The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-25
HELP FOR REPENTANT CRIMINALS.
MICHAEL DUNNs NEW MISSION FOR Ex-CoN-
vICTs-wHAT HE PROPOSES TO ACCOMPLISH.

MICHAEL DUNNS NEW MISSION FOR EX-CON-
vICTs-wHAT HE PROPOSES TO ACCOMPLISH.
Some ten or twelve men sat around a table in
store at No. 81 Water street last evening and read
chapter from the Bible, each taking in turn
until it completed. They were all rough look
ing fellows, and moro than of them had served
term in State Prison The place was Michael Dunns
New Mission for Ex-convicts, and these were
the first fruits of his labors. One two Of them
read remarkably well, in firm and confident tones;
several went through the in a mechanical pri-
mary school sort of way, and one very intelligent
looking young man hesitated when his turn came.
and then Numbered hastily through verse, blush
ing like girl. If conscious Of
incongruity in his utterance of the sacred
words. When the chapter finished Dunn
himself talked for while with his visitors. telling
them about his career as a criminal and convict
and skeching his future work for the reclamation Of
released convicts. ''Most of these poor fellows"
said he. shave means when they get out of prison.
they have place to 60 to and they get work.
Now. want to have place here where they can
come and get meal and bed, and If they want to
be honest they can be put in the way of earning an
spring my old keeper said he would keep my job six
weeks for me. as he expected me back in that time
came to me. Now. hope many poor fellow will
be kept from his old companions and habits by
coming III mere Wnen ne gets out OF prison, ana
hope to find means to start all who want to be honest
in some honest way of life" aNf
WILL WORK.
"How do you mean to work." n HERALD reporter
asked Mr.. Dunn when the meeting over
.'Well, of had to get some help at first" he
replied ''but hope to make the mission selfsup-
porting in short time II some would donate
some flannel and thread and implements Tor sewing
/ would get machine and set some men to work
making sailors shirts and such things. You know
all convicts Then will send some OF them
to peddle small wares and one way another /
think 1 will be able to make ends meet. /
intend to give help to every convict who comes
in, whether he has money not Then I'll
give him chance to work. If he shows DISPOSE
ton to be honest and to work for his bread will
help him to get employment. great many men are
sent to prison Tor short terms for slight offences
often for no dishonest act. Perhaps young fellow
was drunk aud had fight aud was imprisoned for
six months. When he comes out he may be anxious
for work, but he fnds 1t just hard to get honest
means of support; he begins to drink and he
may very soon be forced to steal to buy food
to himself from starving. Now, 1t is
young fellows Of this kind that / hope to
reach more than the regular criminal class. Two
men slept here last night; will have five night.
had two ex-convcts at breakfast, three at dinner
and four at supper. have given man some tools
and he is trying to get jobs mending locks Another
starts out book canvassing tomorrow. One came in
who u sailor; he has just finished three months
term for petit larceny He will ship in the navy
day or two. We will also send TO his home in Can
ada poor fellow who has lately from Fort
Leavenworth. where he served three years for de-
friends at home who will set him on his feet. You
there are plenty of cases Of this sort, where
only wants q chance to become u good CITIZEN
and these are the kind hope to help"