The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-12
PENITENTIABY ITEMS.

Joshus Martin, guard, has been con-
fined TO his room several days BY intiam-
matory rheumatism.
Peter Psuley, the convict who died on
Sunday morning last, was convicted OF
manslaughter and sentenced by the
Judge of the Circuit Court OF Ksnswhs
county to a term of eighteen years: he
had served about nine years OF his term
when he was released by death. This is,
| believe, the third death that occurred
in the institution during the last year,
which, considering the fact that there
have been from two hundred and twenty.
iveto two hundred and ninety prisoners
confined there ali the time, is remark
ably good sanitary showing.
a gang of convicts have been en-
ployed the past few days cutting and
hauling ice for the use OF the prison.
As was foreshsdowed in my last, that
"shock" proved too much for Major
Scroggins. He is now confined TO his
bed
A majority of the guards joined the
volunteer company.
Persons who were fortunate enough TO
be in the vicinity of McFadden's livery
stable last Thursday afternoon, were
treated TO q rare entertainment In the
way of set-to between Eph. Ryan, G..
W. b. T. Nj. T. gentlemen who bosses
the mule team, and Nc Fsdden's ''billy"
goat. Epb. does not claim complete
victory; in fact he admits that the battle
resulted in draw, and says that he was
several times upon the point of with
drawing from the field, but, fearing the
result OF an attack in the rear, and en-
tertalning very serious DOUBTS rs to his
ability TO accomplish a successful re-
treat (siuce he became member OF the
volunteer company he has been bright
ening himself up in military tactics, and
having somewhere read that TO success.
fully conduct retreat with victorious
enemy in his resr, is one OF the most
difficult movements known to military
men), and At the same time knowing
how much depended upon the
result of this combat as q
mental review of the past history OF the
Ryan family failed TO bring the mind al
instance OF q member OF that somewhat
war like family ever being vauquished
by billy goat; and feeling that the rep
utstion and good name OF his toreisthers
depended to great extent upon him, he
determined TO "conquor or die, and
gathering his entire energies for final
effort, he seized his gostshlp BY the horns,
and by a series OF vi sorous kicks, thumps
and twistings of the neck of his sntsgon-
1T, at last succeeded in bringing the en-.
gagement TO the above recorded rather
unsatisfactory termination. That his
enemy is not vanquished, but will renew
the combat at the first favorable oppor-
tunity, he feels satisfied. As to what the
result OF q second encounter will be he
is far from being satisfied, and awaits the
attack with feelings anything but pleas
ant.
Whilst the venerable night watchmsn
al the prison entertaius very decided
scrupes against the use of proisne Ian
guage as n general thing. Still he was
moved the other mornins to say that II
he could find the man who "put up that
Job onto him. which compelled him, one
of the coolest of the late cold nights, TO
travel across the prison yard land that,
too, in diagonal course) and then stand
al tie outside OF the hall door sans psnts-
looms, sans drawers, and in fact sdns
about everything else in the way OF
wearing apparel, until a pair OF convict
pants could be procured for him, he
would be - il be didn't put head
onto him" 1t is still n debstsble ques-
ton with him, and one over which he is
considerably exercised, whether or not,
even under the above almost unparalleled
provocstion, he WIS justi6able in devist-
Ing in this ISOLATED instance from his lie
long rule. Ii the ministers Of your city
could be prevailed upon to let up on
"lnfsut Baptism" Tor q short time and
relieve this conscience mortal from his
distressing diolemms, they would, IN my
opinion be dong Christian duty.
Since the "Merrle Lsssie" published in
the Iateiitqencer, thst account OF ner
visit TO the penitentiary, it has been al
most impossible 10 get along with the
Young man with the beautiful mustsche
and coal black eyes, l sm not inclined
TO accuse the far correspondent of inten-
tlonal wrong, but II she had foreseen the
evils that were 10 result from her iDju-
dicious remarks | am satisfied that she
would never, no never, have written
them, but OF course young ladies are not
supposed 10 be aware OF the amount OF
conceit possessed by some young men.
\. G..