Part 6

He stoutly maintained that his victim was not intentionally but accidentally shot by him; that he accidentally fired his pistol into the dwelling wherein the boy was domiciled out of his sight. Upon learning that the boy was wounded, perhaps fatally, he procured a doctor to whom he paid $50.00, all the money he had saved from his earnings, to save his life. The boy proved to be wounded beyond the hope of recovery and soon died. The chaplain also ministered to the spiritual welfare of the prisoner and became much impressed with the young man’s apparent religious sincerity and his plausible story of innocence of murder. So much was he interested in him that he made personal and strenuous efforts to save his life. The Governor was appealed to, the Attorney General was called upon for assistance to procure a copy of his trial record, and statements made by him were investigated, and the whole matter submitted to the pardon board for their consideration. After an exhaustive and painstaking consideration of the facts submitted to them the pardon board concluded that he lied and was in fact guilty, and should suffer the penalty for his crime. The Governor, after the conclusion of the pardon board was made known to him, paid the prison a visit. He called upon the doomed man in the death-cell, and the latter made to the Governor a most eloquent and pathetic plea to save his life. With tears streaming down his cheeks, the Governor kindly said, “Would to God I could do so, my boy, but the facts as presented to me are undeniable as to your absolute guilt.”

Now knowing that all hope for escape from the gallows was gone and that he must die, he read his Bible, sang gospel hymns, and played his guitar. He confessed that he was in fact guilty of the crime and was now content to suffer death, as he believed he had made his peace with God. He was baptized, and his demeanor to the scaffold from his cell was admirable and brave. He firmly ascended the stairway leading to the death-trap, stood over it without a tremor while his hands and legs were strapped and the rope adjusted about his neck. When asked by the warden if he had anything to say, he replied in a manly and firm voice, “I have made my peace with God. I am guilty. The causes of my downfall were whiskey and women. Jesus will take me and I am ready and willing to die.”

_Serial No. 3772_—Colored, was received at the prison in 1900, from Fayette County, to be executed for the willful murder of a prominent negro saloon-keeper who refused to furnish him more liquor when he was already drunk. He asked for a Bible, and when it was given to him he seemed to be pleased, and constantly read it. His attorney, however, was skilled in criminal law, and was an indefatigable worker. The prisoner, an intelligent colored man, peaceable and quiet when sober, believed that he would not have to suffer the penalty for his crime. Strenuous efforts were made by his attorney to save his life. The Governor and the board of pardon were respectively appealed to, but the guilt of the man was so conclusive, and the murder so unprovoked, that at all points his appeal for clemency was refused. He bravely and uncomplainingly paid the penalty decreed by the law and professed his belief in the saving power of Jesus.

UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.

_Serial No. 3944_—Committed from Wirt County, under sentence of death for the brutal murder (by means of an ax) of his wife and step-son, a child in years, the motive being to obtain money to be inherited by them, is a constant reader of the Bible, and at all times is ready to argue passages of the Scriptures with any one who will do so with him. His attorneys secured for him a stay of execution pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.

_Serial No. 3972_—Colored, was committed from Kanawha Co. in 1901, for the brutal and unprovoked murder of a negro on account of some money won by gambling. He is a large, middle-aged, gross-looking negro, who has served a term in the penitentiary for stealing. From his life record he appears to have been a vagabond, gambling, preying on the people of his race for a living. He is possessed of some education, a glib tongue, and appears to have made some friends among white people, whom he says are his only friends and are the only persons who will give him any assistance in his effort to escape the gallows. He was to be executed March 22, 1901, but his attorney procured a stay of execution until April 25, pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. He is a constant reader of the Bible.

AN INNOCENT MAN.

_Serial No. 3789_—Committed to the prison in 1899 for twelve years, from Jefferson County, for the alleged crime, in company with other persons, of entering the Potomac river bridge toll-house at Shepherdstown and robbing Richard Morgan and wife, whom they bound and gagged, is an unfortunate victim of untoward circumstances. Evidence has come to light, proved by affidavit, that he is innocent.

THE PRISON CHOIR.

The prison choir is made up of a number of good singers, white and colored, the latter predominating. They are under the skill and direction of Mr. Chas. E. Woodburn, a well-known business man of Moundsville, who has devoted a number of years of his valuable time to these boys as well as to the chapel services, and aided the warden in providing amusement on holidays for the inmates.

APPEAL FOR A PAROLE LAW.

West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville, Jan. 1, 1901.

