¦y

rv;ri

BIOGRAPHY

AN ISTEKESTING ACCOUNT OF

HIS EARLY LIFE AND ADVENTURES.

A DESCRIPTION OF HIS
35 Years A Prisoner

OLD BAILEY, MANCHESTER, ENG.i
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND;
WESTERN AUSTRALIA; GIBRALTAR;
MOYAMENSING, PHILA.;
MONTREAL; SOUTH BOSTON;
SING SING, AND OTHER PLACES

WITH A HISTOBY OF HIS OOHVKBSION, AND HIS SUBSKQUKNT
WORK IN FOUNDING THE
Home of ln(lustr\-*'Refiige for Disctiarged Prisoners.

1^6

DETROIT, MICH.:
The Tyler Publishiho Company, 68 West CoNOBEais St.
1888.

Taking the Record of a Man .tost out of Sing Sing Pbison.

BIOGRAPHY

MICHAEL DUI

An Interesting Account of His Early Life,
AND Adventures.

A DESCRIPTION OF HIS

35 Years a Prisoner

Old Bailey, Manchester, Eng. ;
Van Diemen's Land;
Western Australia; Gibraltar'
MoYAMENSING, PhILADA. ;
Montreal ; South Boston ;
Sing Sing, and other places
with a History of his Conversion, and his subsequent Work in Founding
The Home of Industry and Refuge fof
Discharged Convicts.

San Francisco :
Bacon & Company, Printers.
1884.

Copyright, 1SH4, by Michael Bvnn.

DEDIOATIOI^.
To the Man who first took me by the hand, who helped me when
I was down, who inspired hope in my breast, who pointed out
the way of life — my earliest, my true and faithful friend —
A.-S. HATCH,
This Book is gratefully dedicated.

PRE.FAOE.

In compliance with the wishes of many friends, I have
consented to the publication of my past life and present
work, and how God has blessed me for over five years. I
write this, praying that some poor man may read and see
that God is love, and wants us to love him. I lay these
pages with prayer at the Master's feet, asking aU my Chris
tian friends to pray that they may be the means, in this
printed form, of winning souls to Christ.
" The wages of sin is Death,
But the gift of God is Eternal life."
MICHAEL DUNN.

CHAPTER I.
A Thief's Childhood.
I WAS born in Manchester, England, in 1826. My parent'
were both ungodly. We have it from the Bible that tht
sins of the fathers are visited upon the children unto the
third and fourth generation. I wisi by this j^ublication,
however, to show that the grace of God can remove the
stain, and there is hope for any mau, no matter what may
be his early teaching.
I grew up in ignorance, receiving no education from ray
parents ; was never sent to school, church, nor Sabbath
school. The depth of my ignorance may be imagined when
I say that I was twenty-five years of age before I learned my
alphabet, and I learned it then in a jail.
Born with a natural tendency to crime, and this tendency
strengthened day by day by the vile associations and evil
influences by which I was surrounded, it is no wonder that
I grew up to be a thief. I was never asked to work for my
daily living, and as my only companions were among the
idle and the dissolute, I drifted naturally into crime, and by
the time I was twelve years old had already been arrested
five times, and served five sentences in prison.
My life as a thief began in pilfering small articles when I
was six or seven years of age. I Tras arrested for the first
time (in 1834) when I was eight years old, for robbing a till,
receiving a sentence of two months and a flogging. In Eng
land, in those days, it was customary to flog the boys the
night before they were discharged from jail, they then re
ceiving four, five, six, or eight dozen lashes with the cat-o'-
nine-tails, until the blood ran down their backs. It has
sometimes been three or four weeks before I could put
on my jacket after being flogged. This cruel punishment
did not have the beneficial effect intended, but only served
to make me harder and more revengeful ; it made me more
cunning in my stealing, in order that I might escape it.
The next morning I was discharged from prison (Old
Bailey, Manchester). How well do I remember old Petei
Wakefield, the keeper, putting my jacket over my shonl

8 Biography of Michael Dunn.
ders, buttoning the top button in front, and saying : " Now,
Mickey, do right. A crowd gathered around me, and I had
to show them my back. Some of them pitied me, and had
kind words for me; but I went home that morning with a
sad heart and a very sore back.
At that time we lived in a cellar in Garden Street, Shute-
hill, one of the worst streets in Manchester. I went in and
found my father nearly drunk, as usual. He looked at my
back, and asked me if I had seen my mother. I told him
no. He then asked me if I had any money, and I gave him
ninepence that the people had given me at the prison gate.
He went and got a can of beer, soon spent the money I gave
him, became drunker than he was before, and I had not
been in the house tw(> hours when he put me out into the
street. Thus, at eight years of age I had no home, no friends,
no one to speak a kind word to me; my back was sore, my
clothes poor, and my father a drunkard. What could I do ?
May God look down in pity upon the poor drunkard's child
to-day, in all the cities of this and other countries !
Thrown on the street to make my own living in the best
way I could, I continued pilfering and stealing whatever I '
could lay my hands upon, in company with other boys, some
of them, like myself, the children of drunkards. We had
no trouble in disposing of our stolen property, as there are
iQ every large city and town receivers of stolen goods.
I was soon in prison again — even before my back was
well — this time for stealing a silk dress. I was sentenced
for three months, to be flogged upon going in, and my last
month to be spent in solitary confinement upon bread and
water. When I was discharged, my mother met me at the
prison gate and had new clothes for me. She took me to a
public-house and gave me a glass of ale, and then we went
home. I remember well the crowd of men and women in
the house that day, and other days, drinking from morning
till night, and from night till morning, cursing and singing
vile songs.
One day, while prowling around with a companion, he
stole a pocket book and passed it to me. I was arrested,
sent to prison for six months, and ordered to be twice
flogged ; the first time when three months of my impris
onment had been comisleted, and again the night before I was
discharged. After leaving jail the third time, I went with older and
'nrger boys whom I had met in prison, and began to steal

A Thief's Childhood. 9
larger things than I had done before. But I soon left the
boys and went with two men, named Kelly and Harris, who
were counterfeiters. They made the money and sent me to
pass it, my youth rendering me less liable to suspicion. We
went through the greater part of England and the north of
Ireland, and then came back to England, when I was asain
arrested and got six months.' While serving this term, a
man by the name of Dick Webster, or " Gallus Dick," as he
was called by the fraternity, was put into my cell. He was a
fighting man, and was acquainted with my father and mother.
He was matched to fight Ben Caunt, the celebrated pugilist,
but before the fighting came off had passed a counterfeit
note of £100 on Caunt, who threatened him with arrest. In
order to avoid the production of the note in court, he, with
a companion, had broken into Caunt's house to try and
eecure the note, and thus destroy the evidence against him,
but was caught in the act and sentenced to fifteen years'
imprisonment. This man's company had a very injurious
effect upon me. He was continually telling me of daring
exploits in robbery and other crimes, and at that time I be
lieved all that he said. I looked upon him as a hero, and I
longed to get out of jail that I might emulate him in his
glaring deeds. I met him afterwards in Van Diemen's Land,
a ticket-of-leave man, and he was known there, as well as
in England, as a bold, bad man.
The practice of placing two prisoners in the same cell I
believe to be a very bad one ; for if a young man or boy really
intends to do right when he leaves prison, the influence wiiich
is often brought to bear upon him by an older companion,
and one more hardened in crime, soon scatters all his good
intentions to the winds, and he again embarks in a life of
crime, which becomes greater and greater in its magnitude,
until he soon finds himself again an inmate of a prison cell.
AVhen I had completed my sentence, the same two men,
Kelly and Harris, met me at the gate and took me with
them, not to pass counterfeit money this time, but to enter
stores through the fan lights. We robbed four or five
stores successfully. They had plenty of money, but gave
me only a little of it, and I often took a portion of these
earnings to my mother. However, they allowed me to have
all the clothes I wanted. Money did not last long with
these men, as they soon drank and gambled it away.
One night they put nie through a fan light in a jeweler's
store in Manchester. Upon entering, I took the iron bar
from behind the door and soon unlocked it. They came in

I o ' Biography of Michael Dunn.
and locked it, and then took all the jewelry there was in the
case and came out. We took it home to our lodgings, and
the next day a few presents were made by them, such as ear
and finger rings, to two women, with whom they were ac
quainted. As we discovered afterwards, the jewelry was
seen upon these women, and recognized as a portion of the
goods stolen. They were obliged to tell from whom they
received it, and a watch was kept for us in case of our re
turn. We, in the meantime, not knowing of this, had gone
to l^iverpool, and from thence took a steamer to Newrey, in
the north of Ireland. From there we went to Dublin, where
the last of the jewelry was sold. We stayed thirteen months
in Ireland and then came back to England, where the three
of us were immediately aj-rested upon the charge of robbing
the jewelry store. At the time of this robbery I was just
twelve years of age. We were tried, but discharged for
want of sufiicient evidence.
We then went to Cheshire (town of Nuttsford), and in
time were arrested for robbing another jewelry store. For
this crime we were tried and convicted. Kelly and Harris
were sentenced to transportation for life, and myself to
transportation for seven years. This is what the Judge
said to us : "I transport you beyond the high seas, to wher
ever her Majesty, Queen Victoria, pleases to send you, as
you are three notorious, traveling thieves." At that time
I went under the name of Peter Featherstone. We were
ordered to the Island of Van Diemen's Land, an account of
which will be found in the succeeding chaj)ter.
I well remember that, as a child, I was very fond of dogs.
I obtained them by stealing. I remember one day my
father coming in with a pound of beef steak, which he was
about to cook for his supper. The fire was very low, and
,he raked it out, and went to the place where he kept the
coal to replenish it. Upon opening the door six dogs im
mediately bounced out, which so startled my father that he
jumped clear across the room. I had stolen them that
morning, and put them in there for safe keeping. He picked
out the most valuable one to keep, and was not very long in
kicking the other five and myself out of the room.

A Convict's Life in Van Diemen's Land.

CHAPTER II.
A Convict's Life in Van Diemen's Land.
Aftee being sentenced to transportation, I was sent to
Chatham, and put on board the convict ship bound for Van
Diemen's Land. There were three hundred and sixty-two
convict boys on board. We had a rough and tempestuous
voyage, and suffered greatly from sea-sickness. We were
stowed between decks, constantly guarded by soldiers, and
only allowed on deck for an hour or two each day. Every
day a gill of lime juice was given to us, to ke'ep away the
scurvy. The older and harder of the boys amused them
selves by hazing the younger ones, but if caught committing
misdemeanors, were either flogged or put in the sweat box.
After sailing ninety-four days, we dropped anchor in the
Derwent River, the harbor of the City of Hobart Town,
which was the capital of Van Diemen's Land. We re
mained here for four days, waiting for Sir John Franklin
to come on board, for at that time he was governor of the
island. This was the Sir John Franklin of Arctic fame.
He was a good Christian man, although, at that time, I
hardly knew what a Christian man was. He first inspected
us, and then addressed us in a kind and pleasant manner,
taking our hands in his as he spoke. The boys all liked him
very much. He advised us to be good and honest, and told
us that we must work for our daily bread. He said, " You
cannot steal here, for we put thieves to watch thieves."
Pointing to a large hotel along the dock, he said, " Do you
see that hotel?" We all shouted, "Yes, sir." "Well,"
said he, " some years ago, two boys came out here, each un
der sentence of fourteen years. One of them became honest,
and feared God, and God took care of him. That hotel be
longs to him, and every one respects him. The other one
was a bad boy. He was always in trouble, and did not care
about or fear God, and where do you think he is to-day?
He is now working in double irons in the coal mines. So
you see it is better to be good and honest."
We remained for four days at Hobart Town, and then
sailed for Point Pure, our destination. Point Pure ¦oras sit-

1 2 Biography of Michael Dunn.
uated on an island separated from the main land by a small
creek. This station was for boys only, and at this time
there were about thirteen hundred boys there, not including
ourselves, the oldest of them not more than fourteen or fif
teen years of age. It seems almost incredible, but some of
these boys were so young that older boys were appointed to
take care of them. There was a school, but we were not com
pelled to attend it. Those who wished could work at shoe-
making, boat-building, bookbinding, brick-making, tailoring,
clearing land, or farming.
I was put to work making shoes, and continued at this
some eight or nine months ; but the older boys — those who
had been at work there for some time — were very cruel to
the new comers. One day one of them gave me a cut across
the hand with a knife, the scar of which I carry to this day.
I did not dare to make any complaint, but was obliged to go
to the hospital to have it dressed, and then went to work in
the laboring gang. My duties here were helping to load
and unload the boats, carrying stores from the boats to the
store-house, cook-house, etc. I remained at this work for
about eighteen months.
One day, before inspection, I took pity upon a miserable,
dirty, little fellow, named "Hookey" Walker, and took him
•down to the sea and scrubbed him, washed and mended his
clothes, and fixed him up generally. This made such a
change in his personal apj)earance that it was immediately
noticed by the inspector, who said, "Why, 'Hookey,' who's
been fixing you up so nice ? " "Hookey " answered, " Peter
Featherstone." The superintendent looked pleased, called
me out, and after complimenting me, gave me charge of
Hookey, and I looked after him for some time. A little
after this I was made captain of one of the boats. Thus
did God reward my kindness to little " Hookey."
I remained captain of the boat for about one year. There
were five of us in each boat. We had to bring brick from
the brick fields when wanted, and were sometimes engaged
in carrying wood, sometimes water. The work was com
paratively pleasant, and we sometimes got through as early
as two or three in the afternoon. As our boat was tied to
the dock one afternoon, some children who were playing
loosened the chain, and she ran adrift. I noticed it, and
sprang into the water, and swam after her to bring her back ;
but she went away from the shore almost as fast as I could
swim, and finally got out into the rough water. I could just
manage to reach and climb into her, and then fell exhausted

A Convicts Life in Van Diemen's Land. 13
to the bottom of the boat. I was rescued by a boat from
Port Arthur, and brought back to the shore. The Superin
tendent, Mr. Mitchell, gave me a glass of brandy, and the
minister also treated me very kindly. Soon afterwards tte
minister picked me out to be his servant, and I remained
with him about twelve months.
Sir John Aborn was superintendent Over the bad boys.
He Was a good man, and the boys all loved him, and would
have done anything for him. Kindness goes a great ways
with boys everywhere. He had been on a voyage to the Arc
tic seas, and his feet had been so badly frost-bitten that all
of his toes had been cut off, leaving only the stump of his
foot. Por this reason, and from his peculiar manner of
walking or stumping about, and his habit of always dress
ing in black, the boys had nicknamed him the " Black
Stump." I was now about seventeen years of age, and large and
strong, so I was obliged to leave the boys and go to work
with the men. They sent me to Port Arthur. This was
one of ihe worst stations, as the hardest and most wicked
men and boys were sent there. The principal work was
grubbing and clearing land. The work was hard, and the
punishments inflicted upon the men terrible. It was a per
fect " hell upon earth," and the men confined there scarcely
cared whether they lived or died. The keepers were most
cruel and brutal in their treatment of the men. I saw two
men named McLean and Sheedy toss up a button " shank
or blank" (the same as we would toss a cent and call "head
or tail "), just to see which of them should kill their keeper.
It fell to McLean's lot, and twenty minutes after the tossing
the keeper was a dead man, and one month after McLean
was hanged. It was from this place that Martin Cash made
his escape, and became one of the most daring bushraugers
that ever infested Van Diemen's Land.
Martin Cash was not sent to Van Diemen's Land for crime,
but emigrated there, bringing with him his wife and two
children. He went about peddling goods, and in traveling
from place to place through the country became acquainted
with the different gangs of outlaws and bushrangers. They
never molested him, as he was useful to them in carrying in
telligence. He knew all their caves and haunts. After ped
dling seven years he gave up the business, and he and his
wife hired themselves to a Mr. Fry, in Campbelltown, he as
coachman, his wife doing the housework. After they had
been there about a y<?ar Cash's wife became sick ; she lost

