Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-16
By W. D. WALLACE.
THE BALTIMORE JAIL AND ITS IN.
MATES.
Correspondence of The Star.

Editor of Tie Star: Believing that chan
ter concerning the Jail of this city and it's in.
mates, would be of interest to the multitu
dinOus readers of the Star, 1 extended my
peregTinatiOns in that direction The iail,
you know, Is situated, with the penitentiary,
on q lot OF ground bounded on the west by
Jones Falls, on the north by Neighbor street,
on the east by Constitution street, and on the
south by Madison street. A high brick wall
encloses both the prisons, and a similar wall
divides the two lots. The location is far from
being desirable, and have no doubt that
Baltimore rOWdies, hardened as they seem to
be, seldom take kindly to lengthy stay with
IN these walls. But it is not of the Jail pre-
pose to write, inasmuch as your citizens have
ample opportunities to contemplate nobler
buildings, and am not gifted with the talent
OF describing architectural curiosities
On arriving at the entrance Of the JAIL and
making myself known to the gentlemanly
warden, Capt Thos z. James, was speedily
admitted, and treated with the utmost cordial
ity. L was conducted through several apart
ments Of the building, and had quite q number
OF celebrities pointed out to me, and was enter
tained with short sketches of their respective
histories Among the prisoners l met with
many whose cOuntenances rather prepossessed
me In their favor, and notwithstanding that
the charges against them in most instances
were sufficient to excite detestatiOn and ab-
horrence. could not get rid of the conviction
which forced itself upon my mind soon after 7
entered the place, that those young men are
the victims, rather than the originat tors of a
deplorable state of society. That must have
been powerful motive of evil which led them
To tOrsake the society Of kind parents and af-
fectionate brothers and sisters blessings which
many OF them enjnyed-and betake themselves
to such pursuits as have resulted in their reach
Ing this stopping place on their road to infamy
and destruction. Yet such q motive existed
or they would not be here now. The mind is
naturally led TO inquire, in what did these
strong inducements to crime consist? And
readily the answer comes, in litical club
associations. BY connecting themselves with
these clubs, no matter to what party they are
attached, young men surround themselves with
the most cOrruptng Of all influences and be-
come pilable tools in the hands Of scheming
politicians, who use them until their own pur1
poses are consummated, and then leave them
without tnought OF what fate they may meet
Truly, believe there are those in this iail
who, but for the influences brought to bear
against them by their associations with politi-
cal clubs, would now occupy honorable positions
IN, and De happy meI bers of, society. There.
on my night, IS one young man, whose name |
Will withhold. / know him TO be a competent
outdoor clerk. His father is a Door. honest
man, and his mother is a motherIy old lady
beloved by all who know her. His brotbeTs
and sisters are with u.s. and of them no harm is
uttered Why is he here, The path he has
trodden Is plain, and the reason Of his reaching
TINS destination is palp pable. He joined polit
zeal club, he listened to the counsel of reckless
and abandoned men in that club and to the
exciting speeches Of politicians who addressed
that club On election day, be went with his
companions to protect" the polls, and with
them violated that law which should of ali
m "a POnn nfrvh ha1
the law protecting the citizen in the exercise of
MS franchise. Victory was with the party for
whom his club labOred. The club was con-
graduated for the good work it had aided in
eonsunmatlnS. For several days rejoicing
was all that the memters OF the club had time
70 do, ard to rejoice well they had to drink.
The rest Is soon told. When the money MS
gone, the festivities were suspended, but the
habits OF idleaess and dissipation had now he
come fixed, and some members of the cInb
could not break than up. Of this unfortunate
number Was George -, and after a few davs
Ot suffering from unsatisded thirst he went
with some Of his companions and robbed Mr
"s store. lie was arrested, but the wit
hesses did not prosecute him. Since then. he
has been in this jl a number of times; az d
what ne IS here Tor now is EIore than l can tell
for L did not ask him.
But the prisoner referred to above has no,
yet attained that grade in crime to make him
al OBJECT oil public Interest. There are others
here whom II would no doubt be more consist
ent with the desires Of your readers 10 portray
1hese have progressed SO far in crime as 10
nave dyed their hands in human gore They
may be hung. Have your readers sympatbies3
II 50, 1 would, before going further, bid them
remember the murdered men and their striek-
ened families, and bestow their sympatt;es
there Don't waste them on these rufiaus
ED deserve the fate they have rushed forward
To- no matter how severe that fate NAV ba
The most prominent among these uUrder-
dyed prisoners Is Henry GambrilI recently
convicted Of murder in the first degree. r Kill
Ing policeman Benton. You probably remenl-
Der the circumstances. Benton had arrested
one Oh uamorlil associates for being disorderly
and attacking house where a party was in
progress He was also a witness agains. a
brother OF Gambrills, indi:;ed on a charge Of
arson As be was leading his prisoner along
assisted by another officer, Gambrill ran up
behind him aad shot him through the heal
uamoriii Is probably twenty two years old,
rather above the medium height Of fair com
piexion, and has n eountenance indicating no
extraordinary cruelty Of disposition Indeed
could be throw of the appearance of dissina
ton and habitual recklessness CT demeanor
which be has acquired within four OF Il We years
past, be would be quite cOmeiy. His parents
are people Of good rePute aud, exes pting bis
ofotner, who Is awaiting his trial now on
charge OF arson, the family are all WORTH peo-
pie. These t7O boys 4. vs been led Of by club
ism. AMI this IS the fruit oi their dis0bedience
Both are charged with high crime; and FROM
this Jail, the 0ne will probably go to the pen
itentiary. and the other to the galows
Sine, his conviction, Gambri is said to have
shown great anxiety to prepare himself for the
horrible doom which be has no hope will be
ayerted. He is attended by a minister of the
Methodist denomination, and employs a great
deal Of his time in seeking for that redemption
which Is not withheld from the most guilty If
all mankind. tie receives the visits of his fam
lIy aud friends without evincing any pleasure
IN their sIcety, so great is his dread OF the Bit
ter cup bis own hand has poured of for himself
to drink and, indeed, the torture be is under
going makes him painful sight to contemplate.
In the SANG cell with Gam Jrill is William g
POri, Who also killed police ofieer Thomas III.
Bernham, and was found guilty Of murder in
the first degree This crime was committed
more than year ago and 1 have forgotten the
Incidents II In further than 10 rap,aT, h.. -.