Part 3
He took my hand and there was a steady light in his eye that made me believe every word he said. But when I asked him how he got such a faith, he could only tell me that he went to a ‘mourners bench’ two years before and sought till he found it. This did me no good, for there was no place accessible here. In sore perplexity I read the Bible from day to day and prayed, taking my turn in praying aloud and reading with the others. At length I thought I began to see that trusting Christ must be something like taking his words and teachings for my guide, trying to do all that he commanded, and leaving the result while I did this with him. This was not that sudden transformation that I had hoped, but I soon found that it opened up a good many things that I had never dreamed of. One of these seemed especially strange under the circumstances. I had yet but a slender hope of ever escaping from the prison except by the way of the scaffold. But in spite of that dark prospect as an absolute test of my obedience—‘Will you, if satisfied that it is God’s will, be ready to give up the profession of law if you ever get home and go into the ministry?’ The first and spontaneous reply was, No! I had studied law and meant to practice it if I ever got where law reigned. But at once the self response was clear, ‘What kind of obedience was this?’ I saw that I was not sincere in professing to enlist under Christ as my captain unless I would really obey him. It would be a poor allegiance that stopped short with the things I wanted to do. For a long time I could not pass this point. The difficulty when communicated to my prison companions seemed utterly absurd. ‘Try to serve God in the prison where you are,’ they said with a cheer plausibility, ‘and do not bother about preaching, being a lawyer or anything else, when you get out, for you never will get out.’ This seemed good advice but it would not give a serene mind or the victory over the fear of death, which I so much desired.
“One after another of those in the prison found the comfort I lacked. And it was not until wearied and worn-out that I vowed that if God would only give me peace I would serve him as sincerely in prison or out of it as I had tried to serve my country, and in any way he might direct. From this time I did have a steady conviction that I was on the Lord’s side and that I had a right to commit myself and my life to his keeping. Though all newspapers were strictly forbidden, yet through the kindness of negro waiters we were supplied and thus kept posted regarding war news.... We all remember with deepest gratitude the visit of a minister. When he left he promised to send us some books and did not forget to promptly forward them. These we took good care of, read thoroughly to all in the room, and then returned, asking for more. These he generously gave and we thus continued until we had read nearly his whole library. Those only who know what a dreadful weariness it is to pass days without any definite employment can realize the great boon these good books bestowed on us. It made the prison room a veritable school, and in view of our religious efforts the character of the books was just what we would most have desired, as they were of a religious cast, which only made them the more welcome. But there is no employment upon which I look back with more pleasure than that for which the minister’s books furnished us the material. With fifteen persons in a room not more than eighteen feet square it was needful to preserve quiet if any reading must be done. We therefore appointed regular reading hours, two in the forenoon and the same in the afternoon. During this time no one was permitted to speak above a low whisper and all noise and running about was forbidden. Those who did not wish to read might sleep. Sometimes the books were read silently, but for a part of the time in nearly every period a volume of general interest would be selected and read aloud. These books would often furnish subjects and arguments for discussion in the debating periods that followed. We gained a great deal of knowledge in our novel school, which has been of lifelong value. Books of travel, adventure, history, biography, and theology—no fiction—were freely read and brought the freshness of the outside world into our dreary captivity.”
The foregoing gives us a vague idea of what can be done for the welfare of the prisoners in the jails, work-houses, and penal institutions of our land, towards making the prisoners happy by supplying them with good books, tracts, papers, and such like. Oh, the neglect on this line! Were prisoners thus supplied, their minds would not be occupied during the solitary hours in scheming and planning the best modes of perpetrating crime. Get a man interested in a good book and you thus place him in good company. He may never see you, but with deep feelings of gratitude will ever have the kindest feelings toward those who thus bestowed the kind favor of placing him in possession of such a companion.
For the entertainment of the prisoner and to develop an interest in literary work they have been allowed to publish prison papers. Some of these are very small while others are large and well edited. About three years ago at Sing Sing Prison, in the state of New York, it was decided to issue a bi-weekly twenty-six-page paper to be edited and printed entirely by convicts. No article is allowed in the paper except those composed and furnished by the inmates of the prison. When papers are thus printed and distributed among the prisoners it has a great controlling influence and creates a general interest in literary work.
