Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-05-03
LudIOW-Street jail.

Not the least interesting of the public
buildings of New York is Ludlow Street
Jail. To the student of human nature it
is we'll worth visit. The visitor, On en-
tering, is shown into the Warden's Office
and reception-room. This is dingy sort
of place, but withal comfortable. In one
corner is an office where the books are
kept, and around the room are chairs and
benches for visitors Then he is shown
up narrow winding staircase into the
main corridor, and to the right is the din
ing -room-large and airy Here those
prisoners who cannot afford to buy their
own meals are supplied with food at the
| expense of the City or General Govern
ment. Others, called boarders, pay a
stipulated price per week for their meals
and receive their lodgings free. Return
ing from the dining room, the visitor
enters the corridor. This is the pris-
oners' general room and is their only
promenade, except when the state of their
health renders fresh air necessary. Here
they are seen lounging about, and one
would scarcely conclude from the air of
contentment that prevails that they are
prisoners. Among them are counter
feiters, forgers and fraudulent voters
They are always glad to see a stranger
who Will talk to them, and are ALWAYS
ready for conversation. 1t seems strange,
but it is fact that they are all hopeful
of speedy release. They are watched
over by keeper, who, though small in
stature, seems to have a perfect awe
over them. A word from him is sutfi-
cient to quiet the most noisy At the
further end of the corridor is the
chaplain's library, a small room with
a marble floor and embellished by few
decorations in the shape of flowers, wood.
cuts and chromos. The books are plainly
bound and are loaned to the prisoners
whenever they want them. In this room
also are chess, checker and back CANNON
boards, which serve to while away the
tedious hours. The celebrities of the
place are wont to congregate in this apart
ment, and while the writer was present
the amount of "chaff" which was passed
there was sufficient to make the most de-
spairing prisoner merry. The cells are
apparently very comfortable. They are
about twelve by fourteen feet, and contain
two beds each. The walls and ceilings
are whitewashed, and the only thing of
which complaint might be made is the
| darkness. The windows are large enough
| to light the room fully, were they not COW
cred with some stuff which excludes the
| light in a great measure. For the inva-
lids, or those who have influential friends,
there is a yard with walks around it, and
here they can take fresh air and exercise
themselves.
1t is generally supposed that Ludlow
Street Jail is a terrible place of confine-
ment but it is much more comfortable
than the Tombs, and, though confinement
is irksome, there are many free men in
New York to day who would be glad to
change places with the poorest of the pris-
oners there.-N. 7. Graphic.
"A novel fight was witnessed in this
| city few days ago, between a rat, hen
and rooster. A hen scratching near a
water-cask was suddenly interrupted by a
| huge rat, and neither would give way
| Finally the hen made pass with her
beak, which the rat lodged; and then the
rat made a spring for her neck, which
was not a success. At this juncture a
cluck from the hen brought up the rooster,
who, like a gallant cock, came into the
ring to take hand himself. Then COM
menced g triangular scrimmage with
teeth and beaks The hen had sent him
one right in the smeller, which seemed
very much to anger the rat. who gathered
for spring on his antagonist, which was
prevented by the cock lighting upon him
and putting both spurs into his body, per-
forming the solemn tragedy of hari- kari.
Not satisfied with disemboweling their
enemy, they picked out his eyes and lett
him. NeaobuTyport (lHass.) Herald.