, 1881-06-05
IN JAIL FOR DEBT.
l. ReportorEn1 Visit to the Enforce<
Home OF the Ilnpecuuious-

i ReportorEnl Visit to the Enforced
Home OF the Ilnpecunious.
The debtors department OF tho County Jail Ia
always an interesting place to visit Hero arc
1ncnrceratct not only those unfortunates whom
u soulless creditor has plunged into the cooler,
but also the high-toned among those who arc
under indictment The occupants Of this de-
partment are allowed somewhat castor time
than is accorded to tbs general run or tho jau's
occupants, and as a general rule they are, So
ctally, deserving OF the distinction. The law Of
the State Of Illinois gives creditor very aro'-
trary power over a debtor whom he has sue
cceded in iucarccratlng. All he has to do. once
he bus placed him In jail. Is TO pny the Shertf
ior his board, which done, he can keep
him there until tho debt Is paid.
II tho debtor is unable to pay the debt, and tho
creditor is able to Day tne boaru, It Is merely a
question of how long the creditor chooses to
CONT nue. doing At the present time there
nrc only two debtors coutined in the Cook Coun-
IT, Jail. One Of these IS young mau named
Henry Black, who, having gotten on the WRONG
side Of Il householder named Russell, found
himself incarcerated in the 1a1l us debtor, this.
too, though all the circumstances 80 to show
that he was By no means the sharper Of tho two
TIC other debtor is Matthew Escott, the Sec
NJ sui eiimited. 1t d. Of Montreal who was thrown sto
jail in April, 1851, by that concern. from wnlca
he had embezzled some 5l.olO. The Toni Tom,
oany had him arrested here IN ApE1l
OF last year, bur, not being abe to prove any
thing more than breach OF trust agaust their
employ6, bud him arrested for dept @ and lodRea geo
shown very stern and relentless lntent 70 keep
him there, having paid his board with great reg
debtor detatnesi IN the jul calls round once
week and settles tor his uoxt seven Gays
proyender. but the Canadian Trust j. Agency
Company tllmitcd) have been SO liked 10 their
determination to keep their eJ-Secrotary IN tho
custody of the Sheriff that they have paid nis
bonrd for six months IN advance ut II time. Ii
OrtUber 1850, Sir. Robert Lincoln. at present
Secretary OF War. visited tho Sheriff and set
tied for Mr. Escott's board for the next slx
months ut The rate OF f3oo a week. ana .sn wnen
draft arrived paying for the gentlemans . ooa1o
up to next October. -.
as figures show it 1t is absolutely hopeless The
interest upon his debt Is, OF course, chSRea
against him, and as this ts s, day: 81 and ne -
By the passive act Of incarccEatton, It VIII be
seen that his liability to big Canadian creditors
IS constantly Increasing. Iney can. W 1 ane ~ &
this it Is sa they Intend to do. for the purpose
OF holding him up rs solemn warning to Cana.
dian bank clerks to abstain from evil dolnx and
to Keep in mind tho moral import OF the adage
which puts forth that honesty, outside OF innate
prophecies, Is the best policy
! regain bis liberty in tho Courts, but they have
been unsuccessful, and be bus a!s0 mace mp
peaS to tie mercy OF the company "uICA "eIt
eouully iucuicacous, Offering to secure work
and turn over half bis snlary to his ertdttots-
quite lately it was In his power to secure pay
| ing situation. but he was unable To take ad-
vintage OF it. OF late he has been chatting
under the restraint which has now lasted four
teen mouths, and it is not improbable that be, e.
| fore long ne will nuke II statement which VII!
| be interesting to many people 10 huauclal
circles in Montreal Zig claims to have IN @ ats
| possession knowledge Ut transactions, WHICH VIII
show II very, prominent Legal gentleman n1
of Montreal In 4 very unfavOEaoIe light. ana
| also shed lustrs: upon tho dealings
Of other prominent citizens Of tho Canadian
| commercial capital, where, 1t Is known, snme
| years since, large fortunes were made IN very
| short spnce of time by parties on tho inside OF
81 late Mr. Escott has been SUFFERING OF a
| heart trouble. which his prolonged incafeera-
ton has aggravated. and which may before resy
| long hinder him from continuing to play tho
part Of awful example to the Canadian bank 2
clerks, and this bus OF late nude him spcc!anS
| anxious to regain his liberty The Trust Com
| pany, however, does not seem to be conpa9elon-
a:e, tnd. II Mr. Escott Is really able to engnten
| the world ns to the evil dongs Of those who have
| placed and kept him where he j.. nc uiAy IN
| provwhtle he certainly cannot iptuEe, his p1os-
I poets Of release.