Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-04-24
GRANT CO. JAI-A VISIT TO THE PRISON.

By kind invitation OF our SherlH, MI.
WARD, we went into the County Jail a
few days ago to see the prisoners. Peo-
pie generally dislike to visit the unfortu-
nate in prison, dislike that We share IL
common, though duty would seem to re-
quire more frequent visitations to those
whom crime has deprived Of liberty. The
poor, the oppressed and the unfortunate,
no difference about the cause of such pow
erty, oppression and misfortune, are the
very ones above all others requiring our
kindness and our encouragemenss. In this
respect the Savior taught, BY precept and
example, lessons 50 far above human IN
clinations- and practice that scarcely one
his equal has appeared since on earth, not
excepting Howard. In our own day OF
sympathy for The slave and professions OF
philanthropy forsthe poor, we are all too
apt to get::those in bonds and in prison
our very doors.
Believing that the world is growing bet
ter every day and that mankind are ad-
vancing in goodness, I'VE can see much in
the future to live for, though with many
regrets that we cannot do more to promote
the work. OF unselishness towards those
brought to punishment for their crimes
The true philanthropist.is not required to
clear men from incarceration for their
crimes, but rather to aid in providing due
punishment; his sphere is to turn all to
good account even the evils arising from
guilt; to cheer up the child of ruin, and to
elevate the lowly to standard level with
those of better fortune. May that true
spirit Of love to man, which causes us to
talk and vote for freedom abroad, also lead
us into the prison with our words OF cons,-
lation and deeds Of charity.
Turning to the account OF our visit to
that social sepulchre, the Grant Co. Jail, we
found it not SO cherries as we expected
but rather comfortable abode. The def
ant walls and grated doors derive then
gloom more from the shedows of criminal
history than from any real terror in them
Entering one or two Of the cells through
the halls, and finding them clean and well
warmed, We could imagine less want Of
comfort than of anxiety among the in
mates. Everything appeared..in perfect or
der; we. mus, say that Sheriff WARD and
family deserve credit, not only Of prisoners
under his charge but also of the pubic, for
his care and attention in this department
of his office. There were six prison ers, in
Guiding the one sentenced and since taken
to Waupun, but his place has since been
filled by another from Potosi-all but one
having come from that town SO dangerous
to evil doors.
We first entered the cell~..where the no.
ted George Allen, alias Green, is confined
in heavy irons. He is genius in the art
of drawing il crayon; several beautiful
and exceedingly perfect specimens were at
his side, the work of his hand and designs
Of head indicating adaptcdness to bet
ter calling than larceny, if he be guilty Of
the crime alleged. Allen is short, stout
man with symmetrical limbs and head
indicating large animal and intellectual
passions and powers.
Appearing at one of the cells above,
Thos Waddle came with sad countenance
to the door. He had received his sentence
but few days before to two years confine-
ment at Waupun for counterfeiting. He
leaves in the charge of his..father-n-law, a
wife and eight children, most Of them too
young to earn any support and his father
in-lsw being very poor. Waddle is well
appearing man, rather intelligent and near
forty years afage.
In the cell with Waddle we saw Farms
worth, incarcerated on charge OF stealing
mans smoke pipe. He is rolicking
fellow and don't mind being punished for
joke.
Passing to another cell, we came to
Michael f. Dearmitt, John b. Neff and
Robinson Gregory,sen to Jail on charge
of passing counterfeit money. These are
the boys we referred to the other day from
Huntington Co., Pa. They are in good
cheer, believing they will he able to give
bail shortly.
planting TREEs-Besides the apple,
there are several native fruits that can be
cultivated with profit, as the plumb, goose
berry, grape, DC, and they can be had
everywhere, without cost. Like money
at interest, the first and second year APP
pear to pass by without much gain, but