14 Biography of Michael Dunn.
all appetite, and had scarcely eaten anything for two or
three days. Cash said ¦ " I will go into the hen-house and
get some eggs and cook ihem, and you must try and eat
something." He took seven, all there were there; ate four
himself, and his wife ate the other three. His mistress soon
after askea Casn to bring her some eggs from the hen-house,
and he told her there were none, as he had just taken them
all, but said that he would go and buy her some, and pay
for them himself. She flew into a terrible rage, and then
wrote a note and gave it to Cash to take to the Chief of Po
lice in Campbelltown. Cash handed it to the Chief and was
immediately arrested, and for this crime was_ sentenced to
transportation to Port Arthur for seve^». years. When re
ceiving this sentence Cash swore that he would become a
bushranger. He attempted to escape twice, but was unsuc
cessful. The third time he succeeded in getting away, in
company with two other men named Cavanagh and Jones,
and these three men afterwards became the terror of the
whole country. For thirteen months they evaded capture,
although, at one time, there were two thousand convicts af
ter them, besides the military and police ; but they were
finally taken. Jones was hung; Cavanagh was sent to Nor
folk Island, and hung there at the time of the mutiny ; but
there was such a tremendous petition sent in, expressing
sympathy for Cash and imploring clemency, that he was par
doned, and afterwards became an ofiicer in Campbelltown
barracks. It may seem almost impossible to the reader that a man
who had never committed crime before should be sentenced
to seven years' imprisonment for stealing seven eggs, but
bear in mind that I am writing of a penal colony, where I
have seen a boy eighteen years of age hung for striking a
blow with a stone hammer at a magistrate, but missing him.
The whole island was under martial law. There were fifty
thousand convicts on it, the most desperate set of men in
the world, and the slightest attempt at crime was crushed
out with a mighty hand. Flogging men and hanging them
was of daily occurrence. If I should tell you the dreadful
crimes I saw committed there in the name of justice, dur
ing the seven long years that I was there, it would make
your blood curdle.
I stayed at Port Arthur for about one year, and was then
sent to Brown's River, on the main land, where I was put to
work making roads. I was in this place about four months,
.luring which I escaped twice and took to the bush. I was

A Convicts Life in Van Diemen's Land. 15
soon captured however, and was flogged, put in irons, and
sent to a place called the Cascades, to work in the coal mines.
No one but God knows what I suffered there, but He took
care of me all the time. Praise his holy name !
The work here was enough to break a'man's heart. I was
put to work loading large coal boxes, which were on wheels.
Two men were detailed to each box. After they were load
ed wo had to drag them through narrow passages to another
part of the mine, and then unload them. I did the pulling,
and wore a leather harness made for the purpose. A rod
was attached to this harness and connected with the box or
truck, and then I pulled like a cart horse. My comrade
had a big bunch of rags, made into a sort of cushion, which
he put on the top of his head, then placed his head against
the back of the truck, caught hold with his hands at the
sides, and pushed. The worst of it was, that the ceiling or
roof of these passages was so low that we had to work in
a stooping position. As if this was not misery sufiicient, I
worked in irons during all the time I was in this place,
eighteen months. I have known men to weai* chains four,
six, eight, and ten years. Each man in chains had to do as
much vrork as a man without them.
•Many were the artifices resorted to by the convicts to
avoid this terrible work. The plan was to feign sickness, or
to get really sick and then get into the hospital. I will
relate a few of their methods. One plan was to get soap,
make it into pills and then swallow the pills. The doctor
thinks the man sick, gives him medicine, and admits him to
the hospital. After he gets there, he still takes the pills and
becomes really sick. I have known men to die from carry
ing this too far. Another plan was to get a needleful of bl ack
thread, rub it with soap and lim^ — lift the skin of the knee
up and pass the needle through it letting the thread remain
in the flesh for forty-eight hours, and then withdrawing it.
The knee becomes terribly swollen and inflamed. This
must be very painful. I have known men to lose their legs
by it. Another plan is rubbing their eyes with lime, or put
ting bluestone in them. I have known men to become to
tally blind doing this.
From the coal mines I was sent to Hobart Town Barracks
to be hired out to a master. One engaged me and put me to
fihoemaking. The pay of a convict in Van Diemen's Land,
while working for a master, was from six to ten pounds per
year, that is, from thirty to fifty dollars, and the Govern
ment gets a part of that. The master boards, lodges, and

r 6 Biography of Michael Dunn.
clothes his men. Some masters have as many as forty work
ing under them. Some are very good and kind to thei-r
men, while others are very cruel. If a man committed the
least offense his master could have him punished by taking
him to the nearest police station, where he would be flogged,
and then returned to his work.
I remained with my master some three or four months.
He had a wife who was addicted to drinking. One day she
ordered me to bring her a bottle of gin. I did so, but was
detected in the act, discharged by my master, and ordered
to report myself to Hobart Town Barracks again, the station
from which he had taken me. To do this I had to pass
through Hobart Town. While passing through the city, I
was met by a magistrate named Captain Price, or "Bully''
Price, as he was called, who asked me if I was working. I
replied that I was not. He remarked that he vrould give
me something to do, and then had me arrested and sentenced
to the treadmill for three months with hard labor.
This " Bully " Price was afterward appointed Governor
at Norfolk Island. As soon as he got there, he took away
all the privileges that had been granted to the men by the
previous governor, who had been a kind, humane man. and
began flogging at the rate of thirty or forty men a day, un
til, after suffering for over a year, the convicts were driien
to desperation by his diabolical cruelty, and rose in open re
volt. Seventeen ^'?epers were killed by them before the
mutiny was quelled, but they could not get hold of Price, as
he was guarded by the soldiers. He caused seventeen men
lo be hung, and flogged men and put them in irons by the
hundred. He was transferred to South Australia by the
Government, and afterwards killed by the prisoners there \
for which killing four men were hung.
Many desperate deeds were done by the convicts in their
efforts to regain their liberty. Upon one occasion a brig
with* one hundred convicts on board was sent from Hobart
Town to Quarry Harbor, to get a load of stone. Forty sol
diers well armed, besides the crew, acted as guards over
them. But the prisoners conspired, overpowered the creiv
and soldiers, and took possession of the brig. Many were
killed and wounded on both sides. There was a man on
board named Swallow, who was under a life sentence. Ho
had formerly been the captain of a slaver. He took com-
mand, landed the crew and soldiers, and buried the dead ou
Kangaroo Island. The vessel was taken to New Orleans
and sold, and the men disbanded.

A Convicts Life in Van Diemen's Land. 11
When my three months on the treadmill were completed my
time of servitude had expired, and I was once agdn a free
man. God had given me another chance to become an hon
est tnan, but my heart was so hardened by sin that I would
not accept his proffered mercy.

1 8 Biography of Michael Dunn.

CHAPTER III.
OiNT Board a Whaler, and Life in the Navy and Aemt.
At the time of my discharge, the Bark " Washington," of
Sag Harbor, an American whaler, was lying in Hobart Town.
The captain was in want of men and consented to take me
on trial. I still went by the name of Peter Featherstone.
The captain was pleased with me, after fourteen days' trial,
and asked me to get him three more men. I soon got them
-^all ex-convicts. We had to go before the Comptroller
General, to prove that our time had expired. The captain
knew we were all ex-convicts, but as the convicts were gen
erally good workers, the captains were as willing to have
them as anyone else. We received no regular pay, but were
to have the 175th "lay," that is the l-175th part, or share in
the profits of the voyage. The clothing that we drew was
deducted therefrom.
Most of the crew were young men, their ages ranging from
18 to 25 years. I was then under twenty j^ears old. Many
of them had run away from home to " see life " as they call
ed it, but soon wished that they were back again. We left
Hobart Town and sailed into the Oohotsk Sea. Everything
went on well until the captain had got u=i a sufficient distance
away, and then our troubles commenced. He soon began to
abuse and ill treat us, and I found I had got from the frying
]ian into the fire. He cuffed and kicked us, varying the 23er-
lormance occasionally by beating us with a rope's end. He
threw a hand-spike at me one day, which, if it had hit me,
would have knocked my brains out. We four combined,
and when he beat us we would refuse to work. He punish
ed us and i«it us in irons, but as we continued stubborn he
was forced to yield, as he needed our services.
The sudden change of climate, from the heat of Van Die-
men's Land to the intense cold of the Arctic regions, was
most disagreeable to us, and we suffered much frorn this
cause. The work sometimes was pretty hard. When we
had caught a whale and got the blubber on board, then com
menced the trying out of the oil. This would take two or
three days, and at such times we would not get more, than

On Board a Whaler.

19

four hours' sleep out of the twenty-four. Then we would
be two or three days more scrubbing and getting the vessel
clean again. The work was dangerous, also. Once when
we had struck a whale the boat which I was in was upset,
and we came very near losing our lives, but were rescued by
another boat. Whatever the captain thought of us in other
respects, he could find no fault with us in regard to work.
When the call came to man the boats, we were always the
first to respond, and were several times complimented by
the captain for our readiness. After we had been out about
nine months, we put in to the Sandwich Islands for wood,
water and provisions. The captain, finding that he could
never make us submit to his ill usage, put us ashore here and
let us go.
We stayed at the Sandwich Islands a short time and then
shipped again ; this time on the whaling ship " Washington,"
of New Bedford, commanded by Captain Palmer. She also
was homeward bound. We knew that our old captain had
been talking about us to the other captains on the island,
and asked what he had said in regard to us. "Well," re
plied Capt. Palmer, " he said that for work, you were the
best men he ever had on board of his ship, but outside of
that you were the worst villains that ever went unhung.
Now I want men that will work, and if you will do what is
right to me, you will find that I will do the same to you."
This time we were to have regular wages and a share —
£3 a month and l-125th "lay." Capt. Palmer was good to
his men and all hands liked him. He took a fancy to me,
always treated me kindly, and I told him the whole story of
my past life. We cruised around New Zealand and Aus
tralia for a time, and then started for America.
After a six months' voyage, we arrived at New Bedford,
and were paid off. We had been very successful in captur
ing whales, and our shares and wages amounted to about
two hundred and fifty dollars each. The captain wanted
me to go on another voyage with him, but I would not con
sent. At New Bedford our little party broke up. I came
to New York with one of the men, and the other two started
off in another direction.
I now determined to lead an honest life, but I had nO"
foundation to build on. If I had had God's love in my
heart I might have succeeded, but I knew nothing about
religion, or of the Savior who died that we might be saved
and who will keep us, if we only trust in him anc} not in
ourselves. (The man that depends upon his own firmness

ao Biography of Michael Dunn.
and resolution to resist temptation will find that, when the
hour of trial comes, he is like unto the " foolish man, which
built his house upon the sand.'') There is no use in a man's
trying to reform unless he has the grace of God in his heart
to help him ; and God, who knows our struggles and can read
our hearts, will help us, if we come to him in prayer, believ
ing. In New York I met a gang of English thieves, who had
been transjjorted, and were now on '¦ ticket-of-leave,'' the Eng
lish Government having paid their fare to Canada, knowing
full well that they would soon find their way to this country.
The authorities there say to these men, " It is better that you
should leave here, and go to some country where uo one
knows you, and where you will have a chance again to lead
an honest life." If an ex-convict wishes to reform, and to
work honestly for his daily bread, the place for him to do
it is where those who know his past life may see by hia
present actions that he is truly a reformed man.
I remained in New York about a year, associating with
these men, and stealing as naturally as ever ; but I was not
arrested, as the detectives did not know me. I made an at
tempt to break away from this life by enlisting in the United
States Cavalry. I was sent to Harrisburg to learn the drill.
While there an order came to send a certain number of men
to the West, and I was one of those selected to go. But by
this time I had become tired of the monotony of camp life,
and when we got to Wheeling, W. Va., I deserted, and trav
eled to Cleveland, Ohio. I staid there a few months, and
then went to Buffalo. After robbing and plundering there
for four or five months, I started in company with three
others for Albany, but on the way we stopped at Rochester,
and committed a burglary on a dry goods store. I left my
companions at Albany, and returned to New York, to my old
pursuits. I saw the foolishness of crime, from having been arrested
BO often. Although I had suffered so much as a prisoner,
stealing had an irresistible fascination for me. All my
thoughts and energies were directed to it. If I was not ac
tively engaged in some robbery, or planning one, I felt as
if I was wasting time. I never was much of a drinker, and
never in the theater but once in my life, and then came out
before the performance was over, for I felt as if my valua
ble time was being fooled away, and that I ought to be out
attending to business.
But I was not satisfied with myself, and made another

Life in ihe Navy and Army. 21
effort to reform. This time I enlisted in the United States
N avy as an ordinary seaman, and was put on board the re
ceiving ship " North Carolina," at the Brooklyn navy yard.
At that time John McGrau, Ex-Champion Light Weight of
England, kept a sporting house in Division Street, called the
" did House at Home." He and my father had been old
cTiums in England. He was possessed of considerable
money, and had a good deal of political influence. When
he heard that the son of his old friend Patrick Dunn had
enlisted, he sent a friend on board the North Carolina to see
me, and to tell me that he wanted me to escape and come
to his house, and he would take good care of me. I thought
that if I could get some good honest work on shore, it
would be much better than going to sea. So this man whom
he sent to me, and myself, formed a plan for me to get away
from the ship. A tailor came to see me one day, and meas
ured me privately, in the gun room, for a complete suit of
clothes. The clothes came in about a week, and were smug
gled aboard the ship. They consisted of a handsome black
frock coat, pants and vest, high silk hat, shoes, white shirt,
necktie, kid gloves-, and a large white handkerchief. Vi-^it-
ors came on board every day, and one day a larger party
came than usual. This was my opportunity ; so I dressed
myself in the new clothes and mingled, with the visitors,
and if any of the ship's crew came near m.e I would put
the handkerchief up to my face until they passed by. Just
as I was going over the side of the vessel to get into the
boat, one of the sailors, with whom I had some words, rec
ognized me, and reported to Lieutenant Enshaw that one of
the crew, dressed in citizen's clothes, was going ashore. He
did not know me by name. By this time I had got into the
boat. The Lieutenant came to the side and ordered me to
come back. I came on board again, and asked him what he
wanted. He said : '¦ Are you a sailor belonging to this ship ? "
I said : " Certainly not." At thut time there were some six
or seven hundred men on the " North Carolina," waiting to
be assigned to vessels. The Commodore also happened to
be there. Ho was waiting for the " Saranac " to bo frtted up
to take him to the Gulf Stream. He ordered all hands on
ilock, and the roll to be called. The crew were accordingly
drawn up in ranks, on each side of the vessel, and all were
present or accounted for except Peter Featherstone. The
Commodore then ordi red the man who had given the in
formation to come forward. He did so, and stood a little
way from the mainmast, with his back towards it. I stepped

2 2 Biography of Michael Dunn,
up to him and said : " Do you know me ? " " Yes," he re
plied. The words were no sooner out of hia mouth than I
gave him one, two, three, in the face. He staggered back
wards, and striking his head against one of the iron bands^
which go around the mainmast, fell senseless to the deck.
1 made a savage kick at his head as he fell, but was imme
diately seized and put in irons. I was kept in irons for nine
weeks, and then ordered to be flogged. At this time a bill
had been introduced in Congress to abolish flogging in the
navy. The bill passed, and was signed on the very day on
which I was punished, but not in time to save me. All
hands were assembled, the marines with their muskets and
bayonets fixed. I was then brought up and stripped to the
bare back, my feet fastened to a gun carriage, and my hands
to the hammock hooks above. It was raining so hard that
I was flogged between decks. The boatswain tried to favor
me, but the Commodore saw it, and swore with a terrible
oath that if he did not do his duty over me that he would
find a man who would. At that time I had a very bad tem
per, and I said : " Lay it on. You can't hurt me." You
may imagine that I got it pretty hard after that, and the
blood flowed from my back in streams. Altar it was oveiv
the Commodore asked me : " How do you like that ? " Mj
temper was up, and I told him, with a sneer, that my mothei
in Liverpool had often given me a worse licking with a di8^
cloth than that. He ordered me to be put in double irons
for nine weeks longer, and said that he would take me with
him on the " Saranac."
The night before the " Saranac " sailed, my irons were
taken off, and I was removed to the vessel. Before eigb*
.the next morning I had made my escape by making a bun
die of my clothes, tying them at the back of my neck, low
ering myself from the bow of the steamer, and swimming
ashore. I then put on my clothes, crossed the ferry to Ne-n
York, and went to Johnny McGrau's, where I was made
welcome. Clothes were bought for me, money given me,
and in a few days I was back with the old gang of thieves.

