New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-16
WARDS HEALTH IMPROVING,
LIFE AT SING SING AGREES WITH HIM.
PRISON OFFICIALS SAY TUE PUBLISHED STORIES on
HIS BREAKING DOWN ARE FALsE.

PRISON OFFICIALS SAY TUE PUBLISHED STORIES OF
HIS BREAKING DOWN ARE FALSE.
Ferdinand Ward has undergone a change for
the better-physcalywith the last week and accord
ing to the views of DR. Barber the physician of the Sing
Sing Prison. that institution is going be OF
giving Ward long life II not merry oue SO many
falsehoods have been printed late regarding Wards
physical condition that the impression has gone abroad
that he Is the point coapsing and that his treat.
ment the hands OF the prison officials is tending to
shorten his life.
Yesterday Principal Keeper James Connaughton and
Dr. Barber talked fully and freely with TRIBUNE re-
porter regarding Wards health and the reports which
have been circulated regarding the hard labor imposed
upon him. Mr.. COnnaughton is a man of pleasing
and kindly heart yet he Is strict discpinaran.
Not convict leaves Sing Sing, gossip has it in tho
village who has not good word for the present prin-
cipa keeper DR.. Barber is benevolent man, whom the
convicts look upon friend III need. The two men
seated Iii Warden Brush's room yesterday, when
Mr. COnnaughton said:
1.-THE reports OF Wards being overworked and broken
down utterly false He IS In better health to-day
than when he came here. To show you how little cre-
be placed stories that have been pub
sbed The World published alleged interview with
me the other day, when had not seen World man
had any such with him. The report in The
Sun of Wards wipng his red eyes II they had been
injured by the filings of iron gratings wholly
false. The SIN stated that the alleged inter-
view with Ward took place In my room. know OF
no such interview. Wards eye-lids are not red
and they have not been injured by filings. ThIs
work is light work and he has found difficulty ia
doing II he had. shOud know II; for Keep close
watch on the men, and II think mans work is
hard for him that he has what lie do without
Injury What object have to gain in overworking
any mar II any convict thinks he is Overwork-d hs
can say any time and DR. Barber Will inquire into
his am continually making changes in the work
assigned the because wish to adapt their labor
to their strength. Now | know OF newspaper man
who has Ward talked with him since the day
you were up here when he had been shOveng ashes.
After that he to no and said:
..Now, Mr.. Conuaughton, wish TO do everything to
please you aud TO attend my duties have favor
to you and that is please do not lot any reporters
sec me-
'And from that time newspaper man has
him. 50 far as / know. Ward goes about his work
quietly, anl his physical condition I. improvlng There
has been i;e change In his work he now passes an
hour hour and half day IN the open air because
goes with the foreman Of his gang to select castings
which are be shipped and this gives him variety Of
work and fresh air HIS appetite is steadily improving,
and he eats prison fare the any convict
That true" said DE-. Barber. ~ saw Ward in tbs
mess-room this morning eating his food in
apparent content with the other
His physical condition undoubtedly improving; his
is vid IA 1t was and bis system Is tonng up
generally He has under ltremend0us strain sncs
failure OF Grant Wafl ana mas Oeen housed up IN
ia Ihat strain bccn largely removed aud the pnro
air than the close air OF the jail For tile
first two weeks Wari looked badly of; but now
change has set ill., He Ike all Other conVlcts mas the
privilege OF seeing every day. he has asked TO see
me only since he came here and that was week
ago. when he came to Ine and complained OF slight
PAIN In his back. This natural as STOPPING over
and lifting castings had lamed his back He spoke OK
tins and asked me what he had better do told him
thought a plaster would lie good thing, and 80 sp-
piled "A cJpslCum plaster TO his back. He went away
and h,, not asked since. zee him every day
he marches and from his work 70 the mcss-rOOm,
and he looking N better than when he first came
here | really think that prison ife will agree With
him and that from this time on he VIII pick mp md
build up his physical condition. The talk OF his being
overwOrked and OF dust making his eyes red aud OF his
general breaking down Is wholly without foundation.
rne men here all receive humane treatment II is for
our interest il for higher to give them such.
Ward l, the decacies the way OF food sent him by
his friends ami suppose hc eats them; hut he certain
liz eats prison food aud have nothing OF It's
iauseatlng aim affecting him unfavorably, as has
be