The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-04-18
From the Spirit Of Democracy.
ORIGINAL SKETCHES.


From the Spirit OF Democracy.
ORIGINAL SKETCHES.
Reminisccncc by Circuit Judge.
At the February term, 1857, Of the Belmont
Common Pleas, among the persons placed in
the dock was Lee Allen, (colored) charged with
burglary. The accused was sprightly negro,
about 81 years ofage, who appeared to be much
interested in all the proceedings OF the trial.
The evidence disclosed the fact that during the
preceding November, he had broken into the
storehouse of the Messrs. Fawcett, at Belmont,
and stolen money and property to the value Of
eight or ten dollars; and there was no reasona-
BILE doubt that the offence had been committed
in the might season. An ingenious defence
was urged before the jury; but the office OF
as now, ably filed; guilty men did not often es,
cape the vigilance Of D. D. I. Cowen; and the
Jury, after several hours OF delberation, return
ed verdict of guilty.
When Lee was brought into court, on the
last day of the term, to receive the sentence re-
quired by law, he appeared, as, indeed nearly
all convicts do--much impressed with his help
less condition; but he was told that his sen.
tence would be for the shortest term that tie
statute would allow, Chen three years. and
that hope was entertained that his conduct
would be such that the public might know that
this lenity had not been misdirected. The
scene which followed was most ludicrous Az.
ter proluse expression Of thanks because of
the short term fixed in the sentence, he COM
menced dancing in open court, to the infinite
amusement of all persons present and actually
'shuff1ed' his way out Of the court room in Gus
tody OF constable.
To returning home few days ago, I remain
ed over night at Barnesville. The next morn
ing was cold and stoImy, and I passed several
miles with the driver almost in silence. At
length the following dialogue ensued
II believe you do not know me do you?,'
"No,' said I, II think not.'
II remember you very WELL You once treat
ed me in way was never treated before, and
never intend to be treated again"
"Ah, how was that?' and begun to con.
slider whether this was not premonitory of an
upset or other mishap.
do you remember that at the St. Clairsvile
court, three years ago, colored boy was SEN
fenced to the Penitentiary for breaking into
Fawcetts store?"
Certainly" l answered. ...... ..
II am that boy--I am Lee Allen"
My observations during the trial. and the in
formation which obtained of his early history
at the time, led me to believe that young AL.
len was less intelligent than he now appeared
to be. l soon learned the cause of the change,
however, in his interesting account of prison
life. He seemed to be fully impressed with the
truth that man, whatever his situation may be-
has duties to perform which in some respects
are Important and that this applies as well to
the convict as to the highest functiouary in the
land. On that principle he had acted, and by
that means escaped all punishments except that
which inevitably results from confinement in a
prison, and moreover secured the confidence OF
the officers, who he thinks are nearly always
humane in the treatment of the inmates He
also spoke in praise Of the means of instruc-
ton afforded in the prison; oil the regulation
that days work shall not exceed ten hours; o.
the provision as to beds, clothing and food; o
the classification Of convicts, according to the
age and crime; of the law which allowed com.
pensation for overwork, and Of the act which
provides, that tor every month a convict sha
be guilty Of no infraction Of discipline five
days shall be deducted from his term of i'm
prisonment Under the operations OF thos,
acts the term Of his Imprisonment was shoit
ened over three months, and the Warden pait
him twenty four dollars for overwork. .r..
Sunday, it seems, is not generally regarde,
as welcome day in tie penitentiary. Servic
in the chapel and the sabbath school relieve
Of its gloom but the convict passes the great
, er part Of the day in his CELL and there is no
5 single human being with whom he may con
verse IN tIiuhc loueIy nouiS' ilo 10 iioL uepIlFe'
of books, however. Indeed, the means of in
s.. formation are open to every one, and all the il
Y lterate inmates who can learn, are instructe
S in reading, writing and arithmetic. When lie
: entered the prison he scarcely knew the alpha
: bet; now he can read and write with considera
= BILE ease, and add column Of figures readily
4 The effect Of his moral training too, was ap
: parent. During the nine hours that we wer
d on the road, did not hear him use proan
word. Such was the apparent change in an un
II lettered negro. Whether honest principles ar
q really instilled IN him, know not, yet hav
), no reason to doubt it. But the lesson sugges
is ted to my mind was, that while it is true ths
If confinement in the Penitentiary is ordinaril
regarded as calamity, and while it almost ne
i. cessarily involves disgrace and also the loss
:, liberty and of the socie,y of friends, the unfo
- tunate offender is by no means deprived Of Ii
., kind offices of humanity, and mercy even the,
% in some measure ''reconciles man to bis lot."
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