The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-12
Correspondence Of the Ph~nix.
ALBANY, N. Y, Sept. 9, 1879.

York city for this place, en- route for
points farther North. A dense fog on
the river delayed our arrival until near
noon on Sunday late to make CON
neotion with the train going North
Shut up here the remainder of the day,
we determined to turn our detention to
some purpose; 30, Immediately after
dinner, we went in search of the Albany
penitentiary, where We knew some OF
our fellow-citizens were confined under
foul as we'll as fair pretexts. Arriving at
the prison, we entered that portion Of
these most lovely and romantic premises
appropriated as family residence for the
superintendent, Gen. Pillsbury. We
were met somewhat cordially by the
General, and when the object of our
visit was made known, he rather peremp
torily denied us the privilege Of seeing
any OF those men; remarking, that cit
was rule of the prison that no inter
views should be allowed with the inmates
on Sunday" He said religious services
were held in the building on Sabbath
morning for the benefit of the inmates,
and during tho rest of the day they were
locked up in their cells. But immedi-
ately he asked, "Whom do you wish to
see?" Remembering no other name than
that of Col. Browns, We mentioned it,
and forthwith he replied, you may see
him-instantly ordering one of his
subalterns to bring Squire Brown"
to the room; remarking, at the
same time, We were privileged to
talk with him as We pleased. Presently,
Col. Brown came tipping into the room,
quite smilingly, and Of the same time
bowing to Gen. P, and remarking he
had not seen the General since his re-
turn from Europe. NO." replied the
General; "but you know. Brown, can't
see you all in day. HOW have you
been since left2" "Quite we'll, Gene
raj, he replied. turning to Us and shak-
ing US heartily by the hand, recognizing
one or two of the party. He had many
questions to ask and more to answer
The Colonel said they we're most kindly
treated by the superintendent, and heard
regularly from home Their letters are
handed in every Sunday morning. and
they are allowed to write home once
month. We asked how their time was
employed. He said they were generally
working at the shoe trade, but not learn
ing much, as each had special duty to
perform. For instance, his duty was to
cut the little groove around the edge Of
the soles of the shoes, in which is i'm
bedded tho row OF Stitches ind nothing
more. He said it was not hard work,
and none of them were required to work
very hard. The Colonel said, "As for
myself, have been more or less ailing
since June, and the General has kindly
allowed mo the privileges OF the hospital,
where have any quantity of good books
to read, and I pass the time without
grumbling, but looking through these
bars, and the liberty" here the old
gentleman filled with tears and ceased
talking. We could offer no other condo
lenoe than silence, while our very fea-
lures must have told him our deepest
sympathy was felt for him. That this
man has ever been guilty Of o crime, or
of conspiracy against the peace and
quiet Of the State or country, no sane
man for q r,oment can believe. But lie
is true to- his past record, and has no
trucking to perform that the prison bars
may be removed from around him.
Fearing our visit might become iutru-
sive if heightened further, we bnde the
Colonel adIeu and the Superintendent n
farewell. thanking him for the privilege
Of tho interview. The impression with
each Of MS was, that our men arc Ger
tainly fortunate in being sent to the
Albany prison, in preference to being
confined in Columbia. The humane
treatment they receive ut the hands of
their large hearted Superintendent most
assuredly greatly assuages the horrors of
prison life away of in this Northern
cline. d. WYATT AIKEN.
TIE WooLF-P PERRIN HOMICIDE. The
Charleston papers publish long account
of the inquest held over the body OF
Perrin. The following is the verdict of
the jury:
Buttz prisoners connseD asked the
coroner to charge tho jury to tho effe@
that they must bring in verdict Of man
slaughter. The coroner replied that it
was not tic duty OF q jury Of inquest to
decide upon the degree Of murder, but
upon the manner OF tho killing. lie
then told the jury that their choice lny
between three verdicts. namely, whether
Perrin had been killed accidentally, in
self.defence or feloniously. The room