Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-11-02
An E1.Convict's aosd work.

"Good.by, Mike. You've worked
faithfully in the laundry, and we'll keep
the place open for you for six weeks.
You're sure to come back by that time"
The speaker was Warden Clark, OF
Sing Sing prison. He and Keeper
Conarton were libera,ing Michael Dunn,
who had served. up TO that time. thirty
five years in American and English
prisons. This was on February 25, 1878.
Dunn, to the surprise OF the prison
officials, failed 10 return 10 Sing Sing.
and IL was conjectured that he had left
the country. Such, sowever, was not
the case. When he reached New York,
friendless and with only the few dollars
that had been given him by the State
Prison Association, he visited Jerry
McAuley's meeting, in Water street.
He was soon interested in the work go
ing on there, and he became convinced
that he could ameliorate the condition
of released criminals like himself who
were suddenly thrown upon the world
without recommended ion or friends.
Assisted by Mr.. A. s. Hatch Of Messrs.
Hatch & Foote. bankers, he opened q
House OF Industry. at 305 Water street.
He knew how to deal with convicts. He
ascertained when tue terms Of his fellow
prisoners would expire, and on their
arrival in New York he invited them 70
his place. There they were at once set
at work shoemaking or shaw making.
In case they could do neither, he found
other employment for them.
Every morning" he said, Il took
the Sun and read carefully the labor
columns. As soon rs found some
thing that one of my friends could do l
gave him his breakfast and sent him
out to apply for the place"
In this manner he has found employ
ment. he says, for nearly 300 now ur-
ing the last thirty months. Besides this
he has found ships for over 200 sailors,
who, having spent al their money, had
been cast into the streets by the keepers
of sailor boarding houses. The sailor,
as soon as he gets ashore after long
cruise, is sure 10 become the prey OF the
land sharks. Notoriously improvident,
he soon gets rid Of his hard earned
money. Then If the boarding house
keeper can get ship for him, he draws
two or three months pay in advance, TO
pay for clothes and what are too often
Barmecide repasts. Intoxicated and
ragged, Jack Is hoisted up the side OF
the ship. together with many more in
the same condition. and the anchor is
weighed. This is the class OF sailors
that Dunn gets hold of before it Is too
late. Only three nights ago, a sailor
crazy with delirium tremens, who had
been elected from clearinghouse near
BY, was picked up in the street by Dunn
and his wife. They dragged him INTO
the Home and put him TO bed. Yester-
day the man seemed 80 well pleased
with mis- new quarters that he WAS
afraid TO 90 into the street lest he should
all into one OF the many pits laid by
and sharks; for these are TO the sailor
what the barnacle is TO the ship. and
no complete cure has yet been found
for either pest.
Over the door of 3O5 Water street ID
the legend. michael Dunn, Shoe
maker" Within, several eX-convicts
were at work yesterday making shoes,
while others were knitting shawls.
Near the door solemn-faced young
man, with palette and brush. was paint
ing fancy scrolls 10 be hung on the
walls. On one of these is pictured q
prisoner in his cell weeping over the
figure of his mother who is kneeling on
the stone floor beside him.
Dunn is sustained in his work by w.
R. Bliss, of West Eleventh street and
Olive Harper. as well as by Mr.. Hatch.
Notwithstanding this assistance, he is
very poor. He exhibited yesterday
pawn ticket showing that last week he
had raised % .25 on his coat.
"You see," lie said. as soon as get
a man whose time has expired in the
penitentiary l try to 6nd work for him.
Sometimes it lakes a week and some
times more. II he earns only two
dollars week l charge him fifty cents
for board. II he earns three dollars,
charge him one dollar. and if he earns
four dollars a week charge him Sl.50
o.