£scape from BlackweW s Lsland. aj

CHAPTER IV.
Mt Escape feosi the Citt Hall and Blackwell's
Island. Rbtfen to England. Confinement in
Northampton Jail and Portland Prison.
Bbfoeb I was transferred to the " Saranac," I had be
come acquainted with a roan on board the " North Caroli
na," who had a young lady acquaintance living in Cherry
Street. He believed that I would escape, and requested
that if I did so I would take a message to her from him. I
did so : we took a great fancy to each other, and three days
from the time I had first seen her we were married. " Marry
in haste and repent at leisure," is a very old and true say
ing. My wife frequently had her head tied up in a hand
kerchief, and complained of sick headache, but when I found
a bottle of whiskey under her pillow, I began to ascribe her
sickness to another cause. My suspicions were unhappily
confirmed, for she turned out to be an habitual drunkard.
About six weeks after I was married, I entered a house
by means of false keys, and after ransacking it was coming
out of the door, when I was arrested with the stolen property
under my arm. I was taken to the police station in the
City Hall and locked up. When captured I had one hun
dred and twenty-eight dollars in my possession, and out of
this was permitted to order my meals from a restaurant.
At this time there was a passage way in the basement of
the City Hall; running from one side of the building to the
other, both ends of this passage opening upon the Park. At
a certain distance from each end, a heavy iron gate ran
across, preventing ingress and egress. The cells were ar
ranged on one side of this enclosed passage, and opened into
it. I ordered a good supper about half past four in the after
noon. As it was dark in the cell, my supper was placed on
a bench running along the passage way, and I was allowed
to come out and eat it. While eating, I accidentally thrust
my foot against one of these iron gates, when, to my great
astonishment, it swung open. For a moment I was fairly
paralyzed. It seemed to me almost a miracle. I peered
cautiously out, and could hear the voices of the policemen

.'4. Biography of Michael Dunn.
\\\ the station, and see the trees in the Park. Advancing
stealthily, I soon gained the open air and escaped. I heard
iifterwards, that a woman who had been scrubbing that day
had neglected to lock the door after her, when she went out.
I went home that evening, and was arrested at half past
three in the morning. I was sentenced to four months' im
prisonment on Blackwell's Island, and put to work in the
quarry at the upper end of the island. I was continually
looking for an opportunity to escape, and on the 4th of
March, about twelve o'clock in the day, and four days after
I was arrested, I stripped and took to the water on the
Brooklyn side, having nothing upon me except a fur cap,
and a silk handkerchief around my neck containing money.
The keepers soon discovered me, and four of them fired at
me while swimming. I could hear the bullets whistling
around my head, but none of them struck me. They had
no boat in which to pursue me.
1 landed near a piece of woods, into which I ran and laid
down, exhausted by my exertions, and half dead with cold.
When I had somewhat recovered, I made my way to a farm
house. The people in the house were a woman and three
children. When they saw me coming they all retreated up
stairs, and as I entered the door a blanket was thro\vn down
to me. I put it over myself, and the woman came down and
gave me some old clothes, belonging to her husband, and
then a bowl of hot coffee and something to eat. I was
chilled through with the cold, and my teeth chattered so I
could not speak. By this time the whole village knew of
my whereabotits, but no one would give me away to the po
lice. The two children were sent into the street to watch
for the keepers, and presently gave the alarm that two of
them were coming. I w«,s immediately concealed in the
cellar. They entered the house, and asked the woman if
she had seen anything of me. She told them she had seen
a man of my description running towards the woods, and
they departed in that direction. We then parted, with mu
tual expressions of good will, and I returned to my old
haunts in New York city.
In 1851 things were getting pretty hot for me in New York,
and I thought it would be to my advantage to leave it for a
while. My wife and I took passage for Liverpool under the
name of Mr. and Mrs. Burns. I had .about 1800 when we
started. I took along with me a large Newfoundland dog
which I had seen in Troy, and employed a man to go there
and steal.

Repairing the Inmates' Clothes, as he was a Tailor. This Man came out op
Prison in Very Poor Health.

Ci'nfinemeni in Kortha?Jipton Jail and Portland Prison. 2'j
After a few days' stav in Liverpool we went to London,
and then went to .Manchester, the city where I was born.
I hail about 86-)0 left, and I determined once more to
"square it" — that is, to lead an honest life. I had not
stolen since my arrival in England. I started a small res
taurant, and for about a month everything went well, until
one day 1 came home and found my wife dead drunk on the
floor, and men and women sitting at the tables drinking rum
and beer. I turned them all out, brought in a second hand
dealer, to whom I sold everything for little or nothing, and
went back to stealing. I then sent my wife back to Amer
ica, intending to follow myself as soon as I had made a good
sum of money. I never saw her again, as she died in iiew
York six months after lauding thtre. About this time gar-
roting came in fashion in England, and I at once embarked
in this new mode of crime. I continued the dangerous
work for three or four months, when I was arrested.
If the Judge had known that I had been transported be
fore, he would have sentenced me for life ; but he did not
know it, and sentenced me to ten years.
I was first sent to the Model Jail at Northampton,
there to receive fifteen months of solitary confinement.
It was here that I learned the alphabet. One day the
warden, who was a kind, humane man, brought me a little
primer, and taught me my a, b, c's. Then the school-mas
ter came in for half an hour occasionally, and taught me.
I felt my own ignorance, and was anxious to learn. I devoted
every sp.ire moment to it, and by the lime I left the prison
could read and write quite well.
I was then sent to Portland Prison, to labor on the public
works They were then making one of the finest break-
\v:itcrs in the wi.rld, to protect Weymouth Harbor, and I
was put to work in the quarries. There were about ei;_'ht'
hundred j)risoncrs,and our days were passed about as follows:
We ar()S(? at 5 A. M., washed ourselves, and cleaned our cells
.¦u]<l wards. Then breakfast at 5:45, morning prayers 0:15,
labor 6:4 !, dinner 11:20, labor again 12:20, supper 0:20, eve
ning pr.ivers G:50, evening instruction 7:25, lasting for thir
ty-live minutes. Besides this, each one had a half day's
schooling during the week.
After 1 had been there three mouths, I received a badge
for good behavior. This badge was made of leather, and
was vj^ovn upon the left arm. It had upon it the figure 10,
indicating liiat I had been sentenced for ten years; the let
ters '¦ V. G.," meaning very good ; and another figure,
2

26 Biography of Michael Dunn.
which was changed every month, denoting the number of
months I had been in that prison. Stripes were also worn
upon the arm for good behavior. If we broke the rule*, our
stripes were taken away ; we got no pay, and were not al
lowed to send or receive letters. The taking away of this
latter privilege cut the poor fellows to the heart. I have
seen men shed bitter tears at the taking away of their stripes,
who would have cared nothing for a flogging. Every man
who wore them was proud of them, but became the laugh
ing stock of tjie others when they were taken away.
Nothing of any importance occurred to me here. My
oehavior was good, with the exception that I was punished
three or four times for yielding to my bad temper. Alter
remaining one year, I was sent to Western Australia.
On Public Works the men learn that heavy labor can be
iccomplished without drink, the habit of early rising, the
jomfortof cleanliness, and the value of regularity and order.

Life in Australia, and Adventures in Other Lands 2-)

CHAPTER V.
Life in Australia, and Adventures in Other Lands-
We were placed on board ship and sailed from Portland
Prison for Australia. After sailing ninety-two days, we ar
rived safely at the town of Freemantle, Swan River. My
first labor there was in making roads in the city, with 3
gang of men numbering twenty-five in all. The life was a
dull one, but I still kept on my good behavior, and after one
year was granted a ticket-of-leave.
It was now about three years and a half since I had re
ceived my sentence. Upon receiving my ticket-of-leave, I
hired myself out as a bullock-driver in the town of Burnberry.
I remained with this employer about nine months.
Upon leaving him I went into the district of Champion
Bay, driving bullocks again at higher wages. There were
over fifty thousand sheep here, divided into flocks of ,from
twelve hundred to eighteen hundred each. One man and a
couple of dogs were required to attend to each flock.
There were some thirty-seven men employed here. I only
drove bullocks for a month or two, as my master discovered
I was a go(}d cook, and put me in charge of the kitchen.
There were always a lot of the natives around, ready tf>
do work, receiving their pay in food. We used to employ
them to tend the pigs and cows, fetch wood and water, clean
tins, etc. They were a lazy, shiftless lot, traveling around
the country in gangs or families, like gypsies, subsisting on
roots which they dug and baked in the fire. They would
nevei; work on a full stomach, and therefore it was good pol
icy never to feed them much until their work was done.
In return for the chores which they did, I gave them the
scraps from the table, which they eagerly devoured. They
were of a g. od disposition and worked well if treated kindly,
but very revengeful if ill treated or abused. They could
throw a stone, a"" boomerang," or a spear with a deadly aim,
and were very expert with fire arms. At one time I had a
native girl cleaning tins in the kitchen, and a young man of
twenty-five chopping wood. One day he stole the girl's
breakfast. This made me angry, as I had just given him a.

28 Biography of Michael Dunn.
hearty meal for himself — and I struck him in the face with
the back of my band. He ran away a short distance, and
picked up a stone. I tried to dodge, but it was of no use,
for it struck me on the head and knocked me senseless. He
then ran away and took to the woods.
I remained here as a cook for about fourteen months, and
then went to a place called Glengarry Farm, in the same
district, as cook. While here, I strmk a native, and was
struck with a club in return. I still carry the marks of the
wounds I received on both these occasions. When I had
been there about eighteen months, I went away and lived in
the bush with a gang of natives and another white man.
We lived by hunting kangaroos and fishing. We had money,
and when near a station would send the women to buy flour,
sugar, coffee, and other necessaries. I learned their war
songs, and became quite proficient in their language. We
stayed with them about three months, and left them.
I had not been missed from the district, and went to work
at another farm, called Dudekerry, at my old business of
cooking. There were about twenty-eight men employed
here, and they were great gamblers. We bought our clothes
from our master, also rum and other liquors, and it was de
ducted from our wages. They were all ticket-of-leave men,
like myself.
There was a butcher about sixteen miles away, who used
to buy cattle from my master. These cattle were very
wild. In addition to these we had a number of tame ones
— cows for milking purposes, and bullocks foe tilling the
land. It would have been almost impossible to drive the
wild cattle by themselves, as they would leave the road and
scatter in the bush ; so we were obliged to take tame cattle
along to lead them. The tame cattle were then driven back
to the farm'.
This butcher was an ex-convict ; and he with myself and
two other of our men combined to cheat our master. . If he
bought three or four wild cattle, we would drive him eight
or ten, and he would give us half-price for them, which we
divided among ourselves. I had been with my master about
a year before I commenced to cheat him in this manner.
There were no conveniences for taning there, and the hides
were hidden in holes dug in the ground. One day, some
of the natives came across a large number of these hides.
Each one bore my master's brand. They told some white
men who notified the police. The matter was investigated
and we were found out. The butcher got wind of the af-

Life in Australia, and Adventures in Other Lands. 29
fair and escaped ; but another man and myself were arrest
ed, taken to Perth and tried. We were each sentenced to
fifteen years' imprisonment, and were to be sent to Free
mantle the next day for confinement. They put me in a
small jaU that night for safe keeping, intending to start for
Freemantle the next morning; but it was a rickety old
building, and I had but little difliculty in escaping from it
during the night.
A few miles outside of Perth I met a native girl, with
whom I was acquainted. The natives thought a great deal
of me, because I had always treated them kindly and could
speak their language. We kept company for about four
months ; the woman guiding me through the bush. We
lived upon kangaroos, roasted snakes, etc., except that when
we were near some station she would go to the shepherds'
huts and buy coffee and other things. Four months after
starting we arrived at King George's Sound. The steamer
" Victoria " was lying in the harbor, and I got a man to row
me aboard. She was just about to sail, and there was the
usual confusion ; people bidding good bye to friends, men
selling fruit, etc. I concealed myself in the hay, of which
there was a large quantity aboard for feeding the sheep
taken out for the use of the passengers.
The vessel sailed about three o'clock in the afternoon. 1
laid quiet during the night, but the next morning made my
way through the hay, and found myself next to a caboose
in which was a man cleaning lamps. I rap}>ed softly and he
opened a little window, appearing very much surprised to
see me. I told him that I was a stowaway, and appealed to
his gi-nerosity. He gave me something to eat, and advised
me not to show myself until the next morning. Then I
came on deck, and the boatswain brought me to the captain.
The captain was very angry, and threatened to turn back
with me, suspecting that I was a convict. I told him that
I was a free man, and a sailor ; and could hand, reef and
steer. He accordingly allowed me to go to work: My
clothes were in tatters, but I soon gained the good will of
the sailors, who gave me better ones. The vessel sprung
aleak after we had been out about three days, and appeared
to be in a sinking condition. We were pumping and bail
ing for four or five days. The boats were manned, and the
passengers had their valuables packed up ready to take to
ihem. We managed to reach Point de Galle, on the island of
Ceylon. The vessel had to remain here about a week to be
.repaired. Here I made an engagenlent with the captain to

30 Biography of Michael Dunn.
work my passage to Bombay as butcher, but he would not
allow me any pay. We reached Bombay in about seven'
days. I landed without a penny in my pocket. As I was
walking up the street from the shiji, I was met by a runner
from a sailors' boarding house. He directed me to a house
which was kept by a man called Parsee George. I told him
that I was a sailor belonging to the vessel, and wanted
board ; that the ship was under repairs, and we would be
paid off in a day or two. He took me in and gave me my
supper. After supper I borrowed two rupees from him, and
bought a pack of cards with a part of the money. I went
into a saloon and began playing the three card monte game ;
and iu a short time had fifty-four rupees. I was very suc
cessful in gambling for about three months ; making plenty
of money, but spending it as fast as I got it.
I then enlisted in the cavalry at Fort George, in Bombay.
I had been a short time in the cavalry in America, and re
membered something of the drill. The drill master asked
me if I had ever been a soldier before, but I denied it. An
other man and myself volunteered to take care of one of the
Lieutenants, who was just getting over a heavy spree and
was suffering with delirium tremens. He was in that high
ly excited, nervous state, in which a man is liable to do any
desperate act. Our orders were to follow him around and
watch him; but not to interfere with him in any way un
less he got violent, and attempted harm to himself or some
one else. He was sensible enough of his condition, not to
object to our presence. We were taken to the room in
which he was, but remained outside in the passage. While
we were watching we saw him step up to a table and open a
little work box, but did not observe that he took anything
out of it. He walked the room for a short time, and then
went out lyjon the stoop and leaned over the railing. We
saw him making motions with his hand in his breast, but
suspected nothing until, with a groan, he staggered and fell
upon the stoop. He was picked up, and taken to the hos
pital on a stretcher, and died the next morning. It was
afterward discovered that ho had taken a pen-knife from
the work box and stabbed himself. During the confusion I
robbed his trunk of a gold watch and chain.
I only stayed in the cavalry about a month, when I de
serted, persuading an American bslonging to the same com
pany to go with me.
We shipped on board the " Spark of the 0(iean," of Bos
ton, Mass., as ordinary seamen. She was commanded by

