The Morning herald., 1875-10-08
LR. WEST.

HIS APPROACHING Observation-Disclosures
JAIL PHYSICIAN AND MECHANIC-wHAr
ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.
In three weeks, or thereabouts, DR.. West
will again be at liberty. AS the time draws
near, the people of Dover, and many other
places, cogitate upon the mysteries in the
case, the bearing Of the mar, the characte
and devotion of his wife, the chances which
he had to escape before his trial, and the
consideration which has been shown him by
the SheriGs.
lie has nearly served out the full term Of
Imprisonment, which the law lays down for
the offence charged against him, hence his
liberty is certain, as under the circumstances
he cannot be held for the fine, provided
there was an inclination in that way but
the universal will is to let him go, as his
board, charged upon the county, for three
months mere, would be poor way of re-
munerating the county, as no one expects q
fine to be paid under ordinary circumst ances,
and certainly much less under the circum-
stances in which he is placed. He was ap-
pointed Warden about a year ago, and has
had full charge of the Jail he has served
as Jail Physician for some time; he eats at
the Sheriff's table and chats socially with
the family and visitors.
He devotes from eight to twelve hours q
day to his books, and from four to six hours
to constructing instruments for measuring
the capacity or rather the breathing capaci-
ty of the lungs. His work he has kept
profound secret working at them after night
in his room. A firm in New York furnishes
the materials for him, and he makes the in
struments at a fixed price. We are reliably
informed that he makes from sl2to $50 per
week. The instrument, called "spirome-
ter" is an invention Of his own. Many a
'peach pluck the past season, has had
cause to be glad Dr.. West was accessible.
Early in the season he gave one a prescrip-
tion, which he had filled, and it cured him
in few days; and as the Doctor made no
charge for advice, and the ''plucks" had 70
money to spare, his skill was asked for Iy
many, and we are informed by one of his
patients, for whom he had cured carbun-
Gle, that he would rather have him at
regular price, than any physician he knows.
He had excellent success. The question has
been propounded by many to their friends:
"Will DR.. Vests wife ever live with him
again! we presume "t iIc "t ItcTty 10 Say
she will, as soon as the law liberates him.
We heard her say as much in store in Dover
few days AGO. She has been in very
delicate state of health for several years.
but is now rapidly gaining strength, and
says she believes the restoration Of her hus-
band to liberty, will cure her. Mrs. West
is the daughter Of John Slay, Esq, the re-
corder Of deeds, etc., for Kent county. She
is a lady Of unblemished character, and has
had the respect and deep sympathy of all
who know her, even in the stormy time Of
the "Cooch affair" She has been mos:
devoted wife throughout. We hear few per-
sons talk who would like to keep the doctor
in jail forever, if possible, were it not for
the fact that the county has to pay his
board, and they, the Sheriff feeds him so
well, and he seems to have such a tine time
reading-he is a puzzle.
When will the State Of Delaware find
some employment for those it is compelled
to board Each year every prisoner costs
one of the counties from $lA to 5000, while
he idles away his time, or turns it to his
own profit, as the one above named does.
Prisoners should be made sclf-supporting