The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-06-30

AS soon aS THIS ID QnlSQeQ, Guey are luspeCteu Ny
the physician cf the the JAIL and IL Is fact worth
noticing, that since October, 1858, only two
deaths (rom dlsease) have occurred among the
prisoners. This Is something unusual, and
speaks well for the sanitary measures nov pur
sued. As soon as the scruobing is over, the prls
oners repair to
THE SCHOOL
and enter upon new sphere OF duties. the
school Is charitable undertaking, which was
originated and has been carried on by Mrs. J. c.
Caussen the wife OF the jailor. It was Instituted
In June, 1870, and has since then been kept up by
her exertions, without any payment or recon.
pense from the State or county. The pupils can
Ill afford to pay, and the charity, inasmuch as 1t
goes to the abode and centre OF crime, is so much
the more praIseworshy. The pupils are taught
from 10 O'Clock until $50 P. n. each day, except
Saturdays, in summer, and Sundays. The princl.
paiis assisted at times by such white prisoners
as are able to do so. On Sundays the services Of
preacher are usually obtained, and the prison.
ers all attend divine service In the school room,
where they sing hymns and listen to instructive
addresses.
THE SCHOOL ROOM.
is alarge roomy apartment on the second moor,
and is filed with long benches upon which the
scholars Sit The walls around are covered with
black boards upon which the daily lessons
are inscribed with chalk In the beginning lot
ofbooks were obtained, but the pupils after serv.
Ing their term in jail generally forgot to leave
their books, and so the system Of book-teachtng
had to be abandoned. There are now about
seventy pupils In the school, sixteen Of the most
forward scholars graduated few days ago, and
left for the university (Penitentlary) In Oolum.
bia None but inmates OF the prison are allowed
to attend, and they are all divided into
TWO LARGE CLASSES.
The first class ls well advanced, aud is taught
arithmetic and geography. They read the Bible,
and spell with great facility long words OF three
syllables such as larceny" and know the mean.
ing Of 1t too The shining light In this class was
Henry Taylor, who went 70 the Penltentlary las.
week for stealing. While awaiting his trial he
improved his mind, and II he Is not hanged, will
probably be an educated maa one OF these days.
James Gilliard Ia now at the head, and is also
awaiting his trial for grand larceny. He has
i've months until November, and is making the
most OF them. This class is composed Of grand
larcenisss and assaulters, with an occasional
burglar.
THE SECOND CLASS
is composed OF smaller fry. They have their let
ters and words Of one syllable printed In chalk on
the blackboard, and from the same source OF in.
spirat1on they chants lesson In the multiplication
table. Most OF these are vagrants and petty lar.
cenists They are not the best dressed or the most
intelligent looking set In the world, but the field
Is not hopeless. The small boys learn quickly.
but the girls and the men seem more dindent
In the morning the Ten Commandments are read
and explained to them, particularly the eighth.
The
CHIEF OBSTACLE
to the learning OF the prisoners is the nterrup.
tlon occasioned by their term being out. Most Of
them are sent for thirty days, and at the end OF
that time are discharged and forget everything.
It is curious, however, that they always .esurn to
the school after short holiday. In spite of the
eighth commandment they fall into their old
tricks, and are sent up for another term. The
Charleston thieves are not numerous enough to
escape detection for q long time. A robbery is
committed, and the thief Is Immediately suspect.
ed. In this way several pupils have been at
school in the jail for eight or nine months, with
but four or five days OF holiday at the end Of
each thirty days. This Is the eject Of the trial
justice system, and where judges are so numer-
GUS, the JaIls must be full. short time ago, q
boy stole
FOURTEEN FANCY FOWLS
AID was sent to jail for twenty i've days. BE con.
fessed 1t in JAIL laughed at the term Imposed, and
said he would serve ont the term and then get the
fowls. he said they were worth lots Of money.
and he could afford to buy them at that price.
Yesterday the female pupils were unable to at.
tend the school until late the turnkey having In
adyertently gone OF aud carried the key to their
cells. The first class were engaged In their
ARITHMETIC LESSON.
Teacher. II you wanted to buy cloth, what
measure would you use'
Au Cloth measure. Small boy, soto uoCe Il
wouldn't walt fur medger um."
TIE GOOD EFFECT OF TIE SCHOOL
Is to give occupation, and at the same time In
structlon to the prisoners during several hours,
which they hitherto used to spend In cursing,
swearing and gambling. They are now quietly
employed, and the residents In the neighborhood
all bear witness to the improvement In this re.
spect. No noises are heard, and during the school
hours the Jail is as quiet and orderly OF the
well.regulated public schools Of the city. The
VISITING DAYS
at the jail are Tuesdays and Fridays, and then
any one can see any OF the inmates and bring
them little comforts, which cannot be furnished
within. At half.past O'Clock school is dismiss.
ed, and the bell rings for
DINNER.
This Is served In the large corridor OF the Jail,
whittier the edibles are conveyed. The prisoners
each produce large tin pan and spoon, and
assemble with commendsble puncruallty. They
are helped to about TWO quarts OF stuff, and the
avidity with which they devour 1t is wonderful.
Their appetltes are indescribable. Few stop
short Of two quarts, and one accomplished wa
ter bucket OF feed at q sitting. Some OF them
boast but single garment, having traded all the
rest away to the other prisoners for dinners.
They have fresh meat three times week, and
"aoP-IN-JOHNn
the other four. The latter .ls, by far, the most