The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-03-23

NOVEL SCENE IN THE JAIL.-Among those
present at the NJ. E, Conference during the past
weekwas Chaplain Dermott, Of the Pittsburgh jail.
On last Saturday the chaplain obtained permis.
sion from the Sheriff to hold religious services In
the jail on Sunday afternoon, and arrangements
were made to thet end. The Sheriff moved all his
prisoners, nine in number, TO the upper floor, and
about three o'clock Sunday afternoon Chaplain
Dermot, attended by few ministers the Nilsson
Club, and limited number Of visitors were con.
Quoted up the stairway and into the corridor of
the jail which was prepared for the occasion. The
prisoners, including Williams, the three-card
monte man who shot Brakeman Miller Harts.
horn, one of the Imboden burglars, and other
less noted offenders were arranged in line along
the south side Of the corridor, while Mrs Rich
ardson, dressed in deep mourning, occupied a
chair on the north side opposite the the other
prisoners The visitors were arranged in lines on
both sides Of the corridor through It's entire length
The occupant Of cell number three absolutely re.
fused to come out with the others, and remained
on his bunk through the entire time. The services
were opened by Thoughts OF Long Ago" which
was touchingly rendered by the Nilsson Club, af-
ter which Chaplain Dermot read an appropriate
scrptural lesson, which was attentively listened
to by all. This was followed by stirring prayer
by the chaplain, and hymn by the Nilssons. The
prisoners, thus far, sat silently and apparently un-
affected, except Mrs. Richardson, who appeared
somewhat agitated, and sat- most Of the time, with
black -bordered handkerchief to her eyes. Chap
lain Derinot then began touching address, which
lasted for about three.quarteB of an hour. His
familiarity with such scenes enabled him TO speak
in an affecting manner, and the address was g.
strong appeal to their natures, and pointed d.
recty to each detected one forwhose benefit 1t was
intended And then, too the solemn services SO
seldom witnessed by the visitors, outside Of the
gilded and lighted precincts of the houses of wor.
ship, were rendered doubly impressivein in that long
low hall OF gloom, with criminals and confined
offenders for acongregaton and 1t seen ed to have
aneffect on them, too. The speaker brought vivid
ly to their minds the remembrance of times when
they were young and innocent, surrounded by
watchful parents and friends who cared for them
and did all possible for their good At the close
of his address he passed from one to another of
the prisoners shaking hands and imploring Gods
blessing to rest upon them. number of them
were visbly affected and seemed impressed by the
solemn services The address was followed by
singing, and prayers by Rev. Mr.. Boyd, and other
ministers present. and finally at quarter to FIVE
o'clock, the doxology was sung by all present, and
the visitors filed slowly out, while the prisoners
moved as slowly and more sadly to their narrow
cells, some exhibiting emotion which could not
but have been real. The scene was one which
will not soon be forgotten by those visitors to
whom the sight was unusual as well as truly af.
fecting