The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-07
NOTABLE PRISONERS.
who nrc IncOrcserHsed, I,, IN the Massachusetts

who nre Incarccrnted in the Massachusetts
On Wednesday the Massachusetts, Legislative Com
Mittee on Prisons, accompanied by his Exceency
Governor Claflin, the Secretary of the Common
wealth, the Sergeant-at-Arms, Sheriff Clark, and
about forty members OF the Legislature, visited the
state Prison at the Invitation OF Warden Haynes,
the occasion being proposed improvement OF the
workshops at cost OF about $4,000. 40,
After examining the premises sufhclenty tne h
visitors were conducted through the prson anu sIo
noted inmates pointed out to then pSnGTn s,y ro At
pairing gas fixtures for shipment lie was closey
shaved, and looked In much better health y, ilsn an
during his trial AS the party fled by his bench ne
aeemed TO think it was for the express purpose OF
seeing him, and he never raised ms eyes DuI KEPT
his hands busy with the cords and paper Harry Jen-
ninpg and Charles Stedman, the Goodlng rob
hers were industriOusly cutting ana pegglng away
in the shoe shop, ana JOIN mOI"u vv 1uI % uetet VI
deuartrnent John Gallagher who shot man in
Washington street on THANKSGIVING night, three
years ago, was In the Kitchen, and, with his long
apron and sleeves rolled up, looked like a master
among the pots and kettles, dough and hash He
stood In front Of OF The large boilers, and took
good look at all who passed near him. lie has
years to serve, over two Of which have expired. The
most interesting case was that OF james Wilson,
who is serving a sentence OF close confinement
for life. In ls45 he came to this country as
an escaped Botany Bay convict with a life
sentence hanging over him. Shortly thereafter he
was arrested aud convicted OF burglary and sem
fenced to seven years Imprisonment. On the day
that his term expired, ana WINE sLuulhg IN Ihe
waiting for the ohcer to call him and set him free,
lust as his name was called he drew long knife,
and spriugng forward step or two, plunged 10 into
the heart of feOW-prisOner named Adams, with
whom he had some trivial difficulty in one of the
shops. For this Uicnse he was arrested tried and
convicted of murder. lie was sentenced to he
hanged His scatrold was erected in the jail
yard in 1855. The crowd had collected to wit
ness the execution, some paying large sums for
good positions. But Just in time To save his
life a reprieve arrived for sixty days, signed by the
Insane Commissioners The execution was stayed
and during the sixty days Wilson had his sentence
Commuted TO close confinement Tor lie. lie mas ac-
COrdingy been closely confined now for fourteen
years, and for over twenty-five years has been the
inmate OF prison. lie lOOheu IN EOou HtuJhi Is tall
and straight as an arrow, with a high, broad fore
head, and large piercing blue eye. lie asked 20
see the Governor and when introduced said to him
that he was without hope while there and under
our laws. That the prison diet did not agree
turned over tO,the BritshGOyernment and permitted
TO out his life sentence inher penal colonies to
which the crown would send him. He was quite
earnest, and withal somewhat eloquent while max
ing this appeal The Governor promised to lay his
application before his Council and his case should
be heard, though he knew of no process by which
the transfer could be made. He then waved an adieu
to the party and retired TO the lonely cell chat for
fourteen years has been his home.
During the visit the warden pointed out an old
man named George HunncWel, who was doing
chores about the prison. He is under sentence for
life, and has been in the prison twenty-five years.
Until last Tuesday he had not taken glance out
side the prison walls since his entrance. On that
day he asked Mr. HAYNES to be allowed to ascend to
the cupOla OF the prison and look once more at his
native city, Charlestown Permission was given, and
he was supplied with spyglaSs TO aid MS vision,
which had grown rather dim. Truly, Rip Van Win
ke has here a counterpart
There are at present $40 prisoners i'm the prison
OF this number % are for life. one hundred and
eighty are between the ages OF 20 ana 90 and 10 be-
tween 60 and TO- Fifteen are committed for arson,
23 for mansaughter IA for murder 60 for robbery,
for incest IL for rape, and the balance for various
minor offenses. Last year were sentenced for
murder for manslaughter and for arson. OF the
entire number $50 are foreigners, and the balance
natives, 80 being negroes. OF the natives, the largest
number except 225 for Massachusetts are for New
York, being 49, In the hospital connected with the
nj "a a
in such condition that it is doubtful If they will
cover,