Life in Australia, and Adventures in Other Lands. 31
Capt. Drummond, of Bath, and was then bound for London.
After we had got some distance out, I told the captain that
my companion was not a sailor, but that he was willing to
do anything that he could, and that I would take his trick
at the wheel in addition to my own. The captain ordered
that he be sent to him, and then questioned him. He first
asked him where he was from. He replied : " From Bath."
He then asked him his name, and when he told it, "Why.
said the Captain, I know your father well ; he is an old
friend of mine." He then took him into his own cabin
would allow him to do no work, and treated him as if ho
were his own son.
After we were out a few days we found four stowawayfi
on board. The captain could not throw them overboard, so
he put them to work ; but as this made four more mouthi?
to feed we were put on short allowance. We had two large
boats, which were kept lying bottom uj). I found that un
derneath these boats there were stored a quantity of h'ams.
They were hanging from the bottom of the boats, and were
enclosed in canvas bags. I stole one of them one evening
and shared it with ray mates, and before I left the vessel we
had got away with about twenty of them. We always kept
the bags, filled them with oakum, and hung them up again.
After sailing six weeks we arrived at St. Helena. I went
to the captain, and asked permi-sion to go ashore and remain
there. He would not listen to me at first, but when I told
him that I had lately served ten years in Australia, and did
not wish to go to England again, he consented. I remained
there five months.
At length I shipjjed on board the " Leonidas," a whaler,
as-cook. She was a New Bedford vessel, had been out some
time, and was now homeward bound. I had a longing for
America. I had made so much money there that I was anx
ious to get back to make more. The officers sa,/ that I kejJt
things clean and neat, and I had only been three days on
board when they appointed me stewar.l. The captain's
name was Aldrich — a kind. Christian man. I was taken very
sick, and could not work. The caj^tain detailed a man to
attend to me, and often came himself to my bunk, read the
Bible to mo, and jDrayed to God for me. I told him my past
life, and he Avrote a letter to my mother for me, and promised
to send it in case I should die on board. He treated ma
like a father. May God bless him, if he is alive to-day, for his
kindness to the poor criminal! but if God has called him away
I am sure he is in heaven. After I had been on board three
months the ship put in to Fish Bay, on the west coast of Af-

,2 Biography of Michael Dunn.
rica, to take in wood and water. No one on board thought
that I would recover. The captain had me placed on a blan
ket, and with one man at each corner I was carried carefully
and tenderly to the hospital, and put into bed. The vessel re
mained about a week at this place, but as I was no better at
the end of that time, she sailed away and left me there.
Shortly after the vessel had gone my health began to im
prove. I could soon crawl around on the floor, and after a
while I was able to walk slowly and painfully down to the
beach, with the aid of two stout sticks. My apjietite for
stealing came back before my natural appetite did. One
day I went into- a small shop where they sold liquor, gro
ceries, fish, etc., and called for a glass of aguardiente. I had
never drank it before, and it was so strong and hot that it
very nearly strangled me. With the tears in my eyes, I
gasped, "Water! Water!" The proprietor took a glass,
and went outside of the house to the well to get me some,
leaving me alone in the saloon. This was too good an ojipor-
tunity^to be lost, and I opened the till and stole a few mil-
reis from it. There were three similar shops hi the town,
from all of which I stole iu,the same manner. I went into
the church one evening, and seeing the golden candle-sticks
and other valuables there, had serious thoughts of robbing it ;
but before I had the plan perfected a schooner came in from
Rio Janeiro. She was bound for St. Paul de Loaudro.
The governo.r of Fish Bay gave me a passport and free ]ja».s-
a^e on her. At St. Paul de Loandro I went to the British
Consul, who treated me with much kindness. The " Pluto "
man-of-war came in port, and the Consul persuaded the
captain to take me to Benin. I was not well and strong
yet. The " Pluto " was cruising along the coast of Africa,
on the lookout for slavers. She had captured some of these
vessels previous to my coming bn board, and the crew had
considerable prize money coming to them. Though sick and
weak I could still sing, and frequently amused the sailors
in this way. They pitied my unfortunate condition, and
took so great a liking to me, that when the ship arrived at
Benin they persuaded the captain to adyance me £20 out of
their prize money.
At Benin the captain put me on board the " Armenia " for
Liverpool. We stopped at some of the intermediate ports
to t-ake in the mail, and also some casks of palm oil. \V'hilo
at these ports, the vessel was surrounded by boats selling
monkeys, parrots, pineapples, etc. I bought thirty dozen
pineapples, at eighteen pence a dozen, and ten gray parrots,
at two shillings apiece, to take home on a little speculation.,

Life in Australia, and Adventures in Other Lands. 33
The pineapples got too ripe, and I gave them to the crew ;
but the parrots I got safely home with, and sold them at ten
shillings apiece after we got to Liverpool. I remained in
the hospital at Liverpool for three months, during which
time the " Armenia " had made another trip and returned.
Hearing that she was in port, I went on board and asked to
go cook, steward, or anything, but there was no vacancy.
.My intention was to take along some small articles of plated
jewelry, and exchange them for parrots, monkeys, etc. But
Sod in his good providence did not permit. Again I recog-
aized his Almighty hand, for the " Armenia " was lost on
thatvoyage, and all hands perished, except one man. When I
saw that I could not get on board the " Armenia " again, I
went back to stealing.
I had landed in Liverpool in 1861. It was just ten years
since I had been sentenced to transjiortation. No one in
England knew of my having been sentenced again to fifteen
years, and of my escape. Every one that knew me sup
posed that I had served my time and returned home again.
A few days before Christmas I had ninety pounds. I had
just committed a robbery of eleven dozen gold rings, and
was flush of money. I sent five pounds to my mother, and
wrote that I was coming to spend Christmas with her. It
was many years since I had spent a Christmas at home, and
I anticipated a pleasant time. I went to the railroad station,
bought my ticket, fur Manchester, and had taken my seat in
the cars, when a detective put his hand upon my shoulder.
Esca]ie was impossible. Once more the shackles of the crim
inal were placed upon my wrists. The journey which fol
lowed was very different from the one 1 had planned, and
its destination quite foreign to the locality named on my
ticket. Once more I was the inmate of a prison cell.
I was tried in Liverpool, and sentenced to five years' pe-
'nal servitude; the first eleven months of which were passed
at Walton Prison in solitary confinement. This prison was
about two miles outside of Liverpool. My work was pick
ing oakum, and patching and mending prison clothes. ]
was only punished once in that place, and was then put on
bread and water for three d.ays for writing my name on the
bottom of the can. ,1 did this merely on the chance that it
might happen to fall into the hands of some other prisoner
who would know me. At the end of the eleven months, I
was sent to Millbank Prison for two months, and from there
to Chatham Dock Yard, where I n mained four months. I
was then put on board the " Ironsides " for Gibraltar.
2*

34. Biography of Michael Dunn,

CHAPTER VI.
Expebiencb at Gibealtae.
A^the a voyage lasting twelve days, we reached Gibraltar.
There were some eight hundred or nine hundred men con-
^ued there at this time.
The prison was built at the foot of the hUl, at only a short
distance from the beach. Above us towered the immense
rock, bristling with cannon. We slept in hammocks, six
teen of us in a room. The men who were serving life sen
tences were sent to work in the quarries, situated about a
mile from the prison. The work was very hard here. The
greater part of the remainder were employed in cutting
tanks out of the solid rock, to hold rain-water. The whole
supply of drinking water comes from this source ; conse
quently water was precious, and was used only for drinking
and cooking purposes. Each gang of sixteen men was al
lowed two pails of fresh water every night for drinking, and
two pails of salt water for washing. During the day the
men were supplied from large casks in which oat meal was
placed, one ounce of meal being allowed to each man.
The Governor of the prison was Mr. James Blair. He had
been a captain in the British Army, and was a very strict
man. Men were punished severely for any breach of disci
pline, and he was consequently feared and hated by them.
He was aware of this, and when he came to inspect the men
on parade, two of the keepers were always with him, one on
each side for protection. When among the men, he always
carried two revolvers and a large dagger in a belt around
his waist. Such precautions as these are not necessary
when a person in command is kind to those who are under
him. Wednesday was flogging day, and very few Wednesdays
passed but what some poor fellows' backs were made sore.
While the flogging was being administered, the bad char
acters among the prisoners, men who were in the habit of
disobeying the rules, were drawn up to witness the punish
ment, and get a foretaste of what would certainly happen
to them if they continued their bad behavior. But the

Experience at Gibraltar. 35
sight did not seem to have very much effect upon them, for
they would talk, and laugh, and bet money among them
selves, if they had money, or if not, they would wager their
food and tobacco, that such and such a man would halloo or
cry out within a certain number of lashes. Two keepers
would do the flogging. One of them would first give the
prisoner twenty-four lashes with the right hand, and the
other (a left-handed man) would give twenty-four with the
left, in this way both sides of the back would be well
tanned. It was a matter of pride among the men not to cry
out, for if they did, they would be most unmercifully black
guarded by the rest as soon as the punishment was over.
When the lashes first fall on the back, the pain is in tense;
but after the shock of the first few blows, the pain is not so
much felt. A terrible load seems to gather around the heart.
The sense of shame which a man feels at the indignity of
being stripped gives place to one of indignation that he
is to be beaten like a dog ; and I believe that it hardens
men, instead of doing them good. Strange as it may appear,
men seem to get used to it. Whether or not the skin grows
tougher from repeated punishment, I do not know ; but
some men seem to care nothing for it. At Port Arthur, in
Van Diemen's Land, there actually was a rivalry between
some of the men, as to who should bear the greatest num
ber of lashes ; and if one man got ahead, the others were not
satisfied until they had committed some crime to catch up
to him. I know of a case which occurred at the coalmines,
where a man received three hundred lashes, and was taken
down dead from the whipf)ing-post.
There was a man at Gibraltar, named John Brown — a
very thin, sickly-looking fellow. He was to receive forty-
eight lashes for striking his keeper across the shin-bone with
a shovel, three weeks after we had landed from the ship.
The keepers were very bitter against poor Brown, and they
bet freely that they would make him halloo and cry out.
Wednesday came, and he was tied up. Mr. Blair, the Gov
ernor, told the floggers to do their duty; for striking a
keeper is considered a terrible offense in any prison. At
the first blow poor Brown received, he began singing, " I
am sitting on the stile, Mary," and continued singing untiY
the last blow was struck, finishing his song at the same time.
They untied him, and dipped a large, rough towel in salt
brine, which they put upon his bare back, and then wanted
him to go to th% hospital. But he insisted upon going back
to his work, and they finally allowed him to, although his
work was wheeling a heavy barrow all day. Brown became

^6 Biography of Michael Dunn.
the "lion of the day," for the pluck and endurance be had
shown. He was flogged five times within three years, and
the keepers did their best, but they could never make him
cry out.
Aside from its degrading character, the punishment is a
severe one. I believe that if some of these magistrates and
governors, who are so ready to inflict this punishment upon
others, could only be made to experience one good flogging^
themselves, they would hesitate before commanding that
others should receive it. A case in point occurred during
my stay in Van Diemen's Land.
Escape from this place is almost impossible, and I only
know of one instance in which it was successful during the
time that I was there, although many attempts were made
This was in the case of eight men, who were the crew of a
row-boat, employed in carrying water from the prison to the
quarry, about a mile away. An armed keeper always went
along with the boat, to keep the men in order and see that
they did their duty. They had gone to the quarry and un
loaded, and started to come back to the prison, but just at
this moment they seized the keeper, and held him in such a
position that those on shore did not dare to fire upon the.m.
for fear of killing him. They rowed directly across to Al
giers, and once on foreign territory were safe.
I was made captain of a boat which was employed in car
rying stone from the quarries to the breakwater. My dutii s
were to overlook the men, and see that the boat was properly
loaded and unloaded. I stole even in prison. As captain
of the boat I could go to the commissary and order supplies
for her use — such as tools, ropes, etc. — and, of course, I
¦would draw a good deal more than was needed. These I
would sell to the free men who were employed in caulking
and working on vessels which put in for repairs. I would
sell them so cheap that they would frequently throw in a
pailful of salt beef or pork, tobacco, song books and news
papers. We were crazy to get papers, for the war was going^
on between the Northern and Southern States at that time,
and we were anxious for news. In this way I always had.
plenty of food, and shared liberally with my friends.
I served my full sentence, and was then sent to Millbank
- Prison to have my picture taken. One copy was sent to
Scotland Yard, London, and another to the Chief of Police
iu Manchester. My time had not yet quite expired, and the
authorities offered me a free pass to America if I would go.
.1 accepted the offer, and landed in New York the day be
fore President Lincoln was assassinated.

Ketum to America, .and Lmprisomrient at Sing Sing. 37

CHAI^TER VII
Return to America, and Imprisonment at Sing Sing.
At once I I'eturiied to my old course of life. One day
I entered a house and' ascended to the upper rooms. I un
locked one of these rooms with false keys, and upon going
in re-locked it. I had completed my search, and had about
$90 worth of stolen property packed up, when some one put
a key in the lock from the outside. I got behind the door,
and a woman came into the room. In an instant I had her
by the throat and threw her to the floor. The noise of the
fall was heard by the people below, who gave the alarm. I
sprang through the crowd and dashed up the street, they
pursuing me. As I ran, I threw my false keys and a jimmy
into a butchel-'s cart. I was captured by a policeman, and
these things were afterwards found. I hired a smart lawyer,
who produced three witnesses in court, who swore that they
had known me off and on for seventeen years ; that I was a
respectable shoemaker; and they believed that nothing but
actual want and the desire to provide for my family could
have driven me to this crime. A woman, who represented ,
herself as my wife, also appeared .in court, in company with
five children, who told a pitiful tale of starvation and want ;
but the tools were against me, and I was sentenced totwo
years and four months' imprisonment in Sing Sing prison.
I was never punished there, and God once more took care
of me. How often I have walked my cell at night, and
asked God to keep me in health until 1 could once more re
gain my liberty, and then I would lead an honest life. If I
had knelt down on the flags and prayed to God to change
iny heart, then he would have heard my prayei-s. But when
I asked God to keep me I did not pray from my heart, and
when I was released from Sing Sing I soon went to stealing
again. I was again arrested, and received a three-year sen
tence in solitary confinement. This was in Philadelphia.
While there I was only punished once, for cutting a hole
through the wall of my cell, which opened into the yard, in
an effort to escape. I was Chained to the floor of a dark cell
for nine days, and fed on bread and water. The food was

,8 Biography of Michael Dunn.
passed to me through a trap in the door. God brought me
safely through those three years, and the morning I was re
leased I staggered like a drunken man in walking, caused by
being so long confined in a cell. From Philadelphia I went
to Montreal, and, as usual, commenced stealing again ; and
in three months was arrested, but was I'^t off with six months
in jail as I was not known, but they found out who I was be
fore my time expired. God brought mo out once more. I
was well treated in that jail by the w"rden, and my keeper
Mr. Culevette. I was placed captain of No. 8 ward, in which
were confined men suffering from delirium tremens and those
awaiting trial, and was noted for having the cleanest ward
in the jail. It was while confined here that Patrick Ryan,
deliberately killed a fellow prisoner for refusing him a chew
of tobacco, but was adjudged a lunatic by a jury and sent
to an asylum. God again brought me safely through, and
when I was released I had not a penny or a friend to go to,
and the detectives were watching me. I determined to go
to Boston, but having no money I had to beat my way there
the best I could. I arrived in Boston, and went to my
friends, who gave me clothing and loaned me money. I
next began stealing alone — I very seldom went shop-lifting
without a companion or two. That day I stole two rolls of
silk, and received $125 each for them. I hired a room in
Richmond Street, and with two other men did nothing but
rob express wagons for two months. One evening we walked
into a store, and I walked out with fourteen black frock-
coats, and took them«to the room. In two hours after I was
arrested ; also the other men. One was sentenced to two
years, the other to two and a half years, and I for two years
and nine months, and sent to South Boston jaU. While in
ithis prison I was half starved for the want of food, and had
to do a hard day's work when I could scarcely stand through
weakness. I was placed in the brush-shop, and they taught.
me to bore holes in thick leather horse-brush blocks. My
task was fifty thousand holes a day, with a single bit. The
contractor paid fifty cents a day, I believe, for each man's
labors. We were not allowed to see anyinspector to complain
of the food. How often have I had to work while feeling
the pangs of hunger ; and my temper caused me many times
to be locked up in a dark cell — no bed, not even a blanket,
nothing but the cold, damp flags to rest upon ; at six o'clock
in the evening they would hand me in one ounce of bread.
and three tablespoonsfuU of water ; I often wondered how
piau could treat his fellow-man like that — hard work and

