New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-20
MRS. FAIR In JAIL.
How the Prisoner is Housed and Treated
Ventilation, but Fumes of Opium and
Tobacco Constantly in Her CeIl-Mrs.

No Ventilation, but Fumes of Opium and
Tobacco Constantly in Her Cell-Mrs.
Fairs Health Failing.
From the San Francisco Chronicle, May 10,
Armed with an order of admittance
kindly given them by Sheriff White, two of
the Chronicle reporters presented them
selves at the county Jail yesterday and de-
manded entrance. After brief delay they
were ushered into the presence of chief
tailor Kelly. He was at first disinclined to
comply with the reporters request to be
shown to the cell occupied by Mrs. Fair,
giving as a reason that she did not wish to
receive visitors, and that it was against the
rules of the prison. Having been assured
that the interview was expected by Mrs.
Fair, he led the way to the cell, the re
pOrters were announced and Immediately
admitted.
The cell occupied by Mrs. Fair is on the
second floor, and the first one to the left
after entering the corridor. 1t is a small
apartment of stone, about seven by ten,
with the walls newly whitened. Immedi-
ately opposite the door, and full five feet
from the floor, is the solitary opening con-
sisting of two narrow Sits in the thick wall
unprotected by any window glass-the sole
protection being curtain which is strung
across the opening. When this is not drawn
back the cell is perfectly black, unless the
small wicket in the massive iron door chance
to be open. A bit of carpet covers a por-
ton of the floor; small stand is Just be-
meath the window Cf it can be digniied by
that name); at the left is the stationary
closet, and on the right side of the cell
stands the bedstead On this bedstead
Mrs. Fair was reclining as the reporters
entered. She asked them to be seated, and
excused herself for not rising on the ground
of being i'll and weak
Mrs. Fairs face bears traces of the anxiety
rgI,a h,a
since her trial. The sorrow lines are deeply
traced in her countenance; her ewes are
heavy and dim, and her complexion, which
was of a clear white, has become dull and
lifeless in its color. Around her head was
bound a white kerchief, TO protect her ears
from the drafts from the window. She ex-
pressed her willingness at all times to see
the Chronicles reporters, but added that
the rules were very strict as to the admis-
sion of visitors. Even her own mother and
daughter were allowed to see her only once
day; and unless they present themselves
at the exact minute, they can not gain ad-
mittance.
Reporter-You are in very narrow quar-
tiers, Mrs Fair.
Mrs. Fair-The cell is large enough for me.
| do not complain of its size, but there is no
warmth here, and there is no ventilation
when ! draw the curtain over these holes
R.-The sun can never reach this room,
should judge.
Mrs F.-Oh, no, except for minute or
two in the afternoon. The cell is damp and
cherries. You can not appreciate how
cherries it is to one who has to remain in
it from day to day. 1t is quite nice now TO
what it was when they first placed me here
1t had just been vacated by number of
common criminals, and was in a most filthy
condition-the t1eas so thick that you could
have caught them by the handful.
R.-It seems quite clean and neat now,
Mrs. Fair.
Mrs F.-Yes, it was cleansed the next
day. and the walls whitened. | was taken
to Mrs. Kelly's 1.-THE matron'sj room while
the work was being done, but was brought
back that night. | think that sleeping in
che cell while the whitewash was yet moist
made me sick. That and the draft. The
moment the wicket is opened in the door a
terrible draft is created.
RI Should have supposed that the win !
dow would have been guarded by glass. |
Too much ventilation is worse than none.
Mrs. F.-No, no. | would give anythino
for fresh air; but at night the fumes from |
the pipes of those confined in the cell below |
come pouring in until grow deathlv sick. |
There must be Cinnamon down there, for |
am sure that the smoke is from opium as
well as tobacco. If | pull the curtain and |
open the wicket in the door it is just as bad; |
the tetid air in the corridor, exhausted of |
its freshness by having been breathed by a |
hundred men, is as bad or worse than the |
smoke.
E.-It is cruel, indeed, to be deprived of |
that necessary element, air. 1t can not he |
healthy to be confined in this damp cell, |
into which the suns rays never come Have
YOU never asked to be removed to your old
room!
Mrs F.-Yes. but no one seems willing to
: II
not do it without an order from the sheriff,
and Mr.. White does not feel warranted in
giving such an order until the physician of |
the iail, DR.. johnson, certities that il is ne
ccssary for my health.
R-What reason is there that you should |
not have your old room; is it not secure!
Mrs. Fit seemed so to me during the |
long months occupied it. There are heavy |
bars in the window; ! do not family smil- |
ing) look like one who could tear great iron
bars apart, do /!
R.-Indeed you do not madam. But it |
seems as if there might be more done to |
make this place comfortable; you haven't |
so much as a looking glass.
Mrs. F.-No, there is no glass and but |
few conveniences. There is not room for |
my trunk and bureau in here, suppose. |
but have no right to complain just think |
of the poor fellows who are confined here |
without single luxury, and almost none
of the necessaries of life 1t is hard enough |
to bear, but there are so many worse off !
than | that | ought to feel thankful for the |
little have. Think of them-e1ght or nine |
huddled together in one little cell. Poor |
fellows.
R.-Have you any reason to complain of |
the jailer or his subOrdinates, Mrs. Fairl
Mrs. FL do not wish to make com
plants. If / were unjustly and harshly |
treated land mind, do not say that | ami, |
it would do no good to noise it around: / |
would not be benefited by the notoriety. |
You, surely, would not wish me any harm.
R.-No, indeed, madam it is not our