The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-01-28

How the Prisoners from Rcck Island
are Getting Along.

Acting Sheriff Morris. in letter to the
Union details some incidents happening
during his recent visit to Joliet which are
Of general interest. He saw the Rosen~
field and Wittick murdsrers, and gives a
very interesting account of the interview.
He says:
Paddy Hseney. who is under sentence
for fourteen years for his share in the
Rosenfeld murder, first made his appear
ance He is looking exceedingly well and
has increased in avoirdupois considerably
He is employed in stone cutting, is max
ing good time and hopes to reduce his
time considerably before the expiration OF
his sentence.
Barney Hseney came next. lie IL
employed in the marble shops and seems
to be winning the good opinion of the
officers and contractors by steady habits
and desire to do right. Barney has a
life sentence, but be has great hopes that
the recommendation Of the governor will
be adopted. making their term number
of wears instead of for the term of their
natural lives. Forty six convicts out of
400 are for life, and they are naturally
all very much interested in the adoption
of the governors recommendation
Barney seemed to be pretty we'll posted
on matters in Rock Island. and knew
about all that is going on. When
leaving. he asked the deputy if he could
send me couple of books. and receiving
an answer ia the Affirmative, shortly after
ward a convict runner brought Il couple OF
very handsome marble books made. oil
Sienna. Tennessee. American aud Italian
marble. These were made by Barney
himself. and they are very creditabie pieces
of workmanship.
Patrick Grogan. the Wittiok murderer
was also interviewed. He seemed 10 be
fretting considerably. and is in hopes OF a
rehearing of his case by the Supreme
Court He expresses his regret as the
unfortunate occurrence. but states that he
believed his life to be in danger when he
threw the fatal stone. He has engaged
eminepr Rock Island counsel in his case,
and regrets that he ever induced the Hon
VIM, O'Brieu to leave his Chicago home
to defend him. Had he done his full
duty by me-" said Grogan. II would no.
be here now"
DabIin Jack, or Kayacaugh, was the
next one that could be found, He is EN-
ployed in the state tin shop. aud looks
Al h.
seventeen months ago. He also seemed
to be fretting over bis sad fate. aud held
whisky to be cause of his ruin. Hs spoke
feelingly of his poor OLD mother in Daven
port, and expressed hops to see her some
day.
All four Rock Island convicts are report
ed rs behaving well. We have thirty five
credited to our county at the date Of the
last report. and are third only to Cook
county, which has $50 there on its &C
count, aud Adams 46 The percentage of
criminals is: Natives of the United
States rs 90 per cent. foreign Born 81 40.
In the occupations laborers head the list
with BIT; farmers next. 205; 40 occupation
l07. In religious beliefs We fad: No
church 973, and church going couvicts
434 In regard to education We fad that
only 1856 out of the ,407 have DO educa
ton. On the habits Of lie tho per centage
are: temperate $50, Incorporate 4S2,
moderate drinkers 372 OF white males
we find .253. and Of white females 81; Of
coIored males l29, aud of colorej lem sles
f. This N axes total OF ,407.
The contract labor nearly supports the
Institution. Only $4,000 was a2propriat-
ed by the last General Assembly, and ope
half Of that is yet in the hands of the
treasury Of the Penitentiary.
The Governor recommends the or
ganizaiion OF state agsnoy for aiding
discharged convicts to obtain employ
ment. A failure to do so leads many of
them back to their old haunts of crime
aod vice, and it is only matter of time
with them, when discouraged and failing
to obtain work to relapse into their old
habits aud ali be returned to the peniten
tiary, which. to many of them seems to
be. bad as it is, THAR home.
Warden McC!aughrey seems to De in
earnest in seeking TO reform his men, and
some system atized effort should be made
to reclaim them. The Inmates earn on al
average 80 10 loo cents per day, while the
price paid By contractors averages 43 To-
100 cents per day, Some S. 900 are paid
by the contractors yearly tor overwork
done by the convicts, and mauy Of them
have fair bank account OF their credit. !
The cost Of provisions averages 57-l00 |
cents per day foE each convict, and they |
seem to be we'll fed fron the CON mis-
sarie's returns.
Frank Rauds was under punishment
for characterization. He is trying the |
sraZy dodge. but it won't work.
The Joliet penitentiary is ono of the
Institutions of our state that is we'll
worthy visit. and visitors are admitted
daily at stated hours. except Sundays and
holidays:
L al,