Return to America, and Lmprisonment at Sing Sing. 39
nearly starved to death. May God forgive such men ! — I do,
but I cannot forget them. God brought me out once more,
broken down' in health, a living skeleton ; I immediately left
Boston and came to New York, and began stealing again,
and continued every day for six months. I then began to
think that I would never be arrested again. During those
six months I often used to visit A. T. Stewart's, corner of
Chamber Street and Broadway, Lord & Taylor's, and other
large stores. I rented a store in East Fourth Street, and a
receiver of stolen goods came to me and told me he had
bought fourteen hundred dollars worth of goods, and asked
me to let him put them in the store until five o'clock the next
morning. I did so, and gave him the key. At twelve
«'clock at night he put in another load, and the following
morning there was a burglary on Broadway of twenty-four
hundred dollars worth of pearl buttons, committed by seven
men ; it was I who planned the robbery, but I took no act
ive part in it, although I had been in the store two days be
fore. I went home after I had given the receiver the key of
the store I had rented, and packed up all my goods. I was
living corner of Broome and Elizabeth Streets. At ten o'clock
the next day I had my furniture ready for removal, and
went to the store I had rented, thinking he had removed
the goods, and there was arrested for a crime I had never
committed. I was tried, convicted, and sent to Sing Sing
for four years, and was again placed in the shoe-shop, where
I always did my work, and was never punished either time
I ivas there. When the contract broke up, I was placed as
waiter in the laundry under Mr. Yoemans — a good keeper ;
he was succeeded by Mr. Cannoton, a good and humane man ;
he is at present principal keeper (August 17th, 1883). I
know this : that his men worked well and were .always well
behaved. He punished no man unless he really deserved it.
I have heard a great deal of talk about ill-using prisoners
there, but I know frora personal observation that men who
conducted themselves and obeyed the prison discipline were,
as a rule, generally treated well. I liave also seen that there
are a certain class of prisoners, no matter how well they are
treated, who will grumble ; rum and dissipation half kill many
of these men before they go to prison ; the want of their
accustomed stimulants makes them irritable and dissatisfied ;
thus they are in constant hostility with their keepers, and
make their own unhappy condition still more miserable.
God brought me out once, and by his help, and his alone, it
will be the last time I will ever be in a prison cell as a pris-

40 , Biography of Michael Dunn.
oner. I was taught to pray from the heart to God, and he
has heard my prayers. Dr. Elisha Harris and Stephen Cut
ter extended to me the first helping hand, and pointed me to
Jesus, the mighty to save. Soon after leavintj Sing Sing, I
went into a mission at 3 1 6 Water Street, and there knelt
down and asSed God to be my keeper. He alone knew my
heart, and the struggles and trials I have had. He heard
my humble cry, and has saved me from all my troubles.
Jesus saved the dying thief on the cross, and he is willing
and able to save the living thief to-day, if he will only let
him. Mr. Cutter, of the Prison Association of New York, put
me to work at fifteen dollars a month and board, trying to*
get my class of men employment ; and I often succeeded in
finding men work during the time I was employed there.
Some of the'se men have proved themselves to be sober, hon-
"jist and industrious, and are now married and have families
of their own. Now a word about my second wife. We
were married twelve years, but only lived together thirteen
months for this reason : When I was in prison she would be
out, and when she would be in, I would be out; sometimes
we would be together for a short time. When I went to the
mission in Water street, on the eighteenth qf March, 1878,
we were living together in East '24th street ; when I told
her I had been to a mission, and had prayed to God for for
giveness, and had promised with his help never to steal any
more, she said I was crazy and would never have a day's
luck, as my parents were Catholics. I said Yes, they were,
but they never went to any church, and that it was not like
ly I could have any worse luck than 1 have had all my life.
I will make this short by saying she took a mortal dislike to
me after. At this time she was in very poor health, a.nd I
succeeded in getting her into the Presbyterian Hospital,
where she died after lingering three months' At her request
I h.id her buried in Calvary Cemetery.
While working for the Prison Association, I often wished
T only had a home to take the men to that came out of
prison that had no place to go to ; some place where they
could work for their daily bread — men whom I knew did
notwant to steal, and who were sick of such a life. Then
-again, if I was living with these men I could soon find out
whether they intended to lead a new life. Night and day
this subject was uppermost in my thoughts. How often did
I dream of it in my sleep, and then again strive to forget all
about it, but I could not. God kept it in my heart, and X

Return to America, and Lmprisonment at Sing Sing. 41
firmly believe no human being could have turned my
thoughts from it ; up to this time I had told no one of my
desires to open a Home,
At the end of December, 1878, the funds of the Associa
tion tvere exhausted, and Mr. Cutter told me I would not be
wanted any longer, as they had no more money. All the
money 1 had at that time was about ten dollars. I had no
work to go to. On January I3th, 1879, 1 was reduced to
the small sum of two dollars. I went and pawned my
watch and some clothing, and by that means raised fifteen
dollars. I then rented th-s premises, 311 Water street, and
got a receipt for one month's rent ; the next day I called on
three Christian gentlemen and told them my intentions;
they each of them gave me a five dollar bill. It was the
first time I told any one my intentions. I went to Cowper-
waites in Christian street, and gave them five dollars for a
few things to furnish the house with, and agreed to pay one
dollar per week for the remainder. I then lit my fire, and
bought bread, tea and sugar, and some skins of meat, and
made a pot of soup. I went out and brought in six poor
men, and I spread my homely meal before them. We then
offered thanks to God, and asked him to bless our new home;
and he did so, and has blessed the Home ever since.
I did not know what work to put the men to, for work
they must. I made a vow to God that no man should eat
the second meal in the Home unless he worked for it, and
I have kept the vow thus far, and will as long as I have any
control over the Home. We made a six-foot frame, and I
bought some Avhite Berlin wool, and we commenced to make
women's shawls, and one young lady came in and gave me
thirty-one dollars and fifty cents for two of them. We also
made pants, jumpers and overalls ; also watch guards from
horsei hair. I went peddling the articles the men made, also
pencils and books. I often had to pawn articles, and we
many times went to bed hungry.
I kept a book then as I do now. where I entered the record
3f every man who came to the Home, and I had found that
Jrink had been directly or indirectly the cause of nearly all
their sorrow and troubles. A great many people began to
'ihink we were a band of ex-convicts come together to live
on the charity of Christian people ; and many of them would
talk hard of us, and laugh at each other when we passed
them, (./r they passed us; but we let them see we were not,
and I can say we gained the friendship of all the people in
the neiehbcirhood. Many times have I been taken by the

42 Biography of Michael Dunn.
hand by our former neighbors in the Fourth Ward -•lica we
eft there, who say, " God bless you Mike, I am glad you are
getting along so well." The same feeling has been siiown in
all the other places and wards we have lived in. 1 have_ al
ways tried to make friends, not enemies. And if I can be
the means of turning any poor creatmv-s from the errors of
their ways, I will consider myself weli p .id for all my hum
ble efforts.
I hold that I know the wants of poor unfortunate ex-con
victs better than a great many, as my experience among
them has been so long and under so many peculiar circum
stances. I am fully convinced that harsh measures never
yet reformed a man. A kind word and helping hand in the
time of need will do more to soften the heart of the most
hardened criminal than all the cast iron rules ever used.

—*.-»• -*-•? -^—

The writer of this little book, and men now behind Pris
on bars, appeal to the public of Michigan for assistance to
carry on their good work.
A report of work done, conduct of inmates and their suc
cess, as well as receipts of contributions, will be issued reg
ularly. We need help to purchase a future and maintain our pres
ent Home, We trust God will bless this as he has our Home
in New York.
Contributions of money, provisions, clothing, books, or
Other necessary articles, can be sent to any of the Com
mittee, or to MICHAEL DUNN, Sup't,
641 Beaubien St., Detroit', Mich.

SUGGESTIONS.

In connection with the subject of "Prison Reform,'' it
may be advisable to consider whether some modification oi
the Ticketrof-Leave system might not be advantageously in.
troduced into the penal discipline of this State. In Great Brit
ain and Australia this plan has been followed for many
years, and has in a great many instances been successful in
materially lessening the number of criminals. A modifica
tion of the same idea has been adopted at Elmira, the New
York State Reformatory, and the managers of that institu
tion have reported favorably on its result. Why could not
some of the gentlemen of this State, who are interested in
the reformation of prisoners, exert themselves in bringing
this subject before the State Legislature at its next session?
The "Goodwin Act " has, in some degree, provided great
inducements for the convict to be obedient and industrious
during the actual term of his imprisonment, but could not
some further steps be taken in the same direction ?
The provisions of the Ticket-of- Leave plan, in all places
where it is in operation, are designed to relieve the public
of the expense of maintaining and guarding the criminal ;
he has the opportunity of supporting himself by honest in
dustry ; while, at the same time, he is conscious that he is
still under the jurisdiction of the prison authorities, and lia
ble to be at once placed again in close confinement if he in
any way transgress the rules laid down for his conduct.
The outline of the system is briefly as follows : — A cer
tain scale is settled on, in accordance with which each con
vict is permitted, after he has served a period of time pro
portionate to his sentence, and has been well conducted, to
be released from actual imprisonment under certain restric
tions. His name and full description are recorded, and he is
permitted to select his place of residence ; on his arrival
there he must report to some designated official, and con
tinue to do this at stated periods. Should he irviove from
that district without permission, neglect reporting himsei.

44 Biography of Michael Dunn.
at the proper time, or be guilty of any gross misconduct, he
is at once remanded to prison, and obliged to complete his
full term. Of course, it would require great care and fore
sight to draught a bill which would fully provide for all the
exigencies of the case ; but the importance of this subject,
this great problem of prison reform, appears to merit at
least a careful consideration.

Let us take care how we speak to those who have fallen.
Help them up, not heap scorn upon them. We did not see
the conflict. We do not know the scars.
I think no keeper in any prison ought to be allowed to
strike or ill-use a prisoner, except in self-defense. No man
who drinks rum ought to be placed over prisoners; and each
prisoner ought to be allowed five cents ])er day, after the
first three months, providing he works well and his conduct
is good ; and the .second year ten cents per day, and in
creased five cents per day for every year he serves after ; and
then, when he left prison he would have money to provide for
himself. To keep a man in any jDi'ison or jail without work is
the worse punishment that can be afflicted. Neither should
two men be placed in one cell ; and there ought to be a large
farm in each State, that when a man was discharged from
prison, and could not obtain employment, he could go there
nnd work ; receiving a little pay until he could better himself.
I have given one hundred and seven meals since January
llast to ex-oonvicts who were hungry and could not get work,
and a real thief will not beg, but will come to me and not to
unother, and tell me his troubles, etc. Most of them would
iaave been glad to have gone on a farm, or to work anywhere
for their board. I could not admit them to the Home for
want of room. To help those who will help themselves, this
is what is wanted for the discharged prisoner. The forego
ing must, of Course, be left for the laAV-makers to consider ;
' and God grant they may think favorably of the same, know
ing full well it would prove a lasting benefit to the poor dis-
sharged prisoner who really means to do right.
MICHAEL DUNN.

THE HOME OF INDUSTRY

Refuge for Discharged Convicts,

MICHAEL DQNN, Superintendent.

The Home of Industry and Refuge for discharged col^
victs, 40 East Houston St., New York, Michael Dunn.
superintendent, was incorporated under the laws of the
State of New York in February, 1882, by A. J. Hatch, Ed
ward C. Homans, Mr. Bayard Brown, William R. Bliss,
John H. Boswell, James Talcott, Michael Dunn, John
Noble Stearns, William Hamilton Harris and R. Fulton^
Cutting. This work was begun in 1879 in a small house in Water
street by Michael Dunn, who had spent thirty-five years in
prisons in various parts of the world. He went to Sing Sing
prison for the last time in 1874, to serve out a sentence of four
years. When he left this prison in 1878, his keeper said to
him, (supposing him to do as many more discharged prison
ers had done) " Mike, we will keep your place six weeks ;.
you will be back by that time." But shortly after his dis
charge he came under religious influences which were des
tined to transform his character, and change the whole course
of his life.
Dr. Elisha Harris, of the New York Prison Association,
and others, became interested in him. He was employed
in the city to look after the welfare of friendless men, when
they were released from prison. This led him to desire to
establish a home suitable to receive discharged prisoners,
where they would have temporary shelter and employment,

46 Biography of Michael Dunn.
A few persons who had become his friends assisted him.
.and this was the beginning of the " Home of Industry" in
Water street. In forty-eight hours after the Home was
opened six homeless men found shelter in it; and in two
years this refuge gave shelter and aid to 534 men of thesame
character, most of whom came to it direct from prisons.
Such of these men as were sincere in their desire to reform
their previous ways of life were employed in various kinds
of work in the Home until independent employment could
be obtained for them, or until they were restored to their
families or friends. The demands upon this small house in
Water street having become greater than its resources could
supply, a larger and more convenient house was hired at
No. 37 Bleecker street, and to this the Home was removed
on the first day of May, 1881. Here the manufacture of
brooms was established as a permanent industry, to give em
ployment to the discharged prisoners daring their stay:
•for this is a well known fact, "make men diligent and you
will make them honest." The house has beds for twenty-
fieven men. They are lodged and fed in the house, and as a
compensation for their lodgings and food, they are required
to be busy all day in making broomS or in other industries,
¦until they are able to get suitable employment elsewhere.
If any of them, by superior skill or industry are able to earn
more than is sufficient to repay the expenses of their board
and lodging, they are paid the difference in money accord
ing to an equitable determination of the value of their labor.
Besides learning a trade which may be useful to them, the
men are often able, by this labor, to lay away money in the
savings bank for themselves. All the men are required to
obey the rules of the house in every particular. They are
encouraged to spend their evenings in the reading room,
and to attend the religious meetings which are held regular
ly on three evenings of every week. Of fifty-six men pres
ent at one of these meetings recently, thirty-six were dis
charged prisoners'. If any man will not work, or if he
drinks or lies, or is determined to do wrong and will not be
¦persuaded to do right, ke is of necessity not allowed to re
main in the house. A record of every man's name and his
tory is taken when he enters the Home as an inmate, and
of his conduct and labor while lie remains in it. During
the past three years more than eight hundred discharged
prisoners have enjoyed the shelter of this Home, of whom
more than six hundred have been placed in employment in

The Home of Industry and Refuge for Discharged Convicts. 47
various places. From ^0 to 25 dozen brooms have been
made by them per day. The profit received from the sale
of brooms is u^ed for the expenses of the Home, and the de
ficiency to meet the expenses has been covered by donations
from its friends. The only salary paid is fifty dollars per
month to the superintendent, Michael Dunn.
The house, No. 37 Bleecker street, has been found to be
much too small for the requirements of this important work.
Many who seek admission have to be turned away, with the
probability that they will drift back to their life of crime.
The trustees, believing that this " Home of Industry and
Refuge for Discharged Convicts " has now proved itself to
be necessary for the service which it has undertaken, and is
able to accomplish it — that it meets a great want for which
there has heretofore been no adequate provision, and that it
opens the way to a solution of one of the most important
and difficult problems of human society, desire to obtain a
larger house, which wiU furnish accomodations for thirty-six
discharged convicts.
They ask you to consider the following facts, viz : That
a large proportion of the men discharged, from the prisons
of this and other States drift to the City of New York;
that when a man is discharged from prison, without occupa
tion, without money, without friends, and without charac
ter, he is at a loss where to go, or what to do, unless he ac
cepts the dangerous hospitality and aid of his old compan
ions in crime. With perhaps a strong desire to lead a bet
ter life, he looks about him to see what way is open to him.
He discovers that most of the paths leading to an honest
livelihood are closed against him. Who will trust him?
Who will employ him ? Who will teach him to labor? Who
will help him to become an honest man? His old criminal
acquaintances, haunts and pursuits, with their allurements,
return to his memory, and he almost necessarily turns in
their direction, unless his steps are arrested by better influ
ences, and an opportunity for honest self-support is offered
to him. To refuse encouragement and assistance to him
DOW, is to force him to be a criminal again. This Home and
Refuge is designed to offer him the encouragement to well
doing, the good influences, the kind sympathy, and the open
door to honest independence which he needs. Here he can
begin a new life, shun his old companions and temptations,
learn the pleasure of honest toil, and of freedom from fear of
the policeman and the detective, and turn his back forever

48 Biography of Michael Dunn,
on prison walls. Will you not aid ns in this effort to bene
fit him permanently ?

Opening of the Fourtli Anniyersaiy
OF
MICHAEL DUNN'S WORK.

