Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-12-09

Mr. Editor - ni ..s.fs lla 10 " seifaHa g4l
Allow me small space 10 the cOlums Of
your paper in which to give brief description
GA trip to the Capital Of our State, and visit
with our estet med felow-ciiizen, John A. Prem
tice. e51srY
At baIf.p five o'clock on the morning OF
the Oath nIt, the conductor said "all aboard" |"
when myself and wife took seats for Cleveland
at which place we changed cars for Columbus
arriving there on time, O'Clock and 20 min.
utes p. NJ. found Q great difference 10 the
smoothDess aud consequent comfort Of riding
on the Lake Shore Road us compared with the
Columbus Road. The latter road is rougber,
the track worn more, and the road bed not as
well ballasted as the former. This speaks well
for the managers Of TIE Shore Road, and places
their road amopg the bes, managed roads 10 The
country. On our arrival at Colp.nbus \ vaIled
ou MrT Prentice ut the iPeEi,eptiary. and f,urd
him as have always known him, with out
stretched hand to welcome to his hospitality bis
friends. After our social greetings were over,
and hearty welcome many times expressed, we
entered that dread abode for Ill criminals, the
Ohio PeDiteutisry. where found the excellent
wife Of Mr.. Prentice, aud his amiable daughter
Mrs. Prentice, in accordance with q law OF her
being. immediately set lerself to work to pro-
vide for our comfort Tie fact as TO her success
will leave to The decision of her many friends
who have been SO fortunate as to1receive her
special attentions. After tea the evening was
spent 10 comparing notes, giving, descriptions,
asking questions, &C., &c. At 10 o'clock We
retired to rest, being tired and worn down by
the unusual labors VI the day. In the morning
we were awakened by the blowing OF the prison
horn, which Mr.. Prentice subsequently in.
formed us was blown 10 notify the guards To
take their places on the walls, preparatory to
citing the prisoners OUT Of their cells. ,Attbe
breakfast table We had the pleasure Of an intro
duction TO many Of tie tfficers Of the prison.
whom we found TO be. on further acquaintance,
gentlemen well qualified to iIl the various po-
si'ions they occupy in the government of the
prison. Break fast over, we adj 'urped TO the
Office, where I was introduced TO Mr.. TL.
Hewett. the gcn,lcmanIy Clerk OF the Prison,
whose duty il is to attend to the finances oftbe
institution. His services are highly priced by
the Warden, and also by the Board of Direct.
ors. lie receives bis appointment direct from
the Governor, in pursuance Of areceDt law Of
The Legislature. l think be has held the po.
stiou about FIVE years. also had an intro
ductiop to Mr.. r. A. McIn,yre, the eficien,
Steward Of the Prison. found him to be on
agreeable and accommodating gent lemau, who
was anxious to conform 10 any thing that might
conduce to the happiness and comfort of the
"Wardeus friend" l also met Mr.. j N. Des.
ellen, the Assistant Clerk. He is gentleman
Of correct orthodox views and habits perfectly
reliable in every spot and place he believes
that all things should be d"ue by the law, aud
that every oue should be held strictly to an
account. de attends more particularly to the
military department. did not meet the Deputy
Warden, MIR. j. A. Dean, until the next day
His position is more directly connected with
the management of The prisoners in the inner
yard of the Prison. l foubd him to be u man
OF the true ring. having served the State in
some position connected with the Prison for
the past twenty years. He knows every hole
aud corner OF prison life, and is we'll fitted to
play the part be does IL the government Of the
Prison. Her ..' -H'tf"t
Among the Prison guards fouud our fe.
low-citizsDs Cunningham. Kendall, and Boies. |
After extending to me cordial greeting. ask
they gave me an insight into the internal work
ings OF the Prison, which added much to the
interest Of my visit to the Peuiteutary. The
guards, as body Of men, are intelligent. gen.
tlemanly and courteous. ready to give any in.
formation desired. attentive to their duties,
and fully impressed with the importance OF
their position. / am under many obIiga tions |
10 them for their many acts OF courtesy shown |
me in my Investigations Of prison life. George |
Cunningham is Captain Of the Dight watch.
His position is in the guard room, room
through which oil must pass as they go 10 or
out Of the Prison. Kendall is 10 the night
watch. His duty is to guard the military
prisoners who are conGnsd 10 the west wiog of
The building. Boiles also belongs to the night
watch. ya ~v ar
Mr.. Prentice kindly showed me through the
various departments Of the Prison, the work
'hops, insane hospital. eating room, cook room,
prison hospital. explaining as We went along
many things OF The deepest interest connected
with the government Of prisoners. 1t Is most
Interesting TO see in what perfect subjection
hey are able to keep 600 men of dilferept de.
srees Of development aud guilty Of every kind
,f crime known to man. From what saw aud
heard while passing through the Prison, l be-
came fully inpn ssed with knowledge of the
Importance of having for Warden gentleman
who possesses certain qualifications necessary
10 the wise and good government Of 60 impOr,
sant aD institation as the Ohio Penitentiary.-
Knowing Mr.. Prentice as do, from long busi-
hess aud intimate acquaintance. / believe him
20 possess these qualifications in an eminent
iegree He requires obedience and strict
observance Of the rules OF the Prison. and at
he same time be impresses upon sthe mind OF
L.. sl.s ~ a. l. =.