CSENTED BY
PlUBLI
IPRE
SHER
*
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TEI


BEHIND
THE PRISON BARS.
A REMINDER OF OUR DUTIES
TOWARD THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SO UNFOR-
TUNATE AS TO BE CAST INTO PRISON.
By E. E. BYRUM,
Author of “The Secret of Salvation,” “Divine Healing of Soul
and Body,” “The Great Physician,” “The
Boy's Companion,” Etc.
“Remember them that are in bonds,
0.8 bound with them.”—Heb. 13:3.
Gospel. TRUMPET PUBLISHING Co.,
MOUNDSVILLE, W. V.A.
1901.
. H. V.
**f (, ,
, Ł 7 %
CoPYRIGHT, 1901,
BY
E. E. ByRUM.
AUTHOR’s PREFACE,
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 lit-
tle, if any, responsibility on that line.
About two years ago the Gospel Trumpet Publish-
ing 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
5
253520
6 AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
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.
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 grati-
tude toward those who have thus manifested their
friendship.
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 communica-
tions, 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,
Yours in Him,
E. E. BYRUM.
Moundsville, W. Va., July 4, 1901.
C O N T E N T S.
*
e PAGE
In Prison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Make the Best of It. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.
Punishment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Capital Hºnishment. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Life Imprisonment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
The Dungeon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Cat-o’-nine-tails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Buck and Gagged. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Lock-step March. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Literary Privileges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Tobacco Allowance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
The Prisoner’s Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
The Stockades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
The Chain Gang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
The Felon’s Cell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . §3
The Library. . . . . . © e º ºr e º e º sº ºn e º e º e º º q & © e º & e º 'º e 56
The Chapel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a e º e & e º e º e - & O 5S
Scaling the Prison Walls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G0
A Prison Reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
History of West Virginia Penitentiary. . . . . . . . . . . 73
(As Written by a Prisoner.)
Letters from Prison Officials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Testimonies of Convicts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Released from Prison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
LIST OF JLLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
The Black List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Cat-o'-nine-tails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Lock-step March. ..... • e º 'º e º 'º e º ºs e e º e º O & tº gº tº gº e 35
The Chain Gang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Scaling the Prison Walls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Tracked by Bloodhounds—Captured. . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Penitentiary of the State of West Virginia....... 105
The Younger Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
IN PRISON.
OUn 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.
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
ceil. Whether innocent or guilty, he feels the awful
disgrace upon himself and his friends. It would not
O *
10 PEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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.
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 punish-
ment 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 ex-
ceptional 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
IN PRISON, 11
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.
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 hand-
ling 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 manuer, imagining that being cross, gruff,
and surly toward them will make them feel a sub-
ordination 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-
12 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
hearted 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 encourage-
ment, have but little trouble in bringing about a great
reform in the lives of those under their charge.
~ * ~
w-ur-
MAKE THE BEST OF IT.
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 be-
wailing 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 may be 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.”
MAKE THE BEST OF IT, 13
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
14 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
and shouting at the midnight hour, when the Lord
sent an earthquake and rent the prison walls, throw-
ing 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 pun-
ishment. To such we can only say, Be of good
courage; look up and trust for better days.
Æh a
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PUNISHMENT.
*.
People are sentenced to a term in prison on account
of crime committed. There are two systems of pun-
ishment. 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 learn-
ing better ways of bringing men and women thus in-
carcerated into subjection, but in many places are
making and enforcing laws which require that pris-
oners be more humanely treated and receive better care
and accommodations. Men have resorted to almost
PUNISHMENT, 15
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 sand better modes of government brought
about, that many schools are taught without once
16 PEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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. Con-
cerning the easy government of the prisoners there is
much that depends upon those in charge of the pris-
oners. 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 under-
stand the dispositions of those under their charge.
They should be firm and unyielding to their trust, yet
loving and tender.
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 ir-
resistably, 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
PUNISHMENT. 17
my mind forcible restraining, or to employ the com-
mon 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! Expe-
rience 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.”
There are also other ways, however, of vividly im-
pressing 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 per-
centage of the worth of their labor is placed to their
credit for good behavior. One of the effective ways of
18 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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. -
For certain offences some are black-listed to be pun-
ished 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. -
Captain Smith, a few years ago, in giving his bi-
ennial report of the Kansas prison, said: “The dis-
cipline 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,
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that it is impossible to run a prison and have first-
class discipline without the whip. Such is not my ex-
perience. 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 accom-
plish this? Our answer is, By being kind but firm, treat-
ing a man, although a prisoner, as a man, and if he
violates rules, lock him up and give him an oppor-
tunity 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 humil-
iated, only lives in hope that he may at some time
take his revenge upon the person that ordered or in-
flicted the punishment and upon the state or country
that would by its laws tolerate such a brutal or
slavish practice.”