Tlie Home of Industry and Refuge for
Discliarged Oon"V"icts.
Home Established January 13th, 1879.

[The foUo-wing is copied frqin the " Perpetual Kevival," a paper pub
lished in the interest of the different missions of No'w York. ]
Pour years ago Inst Saturday Michael Dunn started a home
for men who were discharged from States Prison and had
nowhere to go. It was not much of a start, so to speak.
There was no blowing of horns or illumination, and very
little notice was taken of him. His capital was a two dol
lar bill, and what few clothes he possessed that he could
pawn when he was in a pinch, which appears to have been
pretty often. He planted himself down in the Fourth Ward,
at 311 Water street. It was a small beginning, but it lias
reached such a magnitude now that it challenges the admir
ation of the civilized world. Many good men have given
this subject their time, their money, and their brains, and at
their death have been no nearer solving the problem of what
could be done for the man who had been a convict and
wanted to reform and lead an honest life. The trouble was,
they always left out the grace of God in their calculations,
Six months ago, the Home was removed from No. 37 Bleecker
street to No. 40 East Houston street, wliere a fine property
had been purchased by the trustees. The lot is 85 by 10 )

50 Biography oj Michael Dunn.
feet, witJi a house four stories high, and a large, roomy base
ment wljere the brooms are made. By a singular chance,
this Home is situated on the corner of the street directly
across from the police headquarters, and some of the boys
say, in a half humorous way, that they are getting back
pretty near the same place where they started from. The
manufacture of brooms is oarrie-d on quite extensively, and
men can earn money for themselves almost from the first.
The inmates are also allowed 'to go out and seek employ
ment, and it is a good recommendation to any business man
if they can say they are from Mike Dunn's Home, and he
will vouch for them. They are all urged to give their hearts
to Jesus, as the only safeguard against rum and all its con
sequences. Long years in prison have made Michael Dunn a
strict disciplinarian, and the home is governed on strict bus
iness principles When a m:m comes in. and Mr. Dunn
convinces himself that he is not shamming prison life to get
Into the Home, a large book is opened and a record made
about as follows : No. 978, W. A., age 59, where born, Man
chester, England, single, parents dead, can read and write,
shoe-cutter by trade. Catholic, received December 6th, been
nine times in prisons. All these answers are under their
proper headings. Then follows a record of the different
crimes for which he was seatenced, and it exhausts nearly
all the grades of crime for which there is any punishment.
The last crime 978 committed was a bank robbery, for which
he got four years. He is now a Christian and a trusted hand
at the Home.
The anniversary services last Sabbath afternoon were full
of interest. There were present Eev. Dr. Booth, of the
University Place Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Ormis-
ton, pastor of the Eeformed Church, Fifth avenue, corner
ol; Twenty-ninth street, J. Noble Steams, A. S. Hatch, J.
H. Boswell, Mrs. E. D. Morgan, General C. B. Fisb, Mrs.
David Taggart, Dr. and Mrs. II. C. Houghton, Mrs. Mott,
Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Gordon, Mrs. E. C. Hoffman, and many
others. Dr. Booth opened the services with prayer, after
which every voice in the room joined in singing that grand
old anthem — . All hail the po-wer of Jesus' name,
Let angels prostrate fall,
Bring forth t}ie royal diadem.
And crown him Lord of all.
Dr. Pooth said the most effective part of this work was in
the testimonies of those who had been saved. This was a

Michael Dimris Work. ci
<loor of hope. It stood ever open to invite those who wished
to become better men. The Church of God had reason to
rejoice to see what Brother Dunn, Brother McAuley, and
Brother O'Neil were doing. Mr. Dunn then arose and said :
" The meeting is now open for testimony. I am saved by
the grace of God from being a thief from childhood ; noth
ing else can save a man. I pray to God every day to help
me. Though they said they would keep my place for me
when I left the prison, I thank God I am not there yet ; and,
by his help, I never will be. I have been in this work four
years, and in that time I have received one thous.and men.
Many of them were men I had served time with, and they
came here direct from prison. I have been compelled to
turn away thirteen men in the past three weeks for the want
of room. There is no reformation, my friends, withoi;t the
grace of God in the heart. One man said : ' Ton month?
ago I came in here just from a prison cell — home and friends
all gone.' Here he found a home, and, best of all, ]je found
the Savior ; in the greatest temptations he had been sustained
by faith in Christ and good friends. He could never look a
policeman in the face without fear. Then followed one
vprse of the hymn :
Jesus, keep me near the cro.ss,
Thero'a a precious fountain.
A middle aged man said, God had saved him from a life
of crime. Ten months ago he had come here ; and a more
miserable, despairing man never lived. God had ojjened his
eyes to the fact that he was a sinner ; now he was a happy
man, in the love and power of Jesus. God bless all, he
added, whohad opeised a way for him and such as him to
come in here and reform. One reformed drunkard spoke of
how he had been saved by coming in here, and the way of
peace pointed out to him. At the close of his testimony he '
said: "God bless Michael Dunn. I have seen him keep
seventeen men, when he had not seventeen ounces of bread
in the house, and he had to pawn his clothes to give tliem
something to eat."
A handsome young man said : "I came here after many
weary years of prison life ; but here I found Jesus, and now
I am happy in his love."
" I have passed many years behind the bars," said another;
"I walked a long way to get here, for I had heard of this
place in prison." He had no idea when lie came here he
would be converted ; how he thanked God he came here.

52 Biography of Michael Dunn.
He went forward the first night ; not to get religion but to
get work; but while he knelt down, God touched his heart,
and then and there he prayed and found forgiveness.
One young man, who looked as though he might work
his way into most any place, spoke of how he had been in
duced to go to Jerry MoAuley's mission, and heard men
ithere tell of how they had been saved from a life of crime.
He came here to Mike Dunn's, and was received so warmly
that he was encouraged to do better. Now he had Jesus in
his heart and was happy.
"I have served thirty-two years in prisons," said a man
of 55. He had been in prisons in this country and in for
eign lands. He had known Mike Dunn for years and had
served time with him. He came here and said: "Mike, I
want to lead a better life." Mr. Dunn said: " Billy, as long
as I have a shelter over my head you are welcome." Rev.
Dr. Ormiston said he wanted those brothers to know that
they were not the only ones who had reason to thank God.
Paul himself said he was the chief of sinners. All men
were equal in the sight of God. Without Christ we are all
under condemnation. The reason we are not in your fix
was on account of God's grace. One had come here eleven
months ago to-day. Rum had got him into all kinds of
trouble, and finally into prison. When he came out he found
his way here, and it had been a home for him indeed. Yes,
after spending half his life behind prison bars, he had come
here and found the Savior. Now he knew Christ could for
give sins. He was trusted with thousands of dollars.
John O'Neil, who has charge of the McAuley mission at
B16 Water St., spoke in his own peculiar impressive manner.
" My heart is so full," he said, " I could not keep still. All
these testimonies are mine. I too have been an outcast.
Five years ago I strayed into the McAuley mission in Water
street, and there I found Jesus. Oh, what rest! I thank
God that the people are getting aroused to the importance
of helping the heathen at our own doors. When God can
make Mike Dunn and I honest men, who couldn't He help?
4 have been redeemed ! redeemed I Oh, what that word
^eans to me ! I, who have suffered every form of punish
ment and torture."
Hymn 47 was sung with a will :
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing at the noon-tide and the dewy eve,
Waiting for the harvest and the time of reaping.
We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves.

Michael Dunn's Work. 53
Mr. Boswell, in the absence of the Treasurer, read the re
port. Although the Home was somewhat in debt the report
was encouraging. The housekeeping expenses had been for
the past year $5,280.66. One thousand men had been receiv
ed since the Home opened. Two hundred and six were re
ceived last year. Five hundred and forty-one men had
found employment while inmates of the Home. One hun
dred and fifty-two had gone to sea; two hundred and fifty-
one were employed as clerks in the city ; one hundred and
forty-three were able to resume their occupation as mechan
ic::, seventy-two as day laborers ; nineteen had enlisted in
the army, and four in the navy. The average in the home
daily was twenty-eight. There are at present thirty-five
men who had a home there. There had been a profit real
ized from the work done by the inmates of 81,146.33. They
wanted $6,700 for the coming year. General Clinton B.
Fisk was called on, and gave a short address. " There was
something peculiar," he said, "about this institution, no
¦where else to be found. It had one word that was dear to
all hearts : it was, Home, Dear Home ! Hotir it awakened
sweet memories. This place was a home to many who had
been in sin and prison, and had nothing left of home but
the long-ago memories. But here was a home. The poor
wayfaring man who came from Sing Sing cannot go up
Fifth Avenue and ring the bell ; but he can' come here and
ring the bell, and Mike will let him in, and, what is better,
he will point him the way to that beautiful home beyond
the skies."
Mr. A. S. Hatch said : " The most embarrassing problem
' was, what to do with men who had committed crime and
wanted to reform. It was a question which appealed strong
ly to all Christians. Every convict that went back to crime
increased it at the wrong end. This problem must be faced
in some way. Mike Dunn, John O'Neil, and Jerry McAuley
could tell you their names were legion who wanted to re
form. The great thing was the grace of God in the heart,
and the chance to earn an honest living. Neither was good
without the other. All you could say about Christianity
when a man was hungry was of no avail. He would steal,
for that was all there was left for him to do. It is worth
while to save a criminal ; it is worth while to make an hon
est man out of a thief, and no other good way has been found
but to point them to Jesus. I have known Mike Dunn ever
since he was a convert. I am happy to take this occasion
to bear testimony to his honesty and Christian character.

54 Biography of Michael Dunn.
and if we had searched for a man to take charge of such -x
work as this, we could not have found another such a one in
the civilized world.
Dr. Booth said that subscriptions were in order, and start
ed the list with $100 for his own church ; J. Noble Stearns
$100, Gen. C. B. Fisk SflOO, S. T. Gordon $100, Mrs. David
Taggart $25, John O'Neil |5,H.W. K $10, an "Old Friend"
$7, and many others gave smaller sums. Nearly $100 were
raised by passing the hat around.
This work is prospering in a way which is very encourag
ing to its friends and promoters. Men who have come out
of prison seem only too glad to go in here, and find a safe
refuge from sin, temptation, and bad companions. Nearly
one thousand prisoners are discharged each year from pris
ons in this State, and they nearly all come to this city.
Most all of them have a sincere desire to become better men,
and while sober and away from bad companions they can do
so ; but no one will hire them, and so they are driven again
into crime. This Home has done away with this very thing.
Here they can come and work and begin a new life. Those
who seek the Savior are doubly fortified against the snares
of the enemy. A smarter, keener-looking set of men are
not to be found than at Michael Dunn's Home. Many dis
play great talent in drawing, painting, and different works of
!irt.

LETTTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Michael Dunn and His Work.

Peisok Association of New York..
56 Bible House, Astob Place, New Yoek,
September 11, 1880.
Mr. Dunn is a help to me in my work. I often find men
that I cannot trust with money; if they have no home,
which is quite often the case, I send them to Mr. Dunn,
stating what I wish him to do. I feel that I can depend
upon his judgment in their case. If they don't mean to
work, which is often the case, he will soon find it out, so that
they shall not impose upon me. S. CuTTEE, General Agent.

New Yoek, December 8th, 1880.
We, the undersigned, have known Michael Dunn since he
was discharged from prison in March, 1878. We are ac
quainted with the benevolent work in which he is engaged
for the benefit of ex-convicts and homeless men. We have
confidence in the sincerity of his character and the honesiy
of his purposes, and we recommend him and his work as
worthy of aid from Christian people.
A. S. Hatch, 5 Nassau street.
Wm. R. Bliss, 120 Broadway.
John H. Boswell, 55 Broadway.
Wu. H. II. Childs, 73 Maiden Lane.
J. Gould's Sons, 79 Front street.
Stephen Cuttee, 56 Bible House,
Elisha Haeeis, 56 Bible House.
Lewis P. Tibbals, 820 Broadwa}-,

5 u Biography of Michael Dunn.
Office of Supeeintendbnt of State Peisons.
Albany, New Yoek, January 18th, 1881.
It affords me pleasure to express my hearty appreciation
of the work in which you are engaged. My observation and
experience as a prison officer long since led me to conclude
that individuals and associations whose efforts are directed
to the proper care of prisoners upon their discharge, by pro
viding for such as may be in need of a temporary home, and
assisting them in obtaining employment, are doing a most
humane and useful work. Many are undoubtedly saved in
this way from lives of crime, and become useful citizens.
E'ormely, prisoners were discharged without aid from the
State, and it was almost inevitable that many of them, un
der the pressure of want, would at once renew their depre
dations upon society. The State has since then done some
thing to prevent this by creating the ofiice of State Agent
for Discharged Convicts ; but the means placed at his dis
posal are entirely inadequate to carry out the beneficent pur
poses of the lav,r. Your association will sup]plement his
work, and, I do not doubt, prove a most useful coadjutur
in givinp the right kind of help, at the right time, to such of
the weak, the erring, and the unfortunate as sincerely desire
to reform, ' Louis D. Pilsbuet.

Office of the Conn. Peison Association.
Haetfoed, Conn., Dec. 17, 1881.
Mr. Dunn's Home of Industry is, in my opinion, a valu
able institution, and it surely is a very charitable one. Dur
ing the past two yeiirs I have been quite familiar with its
workings, and have, on his invitation, placed in his care sev
eral discharged prisoners — natives of New York — whom we
deemed incorrigible, and dared not recommend to any em
ployer. If all of these had turned out badly I could not
flave considered it to be the fault of Mr. Dunn's Home ; but
some of them have done so well under his advice and with
his kind assistance, that I am astonished at his success. Mr.
Dunn's Home is worth more to New York than another po
lice station. Perhaps this is " damning it with faint praise,"
but my meaning is, that he enlists the will of the dangerous
class towards a correct life, instead of trying to compel it.
John C. Tatloe, Secretary.

Letters of Recom7ne7idatioti. i -j
New Yor;K State Refoematoet.
Elmiea, Dec. 17th., 1881.
That it is the duty of society to foster wise efforts for the
•discharged prisoners of our State, there can be no doubt;
indeed, this is a phase of benevolent work that is becomino^
more and more a necessity, because the army of released
prisoners, unless introduced into self-sustaining industries,
will return to crime. There is no greater need now than
some wise provision for their support by their own labor,
•coupled with authoritative supervision, such as we exercise
oyer our paroled men. I believe, from the testimony named
above, that Dunn's effort should be sustained, and hope you
will find friends to aid you. Z. E. Beockwat.

New Haven, Sept. 27th, 1883.
Me. Michael Dunn, My Esteemed Friend :
I often think of you and the " Home," and I consider my
coming there last winter the most important episode of my
life. I well remember the cordial, brotherly welcome you
gave me when hope was almost gone, and the world looked
blank and dreary to me. Tiie many pleasant weeks passed
under your roof I shall never forget. The kindness shown
me by you and your estimable wife I shall always remember ;
and the affection of the brothers in the Home towards me I
fully appreciate. It was there that I fully realized how ut
terly worthless I was in the sight of God, for although brought
up by Christian parents, I sadly deviated from the path
marked out for me, and only sought to satisfy my own s. If-
ish gratification to the detriment of my fellow men, and
then relyina; on the mercies of a heartless world ; but in your
Home I put my trust in my Savior, and relied on Him, and
found Him truly merciful to a miserable sinner. My daily
prayer to God is that the men at present with you may fully
realize the pleasant Christian Home, which, through your in
strumentality, has been provided for them ; and by listening
to your advice and teachings, live such lives that at last they
may be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ in the pos
session of the heavenly home prepared for all who love Him
and keep his commandments.
I wi-h you continued success in the Home, and may God's

5 8 Biography of Michael Dunn.
Holy Spirit shine more brightly in your heart than ever, and
may you be the means of bringing many souls to Christ.
Sincerely yours,
This man has just had $3,000 left him by his father, who
lately died in Orange, N. J, M. Dunn.