TOBACCO ALLOWANCE.
Most prisoners are users of tobacco, yet there are many who do not use it. Some prisons allow a pound of tobacco a month, some two pounds every month. This is generally manufactured at the prison where it is used. One of the modes of punishment, and a very effective one too, is to deprive the men of their tobacco for disobedience. With many this is one of the most severe punishments instituted. When a man enters prison he is given a copy of the rules of the prison and also a ticket stating the privileges of the use of the library, books, letter-writing, tobacco allowance, etc. Failure to comply with the rules ofttimes means to be deprived of these privileges for a month or longer. Some time ago we placed a number of tracts in prisons showing the evil effects of tobacco on the human system, the filthiness and offensiveness of tobacco, etc., and we were pleased to note the results by way of convincing many prisoners to discontinue the use and give up the habit. While some are able by strong willpower to discontinue the use of it, yet but comparatively few people can in their own strength quit its use and rid themselves of the appetite. But many can testify that they have not only been able to quit its use, but have had the appetite removed by the power of God in answer to prayer.
PRISONERS’ WORK.
Men and women are sent to prison to work. The sentence is generally so many years in state prison at hard labor. It is right and proper that they should work and should be made to work faithfully. It is not supposed that they receive a sentence to enter a paradise for so many years. In the different prisons the work is quite different. There are prisons where the prisoners are required to spend almost their entire time of working hours from 600 to 800 feet under ground digging coal. At some places the veins of coal are so shallow that the prisoners are compelled to lie down and stretch themselves out or be in a half-way sitting posture while at their work. Such prisoners often contract colds, rheumatism, and other diseases which rapidly shorten their lives. In other prisons they are taken out in gangs to work on the public highways and crush stone. However, some prisons furnish the prisoners work within the prison walls. Much of this labor is let out to contractors who have a business of making clothing, harness, whips, brooms, etc. In such cases the contractors pay the state a small amount each day for the labor of the prisoners. Many complaints have been made, and many of them justly, because of the unfair requirements and treatment of the prisoners. This should be more carefully looked after by the prison inspectors of the state, and we are glad to know that in many places it is receiving attention.
The time for working ranges from ten to fourteen hours per day. In the United States prison at Leavenworth, Kans. they rise at six o’clock, and when the men are ready to go to their work, three hundred of them march two miles and one-half to their work, a hundred more go two miles in another direction to work on a farm, while others are otherwise occupied till six o’clock in the evening. As a general thing, if the prisoner is careful to obey the rules and work well, he is not likely to have much trouble with the officials. However, in some prisons very few escape extra punishments of some kind.
THE STOCKADES.
The stockade is an enclosure, or pen, made with posts or sticks stuck in the ground. It is generally a temporary affair. These are to be found in the South and Southwest mostly. Here is where the worst treatment is to be found among the prisoners. Some of the southern states are providing better for their prisoners, but others are far behind what they should be. A stockade is sometimes made on the top of a mountain or in some suitable place for working mines. In these southern states not only mining is carried on by the prisoners, but building of roads, railroads, and such like. For instance, where a railroad is being built, large cars are roughly and strongly built in which the prisoners are locked when not at their work. Women in some of these places are required to clear the land, roll logs, do drudgery, and in many instances are so shamefully used and treated that it is a disgrace to a civilized nation. But while such is the case there are noble men and women who are not connected with the prison, as well as many of the more noble prison officers who have been working faithfully for years to bring about a prison reform, and much has been done and is being done on that line. However, could the veil be drawn aside that all might fully realize the situation, the reformation would be more rapid and effective. The stockades do not have literary privileges as a general thing as do our older and well-established prisons. We have received communications from officers in these stockades who are very anxious to have good literature placed at their disposal, assuring us that the same would be highly appreciated and used to the advantage of the prisoners.
THE CHAIN GANG.
It is not an uncommon thing to see a chain gang of prisoners, especially about the stockades. Sometimes they are marched to and from their work shackled with handcuffs, while others are fastened with clanking chains. There are also men to be found with iron bands or rings welded around their necks, to which a chain is fastened with the other end of the chain attached to a ball to prevent their escape. These are generally the most desperate characters.
