The New York herald., 1876-10-14
STOKES 70 BE- FREE.
His Time Expires on Satur-
day, October 2S.
A Visit to Auburn Prison and
It's Malefactors.
The Scientific and Philosophical Opinions Of
Edward :. Stokes.
AUBURN. n. Y. Oct IL, 1876.

AuBuRs n. Y, Oct H. 1875
"wsrdsn when do you say that the time of Edward
g. Stokes will have expired ?n the inquiry made
of tall energetic quick-eyed man, wearing red side
whiskers a few days since, n the largo and severe
looking apartments used as guard room In Auburn
State Prison. The question was asked OF Warden Ours
lon who has charge OF about l. 500 convicls At this
place, and whose contract is think, big that OF
any other warden In the State.
ED Stokes" replied the Warden, "leaves hero at
eight O'Clock Saturday morning october IS. His
time cxpires-that is. the three years which ho has
servei-on Sunday the 2ath, but do not discharge
convcts on Sunday and, therefore, Stokes VIII leave
the Saturday morning His sentence for four
years. but, ing TO the commuiation, he has had
year taken of his time"
found that the rules were much moro strict in
Auburn Prison than they are at the prison at Sing
Sing, the change in The treatment OF stokes this
place has been a decided from the treatment
received by HIM a tho other State Prison. A very
severe discipline has ueen enforced, and the Warden
has stated that ho has compelled be with
Stokes owing to tho attacks small fry local
partisan ana political character who have hcs,-
lated assert that no had been in tho practicc OF
granting favors to Stokes which he had refused TO
others.
Auburn Prison from tho outside has gloomy look
MS, TACT most State prisons the only relief
10 It's sombre perspective Of granite walls, pork pic
topped turrcE and towers iron gates and lonely sentry
boxes the Jagged amparis is found the view that
the spectator has Of The comca looking figure OF tho
Continental soldier that surmounts The cupola Of
tho prison, and whose absurd cockcd hat and
musket attract tho attention of all strangers who
pay visit here In this closing period Of centennial
pie IN town. who may be found standing outside OF tho
walls Of this gloomy PRISON, just as Tho provincial
coming up to London for the irst may be found
gazing at the grimy walls Of Newgate As l said be.
FORE the Warden OF the prison has placed re-
sirictons visitors who ight wish sec stokes and
! ascertained that therc would be considerable DIM
Guilty In beng permitted to soc him. No other man
In any prison in this country to-day has much pub
lie interest attached 10 his past and much specua.
tion vouchsaied n regard TO mis- future
Thinking II might be possible to get glimpse of
Stokes II be were IN attendance at divine service
paid visit on Sunday morning last TO the prison al
lew inmates before nine O'Clock. The rule is that oil
who desire do may attend the morning services,
but the main gate 10 closed by the guard who wears
ctzens clothes, at few mo- and is Kept
closed until after tho services, which dc not
last more than half hour. Passing up the granite
steps alter getting admission at the gate between
Two stone towers came into wide hall, whose walls
decorated with plans OF the prison and grounds
At the further door congresacd the who
restrained tho crowd IN which stood IRON pushing in
On them. There few OF these who had relations
or trends in the pr. son. could be seen IRON their
anxious and painful looks toward the door, nut the
majority oil both sexes, among whom were some
young girls, were simply vulgar curiosity seekers
nothing more. The keepers waiting allow the
tonvicis 10 IS IN to chapel from their cells tho
further of gfounds OF The PRISON.
my GRAY HAIRS ARE sHAMEpn
suddenly there a uusc as OF Gang iny doprs and
opening bolts, showed ward and were
nomited 10 pass along dark corridor 10 the chapel
which entered moment alter. 1t was a vast han
with upright posts and IN II seated when took
my place $50 convicts IN their horizontsy stripeu
uniforms, most OF their hca bc shaved with
and there an exception in the way q hand
somcly curicd heat vi hair Some Of the heads
were gray, one tue head oil Dr. Christopher j. Name
a notorious abortonist, whose frame snook with
senils palsy, being particularly noticeable. Tnerc
were, is piiiiui 10 think Of NUMBER whitehaired
men there whose hairs were covered with shame oi
their own makAg Tho visitors were barred from
tcr!ng among the prisoners by the stan HercuIean
keeper and we're motoncd TO the seats al thc back Of
the hail silently by The Keepers The chapel did not
look IKE chapel 10 me in any sense, and feeling OF
oppression anu gloom, chill, passed through
looked al the packs OF the heads OF tins forest of
convics. The room was obiong and had seven
windows each side, in whose deep cfnbrasures AT
about i've feet from the Goor, thirty
keepers. ZACH having six.bar relied revolver
in his pantaoons' pocket and large cudge
loaded with lead IN his hands These kcepers
all stout, hardy lookin, ey never left
tho rows of prisoners ON v nom they look ed down
watchuliy, for moment, from their elevated places
The gallery was soon iilled by tho women who camc
visitors and tho services began, the minister. a
Baptist-Rsv. Alphouzo Leroy--oiiciating There was
choir at The further end oi The chape! OF, think,
eight PERSONS and a young convict eighteen or
nineteen, with Sluvonc name and SAvonic features,
performed the cabinet organ while the cho r.
partly young men aud partly midde-aged men, sung
EVERY Day and Hour / Need Thee The whole
thing seemed SO incongruous aud exceptional as TO
pre- oandIy Impress me- on ono side, the choir and
orgauist in their striped unlfor.us anu up high
seat, little distance oil, sat the warden, by his SIDE
VISITOR while in The centre and facing the thckiy
ed convics stood The haired leading the
hymn his tall and erect but aged form swaying under
passionate influences o his deep uerances and TO
Enisn all, the thirty Keepers, silcnt AZ death and
wxtchfu as house dogs, with their biudgeons last in
the grasp OF each mans hand. The preacher
qui,e VIVID in his sentences yet, although every con
followtd him with silent attention, e used, the
saying is, mo big words, and talked 10 the level OF
his hearers understanding urging them TO bcar their
burdens, that their yoke misht be light with patience
and iorttudc. THIS substantially tho theme OF
remarks, and the convc,s evidently we're eager listen
crs must be great rclci 10 them, this change
IRON The workshops OF the six previous Gays
The convicts rise In their places respond
except Tor The benedicton a. they pass back to their
ceaseess cell conhnement l could not help noticing
how dissonant tho singing OF these familiar hymns
wcs, knowing that the keepers had loaded
revovers In their pockets, and yet be-
Mcve tnat the chants melodious
IN reality those Of any average choir the difference
being only In the stern. repressys SURROUNDINGS that
told all these $50 poor wrctches that they
slaves oi crimes OF the law OF the land,
There very clear soprano voice and the effect
WAS good as the choir burst forth IN the hymn
Jesus. lover OF my soul.
Lef rne Thy bosom nv,
While the nearer watefs roll.
While the tempest stiil is nghi
Hide me, q. my saviour. hide.
Till the storm Of lite ~ past,
Safe into Thy haven guide
o. receive my soul AZ last.
suppose this choir is mn uncquaied one in this
any other country. from It's composition aud having
some curiosity 10 the OF COM
mitted by It's members, and which cause OF
their sentences made II NV business TO ascertain tho
nature Of their crimes, give them they were
given 10 me, follows