No. 40 East Houston,
New Yoek, Sept. 24th, 1883.
I left the penitentiary on Blackwell's Island on the 15th
day of February, 1883, at which institution I was sentenced
to serve a term of six months.
On my discharge I came to this city in a state of destitu
tion, not knowing what to do or where to go, for I could find
no one who was willing to give an ex-convict any employ
ment. It seemed to me that every door was closed against
me, and that there was nothing left for me but to do some
thing to get back to prison again ; but I came out determined
to lead an honest life and try and regain the respect of my
fellowmen ; but none but t^e fallen know how difficult it is
to do this.
At last, just as I was about to give up in despair, I was
directed by the hand of God to Michael Dunn's Home of
Industry, where I found that although every other door in
this large city was closed against me, here I was given a
welcome by Mr. Dunn, who took me in and cared for my
bodily wants.
I stayed at his Home about five months, and while there
I learned that there was a better life for me to lead, and that
there was still hope for an ex-convict. It gives me very
great pleasure to add my testimony to the kind treatment I
ever received during my stay in the Home. I did not leave
it until I had procured a good situation in the city ; and I
feel my prosperity is due to the good influences I received
there, which I know served to strengthen my good resolves
to do the right.
May some other poor man be guided to this home and be
blessed by it as I have been. Signed,
N.A, L.

Letters of Recomtiiendation. 59.
SeiDt, 28th, 1883.
I have been an inmate of the Home of Industry three
different times while out of work, and have always received
a welcome whenever I came to Mr. Dunn, the manager.
All that I can say is, that all that are connected with the
Home are willing to do everything for the welfare of those
that are in it, I can say that I have been saved and made
an honest, sober, and industrious working man. I give Mr.
Dunn special credit for the management and care he takes
in it, I am yours truly,
G. W. J.

40 East Houston Stebei,
New Yoek, Sept. 29th, 1883.
To Michael Dunn, Supt. Home of Industry, 40 East Hous
ton Street, N. Y,
Dear Sir: Hearing you are about to publish a short ac
count of your past life, with a notice of the work you are
now engaged in, I, as an inmate, would like to add a word
as testimony to the benefit I have derived from the Home. I
have known Michael Dunn for upwards of four years, and I
have been an inmate three times during that period ; and it
gives me great pleasure to state that I have received great
blessings from the Home.
When I came here I was a poor, miserable drunkard. I
could not pass a rum shop if I had ten cents in my pocket.
Now, thank God , all that is changed. The Lord has heard
my prayers, and saved me from all my troubles.
I have received kind treatment and encouragement from
all the Christian gentlemen interested, and all I have t > give
in return is a grateful heart, and pray that the Lord will
bountifully bless them, and prosper the Home in all things
it undertakes. ^' T-

40 East Houston, New York.
I, W. N., out of a grateful heart, desire to add my testi
mony to the blessings I have received in Michael Dunn's
Home of Industry,

6o Biography of Michael Dunn.
I came out of Sing-Sing state prison on the 12th day of
August, 1882, after having served a term of four years, I
left that 'institution to continue in my old life, feeling that
there was nothing left for me but to go back to crime; but
Almighty God, in his all-wise providence, directed my foot
steps to this Home, and seeing the way in which God had
saved Mr. Dunn, and hearing the testimony of men in his
meetings, of the way in which they had been plucked from
the paths of- sin and crime, and were now leading Christian
lives, I thought that there might perhaps be a chance for
me. So I determined to try, by the help of God, to do the
same ; and I thank Him that to-day I am trying to lead a
Christian life, and am earning an honest livelihood. It is
my firm resolve to continue in the way I am going, and I feel
I am in a very great measure indebted to this Home for my
good resolutions. I think this is the best institution that
has ever been started, and if I had been led to such a home
years ago, I would never have served the terms of imprison
ment I have done ; and it deserves all the" sympathy aud sup
port that Christian people can give.

New Y'oek, January 2d, 1884.
My Dear Bishop:
• May I commend to you Mr, Michael Dunn, a most suc
cessful worker in the work of convict reform in New York,
who goes to San Francisco by request iu the interests of
such a work there. He will tell you of his plans, and I
shall rejoice if you can give him a word of cheer and ap
proval. Believe me, dear Bishop, Very faithfully yours,
H. C. POTTEE.

rFrom Lights and Shadows, a paper published by the Bible and Fruit
Mission of New York, August number, 1883.]
We publish the, folio wing extract from a letter from Mr.
John Louson, of Montreal, believing it will be an encourage
ment to Michael Dunn in his work. He is engaged in visit
ing the prison of that city in connection with the Y. M. C.
A. " Some one has sent me a copy of Lights and Shadows for

Letters of Recommendation. 6i
June,_ which has interested me deeply, especially the article
on Michael Dunn, I took it to the penitentiary of St. Vin
cent de Paul, and read it to the convicts, to whom I had
gone to carry the gospel, I am so glad I now know some
place where I can send these unhappy men when they leave
prison, and trust Mr, Dunn may yet win souls to Jesus out
of the Canadian jails, I find, he once served a sentence of
six months in the Montreal jail, in 1871,

New Yoek, January 12th, 1884.
Mr. Michael Dunn, Superintendent,
My Dear Sir : Your letter of resignation has been re
ceived, and the trustees, having considered it, approve of the
purpose which moves you to resign your present position,
believing that such " Homes " ought to exist in every large
city, and that your experience in the work here should fit
you to assist in their formation elsewhere. They accept
your resignation, and wish me to express to you their cordial
confidence and esteem, and their best wishes for your future
success. Yours very truly, J. H. Boswell, President,
Home of Industry and Refuge for
Discharged Convicts.

TJniveesity Place Peesbytbeian Chuech,
New Yoek, January I9th, 1884.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is to certify, that Michael Dunn, and Margaret, his
wife, are members in good standing of the University Place
Presbyterian Church, of New York City, and that they are
commended to the confidence and fellowship of any Chris
tian people among whom they may be providentially cast.
Mr. Dunn has been for several years engaged in a most
self-denying and, successful work among ex-convicts in the
city of New York, and now leaves for the purpose of es
tablishing, in other large cities, institutions similar to that
which he has founded and administered here. He deserves
the aid and encouragement of all who are interested in the
salvation of men. Gboege Alexandee,
Pastor of the University Place Pres. Church, New York.

<52 Biography of Michael Dunn.
Office of Coreesponding Secretary,
65 Bible House, New York, January 18th, 1884.
To Whom It May Conceen:
It gives me a great deal of pleasure in saying good-bye
aud God speed to my esteemed friend, Michael Dunn, and to
give him also this letter of greeting and recommendation to
all who are, like myself, engaged in trying to raise the fall
en, and help the unfortunate who have been in prison.
There are scores — I may say hundreds — of men in this city
who are leading honest lives, having been led from lives of
crime by Mr. Dunn. He has worked iu generous cooperation
with this society, and his counsels aud help have been be
yond ])rice to us. We shall miss him greatly, but say most
heartily " God speed his work wherever he may be."
Wm. M.'F. Round.

^ No. 40 East Houston,
New Y''oek, March 3d, 1884.
My Dear Fkibnd Mike :
Your welcome letter was just received, and I assure you
it gave me very great pleasure to hear that j'ou received
sucli a hearty welcome in San Francisco, and 1 know that
God will bless your efforts. I need not tell you, Mike, that
you are having my prayers. I only wish I were out there
with you all. I often think of you, and of the many kind
nesses you showed me, and also Mrs. Dunn. It seemed to
me that when you left I lost the only real friends I had.
You know while you were here I always felt any and every
act of kindness to me more than my words could express.
How much do you think, Mike, I could get out to Frisco, for
I would so very much like to get there if I could manage it
in any way. I suppose Henry will be getting near his jour-
. ncy's end by this time. When you see Henry McCoy re
member me to him, and tell him I would like to get a letter
from him.
Mr. Boswell has employed an experienced brush maker.
He is paying him %V1 per week.
Our meetings continue about the same as when you were
here. I do not lead any of them now, for Charlie Stewart
has his own ])artlcular stars from Water street mission to do
« hat, such as Tom Scott, Vaughn, Miner, etc. I think, Mike,

Letters of Recommendation. 63
that this month will settle me for the Home, for I ouo-ht to
be doing better than I am, and I am becoming more dissat
isfied every day.
George Devine came down and lead our meeting the Sat
urday after you left. Lawton and (1.23) has left off buyin<^
brooms here ; they buy from Devine now. °
All the boys desire to be remembered to you, with a few
exceptions. Praying that God may bless both you and
yours, and sending my best wishes and regards to Mrs. Dunn
and children, I am, dear friend.
Yours very truly,
Sidney West.
Billy Nellies sends his regards. Will write you soon.

Office op General Agent, 65 Bible House,
New York, May 10, 1884.
Deae Mr. Dunn :
Your letter of April 25th came duly to hand. I saw Wm.
Nellies yesterday ; he wants to come to California very
much ; he says his health has not been good for a week or
so, and hopes change of climate will do him good. I told
him from my experience I thought it would. He is to make
the enquiry about how much an emigrant ticket would cost
to come overland, so as to avoid the Isthmus of Panama at
this season.
I hope your committee will help you to all the money you
need to carry on your work and be comfortable, so that you
won't have to pawn things as you did in Water street. The
laborer is indeed worthy of His hire.
Mr. Round is not well, and is now away in Massachusetts
resting, which he seems to need vevy much. I am working
away steadily as usual. Thanks for the Pacific Churchman.
I was glad to read Bro. Hill's article ; he loves his work.
A good many of us here are looking to see how you pro
gress in your new Home, in California. I hope you will be
well sustained by your new friends there ; but at all events,
I hope you will show them what can be done by an earnest
Christian, with a heart full of the love of Christ and desires
for the reformation of these erring men.
For this purpose we must cultivate the spirit of Christ.
nnd let them know that what we do for them, we do it foi

64 Biography of Michael Dunn.
Christ's sake, because he has been merciful and kind to us.
Wishing you and your wife good health and great encour
agement to labor on in the cause of the Master,
I am, very truly yours, S. Cutter.

Boston, Mass., June 19, 1884.
My Deae Beothbe in Christ :
Grace, mercy and peace. I sincerely trust that you and
yours are well, and that the work is flourishing in San Fran
cisco. I have written to many friends in California, urging
them to visit and encourage you in your work, and to see
that the work was given wide notice in the j)apers, so that
it should be as efficient, as possible. I hope that some, at
least, have responded to the appeal, and so have encouraged
you. Through Mr. BosweU I have heard of your success,
and was glad also to hear from him that your work in New
York city is still progressing. I am very busy here in Bos
ton, but I want to assure you of my remembrance of you and
your work. I shall be glad of your progress.
Have you made the acquaintance of T. B. Morris, 22 Sac
ramento street, S. F., yet ? If not, I wish you would call on
him and give him my regards, add I think you can interest
him in the work.
I wish you would also send a letter to G. M. Francis, Esq.
Napa, Cal., and invite him to call on you and look into your
work. He is editor of a paper at Napa. Give him my
name in your letter.
There are others of whom I will try and write to you, but
perhaps you do not need them.
BIr. S. Close and my daughter join me in prayers for you
and your work. God bless you, and help you bring many
a poor fellow to the blessed Jesus. Your friend,
V. A, Lewis.

New Yoek, May 11, 1884.
Dear Mr. Dunn :
You have no doubt, before this time, came to the conclu
sion that I am a very ungrateful person in not answering
your kind letters, but if you only knew what I have suffered

Letters of Recommendation. 65
since I saw you, I don't think you would blame me. My wife
took very sick in February, My small wages was not able to
pay doctors and buy medicine. I went to see Doctor L. ; I
got acquainted with him around at the missions, you know
who I mean ; he does be at the Bowery mission. I stated
my case to him. He came to see my wife once and pr(.m-
. ised he would do all he could for me, but I never saw him
since, although he passed the house every day. I got brok
en-hearted and worn out, and after eight months away from
drink I took a glass to cheer me up ; but I found out after
taken that first glass the devil had control over me and I
took more, but when I found out I could not stop, I walked
right down to Bellevue Hospital and stated my case to them
and they took me in and kept me there for tliree days, and
then I went down to the Home in Houston street, but it did
not appear like the Home to me. I missed you and Mrs,
Dunn; they were all pretty near strangers to me, except
Billy and a few more; God knows my heart this night, and
there is no man wants to live a sober life, and a good Chris
tian life more than I do, but I have had a hard time of it ;
but God has been merciful to me in sparing my life, and to
night I thank God I have my wife in a comfortable place up
in Fremont, where she gets the best of treatment, and I
have been working for Mrs, Allen for the past two weeks, I
only stopped in the Home about three weeks, I tell you
I missed Mrs, Dunn around the kitchen ; I hope she is well,
I am happy to hear you are getting on well, and may God
prosper you and Mrs. Dunn in all your undertakings, I
would be most happy to hear from you and Mrs, Dunn at
any time, and I shall answer, for with God's help I never in
tend to taste rum again, I could be a rich man to-day only
for it, but for the balance of my life I am going to serve
God, and Him only, and not look to others. I will now
close, hoping to hear from you soon. Give my kind regards
to Mrs. Dunn and the little hum and the boys, hoping you
are aU well, I am,
dear Mr. Dunn, your well wisher,
W. F.
P. S. You can direct your letters to me to the Home in
care of Charlie Stewart until I get settled.

66 Biografhy of Michael Dunn.

THE DETROIT HOME.
"Was started March 1, 1888, with Michael Dunn as Superintendent-
The Home in Detroit was organized on the same principle as was
New York, San Erancisco, and Chicago, viz : "Except a man labor
neither shall he eat." The men are lodged and fed in the Home, 641
Beaubien street, and are kept busy all day in the manufacture of
brooms. A record is kept of every man's name and history, also of
his conduct and labor while he remains an inmate of the Home.
Every morning a bell is rang at 6 a. m. followed closely by breakfast,
after which all the inmates go to appointed work. Dinner at noon
and supper at 5:20 o'clock breaks the hours of labor. Evening pray
ers at 6. p. m. after all are at liberty to read, converse, etc., in the read
ing room. The purpose of the Home is to give men, who have been
in State prison, a shelter and some assistance in finding employment
to sueh as show a desire to reform. A certain number of convicts
are ready to reform after a first experience in the penitentiary. They
have no particular desire for criminal pursuits, but, at the same time,
not being able to find work nor give reference, we help them to help
themselves. To secure the safety of society is one of our main points; for every
ex-convict that we restore to honest livelihood is so much gained to
society, and there ought to be larger and more numerous subscriptions
made in support of the home. Then we might have a Home of our
own, where more of these people could be looked after, for it would
be as easy to look after a greater number as the smaller number now
in charge. We have no doubt that if the Object of the Home was
rightfully understood, subscriptions would readily be given to esta
blish it upon a proper basis.
The only discouragiig feature in connection with the work has
been the lack of that support which should be received from Christian
people. This, doubtless, arises from the fact that they have not been
informed of the character of the work which is going on at the home.
A report of all work done, conduct of inmates, and their success,
as well as receipts of contributions, wiU be issued regularly. The
Superintendent of the Home and men now behind prison bars appeal
to the public for assistance to carry on their good work. We trust in
God to bless this Home as he did in New York, San Francisco, and
Chicago. MICHAEL DUNN, Ba'pt. und Fouwder,
641 Beaubien Street,
There is naturally a prejudice in the public mind against taking
men into establishments who have once fallen, and yet, as experience
shows, the risk is very small. As a rule a quandom thief, who takes
to honest labor in any shape, really wishes to reform and knowing
that he is being allowed a trial by those who know all about his
antecedents, he makes it a point of honor not to wrong an employer.
It has been proven beyond a doubt that the main spring of crime is
drink, for it gives a man a false courage that he will dare almost any
kind of danger to make his point. The ex-convict is not without a
friend for if he is really disposed to forsake the ways of crime he ,
finds just the assistance he needs in Michael Dunn, who takes him in
hand and endeavors to make him feel that he has found a friend and

The Detroit Home. 67
a home. The work is arduous for most every day brings its fresh
complement of subjects, requiring attention, but its good effects do
not end with the individuals reclaimed ; a reformer of thieves is a
national benefactor. The hour of leaving prison is necssarily a very
critical one, especially to a young adventurer, who to use a custom
ary phrase, hasn ever been in trouble before. The man comes to
another turning point in his life, another chance of reform is before
him; he may make a stand for freedom and honesty, but if he should
fall he will in all probability lapse into a more inveterate rogue than
he was before ; left to himself to fight and scheme in a world which
has no sympathy for him. He may not always be master of himself,
even though his intensions may be good. If he seeks a situation he
does so trembling, lest the truth should leak out that he is an ex-con
vict, had been confined in Jackson or lona penitentiary; and some
times, even when he is honestly working to retrieve a lost character,
the eSorts of months, or it may be years, when the evil rumor finds
its way to his employer's ears.
It will be obvious to all who think about the subject, that to such
a discharged prisoner as we have described, a helper like Michael
Dunn is a heaven-sent friend. He is so well acquainted with the
nature of the world they were born and reared in, with their trials
and temptations which early beset their pathway, that they can with
out hesitation make him their confident. Also Michael Dunn with
his experience as a worker among ex-convicts knows a man readily
whether he is trying to do right or wrong and to carry on this good
work Mr. Dunn earnestly asks the public at large to assist him, in
cast off clothing, provisions, and in fact most anything will be thank
fully received.
In writing the preceding chapters Mr. Dunn's object has been to
show that ordinary criminals are amenable to Christian influences,
and that consequently what we conventionally call Mission to
thieves, Eef uge for ex-convicts, and Home of Industry are, if pro
perly conducted, one of the most remunerative forms of service
undertaken by a working church. The Unitarian church of this
city has extended a helping hand to us and have helped us to
establish our Home. Our Home of Industry is unsectarian.
"Whosoever will may come" that has been in prison and has a
desire to reform. It is to be found tliat many persons when they
have thought of these hardened natures, who in many instances
have been born and bred amidst the worst associations, have thought
of them as subjects who could never be reclaimed; and that the most
society could do was to act in self-defense through the terrors of
the law.