To those who are acquainted with such scenes it is shocking indeed, and creates a feeling of pity and sympathy which calls for a more humane treatment in behalf of the poor unfortunates. There are men who serve almost an entire term of sentence in stocks or irons, or go to their work in the chain gang, because of a lack of proper provision of accommodations on the part of the state or government, or by unjust, inhumane treatment.
Few men have fallen so low in sin and degradation, or have been so hardened by crime, but yet have at least a spark of humanity or manhood which can be kindled to a flame by proper humane and reformative treatment; where, on the other hand, an undue amount of the imposition of irons and chains causes them to grind with revenge, and seemingly the little spark of manhood is seared over with a more hardened conscience, leaving him still a criminal almost beyond redemption.
[Illustration: The Chain-gang.]
THE FELON’S CELL.
When one is taken to serve a term in prison, has exchanged his citizen’s clothes for a suit of stripes, is measured, and a full description is written in the prison books, he is taken to a cell which is to be his future abode during his confinement, except what time he is at work, at his meals, or is otherwise stationed by the prison officers. We can here only give a description of what is commonly found to be a prison cell. It is a small iron room with a stone floor, and when two convicts are to occupy the same cell, there are two bunks or beds in the cell. The bed-rack is made of iron or wood slats, and the bed-tick is generally filled with corn-husks or some similar material, likewise the pillow. When the beds are not in use they are fastened to the side of the wall with a chain. When down and in use they take up nearly the entire space of the cell, so that it is impossible for the two occupants to pass each other in walking to and fro. The other furniture generally consists of a small tinbucket holding about two quarts of water, and a washbasin. A short-handled broom is also found in one corner of the cell with which the convict brushes it every morning. The walls are either iron or stone, decorated with a small looking-glass and a towel. Each cell contains one chair, as there is not room for two; so that when one sits on the chair the other stands or occupies a seat on the stone floor. The door is made of half-inch iron bars crossing each other at right angles, leaving spaces about two by six inches. Through these spaces come the air, light, and heat.
To give the reader an idea of how one would naturally feel on the first introduction to such a place, we will give it in the language of a prisoner, who says: “After examination I was shown to my cell. It was now about two o’clock in the afternoon of my first day in prison. I remained in the chair during the entire afternoon. Of all the dark hours of an eventful history none have been filled with more gloom and sadness than those of my first day in prison. All my life I moved in the highest circles of society, surrounded by the best and purest of both sexes, and now I was in the deplorable condition of having been hurled from that high social condition down to the low, degraded plane of a convict. As I sat there in that desolate abode of the disgraced I tried to look out down the future. All was dark. For a time it seemed as if that sweet angel we call Hope had spread her wings and taken her departure from me forever. The black cloud of despair somewhat settled down upon me. But very few prisoners possess the ability to make anything of themselves after having served a term in the penitentiary. I sat brooding over these things for an hour or more and my manhood asserted itself and hope returned. I reasoned thus: I am a young man, I enjoy good health, there will be only a few months of imprisonment, and then I will be free. I thought of my loving wife, little children, my aged mother, my kind friends, and for their sake I would not yield to despair. Soliciting aid of a kind heavenly Father I resolved to do the best I could toward regaining what I had lost. I was aware of the fact that when I got out of the penitentiary all the money I would have with which to make another start in life would be five dollars. The United States presents her prisoners upon discharge with a suit of citizens’ clothes and five dollars. This was my capital.”
Truly such a sad condition would be deplorable, but the prisoner can only assert his manhood, lay his plans for the future, and determine to rise above it all, which is not impossible. Many have risen to a good standing in life. What has been done can be done again.
