The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-15

guards surprising that he had business theff:
Secured Citizens Cushing and a.
panions from the wardrobe, which he had hid In
his bucket On reaching the yard ne went
others were waiting tor him. The whole company
soon threw on their convict garb, and stood
dresse1 as citizens. Then descending to the shaft
under the wheelhouse, they followed that under
ground 70 the prison wall, distance OF thirty feet
large the shalt hole through the thick wall and by
three O'Clock they were ready to go out. At this
time there was sentinel posted on the wall
Once outside outside the wan their way was
along to the front OF the prison on Stale Street,
then boldly walked up State to Genesee street,
lowed Genesee street eastward to Augusta street,
IN the outskirts OF the city, and there entered q
house which had been provided for them, ana
where they remained for three weeks. In the
meantime, as soon as the escape was discovered,
which was during the afternoon, an alarm was
keepers were sent in every direction, but no cew
to the fugltives could be found At the END OF
conveyed the runaways to that place where they
took cars for various points. Noble went directly
to New YORK, and was soon on board vessel
time. He has since been arrested in Europe for
crime committed there, and mas further illustrated
his ingenuity by regaining his liberty.
One circumstance that has materially aided the
present warden in keeping his charge in subjec-
ton Is the prospect OF Increased commutation
ture. The old law allowed to every prisoner IN
consideration OF good behavior,
A COMPUTATION OF SERVICE
as fouows:-Durlng the first two years, one month
for each year; for each subsequent year to the
year TO the tenth. three months each year; for
each subsequent year up to the twentieth, four
The new law more than doubles this communal
ton, az Will be seen by the IOuOwng:-For the
oas nor 0r
for each year alter the fourth and up to the thirty
fifth year, five months each year.
Under this law, II 1t meets the Governors ap-
prevail upwards OF $50 convlcts will be entitled TO
immediate discharge, provided they do not forfeit
that right by any act OF INSTRUMENTATION or at.
temptat escape. This is a large reward Tor good
behavior. and cannot he without Its salutary
e Albany
to learn that the Executive approval has been
given to this bill
The food provided in this prison is exceptionally
good ana reasonably varied Good fresh beef and
potatoes, corned beef pork and beans, wholesome
prisoners are in no measure stinted in their allow
ance. Walters pass along the tables three times
curing eaEa meal to repenls te dshes OF those
Of very superior quality, all wheat, and, though
dark, very ,palatable and nourishng. 1t is iur-
nished at all meals in unlimited quantities.
Adjoining this prison, and under the same gen.
eral supervision is an asylum Tor insane convlcts,
tien.s from all the prisons OF the State This asy.
lnm now contains nearly 100 patients, and is UNI
duly crowded. ~ two patients IN most
is now in process OF erection which will more than
double
THE CAPACITY OF THE ASYLUM.
This addition will be ready for occupancy during
the present season. The asylum Is under the i'm
success in the treatment OF unortunates bereft of
reason Is Wen known. His administration is based
wholly on principles Of humanity. His theory Is
that the insane convict Is confined Tor pur-
poses OF care, treatment and cure, not Tor
punishment. The statutes provide that mo
act done by a person in a state OF insanity can
be punished offence: ana no insane
person can be tried. sentenced to any punishment,
as IN e Of
OF this establishment, though all criminals, the
law interposes stay Of proceedings and sentence
is virtually suspended And so the humane super
lntendent ts justified in treating all committed to
his charge with the same kindly Consideration that
would be bestowed upon the most innocent per-
son afflicted with the same maady. Dr. Wilkie Is
ably assisted In his duties by his estimable and
pious wiIe, who acts as matron and considers her.
OF the patients She IL most admirably adapted
for the work she mas here assumed. She moves
among the family OF unfortunates with as much
freedom and courage one would expect were
they all her own children and Tree from mental
disease. They all know her and seem to love and
| respect her. She never passes one OF them with
Ouf& KIND word and some well timed recognition
Confidence anu gives her an influence over them
that could not otherwise be secured.
The asylum is divided into tour wards three Of
which are occupied by males and one by females
The male wards are all full; in the female ward
there are at present but eight patients. The most
THE NOTED YELLED MuRDEKEss,
whose history has been SO repeatedly written up.
ana def n ne Naw yorS
bug. Is also an inmate OF this asylum, bereft Of
reason.
The occupants OF each ward form q colony by
themselves. BY day they have the freedom OF
their broad corridors, keeper being continually
with them. At night they are provided with com
Portable beds in good sized rooms, two usually
occupying room though each having separate
Of tho wbn,a punhor nouu in tho q ovun,-n,potv
eight-forty have committed murder. or the MUIR
derers several are aggravated cases. Asa Kettle,
blind, is held here without conviction Tor the
der OF both his parents, near Troy, Few years
Tu ~ weak ar bs
therefore, consigned indefinitely to this institu-
ton. Asa's father was miserable drunkard, and,
when in liquor, extremely violent. They were
poor, and all compelled to work. The mother one
evening went out to milk, leaving babe In Asas
in during the mothers absence, not to allow him
to get hold OF the child. The father did return,
and made some demonstrations to take the child
from the blind boy, threatening to throw 1t out
the window. Asa screamed for help, and at the
same time struggled to elude his father. While so
The boy supposed his father had secured
IT., and, groping about ne ne found an N
Se naca Tecn by the
Of the frightened babe and fired. The BAH pierced
his mothers heart. She had come into the room
and caught the babe from the boys ARM unknown
to MIN. When Asa learned what had been done he
became violent and. clubbing the pistol, pursued
his drunken father and beat his brains out with 1t.
His intellect clouded that he scarcely realizes
that he has committed any serious crime. He
mourns somewhat for his mother, but maniiests no
regrets at the death of his father.
ANOTHER OF THE UNFORTuNATES
here confined is Levi Bodine twenty-five years
Old, from Ulster county, deaf mute the son OF u
negro mother. He was reared in the Ulster county
AlmshOuge, and had no education. In time he was
indentured to wealthy farmer. His master one
day loaned pair OF pet steers to neghbor, which
so exasperated the boy that he took an axe and
deliberately split his masters skull The jury, on
account Of MS ignorance, would not hold him re-
sponsibe for his crime, and he was sent to this
asylum as an Irresponsible being.
The case Of Asa Kettle, above mentioned, in so
far as the killing of his father was concerned, was
deliberate parrlcide. There is another case here,
more sorrOwful still. william Pierce, OF Herkimer
county, now nearly fifty years old, shot his father
dead thirty years ago. because OF some punishment
inflicted upon him. He was then bright and
healthy boy. and escaped the galows only because
OF his tender years. He is now hopeless maniac,
though mild and gentle. He remembers his ACT
well and does not manifest the slightest sorrow