Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-01-02
OUR CONvICrS.
State Prison Discipiiae-H0w the COnvIcts take
Cell Life--statistIcs or Crime.

reached here Monday evening last,
and surrendered unconditionaly to
Commissioner Wheeler. We were
given every chance to interview pris-
oners, and to investigate the pr 4on
management, through and through.
What we learned was this, that there
are two hundred and two COW tets
in our State Prison that one of them
wants to remain where he is +; and
that the other two hundred and one
want to get out, some of them terrir
bly,. | should except from this latter
class three or four, who have gone
crazy from long confinement and are
beyond all hope or care about prison
walls.
DISCIPLINE.
The convicts, at this season. are
kept at work nine hours in the yard
and shops, and then locked up fifteen
hours in the small stone cells. Fif>
teen long hours not a word or syl-
liable passing between them. TIL is
so every weekday, and has been so
for twenty years. No reIiefs no
sports no diversion not so much as
game of old sledge or euchre. We
may DO little chicken. hearted, but
it strikes us that this kind of ire IT.
ment of fellow being isn't just the
thing.
1t is worse, perhaps, on Sundays.
The cells are unlocked at eleven, and
the prisoners marched up to the
chapel room. Then comes a bit Of
singing, and stout prayer by Oh lp-
lain Drew, and lastly a good sermon
in which they are RECALLED with &C
counts of the blessings and efficacy
of atoning blood in this world, and
with visions Of golden harps and
angel choirs in the next. A BIZ of
singing, and then dead march back
TO their cells again.
"UNCLE JIMMY"
The oae exception referred to of a
prisoner who didn't want to leave is
Edward Walsh, better known as
"Uncle Jimmy" He was sent here
from Waushara He formerly work ed
on the Milwaukee and Chicago rail
road, He killed friend and comrade
In drunken frenZy and was sent
here for life. After reaching town.
he came to the prison gate of his
own accord, ahead of the sheriff. He
has been here ID years. He is trust
ed everywhere, lie is boss of he
stone yard, giving and receiving
ORDERS and looking after the interest
OF the prison, as if it were his own.
There is nothing for him, he says,
outside. He was good man once,
but he fell. Ho had family OF a
wife and three children, but he has
no knowledge of their whereabouts
or condition. He wishes the world
TO forget him. "Uncle Jimmy" is
happy, "qdite happy, "he says. There
is not a particle of culprit look in his
eyes not particle of malice in Dis
nature. He is at peace with himself
and Catholic to the bone.
PAT BENNETT.
In contrast with "Uncle Jimmy"
is the condition Of poor old Pat j n
net. He came here about the sam
time, and was put in for the 80 me
crime as "UncIe jimmy" He Ii ed
formerly in the Fourth Ward, Nils
waukee He had two daughters aud
poor old drunken creature of wife,
whom he killed with an ak in fl of
delirium tremens. He was sent h re
for life. Naturally he is as KIM
man as need be. He has been dbl
gent workerfor theState for Is years.
not losing day till a week ago
Monday, when he took to his cell.
His spirits seem exhausted. He has
given up all hopes of release. He
has got it into his mind that he las
been scandalized and disgraced by
his brother inmates. He shall never
work more he says; never leave his
cell. Matt Keenan,, and Mayor
O'Neil, of Milwaukee, have made
strenuous efforts in the past to eff ct
his release, but to no avail p or
Pat can't read, and his head see ms
to be going. Death or insanity is
not far in the future.
HUGH KRosCHER.
Hugh Kroscher says he will say
here tho year out and then kill him.
self if not released. He is o young
man from GAINESVILLE. He has b. en-
here two or three years, and has as
much longer to stay. He was cha cg-
ed with barning his own shop to ret
a small insurance. 1t was all ie,
he says. He was trying to get up
little IN the world, and his house
burned down over his head. Kros-
cher is sort of German Frenchm an,
very sensitive, high strung and intel
lectual, Only fool OF philosopher
can endure prison life, he says, and
be is not either. He speaks of the
noble character of Mrs. Wheeler and
of the kindness of the officers but it
is no place for nice man here
Really it is very disagreeable, he
says, to have to 60 up to the chapel
every Sunday, with hands resting on
each others shoulder resembling a
Brazilian ape, and confirming Dar-
wins theory of human descent. He
is bound to leave here by Newly ears,
or make die of it. He is relying
upon his friend Deuster, of Milwau-
kee, to present his paper to the G. w.
ernor. If his papers fail him, fare-
we'll TO earth.
JIMMY ROWAN.
Jimmy Rowan is 'doing splendids
| ly," on turning lathe, but still is
not happy. He talks freely about
bis stabbing affair in Milwaukee,
crying like baby. He didn't intend
to kill, he:says. There is little doubt
that Rowan's previous character had
much to do with his conviction. Of
ficers speak well of him,
II. r. ADAMS.
Mr.. Adams was found up in The
north store room of the prison. mark
ing and boxing up chairs. But for
his dress he would be taken f, r a
W hOlaaQla f,aoroha -,