Prisoners who are sentenced to be hanged are generally taken to a cell in the execution house separate from the other prisoners. The convict thus doomed spends the time in this prison and is not required to work. A few months ago I visited a prison, and in the execution building I found two prisoners in solitary cells. One seemed to have made his peace with God, but the other was in deep trouble over his soul, was not ready to meet God, and had only a few more days to live. It seemed he could not pray. He had been reading his Bible and other religious books, but hope had almost fled. After talking with him for a time, I said, “Young man, your time is short unless God in some way intervenes. If you have been guilty of crime and are trying to hide it from your fellow men or denying the charge, you can not hide it from God. Acknowledge before him the facts as they are and call upon him for help.” After praying with him for a while he gave vent to his feelings in most earnest pleas to God, crying out, “I am a murderer.” He continued his earnest pleas until the Lord did forgive him. A week or two later when the death sentence was read to him in his cell, he was ready, and made the remark that they could only take away his breath, for his soul would be forever landed in peace. I saw him march up to the gallows, and as his legs and arms were being strapped and a rope tied about his neck he glanced heavenward as if breathing a silent prayer, and when the electric signal was given, he dropped into eternity.
THE LIBRARY.
While many prisons are not yet supplied with a library, there are efforts being made on this line for the education and elevation of the minds of the prisoners. For those who have already received an education there are many valuable books in the library to furnish them something to occupy their minds at such times as they may have to read. Some states furnish so many thousand books and an appropriation of $500 a year for library purposes. Among the books furnished are scientific works, history, biography, and others of a religious and moral nature, together with many novels and works of fiction. The Christian people of our land should see to it that a greater number of books of a real spiritual cast are placed at the disposal of prisoners.
About two years ago, after receiving some earnest letters of appreciation and thankfulness from prisoners who had received books and papers, a deeper sympathy was awakened in their behalf. For some days I became greatly burdened in behalf of a certain prison, concerning supplying the prisoners with a library of good books. Not knowing whether they had a library or whether the prison officials would receive the books and put them into the hands of the prisoners, I hesitated. As the burden for this matter could not be so easily thrown off, my next step was to visit the prison and make investigations through the prison officials, and was not a little surprised to find they were without a library, though at that time were preparing a large library room, intending to make a plea to the people for a donation of books. As soon as the room was finished it was my pleasure to see that $1000 worth of well-bound books were placed in the library for the prisoners, being donated by those who have an interest in the men behind the bars. It has also been a source of gratitude to know that these books have been appreciated and enjoyed by the many prisoners who read them in their cells and in the library.
In some prisons about twenty per cent. or more of the prisoners are unable to read or write. For this reason schools are being formed where such, especially those who desire to do so, can have a chance to receive an education. These schools are generally held in the library room and taught by one of the prisoners.
THE CHAPEL.
The chapel is the place where prisoners get most of their public instruction aside from what is obtained in the library. It is not often that they have the privilege of attending educational lectures as if they were attending a college or public school; however, in our better prisons steps are being taken to give the well-behaved prisoners advantages on this line occasionally. The general meetings on Sunday are held in the chapel, to which the prisoners are marched in regular order, where several hundred are in weekly attendance. The chaplain generally conducts the regular services or has ministers from the city to take their turns in preaching to them. Prison evangelists are often given the privilege of talking to the prisoners or visiting them at their cells for the welfare of their souls. There are prisons where all visitors and gospel workers are admitted free, while other prisons charge twenty-five cents admission fee. Aside from what is known as the regular chapel services, the prisoners who desire to meet before that hour or remain after, in a social religious prayer-service or Bible class, can have the privilege of doing so. All prisoners are allowed to sing at the general services, although they generally have a select choir. One man in giving a report of the prison choir said: “At one time we had two horse thieves, two rapists—one with a sentence of forty years—three murderers, two hog thieves, and several others with equally villainous records.” It would be difficult at such a place to select a choir that had a clean past record. While these men were criminals when incarcerated, some of them will doubtless always remain criminals, while others have so reformed as to be worthy of a better name.
Many prisoners during their confinement actually get a real experience of salvation, and those desiring to be baptized by immersion go from the chapel to the laundry, and there in a well-filled tank or long troughlike tub receive the ordinance of baptism. The chapel does not have stained-glass windows nor the finery of many modern church buildings; nevertheless the place is supposed to have everything neat and in order, and the men are to observe the strictest decorum and reverence while in attendance.
SCALING THE PRISON WALL.