Dear Sir: Gratified that the generous people of West Virginia have in response to my letters of appeal to them dated Jan. 20, 1899, for donations of literature enabled me to build up a library for my convict charges to 12,000 volumes of books and magazines, I desire to further trespass on their generosity by asking for your support to bring about another measure of reform, viz., a parole law.

The parole law is in force in a number of up-to-date state penitentiaries with remarkable success, bringing protection and good results to society. It saves trouble to prosecuting attorneys and criminal judges, and enables convicts to gain their liberty solely through their individual efforts. For instance, by virtue of the criminal statutes a convict may be sentenced for the minimum of one year or the maximum of five years. The criminal judge upon conviction of the prisoner on trial imposes an indefinite sentence. The convict after the expiration of one year may become eligible to parole if his record is exemplary. Two reliable citizens are required to become surety for the convict’s employment and future good conduct, then he is paroled.

Upon violation of any of the parole conditions, he is returned to prison to serve the maximum sentence. If the convict is a man of family, he is enabled to provide for them; and if he is a single man, he has a chance to become a respected member of society and no longer a menace thereto. Respectfully yours,

S. A. HAWK.

THE WRITER’S LIFE.

That the reader may know and perhaps become interested in the writer of this sketch of the West Virginia prison, he herewith respectfully and modestly submits to them a sketch of his life. I was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1844. My parents, possessed of more than the ordinary education the poor people of Ireland were enabled to receive, journeyed across the American desert to California, having their troubles with the Indians and their Mormon allies. My father hoped to strike a gold mine and become rich, and in the new Eldorado build a home and surround his wife and children—a girl and boy—with all the good things of earth that money could buy. Soon after our arrival at San Francisco, the cholera made its appearance, the plague having been brought to the golden shores of California by emigrants traveling from the east by way of Central America. My father was stricken with it and died. In the Lone Mountain cemetery, of the metropolis of the Pacific coast, he has lain buried for years. The remainder of the family escaped the dread fifty-one disease. Mother was left to struggle alone in a strange land and among strangers to provide for her children. Not afraid of work, she did her duty to her children nobly, faithfully, and well. She now lies buried beside my father in Lone Mountain cemetery, twenty years gone by.

The war-bugle of the Rebellion rang in my ears and woke me to the realization that I had a country to protect and to save. I enlisted in a California regiment of cavalry and served three years with some merit. Upon my discharge from the army I entered an Illinois college to perfect my neglected education, and after graduation I located in Kansas City, Mo. I began at newspaper work, and have continued in that line of work to the present time, with occasional lapses from it to engage in other and more lucrative employment. A soldier of the civil war, having been wounded, injured, and having contracted disease in the line of duty, I was prompted upon McKinley’s election as President to apply for a pension. I went to Washington, D. C., to press my claim in person with the Commissioner of Pensions. He turned me down after I had some words with him relative to his delay in granting to me that which was mine by legal right and title, expressed by the American people through their representative in Congress assembled, and in fulfillment of promises made to the men who saved the nation. Somewhat addicted to the drink habit, I became drunk at my disappointment and the next day I found to my surprise that I was in the police station charged with breaking into and entering a small grocery in Washington City, two miles from my place of dwelling. The alleged damage inflicted was small, but Justice Clabaugh, who had recently been appointed from Maryland, said to me that five years was little enough for the alleged crime.

Serial No. 378.

[Illustration: Penitentiary of the State of West Virginia]

LETTERS FROM PRISON OFFICIALS.

PRISON LIBRARY DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Nebraska State Penitentiary.

Lancaster, Neb., March 7, 1901.

Dear Sirs: Your consignment of eight books at hand, which is very much appreciated. We are doubly unfortunate at the present time, as we have just lost our entire library by fire. We realize too with you that imprisonment is the turning-point for the better in some men’s lives, as we see it exemplified here. At some future time we will send you for publication the views of some of the above men who believe they have been benefited by their prison experience.

Thanking you again for the books sent, and in advance for any books you may see fit to send us, we remain, Yours respectfully,

——, Librarian.

Clinton Prison. Dannemora, N. Y., March 8, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: The books and tracts so kindly forwarded by you for the use of the prisoners in this prison have been received, and the note enclosed to the warden handed me for reply. Having charge of all literary material that comes into the prison, I take great pleasure in acknowledging receipt of same; and would extend to you my personal thanks, as also the gratitude of those whom this material was designed to benefit.

