The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-05

TREATMENT OF THE ThlSONEitS - Dof CON-
vICT.-The State penitentiary, under the
direction of Colonel Pendieton, the present
who took charge on Febru-
ary 2, 1866, is being rapidly reorganized
and placed in good order. AT the time OF
the evacuation, a large portion Of the inte.
rior of the building was burned down, and
during the time that it was guarded by the
United States troops it was allowed TO fall
into condition of neglect and disorder.
When Colonel Pendleton entered upon the
duties of his office he found the prisoners
suffering for want of proper clothing and
fuel, and that they were all inclined TO DC
mutinous and insubordinate. The officers
in charge had allowed the prisoners TO
make rings and other trinkets for sale. BY
this means they obtained money; and so
long as they had this in their possession
they were not easily controlled. when
the State Guard was placed in charge OF
the penitentiary, this practice was stopped,
and the measure has SO far been attended
with the most beneficial results. An ap-
preparation was made by the Legislature
for penitcntiarv purposes, and while the
prisoners were being made individually
comfortable, the work of rebuilding the
burnt portions of the prison was proceeded
with. All the rebuilding has now been
completed, and the penitentiary and its
occupants are rapidly returning to their
condition before the war.
The entire number Of prisoners in the
penitentiary at this time is toro hundred ana
Muty-ttree, besides fifty at work in the
coal-pits. This total includes about sevea-
ty-fue who are confined by the military
authorities for offences against military
discipline. Fourteen Of the convicts are
women, all of whom are negroes with the
exception of one. About one-half Of the
entire number of prisoners are negroes.
1t is gratifying to sec that the prisoners
are well clad and hearty in appearance,
and that they are generally orderly and
well-bchavcd. Two of the Federal prison.
ers, however,-P. Callahan and +. Franz
ley-are in solitary confinement for endea-
voring to make their escape. One man
J. Hughes-was notorious during the war
as bold and cntcrprising thief. His prin-
cipal field of operations was the Lower
Valley, and he there made himself the
terror and dread Of the entire district.
He had been imprisoned several times, but
always contrived to make his escape, boast
ing that no Jail in the State could hold him
when he wanted to get out. AT present
he is confined on several indictments for
larceny and robbery, and as his character
is so well known, his cell is searched scvc-
raj times day, and he seems now to have
found a Jail that will hold him in safe
keeping.
THE WILLIAMSBURG MURDER.
William Henry Clarke, company I,
Fifth United States Artillery, sentenced to
imprisonment for life for completely with
Thomas Shields, hung on the goth April, in
the murder of Robert Taylor near Williams
burg on January 25th last, is still animate OF
the penitcntiary. He is well behaved, but
appears to have no sense, and cannot learn
any of the occupations in which the pri-
soners are usually employed. This does
not seem to arise from any Sullenness or
obstinacy, but from sheer want OF brains.
He had been in the penitentiary with
Shields before the war, and when he
returned there for life several Of his old
companions abused him for having "dls-
honored himself' in turning States eyl-
dencc against his partner in guilt. Clarke
looks well, is in fine condition, and appears
TO be in good health. His manner is cheer
full. and he still asserts that he did all II
his power to prevent the murder.
YOUNG CONVICT.
The youngest prisoner in the peniten'
tiary is boy named C. V. Brooke, only
fifteen years of age, who was tried by mill
tary commission upon the charge of shoot
ing and killing negro named Adolphus
Smith, near Petersburg, on December IL
1865. He was found guilty, sentenced tc
ten years imprisonment, and the hndlng
of the court being approved by Genera
Terry in general order, published on the
oath ultimo, he was sent to the peniten'
tiary to serve out the term of his sentence
THE WORKSHOPS.
The blacksmith's shop is now in full ope.
ration, and in it are employed about fifty.
five convicts, whose principal work is max
ing axes and ironing carts and wagons
Already the axes are turned in gooo
style, and in short time their appearance
and finish will be much improved.
The wheelwright's shop employs abou
forty-five convicts, and the shoemaker
shop about the same number. 1t is ex
pected that the weaving room will also sool
be opened.
The great difficulty that the officers o
the penitentiary had to contend with Il
opening their shops was that not one II
ten of the prisoners knew any useiu
trade. They had to be taught from tn
beginning, but are proving themselves ap
and willing scholars. The shoemaker
now turn out more than sufficient shoes I
supply the convicts, and do other worl
besides; and, without any appearance Q
coercion. the men in the shops work dill
gently and well, the days labor being te
hours.
GENERAL CONDITION.
Upon the whole, the penitentiary
clean, we'll ventilated, and APPARENT
very healthy. The female prisoners ar
confined in ward by themselves, but ar
allowed to walk in the enclosure on Sun
dav, when the men have been locked NJ
In the hospital there are number OF pa
tients who are well cared for. The ward
are airy and comfortably fitted up, and
must be rather relief than otherwise
one of the convicts to have moderated
severe attack of sickness.
The penitentiary still requires the exper
diture of a large sum of money for repair
and improvements to place it in as goo
order as it was kept in after the commence
ment of the war, but the State, in her pre-
sent embarrassed financial condition, car
not make any disbursement that can poss
biy be dispensed with. In the meanwhil
Colonel Pendleton, the superintendent
Mr.. A. j. Gouldman, his principal assls
ant; Mr.. James Pendleton and the otht
officers. NAV be relied on to do their dut