The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-09
I'VE TOMRS BARBER.

on Canal Street by reporter, land YOU
are the first newspaper fellow to find
me out although have held that posi-
ton for nearly two years. Any other
BARRIERS admitted to the prisons? No,
sir; | am the only one and was APP
pointed by the Commissioners of Chart
ties and Correction. Salary? Not any.
My earnings consist of what the prison
ers give me, except in cases of con-
demned murderers, and then the Sheriff
pays me.
Il am allowed to enter the prison at
any time, but usually only 90 there
three days of the week, on MONDAYS,
Wednesdays and Fridays | am now
shaving about twenty prisoners a day
there, and what | get averages about
eight dollars week. No prisoners are
compelled to get shaved, but the greater
number who have any spare change
always wish to. This is generally the
case with those who are about to 90
into court. They want to make their
best appearance before the court and
jury, and it has come to be Il common
saying among them that a clean shave
means ten years Off their sentence.
I'm winter 90 there regularly every
morning at eight O'Clock and in sum
mer at seven O'Clock. carry nv raz0rs.
scissors, soap and bottles in a small
handbag, and my hair-clippino ma
chine in a leather case. | generally
take five or six razors with me every
time. When | get there. the first thing
[ do is to look over the slate and find
the prisoners names marked with an
X This means that they are the ones
who are to 90 to court AS court
always opens at ten o'clock, and as
have learned from experience how
much Importance is attached TO a clean
shave by the prisoners with reference
TO their appearance in the courtroom.
] always take pains to oct through with
the court cases early and as soon as
possible. even leaving my REGULAR Gus
toners there-and have several-until
they are cat of the way.
so 90 along each row of cells the
first thing and I ask each prisoner
whether he wants shave or not. Some
times find a GREAT many who do and
then it is lively work. for have TO shave
them in their cells. and there are no
chairs in them for the men TO sit on
consequently [ have TO shave them sif-
TING on the EDGE of their narrow beds
In each case The kccner locks me in
with the prisoner. and I have to call his
attention by knOckno on the door
when [ am done and want 70 oct ont
Il have never had prisoner modest
me or even act rndalv to me- while at
nv work there. notwithstanding the
fact that the Tombs has an AVERAGE of
from 100 to POO prisoners all the time.
and from all classes of criminals. The
prison seems to have a ouietin0 influ-
ence on them and they are more polite
to me as a rule. in saving their good
morning, and GOOD daV,' than many
outsiders. | have never had them ask
me to bring them tbipUs they are NOT
permitted TO have or try to oct me to
the keepers. As for the SIGHT of my
raZors stirring up any desperate
thoughts in the minds of any of them,
if they have I've never known of it.
The new prisoners seldom talk to
me. and of course don't ask questions.
Naturally, the faces are changing all
the time, in the going away of some
and coming in of new prisoners. Every
now and then some new conner will
greet me with a 'how-dy-do,' and l
will find that he is an old offender who
has been in the TOmbs before and re-
members me. But they all seem glad
to see me, for it makes q little change
in their prison life. Those who have
been there some time talk more, and
sometimes tell me about their cases,
but | don't take much interest in the
particulars, naturally, though give the
poor fellows all the sympathy can.
My oldest customer here? Let me
see. 1t is Conroy, guess, the police
man condemned to be hung on the
charge of murder He has been in the
Tombs about seventeen months. and is
now waiting for a new trial, | believe.
| have shaved him regularly twice a
week since he has been there, and he
is one of those who have talked to me
about their affairs.
another of nv regular customers
there is Donovan, condemned to i'm
prisonment for life for killing man
with a billiard cue. He is also waiting
or irving to oct a new trial. He has
been there a year. John Carpenter,
condemned to be hung for killing his