I am glad that the spirit of the “inasmuch” as inculcated by the Lord Jesus, in relation to those who are in prison, is occasionally manifested, and that the rush and friction of wordliness does not wholly shut out from view the moral and religious needs of the “men behind the bars.” The good people to whom you refer in your letter, who are endeavoring to supply our prisons with good and wholesome literature, are entitled to great credit for their efforts in this direction, in these last days of the dispensation. May the blessings of our Divine Master be with them in their good work. Sincerely yours,

——, Chaplain.

Iowa State Penitentiary. Fort Madison, Iowa, March 17, 1901.

The Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: The books sent by you to the penitentiary have been received, and will be placed in the hands of the men. Thanking you for the same, I am, Sincerely yours,

——, Chaplain.

Onondaga County Penitentiary. Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1901.

Dear Sirs: Received three packages of books from Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co., Moundsville, W. Va., for the benefit of the convicts in our institution. Hope the gift is accompanied by the prayers of all concerned in the donation. Yours truly,

——, Chaplain.

Kansas State Prison. Lansing, Kans., March 6, 1901.

The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: We have received to-day your donation of books to this prison. We assure you that this gift of books is highly appreciated by us, and will be of great benefit to the inmates of this institution. We wish to thank you and others who are placing these books in the prisons of this country. Thank you for donations of the “Gospel Trumpet” to prisoners each week. Yours truly,

——, Chaplain.

BOOKS WANTED FOR FEMALE PRISONERS.

Penitentiary at Anamosa. Anamosa, Ia., March 6, 1901.

The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

We received this day one copy each of “The Kingdom of God,” “The Better Testament,” “Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons,” “Divine Healing,” “The Secret of Salvation” (English and German editions), “Songs of the Evening Light,” a Bagster’s Teachers’ Bible. I find we have now seven copies of the book “The Secret of Salvation” in our library. We are obliged for copies of these and shall hope to inclose them in our revised catalogue which we hope soon to publish. You perhaps are not aware that we have a female department to the prison, but seeing “Letters of Love and Counsel for Our Girls” listed, leads me to refer to this fact. Your letter to the inmates is appreciated. Yours truly,

——, Acting Chaplain.

New Jersey State Prison. Trenton, March 5, 1901.

E. E. Byrum.

Dear Sir: The package of books and tracts which you sent for the benefit of the prisoners in our state prison came duly to hand, and the warden desires me to thank you for your timely gift. I will see that the books and tracts are judiciously distributed, so that good under the divine blessing may come through the reading of such good literature.... I will be glad to have you send religious reading matter for the prisoners, knowing that with His blessing much good can and will be accomplished by such a course. One of the factors leading to a life of crime has been the character of reading allowed in the home. Parents, ignorant or indifferent, have permitted their boys to devour dime novels and kindred literature until their minds have become saturated with evil. Now the antidote is good reading for the poor victims of parental neglect such as you propose to furnish.... Thanking you for the interest you have taken in the welfare of those incarcerated here, and praying the blessing of the Great Head of the church upon you, I am, Yours truly,

——, Chaplain.

MORE GOOD BOOKS DESIRED.

Louisiana Penitentiary. Baton Rouge, La., March 13, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.

My Dear Friends: Please allow me to thank you in behalf of the prisoners for the six books and Bibles you so kindly sent recently. We all appreciate the kind interest you take in us in sending the Gospel Trumpet and sincerely trust you will continue sending same, as we all very eagerly look forward to receiving it. If you have any more good books to spare we will be very glad to receive them, as we all enjoy reading very much. Again sincerely thanking you for past favors. Very respectfully,

——, Librarian.

Allegheny Penitentiary. Allegheny, Pa., March 20, 1901.

Dear Sir: I feel very glad that you are now and have been for some time so deeply interested in an uplift of the moral forces in prisons, and that your laudable work may result in much good, is my sincere desire. We have no prison paper published here to send you. We have a school six hours every day except Sunday for the illiterate, a Bible and hymn-book for each man that will use them, a library of 8,500 volumes, hundreds of daily and weekly papers and magazines, Moody’s books and tracts, etc., by which we are striving to give light and spiritual help to the prisoners. Sincerely,

——, Chaplain.

Connecticut State Prison. Wethersfield, Conn., March 6, 1901.

The Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: The eight books sent this institution, including a Bagster Bible and song-book, came duly to hand. The Bible has been given a life prisoner, the song-book went to the choir, and the other books were turned over to the chaplain—who is the librarian—to be placed in general circulation. Respectfully yours,

——, Warden.