22 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
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 law-
yers, many are sentenced and hurled into eternity with-
out being prepared to meet God. Will God hold us inno-
cent 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.
“Then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth
for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 23
burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”—Ex.
21:23-25.
“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.
“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.”
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
24 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 footh 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.
In Galatians 5:4 Paul gave the people to under-
stand that they were not justified by the law of Moses;
he said: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, who-
soever 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 bar-
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 25
barism 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? *
There is another side to the picture. It is some-
times the case that a man who is put to death is in-
nocent of the crime for which he is charged. Whether
innocent or guilty, a great number of those thus pun-
ished 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.
26 BEEIIND THE PRISON-BARS.
LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
Life imprisonment is an unjust sentence. Life pris-
oners 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 premed-
itated 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 pris-
oners, and in this give him a hope of release. Ihere
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-
IIFE IMPRISONMENT, 27
four 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 con-
tinue our observations indefinitely.”
My views of this matter may be severely criticised,
nevertheless we do not consider that five years is un-
reasonably short for the first offence of murder. This
releases the innocent man who may have been sen-
tenced 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 char-
acter, and not more dangerous to a community than
28 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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.
~ * ~
--~~~
TEIE DUNGEON.
This is the dreaded place of all prisons and in many
places resorted to oftener than necessary. Many pris-
oners 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 pris-
oner 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
THE DUNGEON. 29
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:
“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 dun-
geon 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. Some-
times 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 un-
30 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
dergoes 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 pris-
oner 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.”


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in Original
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CAT—O’—NINE-TAILS. 33
CAT-O’–NINE-TAILS.
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.
34 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
BUCK-AND-GAGGED.
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 oft-
times 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.
THE LOC K-STEP MARCH.
The lock-step march is a humane punishment, yet
when continued a great length of time is very tire-
some. 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 exer-
cises 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 religious services. When
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LITERARY PRIVILEGES. 37
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.
A. º.
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- LITERARY PRIWILEGES.
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 educa-
tional 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 accommoda-
38 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
tions. 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 pris-
oner 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. -
LITERARY PRIVILEGES. 89
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 pos-
session during the past week. These requests are taken
to the librarian and the books selected and distributed
according to number. Prisoners who mutilate or de-
stroy 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 com-
municate 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. -
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
N
40 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 re-
mained 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:
“From this time forward we had religious exercises
morning and evening and found them a great consola-
tion 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 spir-
LITERARY PRIVILEGES. 41
itual 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 recon-
cile . . . 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 l 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
42 BE HIND THE PRISON.—BARS.
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.” - :
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 pray-
ed, 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 transforma-
tion 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 cir-
cumstances. 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?”
LITERARY PRIVILEGES. 43
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 serelle mind or the
victory over th fear of death, which I so much desir-
ed. 2.
“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 keep-
ing. 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
44 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 :horoughly 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 need-
ful 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 forbid-
den. 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,
LITERARY PRIVILEGES. 45
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.”
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 per-
petrating 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.
For the entertainment of the prisoner and to develop
an interest in literary work they have been allowed to
publish prison papels. 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 com-
posed 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.
46 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
TOIBACCO AILOWAN CE.
* * * ***** * *ssmsºmºmºms
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 maïufactured 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 thº, 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 longor.
Some time ago we placed a number of tracts in prisons
showing the evil effects of tobacco on the human sys-
tem, the filthiness and offensiveness of tobacco, etc., .
and we were pleased to note the results by way of con-
vincing many prisoners to discontinue the use and
give up the habit. While some are able by strong will-
power to discontinue the use of it, yet but compara-
tively 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.
PRISONERS’ WORK. 47
PRISONERS’ WORK.
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 par-
adise 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 sit-
ting 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
48 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS,
glad to know that in many places it is receiving atten-
tion. - .”
The time for working ranges from ten to fourteen
hours per day. In the United States prison at Leaven-
worth, 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.
THE STOCKADES.
The stockade is an enclosure, or pen, made with posts
or sticks stuck in the ground. It is generally a tem-
porary affair. These are to be found in the South and
Southwest mostly. Here is where the worst treat-
ment is to be found among the prisoners. Some of the
southern states are providing better for their pris-
oners, but others are far behind what they should be.
A stockade is sometimes made on the top of a moun-
tain 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
THE CHAIN GANG. . 49
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 priv-
ileges 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, assur-
ing us that the same would be highly appreciated and
used to the advantage of the prisoners.
TEIE CHAIN GANG.