68 Biogra-phy of Michael Dunn.

PRISON LIFE— A THIEVES' SUPPER.
On a certain afternoon in December, after a cold, stifling fog of
the previous night and morning had cleared away, I and a companion
sought admittance at the common entrance of Her Majesty's Goal of
Newgate, when, having shown the order kindly furnished by the
Lord Mayor, we were privileged to inspect the gloomy but historical
prison under the guidance of an intelligent Christian official, who ap
peared to be the Deputy-Governor. The place and its wretched in
mates were allied to the"present subject. So much so as to understand
the one in a!l its bearings, it seemed desirable to see a site which a
century ago had excited the interest of Howard, and which remains
a great land mark of both Old and New London. It is only a very
brief period in the history of the nation since the ordinary prisons
were centers of moral and physical contagion which were a danger as
well as a disgrace to the commonwealth; but the more flagrant abuses-
were not abolished at one, sweep without persistent persevering effort.
In Mrs. Meredith's opinion Surrey, as a county, attained long ago to
an unenviable notoriety in regard to its crime; and at a recent
assembly she de.«cribed Brixton Prison, in which the operations of
herself and associates were commenced twenty years ago, as having
been the worst spot in all Christendom. In the most literal sense
criminals were the outcasts of society; so long as the full compliment
of punishment was inflicted, no one seemed to care either for their
bodies or their souls, while the goal was a school which sent out its
subjects viler than it received them. The prisons of England were
hardly better than common pest-houses until the latter years of the
last century, when John Howard traversed the entire country, ex
plored their horrible recesses, and created a public sentiment which
attracted the attention of Parliament, and led to some measure of
reform. But while a good beginning was thus made, it was not until
Howard had passed away that Elizabeth Pry early in the present
century began to work for the amelioration of the condition of the.
female criminals whose condition in Newgate and elsewhere was bad
beyond the conception of the present generation. In the spring of
1817 Elizabeth Fry founded the association for the improvement of
the female prisoners in Newgate, and the work carried on iu London
was soon extended to provincial towns. The reform asked for by the
devoted Quakeress and her co-workers has been universally adopted
in all prisons under British rule; and the only wonder to ourselves of
these better days is that such commonplace safeguards should have
been so long ignored. Elizabeth Fry continued her great mission by
traveling about Great Britain and Ireland as well as through many of
the cities of the United States, very much after the manner of
Howard; and when she passed away In 1843 she had become recog
nized as one of the most distinguished philanthropists of her time.
In the country and borough prisons of Great Britain and Ireland
(there are about twenty-five thousand prisoners confined and a tenth
of these are women. For more than twenty years after the close of
Elizabeth Fry's labors these unhappy subjects appear to have been
too generally neglected, their misery and depravity have been
unknown to ordinary people outside the dismal houses in which they
were confined. The late Miss Carpenter wrote and spoke with much
effect on tne subject. She also read a paper before the Social

Prison Life — A Thieves'" Suffer. 6^
Science Association, and the general result was a desire on the part
•of the public and the government to inaugurate some system of im
proved dicipline. For thirty years one lady. Miss Prazer, had been
:a friend of the cOnvicts, but more extended and better organized
operations were needed. So anxious were the authorities any kind
of co-operations which promised to aid the cause of reform, that one
lady was granted permission to enter any convict prison as a Pro
testant gratuitous lady visitor; while another lady of title accented a
similar privilege as a Roman Catholic. There is much in Newgate
itself to remind visitors of the grim fortress, such as may have
haunted their imaginations through reading fairy tales; or they m;iy
seem to identify the frowning soot-incrusted walls, four feet in thick
ness, the massive oaken doors, bound together with iron, and the
heavy bars and gigantic locks, with the veritable residence of Giant
Despair. Certain it is, that no modern Jack Sheppard would be able
to effect his escape by any amount of ingenuity or daring. The low
¦doorway of the Old Bailey, with its ugly spikes, grated windows
above and at the sides, which leads into a very sombre kind of
entrance hall, all are in keeping with our preconceived notions of this
city prison. Descending to the ground floor, we saw six empty
dungeons which had not been occupied for two years, and which are
•only used as an extra punishment in extreme cases. When the
double doors with which each one in provided close upon the nn-
• happy wretch whose violence and obstinacy may have earned so
severe a correction, no ray of light, not even the slightest sound from
without, can penetrate the gloom, the horrid darkness with the per
fect silence is literally that of a living tomb. After allowing himself
to be imprisoned for-a tew minutes, a certain American gentleman
guessed that the whole thing was about as perfect as could be — 'the
-darkness was something to lean against, in fact;' while a lady who
accompanied him, and who questioned whether even Newgate
officials could enforce silence upon her if she chose to speak, con
fessed that the dark cell and a little starvation might possibly have
the desired effect. We heard of the case of one very violent man,
who dared all the Queen's officers to do their worst. When placed
In the dark ceil he threw the bread allowed him after the deputy-
governor, but it was placed on the hard planks which serve as the
only bed, and then the great double door was closed. After a brief
confinement the man appeared to be so far conquered that he con
fessed how the refractory cell was 'a queer place,' and showed his
gratitude for the piece of bread he had at first refused. He confessed
.something more. While surrounded with preternatural-like dark
ness and silence, all the events of a misspent life from early childhood
passed before him; and he had such an opportunity as he had never
had before of taking stock and striking a profit-and-loss account of
his whole career. There if hope for such a man, especially when, as
in the case of Newgate, there were earnest Christians among the
•officials to give a repentant sinner worthy advice. In common with
other visitors we submitted to a fi'w minutes' solitary confinement
with the doors properly fastened, and thus can conscientiously testily
to the thorough genuineness of all the arrangements.
In bidding adieu to the Deputy-Governor, we realized the truOi of
his words when he intimated thai all of us were made of tlie same
¦.stuff as the poor criminal with whom he had to do ; and that it was

7o Biografhy of Michael Dunn.
possible for any to fall into sin, such as had undone others, unless
restrained by the grace of God.

LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. New York, November 15, 1888.
My Dear Mr. Dunn: — For many years yet to come, there will
be living monuments to your work in New York. No man knows
better than I do, how many men were saved to honest lives through
your instrumentality under God. So long as I see these men, I shall
hold the remembrance of you and your work in New York as one of
the precious belongings of my heart. I hope great things from your
work in Detroit, and am always Faithfully Yours,
Wm. M. P. ROUND,
Corresponding Secreta/ry Prison Association, New York.
Chicago, November 9, 1888.
Michael Dunn,
My Dear Friend: — I am glad to hear that you purpose publishing
a new edition of your autobiography and will be glad to buy a few
copies for circulation among my friends. It will do good to the
cause you have espoused, and I hope return you a goodly sum for the
comfort of your later years. I admire your strong faith, your earnest,
self-sacrificing labor, and am in warm fellowship with you in your
line of work. May "Our Father" keep you in His "peace that.
passeth understanding" or expression. Your Friend,
JOHN W. PLUMMER.
Chioago, November 9, 1888.
Mr. Michael Dunn,
Mespected Intend: — Your letter of the 6ih came duly to hand and I
am pleased that you are intending an early publication of your life,
I am sure it will benefit all who may read it. You have a great
many well-wishers in Chicago who certainly will want a copy. You
may send me ten copies with bill when published.
Very truly yours, B. M. BUTLER.
Kalamazoo, November 20.
Friend Michael Dunn: — I have noticed with the deepest interest
the great and good work you are doing for unfortunate humanity,
and I cannot find words expressive enough to tell the wonderful in
fluence you have had over hundreds and hundreds of this class of
men and boys who have come to you for refuge and help, and who
are now leading honest, upriglit lives. I feel sure we were most for
tunate when we secured your service and appoint you Superintendent
of the Michigan Home of Industry for discharged prisoners, and we,
all look for great and good things from your earnest Christian work
in our State. Your sincere friend,
AGNES L. d'ARCAMBAL.

Letters of Enconragcynent. 'JZ
DUNN'S Home of industry, 1
No. Ill Center Aveaue, [¦
CmoAGO, III. )
As you are soon to complete the term of your imprisonment, I
desire as a friend to aid you all I can in regaining the priceless treas
ure that you have lost. My object is to give you temporary employ
ment until you can obtain work at your trade, or at whatever business
you may be qualified to enter upon. I presume of course you will be
glad to earn an honest living. If you have no home or friends to
whom you oan go, I ofl:er you a home to which you will be welcome
so long as you are willing to work and abide by the rules governing
this home. It has been a pleasure to me to aid hundreds of men who
have come from prison determined to lead a better life, and a greater
pleasure to know that many of them have regained their place in
society and are prosperous and respected; and sad to know that others
have fallen again and are wearing away their lives behind prison
bars; and all because they would not be sober and industrious. A
man that will totally abstain from all intoxicants, keep away from
the saloon and other disreputable places and be industrious and honest
¦will surely succeed, while a man that will not do this will as surely
fail and be brought to disgrace. " If you are determined to enter upon
your liberty with an exalted purpose to redeem the past, I shall be
glad to extend to you a redeemed brother's helping hand, and the
comforts of this home, and a place in the shops until such time as
you may secure employment elsewh'jre.
I am yours sincerely,
MICHAEL DUNN,
Manager and Founder.

72 Biografhy of Michael Dunn.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL
ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO.

Organized effort for the reformation of the criminal in this country
is of very recent date. The first Home for aiding discharged con
victs was founded in New York in 1879 by Michael Dunn, supported
by W. S. Hatch, John N. Stearns and a few other philanthropic
men. It has gone on prosperously, and from a very small beginning
has grown into an important and very useful institution.
It owns the building it occupies, with a capacity of fifty inmates.
It gave shelter and employment to 361 men during 1887.
Another similar Home for ex-convicts was founded also by
Michael Dunn in San Francisco in 1884, and is doing a useful work
there. From that city Mr. Dunn came to Chicago, and established the
Home which is now In successful operation here. A man of very
limited education, born of crimina' parents, a criminal himself at the
age of seven, he spent thirty-five years of his life in prison, and
when, iu 1878, he was discharged from his third term in Sing Sing,
his reformation seemed the last thing to be hoped for; but by the
providence of God he was led to the mission of Jerry McAtdey, in
Water street. New York, and there converted, and has since devoted
himself, with untiring zeal and love, to the reclamation of his class.
Hundreds of men, once confirmed criminals, who are now leading
honest, industrious lives, owe their reformation to this humble,
earnest man. He has saved the state hundreds of thousands of dollars
by taking these men out of the criminal class.
In February last he resigned the position of superintendent of the
Chicago Home and went to Detroit, where he has established another
institution for the lifting up of his fallen fellow-men.

SELECTIOl^S.

The reading of the following lines may do some good, by
inciting us to look deep down into one's own heart before
we talk of the faults of others.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY.
In speaking of a person's faults.
Pray don't forget your OT«(n :
Remember those with homes of
Should seldom throw a stone :
If you have nothini^ else to do
But talk of those that sin,
*Tis better we commence at home
And from that point begin.
Wo have no right to judge a man.
Until he's fairly tried :
Should we not like his company,
We know the world is wide.
Some may have faults — and who has not ?-
The old aa well as young ;
Perhaps we may, for aught we know,
Have fifty to their one.
I'll tell you of a bettnr plan,
And find it works fall well :
To try my own defects to cure
Before of others' tell.
And though I soraet-imes hope to be
No worse than some I know.
My own shortcomings bid me let
The faults of others go.
Then let us all, when we commence
To slander friend or foe.
Think of the harm one word would do
To those we little know.
Remember curses, sometimes, lite
Our chickens, ' ' rocst at home " :
Don't speak of others' faults until
We have none of our own.

Selections, 67
Deae Beothbes : — The following was written by one
who was a thief forty-six years, and was a prisoner thirty-
five years in eleven different prisons, but who has found
out by the grace of God, through the blood of Christ, that
honest labor has its reward.
THE PEJSOK BELL.
It was night, and in my lonely cell,
The pale moon's playful shadows fell ;
So bright, I dreamt that all ou earth
Was changed once more to smiles and mirths
The morning dawned, the rising sun
His glorious course, through heaven begun
When honest man, with heartfelt strides
Goes whistling by the prison sides. i
While I, in bonds, with heart downcast
Deep grieving present and the past,
Lay half unconscious in my cell.
Till summoned by the prison bell.
Day past, aud when all days are past.
And I upon death's waves am cast,
May I a pitying Saviour see,
To let this captive prisoner free,
To see the joys that heart can't tell.
To hear no more the prison bell.

IN PRISON'.
God pity the wretched prisoner,
In his lonely cell to-day,
Whatever the sin that tripped him,
God pity him still, I pray.
Only a glimpse of sunshine,
Through the walls of stone,
Only a patch of azure
To starve his hope upon ;
Only surging memories
Of a past that is better gone ;
Only scorn from women
Only hate from men ;
Only Remorse to whisper
Of a life that might have been I
Once we were little children,
And then our unstained feet

68 Biography of Michael Dupn.
Were led by a gentle mother,
Towards the golden street.
Therefore if in life's forest
We since have lost our way.
For sake of her who loved us,
God pity us still, I pray.
O mother, gone to heaven I
With earnest prayer I ask
That your eye may not look earthward
On the failure of our task !
For even in those mansions.
The choking tears would rise,
Though the fairest hand in heaven
Should wipe them from your eyes.
And you who judge us harshly, —
Are you sure the stumbling stone
That tripped the feet of others
Might not have bruised your own?
Are you sure the sad-faced angel
Who writes our errors down,
Will ascribe to you more honor,
Than him no whom yon frown?
Or if a steadier purpose
Unto your life be given
A stronger will to conquer,
A smoother path to heaven, —
If when temptations meet you,
You crush them with a smile.
If you oan chain Pale Passion,
And keep your lips from guile :—
Then bless the hand that crowned yon {
Remembering as you go,
"Tis not you own endeavor
That shaped your nature so ;
And sneer not at the weakness
Which made a brother fall.
For the hand that lifts the fallen,
God loves the best of all.

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