The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-07-07
DBENSDIRG, THURSDAY, JULY I, 1853.

s'oWl anu using --laSt III tutiT udEFoW yCS
comfortable cells. and although they were per-
fectly ignorant of the business on entering the
prison, they now turn out work which would not
disgrace the show cnse of some of our best city
workmen. A weaver, too, to whom the Major
introduced us, was engaged at his vocation in his
cell as we entered, and timed the stroKes of his
shuttle to the tune of some old ditty which he
was chanting, in a voice that told of anything
but sorrow or discomfort. He has been there
several years, and is now able to weave check,
or any other gu ,lity of cotton material, in style
that would do credit to the most experienced
tradesman. ssLong may he wave" The sum
derived from the sale of articles manufactured
in the prison is very large, and more than snffi
ces to pay for the support of the convicts, &c.,
that the establishment is self paying one,
and costs the State OF County nothing. Whilst
everything is done to instil spirit of industry
into the minds of the convicts, their spiritual
welfare is not neglected. Each convict has in
his cell copy of the Bible and the Common Pray
er Book, together with such other moral and re-
lgious works may be considered suited to
their tastes and capacities. On the whole. we
consider the lot of prisoner in the Penitentiary
those who are for months huddled together in
the crowded cells of our County Jail. In the
former prison n convict has time for reflection,
and being cut off from evil communication, he
learns to view his offences in light which, if he
be not entirely callous will teach him to lead
IN honest life when he goes forth again into
ciety.
The habits of industry too, which he acquires
during his confinement, (for no one under Major
Beckham's supervision can remain idle,) mate
rally assist him in procuring livelihood when
he emerges from the prison walls. Not so, how
ever, with the Jail. Here the bad become worse.
and those habits of idleness are engendered
which, when the prisoners are discharged, be-
come the most powerful incentives to crime, and
lead them to commit offence after offence till the
strong arm of the Jaw again arrests their pro-
gress and consigns them to the gallows OF the
Penitentiary.
The entire number of prisoners received in the
Penitentiary since its opening, in July 1926. ex-
ceeds l,7Oo The prisoner longest within its
walls has been there for ten years, and several
months more must yet elapse ere he can breathe
the pure air of liberty. The longest sentence to
be served expires in 1879, yet the convict who
has to undergo this imprisonment has been
prisoner for years. How he will find the world
changed, and what alterations will not have Ia
ken place when he emerges from his prison tomb
quarter of century hence! Such sentence
calls back to our memory the suffetings of Baron
Trenck, and gives a semblance of probability to
the existence of the chateau DIFF of Alexander
Dumas, the fabled Monte Cristo's talented biog-
rapher.
Since Major Beckhams taking charge of this
institution, we believe no escape has been made
from it. Previous to his being appointed War
den, however, several convicts contrived to eluie
the vigilance of the guards, and by scaling the
walls escaped. The Major pointed out to rs in
the plaster the mark of musket ball fired at
prisoner who was endeavoring to climb the wall,
a task which its height and the formidable spikes
looming from its top would lead one to think
impossible. The unfortunate man was wound
ed by the discharge, but, so much did be prize
liberty, he continued his attempt, reached the
top and leaped down, when. receiving serious
injuries, he was unable to move, and fell an easy
prey to his captors.-Pats6urg Dispatch.
eG-A poor widow was asked how she became
so much attached to certain neighbor, and
replied, that she was bound to him by several
cords of wood which he had sent her during
hard winter.
SEvERE.-..You've destroyed my peace OF
mind, Betsy" said despairing lover to tru-
ant lass. at can't do you much harm, John,
for twas amazing small piece you had, any
way"
E6-A Yankee down east has just been ar
rested for selling rope yarn for pig tail tobacco
He had it wound with cabbage leaves, and was
doing quite extensive business. His princi-