It is not an uncommon thing to see a chain gang
of prisoners, especially about the stockades. Some-
times they are marched to and from their work shack-
led with handcuffs, while others are fastened with
50 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
' 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. -
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.
Eew men have fallen so low in sin and degradation 3.
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 treat-
ment; 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 con-
Science, leaving him still a criminal almost beyond
redemption. - -
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THE FELON'S CELL. 53
TEIE HELON'S CELL.
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, like-
wise 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 tin-
bucket holding about two quarts of water, and a wash-
basin. 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
54 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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.
To give the reader an idea of how one would nat-
urally 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, surround-
ed 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 pen-
itentiary. 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 im-
THE FELON'S CELL, 55
prisonment, 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 de-
spair. 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.”
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 stand-
ing in life. What has been done can be done again.
Prisoners who are sentenced to be hanged are gen-
erally 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 in-
56 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARs,
tervenes. 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, cry-
ing 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.
AºA a.
wº-
w
THE LIBRARY.
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 pris
oners. For those who have already received an educa-
tion 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
THE LIBRARY. . 57
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 num- .
ber of books of a real spiritual cast are placed at the
disposal of prisoners.
About two years ago, after receiving some earnest
letters of appreciation and thankfulness from pris-
oners 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 pris-
oners, 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 prepar-
ing 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 li-
brary 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.
58 & BEHIND THE PRISON.—BARS.
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.
A fº
* u,v
THE CHAPEL.
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 priv-
ilege 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 attend-
ance. 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
THE CHAPEL, 59
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.
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 trough-
like 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.
60 PEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
SCALING THE PRISON WALL.
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 pris-
oners 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 gen-
eral 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 in-
surrection was so great as to defy the prison officials,
and the disturbance could only be quelled by the dar-
ing boldness and wisdom of the warden or general
officer in charge. When a number of desperate pris-
oners 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 pris-
oner 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.”
-


sº
SOALING THE PRISON WALL. 63
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 pris-
oner 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 con-
trary 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.
64 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
º:
A PRISON REFORM.
The highest ideal of prison life is not simply pun-
ishment 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.
It is said of one of the kings in a country in Europe
that, being desirous of knowing how the common peo-
ple 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 satisfac-
tion, 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 sympa-
thetic 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 king-
dom.
Aside from our penitentiaries, there are jails, work-
A PRISON REFORM. 65
houses, 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 ex-
tremely unpleasant but unhealthful to every inmate.
No doubt if many of our lawmakers and other in-
fluential 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.
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 pris-
on-house.”—Isa. 42:7. A number of our peniten-
tiaries have comparatively good libraries furnished by
the state; some have not yet been supplied with li-
braries; 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.
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
66 BEHIND THE PRISON.—BARS.
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.
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 in prison, and ye came unto me. . . . Inasmuch as
ye have done it unto one of the least of these my breth-
ren, ye have done it unto me.”
My dear reader, how will it be with us when we ap-
pear 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:
A PRISON REFORM, 67
“Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pre-
pared 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 in prºs0n, and ye visited me not. .
Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of
these, ye did it not to me”? es”
While we enjoy our beautiful homes and the pleas-
ures 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 thou-
sands 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. ar
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
68 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS,
are men who are hardened in crime, whose con-
sciences 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 under-
stand 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 har-
dened 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 refor-
mative efforts. Every effort possible should be extend-
ed in behalf of the spiritual welfare of the prisoners.
There is an evil existing in our jails and work-houses
that is startling and alarming, nevertheless it contin-
ues 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
Fºº-
º
º Jºuſſº-
- º








A PRISON REFORM. 71
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.
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, prac-
tice 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 down-
ward course from the hardened criminals,there would
be a reformation in their lives instead of a degenera-
tion. 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 re-
formation on this line. The good people of our land
would be surprised, yea, stricken with consternation,
72 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS,
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.
It is right and proper to send people to jail or pris-
on 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.
HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA
PENITENTIARY.
WRITTEN BY A PRISONEB.
In 1863 the state was admitted as one of the con-
stellation 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 ad-
joining 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 stretch-
ing 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.
Many regions of the state are mountainous, and the
principal industries are lumbering, mining, and oil
73

BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
production. Many of the white people are typical
mountaineers and somewhat rough and uncouth in
manner, while the negroes, many of them, have drift-
ed from North and South Carolina, Alabama, and
other southern states to be employed in the develop-
ment of these industries.
There are very many respectable farmers, profes-
sional 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, end-
ing as a rule in desperate encounters and murder.