Idaho State Penitentiary. Boise City, Idaho, March 8, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: Yours of recent date enclosing letter to prisoners and referring to printed matter sent under separate cover at hand. The letter referred to shall be placed in a conspicuous place for review by the inmates of our institution. The reading matter will also be placed at their disposal. Be assured that this effort on the part of the “friend” who has paid for them is appreciated by the present Idaho Prison management. Yours sincerely,

——, Warden.

Georgia State Prison Farms. Statefarm, Ga., March 5, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

My Dear Sir: Your books received, and the Bible which is a very nice one. The song-book was sent to the female congregation for use by them. We have eighty-eight women there, some of them with good voices, and they sing well. We hope the words may prove a savor of life to them. The other books were sent to the male department, where we have one hundred and forty men and boys. We hope they too will prove a blessing, for the thing most important for a convict is salvation. I was pleased with the very excellent quality of books sent.

——, Supt.

LETTER FROM A SHERIFF.

Wheaton, Ill., April 23, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.

Dear Sirs: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of a package of books and tracts sent me for the use of prisoners under my charge. Please accept my thanks for same. I heartily commend your efforts and work. Very truly yours,

——, Sheriff.

PRISON CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.

Jackson, Mich., March 22, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: The above named society desire you to know of their grateful appreciation for the donation of several valuable books. They comprise a splendid addition to our C. E. S. Library, which is eagerly read by the members and others. Thanking you for remembering us, I remain, Sincerely yours,

6890, Corresponding Secretary.

HELP SUPPLY THE PRISONERS.

Maine State Prison. Thornston, Maine, April 30, 1901.

Sirs: Your letter to the warden has been passed on to me. We are pleased to receive religious reading to be distributed to the convicts in this prison. I have an arrangement with many Christian friends who aid, so I am able to furnish some Christian book or paper to each convict each week. Yours in the work of saving the fallen,

——, Chaplain.

Sing Sing Prison. Sing Sing, N. Y., March 7, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Dear Sirs: The books you sent for use of the prisoners in this prison have been received, and I thank you for the same. They have been placed in the library. It is always a pleasure to know that we are in the thoughts and consciences of the people on the great outside world.... Thanking you for your gift and wishing you success in your efforts to lift up fallen humanity, I remain, Fraternally yours,

——, Chaplain and Librarian.

PRISON LITERATURE APPRECIATED.

Alva, Woods Co., Okla., Dec. 20, 1900.

Dear Sirs: Yours along with the books you sent were received last week and, as directed, the library was placed within the steel cage, where the prisoners could have free access to it. We would love to say a word of encouragement to the good people who are interesting themselves in behalf of the poor unfortunates behind iron bars, but we have not the command of language to express our admiration of this most commendable and noble work. No one can tell the good that may result from these silent companions, read by the poor unfortunates when shut in from the world. While we have never hoped to start a reform in prison life, we have often asked for more Christian interest in behalf of the prisoners. Accept our humble thanks for this most generous gift.

——, Former Jailer.

California State Prison. Represa, Sacramento Co., Cal., Feb. 13, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co., Moundsville, W. Va.

Gentlemen: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of eight books for prison library. We are very grateful to receive anything in this line, and any sent will be thankfully received. Respectfully,

——, General Overseer.

FROM A JAILER.

Guthrie, Logan Co., Okla., June 14, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co.:

I am glad to address you with a few lines to inform you that I received a package of books and tracts for the prisoners in my charge. The same have been handed them to read. I am glad to say that they enjoy reading them very much. I take an interest in reading them myself and think they are the best books and papers I ever read, and a great gift to the prisoners. They seem to condemn them of the crimes that they have committed. I am glad to say that the gospel can not be preached plainer than your books and papers preach it. I learn through your books and papers what it takes to constitute the church of God. The prisoners of this jail send their many thanks for the literature sent them.

——, Turnkey.

California Prison. San Quentin, Cal., March 8, 1901.

Editor Gospel Trumpet Pub. Co.

Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind favor of books and one fine Bible for the prisoners. I have added the books to the library and presented the Bible to one of the most worthy and appreciative of the prisoners, whose letter I have enclosed. I believe our prisoners have been much helped by the distribution of your excellent religious literature and kindly gifts. I shall be pleased to receive any further contributions in this direction. Thanking you in the name of the prisoners, I am, Yours,

——, Chaplain.

North Dakota State Penitentiary. Bismarck, N. D., April 11, 1901.

Gospel Trumpet Publishing Co., Moundsville, W. Va.