The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-12-08
LIFE In THE PENFTENTTARY.
Death Of 81 Han Century Convict.

of'"Old Bob, - who has been an inmate q
the Maryland Penitentiary since 1910, die
at that institution on Wednesday. He be
longed to planter Of Charles county, VIII
was rather a severe master, and in lSO:
placed him on bourd vessel with instruc
tons to allow no one, not even the son o
the master, to come on the vessel, and /
any attempt was made TO board the vessel
he should strike them in the head with
hand-spike. in the evening following tn,
issuing of this mandate, the son of the mas
ter, in company with two Of his associates
approached the vessel. and attempted I,
board her; he was warned not to come OF
board by "Old Bob,"" who repeated the in
structions of bis master, aud added that he
would obey the orders he had received
The yonng man, regarding the language oI
the negro as ajest, rushed heedlessly for.
ward, and gained position on the vessel
bat no sooner had he landed than Bob pick
ed up the handspike and knocked him on
the head, killing him instantly. Bob wa.
Immediately arrested and tried for murder
and convicted. t.,.., -t,t-. ...-.....'
The circumstances of the case under
which the deed had been perpetrated, so fal
secured the clemency of the court as to CON.
mute his sentence to Imprisonment for life
The period of his confinement was about
fifty-three years, and he was upwards of one
hundred years old at the time of his death.
For number of years past, he has been
spared all laborious employment, and passed
his time in amusing himselfin various ways,
such as cultiyating flowers, raising pigs,
smoking herring, &c. So strongly had the
habits Of life in prison grown upon him
that on several occasions, when he was lib.
Grated, to test what might be his conduct,
he refused to leave the institution, and when
the gates were closed upon him he would
weep like child until he was restored to
his former position. His department during
the whole period of his confinement was
such that no fault could be found with him.
Baltimore American. .aat 4
2 The above reminds US OF an old convict in
The Ohio Penitentiary, who has been contin-
ed therein for near thirty yeals, and who was
sentenced for life. He was sent from But
ler county for murder in the I'd degree and
was in Jail some two years before final con-
viction and sentence. He is about sixty
years of age, large frame and very portly.-
He has been amanTo Of powerful nerve and
sinew, perhaps the strongest man ever in
the prison. But for the last ten years, he
has been suffered to remain idle, and amuses
himself in taking care of the Bear, Deer
Peacocks and other fowls about the yard
He has been, up to that time, a very hard
working man-chopping wood in the fields
adjacent to the Prison--and carried stone
during all the time Of buildingthe new PEN
itentiary-and claims to have bossed the job.
For several years his mind has been failing
--he claims that the State owes him for all
the work he has done--and says he will new
er leave the Prison until it is paid--amount-
ing, according to his estimate, to $4,444--
He insists that the State shall board him un-
til the last cent is paid--and refuses to leave
his old quarters. H. So
He occupied the sans cell for great num-
ber Of years-shas, it6xed up to es0itshimself
with all manner of traps--includirg an old
fashioned suit of citizens' clothes, which he
sometimes puts on, struts about the yard in
grand style with his cane, demanding set
Element Of his accounts. He makes tooth
picks of very fine appearance, and is per-
mitted to sell them to visitors. His hat is
Of, the old fashioned bell-crown high top
and when he gets on his citizens' coat and
pants-the latter being quite too short and
close ftting---he presents ludicrous appears
ance. One day., quail had got into the
yard, and was caught by him--and imme.
diately he started for the Office to show it
to the Warden having never seen one for
- F4k . p Aa LE 4, L
thirty years, it was great curiosity TO him.
While in the Office, the Warden whispered
to the guard, in tones inst SO that the con-
vict could hear him, to lock the door, and
keep him out. so that the, State would get
clear of paying the debt! In twinkling,
the old man was on his feet, and fleet asa
deer he fed through the door. to his cell,
before the officer was aware OF his intention;
saying, as be went of, that he never ma de
house that he could be looked out Of!
He came to the Prison under the name oI
JOHN PHILrPs, but for a number of years has
called himself Aaroa Crouder, and. fies
into q passion the moment the name O
Philips is} mentioned ia his hearing. HI
is very healthy, though growing feeble, new
er is sick never troubles the Hospital :
pretends to be doctor, and often feels th,
pulse Of the officers ID see if they are well
and prescribes some simple remedy for them
During the cholera, Brandy was prescribet
in small quantities for the copyicts. but b
would never taste drop. and says be neveI
will ~ $500 II NJ
He gives on account Of HE arfsst and con con
yiction. He says II was all about women
Her man abused her--he took her and he
things into d wagon 10 take her 70 her pso
Die; her man overlook them IN the woods
If8a a4slfsE a.i VEL Aasi is1 I..ts - + 80. NJ