Most of the white and black inmates of the peniten-
tiary 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. Mc-
Whorter 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 in-
mates, and he thought he could not work the con-
victs to advantage under the circumstances. The
penitentiary has been improved from time to time to
the present, by additions, until it is a massive struc-
ture of stone and iron, with a high stone snrrounding
wall. It has 695 inmates at the present writing.
The center, or main building, is built after the
old baronial castellated style of architecture, and

HISTORY OF W, WA, PENITENTIARY. 75
with its several stories height, it makes an impos-
ing 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 turn-
ing iron-barred cage in the main hallway of the central
building.
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 fanci-
ful designs as adornments of their small sleeping
quarters. The yard, limited in area by the shop, din-
ing-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 col-
umns of two according to grade for exercise during
the afternoon after working hours, and Sabbath fore-
noon 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.
Upon West Virginia establishing a state govern-
ment, 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
76 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
beautiful village a few miles from the seat of govern-
ment. The location, for drainage and sanitary con-
ditions, 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.
Moundsville has since the location of the peniten-
tiary 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 pen-
itentiary, is one of the attractions to the thousands
of persons who visit the locality.
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 im-
provements for the amelioration of the inmates during
his incumbency. The condition of the prisoners dur-
ing 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 condi-
tion 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 employ-
FIISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIARY. 77
ment of the prisoners on the state account or under
contract was unprofitable, and expenses for the pris-
on'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.
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 appoint-
ment 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 run-
ning out of Huntington. He was at one time a suc-
cessful merchant, hotel-keeper, contractor, and dur-
ing President Harrison’s administration as President
he was an official of the Interior Department in
charge of the public domain in Arizona Territory.
Prior to the incumbency of Warden Hawk the
West Virginia penitentiary had for years been run-
ning behind the legislative appropriation many thou-
sand 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
78 BEHIND THE PRISON.—BARS.
1, 1897. He discovered that his predecessor’s method
of punishment was principally solitary cunfinement.
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, wbich they gladly
expressed a willingness to do.
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 O. 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.
HISTORY OF W. V.A. PEN WºłºwTIARY. º
To bring about these humane changes many and
substantial improvements were made in the way of
buildings and additions without cost to the taxpay-
ers, for the prison was more than self-sustaining, and
a handsome sum of money was on hand for this pur-
pose.
PRISON LIBRARY.
January 1, 1900, Warden S. A. Hawk completed
the erection of a two-story brick addition to the pris-
on dining-hall. The second story room, 40x40 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 Trump-
et 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 pro-
portion. 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
Resolved, That the prisoners of the West Virginie
*
0 PEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
penitentiary, through Warden S. A. Hawk, tendel
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.
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.
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.
The library represents to every inmate the warden’s
desire that every one of them should feel that an op-
portunity for newness of life to them is open, and in
such opportunity may be found an ample encourage-
ment of good purposes and well-meant efforts. Better
life, better men, hence a hope for the prevalence of
improvement.
A night school from 5.30 to 7.30 p. m., for two
hundred and more illiterate white and colored in-
Amates, ranging from seventeen to seventy-two years of
JHISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIALRY. 81
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 writ-
ing 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 libra-
rians (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 ad-
vertisements. 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 col-
lected and returned to the library, there to be care-
fully 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-
82 BEEIIND THE PRISON-BARS,
list 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.
The following are most in demand: Mothers’ Coun-
sel 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 Pub-
lishing Company’s donation. From close observation
of the readers of all this admirable literature the good
results are carefully and conscientiously given as fol-
lows: Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons is in con-
stant 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 im-
pulsive 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
PIISTORY OF W. VA, PENITENTIARY. - 83
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.
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 tempta-
tions, trials, and triumphs. All of these men con-
tinue 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 liter-
ature 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 here-
tofore. May the use of it grow less until in as well
as out of prison its use may be entirely eliminated.
84 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
RULES TO BE OBSERVED BY PRISONERS WHE3N
|USING THE LIBRARY,
Rule 1st. Upon entering the library prisoners
must promptly remove their caps and go to their
seats in a quiet manner.
Rule 2d. Chewing tobacco, smoking, or spitting
on the floor is strictly forbidden.
Rule 3d. Books, papers, or stationery required by
any prisoner can be had by raising the hand and ask-
ing the librarian or teacher.
Rnle 4th. Undivided attention must be given to
the teacher; kis instructions promptly and respect-
fully obeyed, and the whole time of the prisoner who
is learning must be devoted to study.
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.
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.
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. S. A. HAWK, Warden.
HISTORY OF W. VA, PENITENTIA RY. 85
LITERATURE EOR CONWICTS.
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 Mounds-
ville, a lot of books, magazines, etc., donated by him-
self and others. We are permitted to publish Mr.
Hawk’s letter to the judge in acknowledgement of
the donation:
“‘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 40x40 feet, hand-
somely furnished and fully equipped.
