any one else, but I suppose it will be hard +for me to confine myself to the new rules that I find +on the outside. I have been accustomed to going to bed +early, and I expect I will want to keep early hours +when I get out. You can not imagine how I felt to +put on this brand-new suit of store clothes this morning. +Only once before since we came to this prison, a +quarter of a century ago, have I donned citizen’s attire, +and that was when I put on the deputy warden’s +suit and sat for a photograph. My clothes look a little +odd to me; they are not quite in style with my regulation +first-grade prison suit, but I suppose they go on +the outside. Bless God and our loyal friends for this +moment, which is one of supreme happiness. For the +first time in many years I feel relieved. I feel now as +if a great unbearable load of some kind has been lifted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span> +from my shoulders, and that this is the beginning of a +new life. Boys, I want to thank you from the bottom +of my heart for your assistance.”</p> + +<p>Although these men were daring desperadoes when +placed in prison, yet, notwithstanding the great +reformation that has taken place in their lives during +these years of solitude, we do not wonder that their actions +were like those of children, when we take into consideration +that they were both sentenced for life. We +trust their future days may prove to prison officials and +the world at large that the Younger Brothers are +worthy of such a favor, and that their future career +and this action of the Minnesota officials may be an +impetus towards the liberation of every life prisoner, +giving them a chance once more to delight in the +freedom which men should enjoy.</p> + +<p>A few years ago, in conversation with the Governor +of Colorado, he related an incident of a boy seventeen +years of age whose mother was a widow. He came to +Denver and one day while on the street met a young +man who was a stranger, with whom he had not been +in company very long until the stranger friend suggested +that they take a ride. A horse and carriage +was near by and as no owner was present the stranger +proceeded to untie the horse and order his young +friend to get in. Scarcely realizing what he was doing +he obeyed. And away they went, driving as rapidly +as possible for several miles, when they stopped and +the stranger bade his young friend good-by, leaving<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span> +him in charge of the horse and carriage. He was then +to some extent awakened to the situation, but thought +he would return the carriage to the place where it was +procured, or if possible turn it over to the owner. But +before reaching the destination he was captured by +the authorities and taken to jail and was soon bound +over to answer to the charge of stealing a horse and +carriage. The Governor stated that at that time he +was judge of the court. The boy and his mother feeling +so sure that he would be released on account of his +innocency, as he had not the least intention of stealing, +did not procure a lawyer, and after the witnesses +had been examined and the prosecuting attorney had +made his plea, the Governor stated there was nothing +for him to do only sentence the boy for a year in the +state prison, although he said at the same time he +was sure the boy was innocent.</p> + +<p>I would not feel clear in closing this volume without +making a further plea to the reader, and especially all +Christian people, to put forth a special effort in supplying +prisons of every kind with good religious literature, +such as will appeal to the consciences and hearts +of men and women and lead them to a better way. +Aside from our penitentiaries there are many thousands +of jails, work-houses, infirmaries, hospitals, and places +of confinement, which have been so sadly neglected +that we even wonder how we can all be held guiltless +in the day of judgment if we do not put forth some +effort in this line. Aside from the good books and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> +tracts placed in their libraries a number of good religious +papers should be sent to all these places weekly. +If you can not visit the prison in person use your +dimes or dollars to expend in supplying the prisoners +with good literature.</p> + +<p>With the knowledge of the fact that our own boys, +our dearest friends, or even ourselves, are liable to be +falsely charged and sent to prison innocent, our sympathies +should be awakened all the more to help those +who are guilty, that we may therefore lend a helping +hand to turn them from the ways of sin and wickedness +into the ways of truth and righteousness.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter transnote"> +<h2 class="nobreak bold fs150" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> + +<ul> +<li>pg 43 Changed: former passions crop out irresistably<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: former passions crop out irresistibly</span></li> + +<li>pg 93 Changed: was sentence to be hanged<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: was sentenced to be hanged</span></li> + +<li>pg 123 Changed: I am with you alway.<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: I am with you always.</span></li> + +<li>pg 123 Changed: cleanse us from all unrighteusness.<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: cleanse us from all unrighteousness.</span></li> + +<li>pg 131 Changed: Many thanks from all the prioners in jail.<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: Many thanks from all the prisoners in jail.</span></li> + +<li>pg 133 Changed: surely appreicate the consideration<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: surely appreciate the consideration</span></li> + +<li>pg 138 Changed: denouncing this makebelieve Cristianity<br> +<span style="padding-left: 2em">to: denouncing this makebelieve Christianity</span></li> +</ul> +</div> + + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75420 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75420-h/images/cover.jpg b/75420-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..67d9f51 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i007.jpg b/75420-h/images/i007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b621a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i007.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i010.jpg b/75420-h/images/i010.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..08812ad --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i010.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i017.jpg b/75420-h/images/i017.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a66b777 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i017.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i029.jpg b/75420-h/images/i029.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd0f032 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i029.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i033.jpg b/75420-h/images/i033.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ad5ca08 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i033.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i049.jpg b/75420-h/images/i049.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8496b21 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i049.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i059.jpg b/75420-h/images/i059.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5191f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i059.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i067.jpg b/75420-h/images/i067.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9c2572 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i067.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i103.jpg b/75420-h/images/i103.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae6acf9 --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i103.jpg diff --git a/75420-h/images/i143.jpg b/75420-h/images/i143.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a3fdd6e --- /dev/null +++ b/75420-h/images/i143.jpg |
