The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-11
THE WAY OF THE TRaNsGREssoR.
Ward Telling with Tears In His Eyes of His
Hardships i'm Prison.


Ward Telling with Tears in His Eyes of His
Hardships i'm Prison.
Rev York sun.
Every day must be dreary enough to the pris-
oners in Sing Sing but Sunday is the drearest
day of all The stone buildings are like nam
moth vaults No hustle or excitement pushes
the slow hours along, and the prisoners have
nothing TO do but lie their little cots in their
stufy cells. Four times during the day the
death-like stiffness of the prison is broken by
the tolling of big bell. Then comes a ringing
sound and the grated doors of the cells slowly
open. A shutting of feet is heard. followed by a
steady, monotonous tramp, and long line of
prisoners wind down the stairs and into the din
ingroom or chapel Prisoner 1927, formerly
known by some as Doctor and by the public
as Ferdinand Ward, has not been in the prison
long enough TO get used to its Sundays he has
discovered the mysteries or the locks step, but
has not yet conquered his repugnance to 1t.
Those who know Ward well are apt to speak
kindly of him. One of the few friends that
Ward has left called at the prison yesterday
He was shown into little Office, and finally
Inquire IN gray clothing marked with large yellow
stripes came in. 1t was Ward, but changed
that it was difficult to recognize him. He sat
down on one of the wooden benches, glanced at
Head-keeper Connaughton, who sat near oy
watching him. and then, turning to his TREND,
said:
''You find me somewhat broken up"
His face was like chalk, his eyes were sunken
and dull. and the lids were red and inf1amed
There was weeks growth of beard on his chin
and lip, the only places where the beard Will
grow, and his hair was rumpled. spotess
white silk handkerchief peeped above the prison
garb, and the bottoms of his trousers were rolled
MP above the same pair of patent leather shoes
he wore during his trial. A sharp-toned bell in
the warden's kitchen across the hall changed out
summons to the keepers now and then. Every
time it sounded Ward shiverei and half sprang
from his seat.
You can't begin to imagine how miserable
am" said Ward, trembling though he had
chill II thought that the warden would take
into consideration my physical condition and put
me at some work that could do; but was mis-
taken. The first day l put behind the
boiler, shovelling ashes into barrels and loading
them on truck Every time lifted barrel
thought my back would break. Since then |
have been kept busy grinding stove covers. The
dust flies into my eyes and is gradually binding
me- just look at my hands"
He held up pair of hands that would have
been almost transparent if dirt had not been
ground into them. There were abrasions all
over them and the fingers seemed to have been
stiffened by hard work.
81 cannot eat the food they give me-" con-
tinued Ward drawing his knuckles across his
eyes, in which moisture had gathered II eat
with 1885 other prisoners. At 6:45 o'clock in
the morning we take our greasy tin plates and
form in line We pass our plates to the cook,
who slaps little pile of what is called hash on
each. A piece of bread is stuck on top, and this
with tin of coffee. made out of stale crusts of
bread is our breakfast. l was always fastidious
about my food, and find it is impossible to eat
this stuff. My stomach rejects it, | wrote
note to Warden Brush on Monday, praying him
to use the $3.50 had when came here in buy
p ing me decent food l was referred to the chap
lain, who told me to write to my wife. did so,
and on Friday received some canned meats
and fruits. which 1 eat in my cell. One thing is
certain, and that is that will not live to serve
my term out, unless get something that can
eat and work that l can do"
Again Ward drew his knuckles across his
eyes, and when he spoke again it was in a broken
voice
Keeper Scripture, who has charge of the shop
where work, he said. lis very harsh to me. If
stop moment to rest he yells out to me not to
loaf: Nearly all the prisoners you know, are
really rough characters. They are kind enough
in their way, but there is not one among them
that would care to have anything to say to,
even if L could Crowley, who is serving
seventeen and half years sentence for assault
ing Maggie Morris sent me consoling message
by keeper. He advised me not to fret, but to
obey orders and bear up best l could. So far
as obeying orders goes am only too anxious to
do everything that am told to do, but I earn
estly hope that will get work that will not kill
me. Yesterday about forty of US were ordered
to the bath room When saw the crowd of men
was supposed to battle with asked to be ex
cused, but was harshly told to go in and battle.
Every night am weary and broken that
can hardly reach my CELL"
The tears that came into Wards eyes this
time required great deal of rubbing to dry
them. He trembled violently.
lit hurts more than l can express" he
said, ito have people say that 1 have lots of
money. When was sentenced all the money
that had in the wide world was $50. I sold my
watch, that cost $3.50, for 800, ard that made up
the sum that was found in my possession My
counsel fees were about 50, 600, and if had been
tried on other indictments my lawyers would
have had to defend me for nothing leave me
to the mercy of my enemies Ny wife has
very small income, not enough to support her,
and so she is going to live with my brother. My
house in Stamford was turned over to Captain
Spicer, and have no further interest in it."
II can receive visit from friends only once in
two months" said Ward drearily, land can
write only once month"
Keeper Connaughton glanced sharply at Ward
and tapped his foot smartly. Ward arose and
said, in frightened way:
Il must go now. I awfully obliged for
your visit, old fellow and hope can live to get
out of here and begin life all over again"