Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-11-13
Il I s G IL l. l. A n Y.
Life in the Penitentiary.

Life in the Penitentiary.
DEATH OF A HALF CENTURY Gov.
Wet. An aged colored man known by
the name Of "Old Bob," who has been
an inmate Of the Maryland Penitentiary
since 1910, died at that institution on
Wednesday He belonged to planter
of Charles county, who was rather SC.
we're master, and in 1902 placed him on
board vessel with instructions 10 allow
no one, not even the sortof the master,
10 come on the vessel, and f any at.
tempt was made TO board the vessel, he
should strike them in the head with
hand.spike. In the evening following
the issuing Of this mandate, the son Of
the master, in company with two Of his
associates, approached the vessel, and
attempted to board her; he was warned
not TO como on board by "Old Bob"
who repeated the instructions Of his
master, and added that he would obey
the orders he had received. The young
man, regarded the language Of the negro
as Jest, rushed heedlsssly forward and
gained position on the vessel; but no
sooner had he landed than Bob picked
up the handspike and knocked him on
the head, killing him instantly. Bob
was Immediately arrested and tried for
murder and convicted.
| The circumstances Of the case under
which the deed had been perpetrated, so
far secured the clemcncy Of the court as
to commute his sentence 10 imprison.
ment for life. The period Of his con.
fnement was about fifty three years, and
he was upwards of one hunded years
old at the time Of his death. For a
number Of years past, he has been spar.
ed all laborious employment, and pass.
ed his time in amusing himself in vaI.
Gus ways, such as cultivating flowers,
raising pigs, smoking herring, &c. So
strongly had the habits OF life in pri.
son grown upon him that on several oc.
casions, when he was liberated, 10 test
what nigh, 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.-BaA. Amer.
The above reminds US Of an old con.
Wet in the Ohio Penitentiary, who has
been confined therein for near thirty
ears, and who was sentenced for life.
He was sent from Butler county for mur.
der in the second degree--and was in
Jail some two years before final trial and
sentence. He is about sixty years o
age, large frame and very por,ly. He
, has been a man of powerful nerve and
snew, perhaps the strongest man ever
in the prison. But for the last ten years
r he has been suffered to remain idle, and
amuscs himself in taking cpre Of the
Bear, Deer, Peacocks, and other fowls
about the yard. He had been up to that
time very hard. working man--chopped
wood in the fields adjacent to the Pris.
on--and carried stone during all the
time Of building the new Penilentiary
and claims to have bossod the job
For several years his mind has been fail.
, ing--he claims that the State owes him
for all the work he has done--and say.
he will never leave the Prison until it is
paid--amounting, according to his e3ti
mate TO S4,444. He insists that The
State shall board him until the last cen
is paid--and refuses to leave his ole
quarters.
He has occupied the same cell for 6
great ma ny years, has it fixed up to sui
: himself with all mannor Of traps, inclu
ding an old fashioned suit Of citizen.
clothes, which he sometimes puts on
: struts about the yard in grand style will
: his cane, demanding a settlement of hi.
: accounts. He max es iootA.pifks Oliver,
fine appearance, and is permitted to sci
them to visitors. His hat is of the old
fashioned bell.crowned high top--an,
=, when he gets on his citizens coat an,
}, pants--,he latter being quite too shor
and close .fitting--he presents Judi
!. crous appearance. One day, quai
9 had got into the yard, and was caught b.
= him--and Immediately he started for III
= office 10 show tito the Warden, and hav
ing never seen one for thirty years, it wa
: great curiosity 10 him. While in tn
Office, the Warden whispered to tn
guard in tones just SO that the convic
n could hear him, to lock the door, AM
o keep him o1t, so that the State woul'
y get clear Of paying the debt In a mo
!. ment, the old man was on his feet, an
o feet as deer he fled through the door t
J. his cell, before the officer was aware Q
l.. his intention, saying, as he went off, tha
he never made house that he could b
J. locked out of
d He came to the Prison under the am
e Of John Phillips, but for number q
q years has called himself Aaron Croud
:. er, and flies into passion the momen
the name Of Phillips is mentioned in hi
n hearing. He is very healthy, .houg
1t growing feeble, never is sick, never trou
d bles the hospital, pretends 10 be doc
k tor, and often feels the pulse Of the off
n GERS to see ifthey are we'll, and prescribe
IS some simple remedy for them. Durin
the cholera, brandy was prescribed i
ss small quantities to the convicts, but b
is would never taste drop, and says b
rs never will tS ] :,
st He gives an account Of his arrest on
conviction. He says it was all about
woman. Her man abused her--he too
n. har a rd har sh;nus intn a vva oo, &o 4 . 4