Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-18
Tweed on Blackwell's Island.

This morning VIM. NJ. Tweed, the de-
posed autoerat of New York, was placed
Oh the roll as assistant orderly in the
medical department of the penitentiary
on Blackwell's Island.
On Sunday he was visited by Com
missioner Stern. He was found lying
on his back, gasping for breath, and ap-
parently at the point of death. He has
long been affected with asthma, and it
is supposed that the cold bath which ad.
ministered on his arrival at the prison
on Saturday, coupled with severe men-
tai excitement, brought on the attack
of asthma, accompanied by diarrhea.
Mr.. Tweed was so altered in features
that Commissioner Stern says he did not
recognize him.
"You have brought me here to die,"
the prisoner gasped out, "and it won't
take long"
Tweed rolled his head from side to
side despondingly, and wept like
child.
A medical examination was ordered,
and Mr.. Tweed was removed to the
hospital. He is now greatly improved
in health.
The hospital is the .opmost story of
the penitentiary. An unbroken floor
separates 1t from the prison proper. 1t
is large and well ventilated, and under
the charge of competent medical Of
ficers.
When Mr.. Tweed first arrived at the
penitentiary the warden arrayed him
in the striped garments usually worn
by felons.
Commissioner Stern has appointed
out to the warden the fact that, in this
respect, he has exceeded the rules of the
prison.
The striped suit is assigned to those
only who are convicted of felony. For
prisoners sentenced for misdemeanor
the regulations provide different garb,
consisting of dark wooden suit of uni
form color.
The distinction is based on the fact
that felons are generally violent and
notorious criminals, and that when the
two classes-those convicted of felony
and those sentenced for misdemeanor--
are working in gangs together, the
keepers can more easily sustain close
watch over the movements of the FORM
er class.
The striped garb has been removed
and tweed wears his own clothes until
a suit according to the regulation pat
tern for misdemeanors is made for him,
there being none in stock sufficiently
large.
On visit to the penitentiary this
morning, Mr.. Tweed was found seated
at Il desk in the medical department,
copying prescriptions into book. He
is to be kept here on regular duty as
hospital orderly, and will not be re-
moved to the penitentiary proper. This
is no special favor extended to him per-
sonally, Commissioner Stern says, but
is course pursued in all cases, whether
of felony or misdemeanor, in which it
is recommended by the medical author
tiles OF the island.
Tweed's duties here will extend over
a wide field. Besides copying all pre-
scriptions ordered for inmates of the
hospital, he will have to administer the
apply bandages, assist in op-
erations, and hold such patients as are
subject to periodical fits of epilepsy.
He win have to clean and arrange the
medical department, and see that the
surgical instruments and other hospital
appliances are kept in proper order.
Mr.. Tweed looked haggard and bro
ken spirited. He speaks to NO one, and
performs his duties in an inert, mechan-
ical manner. The removal of his hair
and beard has given unwonted promi-
nence to his features, and his sunken
cheeks have greatly added to this.
The Boss sleeps in comfortable bed
in the hospital, and takes his meals with
the other orderlies of the institution.
The fare is substantially the same as
that furnished to the prisoners in the
neutrality-suspicious. Eagle, Dec. 8.