“‘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. - -
‘‘‘I feel conscious that the new and more liberal
system of discipline inaugurated by me since my man-
agement of the prison, and the many improvements
S6 |BE HIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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.
“‘Assuring you that I completely appreciate your
kindness, I am sincerely yours, S. A. HAWK.’”
THE BIBLE CIASS
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 pe-
riod of time. To this class of earnest Christians the
Gospel Trumpet people and denominational ministers
of Moundsville give their attentio.1 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.
HISTORY OF W, WA. PENITENTIARY, 87
NOTABLE REFORMATIONS,
Serial No. 2282—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 gov-
ernor upon well established grounds of mitigating
circumstances connected with the alleged crime.
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. How-
ever, with their hearty assistance and material aid he
took on a new spirit and inspiration for more and bet-
ter 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.
Serial No. 2320–Received from Cabell Co. in 1892
to serve a life sentence for murder, is a young man of
88 PEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
fine education, culture, high resolve and noble pur-
pose, a scion of Christian family residents of Ohio.
The crime into which the unfortunate man was prob-
ably 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.
He was converted several years ago and baptized.
His health has long since been undermined by con-
finement 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 disposi-
tion, learning, and industry he gave entire satisfaction
to his classmates.
Serial No. 2547—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 com-
plete reformation within the prison-walls. He is a
native of Virginia, raised to do hard work in the coal
EIISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIARY. 89
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. At-
tending 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.
Serial No. 2504—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 con-
finement when Warden Hawk took hold of the prison.
90 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
*
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 priv-
ileges 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 in-
vitation went forward one Sabbath day and gave him-
self to the service of God and was baptized. He was
in charge of the Bible class for a while. He was re-
cently released by habeas corpus proceedings on the
ground that having been committed to the peniten-
tiary 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.
A close Biblical student and possessed of consider-
able 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.
Serial No. 3595—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 pris-
on officials. It is expected that, upon his release, his
experience in prison will make of him an efficient
Christian worker. Possessing some ability and ambi-
tion as a hymn-writer, herewith is a sample:
EIISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIARY. 91
“A BROTHER OF JESUs.”
A brother of Jesus, a comrade to fight, -
A brother to conquer, and strive for the right,
A brother in daring, a comrade indeed,
A brother to venture, whatever the need.
A brother in spirit, when dangers surround,
A comrade in courage who stands his ground,
A brother who's faithful, loyal, and true,
A comrade who fights, and fights his way through.
A brother for heaven, who stands by the cross,
A comrade obedient, whatever the cost,
A brother who's ready and willing to die,
A comrade who will not his Savior deny.
A brother on duty, by day and by night,
A comrade who's trusting in Jesus' great might,
A brother so Christlike, O Savior, I’ll be
A comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.
DEG ENTERATES.
Serial No. 4035—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 horse-
thief, 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 horse
• * * * * *
92 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
thief 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
Inaligned 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.
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 char-
ity which covers a multitude of sins. He did active
and good work, however. Upon his release from pris-
on he made loud professions of reformation and made
pretense of going to serve God and by so doing be-
come 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 re-
turned 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.
HISTORY OF W. VA, PENITENTIARY. 98
PATHETIC.
Serial No. 3984—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 pen-
itentiary 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 sen-
tence to be hanged Feb. 15, 1901.
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 con-
demned 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.
94 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
HUMOROUS.
Serial Wo. 3715–An illiterate white boy from Cal-
houn County, to serve two years for grand larceny for
stealing a heifer, sensibly availed himself of the priv-
ilege 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 peniten-
tiary 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.
MEN EXECUTED FOR MURDER.
The West Virginia Legislature passed an act Feb-
ruary, 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.”
Serial No. 3745—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
HISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIARY. 95
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.
During his former imprisonment while he was em-
ployed to clean and scrub the guard-room and the
main-building hallways, he frequently met the chap-
lain; 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 reli-
gious consolation and words of good cheer. He, how-
ever, 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.
A collection amounting to $50.00 was taken up from
among the prisoners to pay a lawyer to procure a copy
96 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
of the record of his trial to enable him to file an ap-
peal 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.
Serial No.3746—A splendid specimen of the young
mulatto, possessed of a fair education for one with
the limited opportunities within his reach, by occupa-
tion 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.
HISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIARY. 97
He stoutly maintained that his victim was not in-
tentionally but accidentally shot by him; that he ac-
cidentally fired his pistol into the dwelling wherein
the boy was domiciled out of his sight. Upon learn-
ing 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 min
istered to the spiritual welfare of the prisoner and
became much impressed with the young man’s ap-
parent 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 con-
cluded 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 hatter 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,
98 BEBIND THE PRISON-BARS,
my boy, but the facts as presented to me are unde-
niable as to your absolute guilt.”
