The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-14
A MOTHERS SORROW.
Pathetic Meeting in the Hospital of the
Joliet Penitentiary.

Pathetic Meeting in the Hospital of the
Joliet Penitentiary.
Joliet CIll. Special,
John Gaines the young convict, who was
nearly killed by his brutal cell-mate few days
since, was to-day visited by his mother and
brother, who had come from Brooklyn to see
him, and the meeting was so pathetic that it
made an impression on even the half dozen pris-
on officials who witnessed it. When Gaines was
removed from his cell four days ago. bleeding
and senseless from the knife and hammer of
Kelly, his injuries were thought to be fatal and
when he rallied somewhat, he reluctantly gave
the name and address of his family, that they
might be informed by telegraph of his condition.
The name he gave was that of one of the wealth
lest and most prominent families in Brooklyn,
n. Y. Gaines is only seventeen years Of age
but he has been an inmate of the penitentiary
for some months, and his family knew nothing of
his whereabouts or disgrace
The mother and brother. persons bearing I'M
misrakable evidence of refinement and good
breeding, passed with shrinking steps through
halls and passages that led to the bedside of the
disgraced son and brother, and waited for few
minutes in another room while the news of their
approach was broken to the prisoner Gaines
lay in the pententiary hospital, his bedside sur
rounded by the prison physician the warden a
hospital guard and one OF two attendants, them
selves convicts The mother and sister, fresh
from the refnements of their Brooklyn home
stepped hesitatingly into the rudely furnished
room, their faces marked with varying express
slonS of horror The son mastered his emotion
and supported the stricken and nearly fainting
mother toward his brothers bedside The pale
face of the wounded youth flushed as his mother
approached, and he turned upon her melting
look of mingled repentance and affection.
Then the poor lady with streaming eyes and
choking voice, fell on her knees beside her errng
child, exclaiming oh my poor boy My poor
boyp Physicians, guards and convict attend
ants turned away with dimmed eyes, while
mother and son wept together, locked in ten
der embrace The elder brother, business
man of mature years, broke down at the sight of
his mothers grief, and sobbed like a child.
When the mother had little mastered her emo
tions there followed a scene that again brought
tears to the eyes of the lockers ION. The wound
ed criminal his face refectingthe tender glances
of his mother, told in low tones the story of his
wanderings since last they met, and She holding
up and stroking his wasted hand, listened with
out word of reproaeh.
Owing to the critical condition of the patient
the exciting interview had to be shortened by
the physician, and the mother, with many tears
of endearment was led from her sons bedside
She, with his brother, will remain in the city
until the lad is out of danger and meanwhile
they will make an effort to secure his pardon
Gaines is merely the criminals Christian name
and the newspapers have respected the request
of the authorities not to publish the name of the
family.