The New York herald., 1879-12-24
ABANDONED CRIMINALS.

MISS LENA GILBERT IN NEED OF FUNDS TO
CONTINUE HER PRISON woRK.-A GLIMPSE OF
HER CORRESPONDENCE.
Miss Lena Gilbert. SO long interested in the reform.
alton of criminals and ex-criminals. states that
scarcely day passes now without bringing to this
city. from all parts Of the world. number of ex-
convicts looking for help. These people apply in
great numbers at the OF the Gilbert and
Prisoners Aid Society. No. 428 Broadway but there
funds in the treasury Of that institution and
as the work to be done unpopular tho society must
soon discontinue its labors unless some philan.
thropic citizens como to the rescue. HERALD re-
yesterday called Miss Gilbert to get from
her information relative to the workings Of the
society.
"what is it you propose to do. Miss Gilbert" !"
asked the reporter. "supposing that you already
had the funds your society asks for from the pub
licY
ITO mako New York the headquarters OF a national
movement to prevent crime and improve the condi-
ton Of the prisons and the prisoners"
"How do you propose to do thatY"
''That is very broad question. We must pro-
gress can. and we and it very difficult to mako
even little progress Our work is not popular,
and has never been so. 1t requires time and money
to put the work where it belongs. But can
bend our energies in one direction which shall ap-
peal to every humane man and woman, and that is
the helping of the unfortunate convict immediately
on his being discharged from prison. It is for help
in this direction that we now appeal
HEARTFELT GRATITUDE
"You would be aStonished to know how grateful
these men are for the slightest favors done them
have letters from the of Of the first fam.
lilies in our country who have been unfortunate
enough to get into prison. Among these correspond
ents arc merchants. ex-Congressmen, DOCTORS law
yers, editors and of the latter being
nails we have letters from sneak thieves. panel
thieves pickpockets. burglars. confidence men,
forgers gamblers and detectives"
Miss Gilbert here produced large portfolio which
must have contained a thousand letters. Among
the first of these communications drawn out was
hands with the Jimmy" but it is said that several
gangs of thieves who work under his orders ssHandy
Andy" is now seventy-two years of age. In his
last letter Miss Gilbert he became pOetical and
concluded as follows:-
OH thou silly creature.
Striving still for others gain,
Shows thine inward pain.
While you labor HSSrf for HnsH, mankind, IN da1
forger who became reformed and is now a clergy
man in San Francisco. He says"
~, g enabled me to comfort
organizing Sunday schools scattering the word Of God
Here" said Miss Gilbert, sis q letter from one
OF the clergymen who served term for bigamy:- -"
DEAR SISTER IN tn. LoRp-I should not presume to
had deS s IN in aSxs
God has His infinite mercy coansed from my sin.
funess. God certainly sent you a mnis;ering angel
day before yesterday. l think He that there was
that what Paul feared would befal poor follow
who had committed SIM IL possible than did
who had the light that have been favored with
PIcKPocKEr AND BURGLAR
"Here Is something from pickpocket and burg.
lar." continued Miss Gilbert:-
years ago the thought Of tho blessed Saviour
to me sunday afternoon, in my cell In State Prison. will
forget that day. am professional thief. All I
wish for Is have talk about the way To
reform. have money and dress wel Re but / have a
strong to give up evil serve the dear
Lord. who died to sinners.
This said Miss Gilbert. handing the reporter
pencil scrswled sheet of letter paper sis o letter
from one Of the 'Blindfolded Band who is now in
State PRISON.
MY DEAR BEsErEcroREs. MISS GILsERr-Accordng to
promis write you suan es could m mind
after getting on my Prison Robes Oh 1t hos scanned es
though the world perfect blank 80 after in
my coll In this prison but whom romember there is
in my SOUL tskc courage and believe not en-
tirely forgotten.
Letters such these Miss Gilbert produced in
hundreds. the difficulty being to make selection
for publication. as the pervadng sentiment was ono
OF thanks for some favor done. Miss Gilbert states
that her means no longer allow her to respond to
the constant demand on her financial resources,
limited as they have become since the disaster Of
the Chicago fire.