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.”
Serial No. 3772—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 crim-
inal 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 Gov-
HISTORY OF W. VA, PENITENTIARY. 99
ernor and the board of pardon were respectively
appealed to, but the guilt of the man was so conclu-
sive, 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.
|UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.
Serial Wo. 394.4—Committed from Wirt County, un-
der 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.
Serial No. 3972—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 educa-
tion, 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
*** * *** *** ******* *** * *
100 EEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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.
AN INNOCENT MAN.
Serial No. 3789—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.
THE PRISON CHOIR.
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 Mounds-
ville, 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.
HISTORY OF W, WA, PENITENTIARY. 101
APPEAL FOR A PAROLE LAW.
West Virginia Penitentiary,
Moundsville, Jan. 1, 1901.
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 ask-
ing for your support to bring about another measure
of reform, viz., a parole law.
The parole law is in force in a number of up-to-date
state penitentiaries with remarkab'e 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.
Upon violation of any of the parole conditions, he
is returned to prison to serve the maximum sentence.
102 IBEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
If the convict is a man of family, he is enabled to pro-
vide 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,
S. A. HAWK.
THE WRITER’s LIFE.
That the reader may know and perhaps become inter-
ested 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
BIISTORY OF W. V.A. PENITENTIA RY. 108
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.
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 reg-
iment 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
104 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
police station charged with breaking into and enter-
ing 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 fivo years was little enough for the alleged crime.
Serial No. 378.
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LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS.
PRISON LIBRARY DESTROYED BY FIRE,
Nebraska State Penitentiary.
Lancaster, Neb., March 7, 1901.
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.
Thanking you again for the books sent, and in ad-
vance for any books you may see fit to send us, we
remain, Yours respectfully,
, Librarian.
Clinton Prison.
Dannemora, N. Y., March 8, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va.
Gentlemen: The books and tracts so kindly for-
warded by you for the use of the prisoners in this pris-
on have been received, and the note enclosed to the
warden handed me for reply. Having charge of all
107
108 - BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 de-
signed to benefit.
I am glad that the spirit of the “inasmuch” as in-
culcated 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 direc-
tion, in these last days of the dispensation. May the
blessings of our Divine Master be with them in their
good work. Sincerely yours,
—, Chaplain.
Iowa State Penitentiary.
Fort Madison, Iowa, March 17, 1901.
The Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.,
Moundsville, W. Wa.
Gentlemen: The books sent by you to the peniten-
tiary have been received, and will be placed in the
hands of the men. Thanking you for the same, I am,
Sincerely yours,
, Chaplair.
LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS. 109
Onondago County Penitentiary.
Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1901.
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 con-
cerned in the donation. Yours truly,
- - —, Chaplain.
Kansas State Prison. - -
Lansing, Kans., March 6, 1901.
The Gospel Trumpet Pub.Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va.
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, *E=º , Chaplain.
BOOKS WANTED FOR FEMALE PRISONERS.
Penitentiary at Anamosa.
- Anamosa, Ia., March 6, 1901.
The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va. &
We received this day one copy each of “The King.
dom of God,” “The Better Testament,” “Mothers’
110 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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,
—, Acting Chaplain.
New Jersey State Prison.
Trenton, March 5, 1901.
E. E. Byrum. - -
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 pris-
oners, 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
LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS. 111
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 pa-
rental 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,
—, Chaplain.
MORE GOOD BOOKS DESIRED,
Louisiana Penitentiary.
Baton Rouge, La., March 13, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.
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,
, Librarian.
112 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
Allegheny Penitentiary.
Allegheny, Pa., March 20, 1901.
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,
—, Chaplain.
Connecticut State Prison. *
Wethersfield, Conn., March 6, 1901.
The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va.
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,
- —, Warden.
I.ETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS. 113
Idaho State Penitentiary. -
Boise City, Idaho, March 8, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Wa.
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 ap-
preciated by the present Idaho Prison management.
Yours sincerely, º , Warden.
Georgia State Prison Farms.
Statefarm, Ga., March 5, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub: Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va. -
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. —, Supt.
114 BEEIIND THE PRISON-BARS.
LETTER FROM A SHERIFF.
Wheaton, Ill., April 23, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co. -
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,
——, Sheriff.
PRISON CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR sociFT..
Jackson, Mich., March 22, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va.
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 re-
membering us, I remain, Sincerely yours, 2’
6890, Corresponding Secretary.
HELP SUPPLY THE PRISONERS.
Maine State Prison. +
Thornston, Maine, April 30, 1901.
