Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-08-13
Visit to the State Prison.

A Rutland county official has been to
the Vermont State Prison at Windsor,
and writes to the Fairhaven Journal of
the above named persons, as follows:
Edward L. Piper, alias o. B. Clark,
the celebrated forger, is at work in the
finishing room, and is highly esteemed
by the officers of the prison. He works
steadily, and in all things complies read
lily with the regulations of the institu-
ton. His long beard is gone, and the
graceful curl5 that adorned his head
while in Jail have been clipped short,
and the fine clothes in which we had
been accustomed tosee him attired, have
been superseded by the parti-colored
prison dress, and except that he had been
pointed out to us by the keeper, we
should hardly have recognized him.
We had few minutes conversation with
him, and he seemed to enjoy the privi-
lege thus extended to him, very much,
and inquired eagerly as to what was oc-
curing in the world outside.
Peter Neary and William Butterfly,
two of the incendiaries convicted at the
last term of our court, are at work shaw
ing scythe-snaths, and as we entered the
shop where they were, they recognized
me at once, and hardly think the look
they gave could be regarded as indica-
tive of much affection for your humble
servant; but perhaps ten years of pris-
ON discipline may chasten their hearts
and learn them few lessons of life, so
that, when they return again to the out
ward world their anger may be entirely
subdued. At any rate, feel sure that
for the next ten years they will not be
likely to apply the incendiary torch in
Rutland, or elsewhere. Thomas Du-
shan, another of the incendiaries, is at
work in the machine shop, and as soon
as he saw me he approached me, evident
ly desiring to speak to me, but l felt no
inclination to talk with him.
After making the round of the work
shops we returned to the main hall, and
in few moments Horace Plumley was
taken out of his cell and brought to us.
He has been in solitary confinement ever
since he was brought here, being let out
of his cell, as he informed me, only once
week to be shaved. He approached
us with feeble step, and one would
hardly recognize, in the pale, thin faced
convict, the stout and hardy man who
only three months ago was on trial in
Rutland. He bears the unmistakable
evidence of intense mental suffering, and
as he raised his large gray eyes, sufused
with tears to mine, to greet me, / could
not repress the tears that involuntarily
arose, and feeling Of pity for this poor,
misguided man found a ready place in
my heart. He is confined in cell at
the east end of the hall, and within a
few feet of the place where Miller was
hung only few days since. He heard
every blow of the carpenters hammer
in the erection of the gallows; and who
can describe the feelings he must have
experienced at that time 1t made a
deep impression upon his mind, and
since then he has been much more de-
spondent than before. He says he prays
that he may die, and fortunate enough
will it be for him if that grim messenger
shall come to him in his lonely cell be-
fore the execution shall be required to
carry out the terrible sentence imposed
upon him by law. During his converse
ton with us he became quite cheerful,
but when our business with him was end
ed and he was reminded that he must
return to his cell, he broke down again
completely, and with an unsteady step
wendell his way back to his old quar-
tiers, all the while sobbing like a child.
Ziba Plumley, father of Horace, was
next brought in. He was sentenced for
life, and is kept at work with the other
convicts, and his appearance was in
striking contrast with that of Horace
He knew we were in the prison, and
knew onr business there, and when sum-
moned to appear before us, he entered
with quick step, and at once entered
into lively, jovial conversation with
US, and one would hardly have dreamed
that that lively old man was convict,
sentenced to be shut up in the narrow
walls of that dingy prison for the bal
ance of his life.
Frederick Plumley was next called
IN, and he appeared much more cheerful
and happy than when on trial, and bids
fair to live until the twenty years for
which he was sentenced expired. If he
does, l trust the lesson of this terrible
experience will prove valuable to him.
and will so chasten his heart, that he
will never again attempt to avenge
simple trespass by taking the life of
fellow being.
Our brrsineSs avar wa haJa oJ.o,, A.