Sirs: Your letter to the warden has been passed on
to me. We are pleased to receive religious reading to
LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS. 115
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 sav-
ing the fallen, —, Chaplain.
Sing Sing Prison.
Sing Sing, N. Y., March 7, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., }
Moundsville, W. Va. .
Dear Sirs: The books you sent for use of the pris-
oners 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,
, Chaplain and Librarian.
amº"ºr ºn
PRISON. LITERATURE APPRECIATED.
Alva, Woods Co., Okla., Dec. 20, 1900.
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
116 e IBEHIND THE PRISON-BALRS.
interesting themselves in behalf of the poor unfor-
tunates behind iron bars, but we have not the com-
mand 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 compan-
ions, read by the poor unfortunates when shut in from.
the world. While we have never heped to start 8
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.
, Former Jailer.
California State Prison.
Represa, Sacramento Co., Cal., Feb. 13, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Wa.
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,
, General Overseer.
FROM A JAILER.
Guthrie, Logan Co., Okla., June 14, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.:
I am glad to address you with a few lines to inform
you that I received a package of books and tracts for
LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS. 117
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 pris-
oners. 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.
—, Turnkey.
California Prison.
San Quentin, Cal., March 8, 1901.
Editor Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.
Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
kind favor of books and one fine Bible for the pris-
oners. 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 en-
closed. I believe our prisoners have been much helped
by the distribution of your excellent religious liter-
ature and kindly gifts. I shall be pleased to receive
any further contributions in this direction. Thank-
ing you in the name of the prisoners, I am, Yours,
, Chaplain.
118 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
North Dakota State Penitentiary.
Bismarck, N. D., April 11, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co., --
Moundsville, W. Va.
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 unfor-
tunates whom you are seeking to benefit, as well as by
those who have them in charge. This is a small in-
stitution; we have at this date one hundred and fifteen
inmates, all men. The moral conditions are, I be-
lieve, 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 direc-
tion, and trust that I may be able later on to assist you
in the noble work in which you are engaged. Re-
spectfully, —, Warden.
*
BOOKS USED UNTIL WORN OUT.
Kentucky Penitentiary.
- Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 8, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va.
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
LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS. 119
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,
—, Chaplain.
sº
Michigan State Prison.
- Jackson, Mich., March 11, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., g
Moundsville, W. Va.
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
120 V BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS,
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,
—, Chaplain.
Dover, Del., Aug. 6, 1900.
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,
Warden of the Kent County Prison.
TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS.
FELLOW PRISONERs, TAKE COURAGE.
Moundsville, W. Va.
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 un-
fortunate 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.
With a change of heart, Christ has ever been with
and bountifully blessed me. I meet with great kindnesfi
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
121
122 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
no good, for I can not recall or change it. Complain-
ing 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.
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
TESTIMONIES OF CONTVICTS. 123
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 alway.” 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 salva-
tion?”—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 unrighteusness.”—1 Jno. 1:9.
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
124 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 inst ument 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 re-
leased 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 per-
secution 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
TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS. 125
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.
In conclusion I must say, if the dear readers could
but hear the pleading, fervent prayers and the touch-
ing 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. Sal-
vation is in the name of Jesus; “neither is there sal-
vation 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. Serial No. 2282.
126 BEEIIIND THE PRISON-BARS.
SAVED BEBIND PRISON-BARS.
Washington Co. Jail, Potasi, Mo., Sept. 23, 1900.
I was a very wicked man when I was put in here,
but by reading books and tracts sent me I soon real-
ized my condition, and oh, how I repented of my many
sins and called on God for mercy! Now I am so hap-
py 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, dis-
tributing papers and books that are sent to me for that
purpose. Dear ones, pray that God may ever use me.
J. H. R.
FROM A CONDEMIN ED PRISONER.
- Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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.
TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS, 127
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.
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 sun-
shine 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
128 . . BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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. W. B. EI., Box 426.
Territorial Prison of Arizona.
Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 1900.
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 tell-
ing 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 hun-
dreds of others that take no heed to their earlier train-
ing, fell into bad company, which finally led to the
cause of my misfortune that placed me behind the
prison-walls.
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 my-
TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS. 129
self 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
mine 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.
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 temp-
tations are too great and the chances are against them.
130 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
My advice to my fellow convicts is to read the Bible;
if it is not interesting at first it will become inter-
esting; 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. ---
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. R. C.
Jackson, Mo., April 4, 1900.
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. I’ray 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. - L. L. B.
TESTIMONIES or convicts. 131
Charleston, Mo., April 18, 1900.
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 prioners in jail. -
Greenville, Mo., March 27, 1900.
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 en-
courage 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.
Jefferson City, Mo., April 10, 1900.
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
182 PEEIIND THE PRISON-BARS,
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 wel-
come, and we hope they will do the good you intend.
With sincere good wishes we subscribe ourselves
Prisoners of Cole County Jail.
P. S. A Bible and gospel hymn-book would be
very much appreciated. -
Nevada, Mo., April 19, 1900.
It is with pleasure I answer your most kind and wel-
come 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 Chris-
tian 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 en-
- TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS. 183
x- couragement 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, -
- Centerville, Ala., Sept. 9, 1900.
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, ** J. D. W.
Will County Jail, Joliet, Ill., April 7, 1900.
We, the inmates of this institution, surely appre-
icate 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 liter-
ature which you have to spare. • I Inmates.
*e
Georgetown, Del., Aug. 7, 1900.
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. From the Prisoners.
124 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
Hartford, Conn., Aug. 12, 1900.
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, J. W. C.
- Jefferson City, Mo., Aug. 22, 1900.
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
TESTIMONIES OF CONVIOTS. 185
I am going to keep it by the help of God. Many
thanks for those books. From your saved brother,
- H. T. B.
FROM A CALIFORNIA PRISONER.
San Quentin, Cal., March 8, 1901.
Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., 3
Moundsville, W. Va. - .
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 Trump-
et has been eagerly sought after and read with in-
terest 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
186 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 cast-
ing 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 pro-
portion. Your brother in Christ,
—, Serial Number 10 55.
PAPERS AND BOOKS SOLICITED.
Walla Walla, Washington, Feb. 19, 1901.
Mr. E. E. Byrum,
Moundsville, W. Wa. -
My Dear Sir: A fellow inmate of this, the Washing-
ton 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
TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS, 137
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 pro-
vide 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,
, Prisoner.
FROM A LIFE PRISONER,
Nevada State Prison.
Carson City, Nev., April 18, 1901.
The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.,
Moundsville, W. Va.
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
138 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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 make-
believe Cristianity. 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 un-
Christlike 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. -
With many thanks for your kindly interest in the
prisoner, and for the books sent, I am, with Christian
love, Respectfully yours,
E. S. ——, Life Prisoner.
- Jonesboro, Ark.
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
TESTIMONIES OF CON VICTS, 189
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. *ray for us and please send us more
of those books and papers. They help us so much.
FROM A. PRISON WORKER.
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 some-
thing 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
140 , BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
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, L. P−.
RELEASED FROM PRISON.
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.
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 fol-
lows:
“Be it known by the legislature of West Virginia:
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 pur-
pose of receiving applications from persons seeking
employment and applications from persons seeking to
employ laborers.
“2. No compensation or fee shall be charged or
received directly or indirectly from persons applying
141
149 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
for work, information, or help through said depart-
ment. The Commissioner of Labor is hereby author-
ized 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.
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 end thus
keep them out, but will be a privilege much appreci-
ated 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 some-
where near their state prisons.
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 be-
fore 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 circum-
stances; 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. Like-
RELEASED FROM PRISON. 143
wise 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 under-
standing 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 honor-
able 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 transgres-
144 BEHIND THE PRISON-BARS.
sions. 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.
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 sur-
rounding 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.
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.
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
"： Nun0， Sºuſſº":：onno， 51：100



RELEASED FROM PRISON. 147
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 child-
ren, laughed and cried alternately for joy, talked by
telephone, rode in an electric car, and enjoyed them-
selves in many ways, while kind friends aided in clear-
ing away the mists caused by twenty-five years of awful
solitude. In order to better understand their apprecia-
tion 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 morn-
ing. 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 regu-
lation 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 fec relieved. I feel now as
if a great unbearable load of some kind has been lifted
148 BEETIND THE PRISON-BARS,
from my shoulders, and that this is the beginning of a
new life. Boys, want to thank you from the bottom
of my heart for your assistance.”
Although these mon 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 ac-
tions were like those of children, when we take into con-
sideration 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.
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 sug-
gested 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 do-
ing he obeyed. And away they went, driving as rapid-
ly as possible for several miles, when they stopped and
the stranger bade his young friend good-by, leaving
IRELEASED FROM PRISON. 149
º,
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 feel-
ing so sure that he would be released on account of his
innocency, as he had not the least intention of steal-
fng, 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.
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 sup-
plying prisons of every kind with good religious liter-
ature, 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 ºn this line. Aside from the good books and
150 BEHIND THE PRISON.—BARS.
tracts placed in their libraries a number of good re-
ligious 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.
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 sym-
pathies 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 wicked-
ness into the ways of truth and righteousness.
UN;\!, C. F is ºf . . . . . . . . .
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