Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-03-12
FERDINAND WARD.

| FamOuS Ffnancfer IakeS HIS lmprISOn-
| ment-His Bath-Tub, Cigars, and Board.
The air was cold and the light gray
in the corridors of the Ludlow Street
Jail this morning, when Ferdinand
Ward awoke. 1t was half-past seven
by the gold timepiece which hangs at
night over the head-rail of his iron cot.
Outside his cell door was a pail of fresh
water, and in moment he was taking
| the tub-bath he always oegins the day
| with. The splashing of the water could
| be heard along the entire tier. His
toilet is careful one, and he does not
shave every day only because his beard
is lighter than many of the boys.
When he went in to breakfast he bowed
with grave courtesy to his fellow
boarders. There are only two of them
who can afford fifteen dollars a week
for table board. Becky Jones is a guest
of the Warden's. "What she eats will
hurt nobody" he says.
After breakfast all the morning pa
pers are sent Ward, and he lights
cigar before unfolding them. He finds
tobacco great solace. and his friends
keep him we'll supplied. But he uses
neither Wine nor spirits. They don't
agree with him, and besides he knows
they muddle the brain and disturb the
circulation. He is very careful to keep
his head clear and his system in good
order. The papers interest him i'm
mensely, and he follows with unfiagging
interest the fluctuations of stocks. He
reads all the theatrical criticisms and
sporting news and is close student of
politics. Then he takes an observation
of the weather. and if the sun shines on
tho bricks of tho I'd
he prepares for his mornings walk.
Before this the jall-cells have vomit-
ed out their overnight contents. The
drowsy, ragged, draggled, ill-smelling,
nO-account mob has been shaken out
into the Enclosure; has been stirred up
and ventilated has been let move about
and iostle where the sun can soften the
Sullen, scanned faces and the crisp air
battle and brighten the heavy eyes; and
has been licked up again and swal-
lowed in twilight caves and fastened
down with bolts that even noXious gas
es and swelling savage curses can not
split. When Mr.. Ward is ready for his
exercise the courtyard is clear again
and flushed with pure air.
He walks much both morning and
afternoon, pacing back and forth across
the seventy-five feet of walled brick
with brisk, cheerful gait. His boots
are neat and easy, his dark clothes of
fashionable cut, and the dapper stick
he sometimes swings a graceful and
expensive plaything. He is fond of the
warm, bright spots. and when the sky
is clear often walks with his hands in
his pockets, gazing steadily upward.
When Becky Jones comes out for an
airing he takes off his hat, and greets
her amiably. He admires her at dis
lance, however, for she clearly disap-
complimented her steadfast pluck, she
hours in a sort of hating dog-trot, and
Ward always leaves her the sunniest
places undisturbed. He says very lit
tie to his other chance compan ons, al
though always atfable and obliging.
The keepers like him for his good ma
ture, but he is not lively prisoner.
He smiles at jokes, but makes none
himself. He is always cool, silent and
self-possessed.
This walk usually comes to an end
with the daily visit of his confidential
clerk, who stands by him with admir-
able loyalty and disnterestedness.
This gentleman is of excellent family
and the highest business antecedents.
He is known widely and universally
respected as capable accountant and
sincere Christian. When Ward was
poor and obscure this man, friend of
the clergyman, Wards father, lent the
young man money and helped him
along in other ways. After Ward had
Joined his fortune with his old school
mate, the luckless Buck Grant, he went
to this gentleman, then occupying a
responsible and profitable position, and
offered him a place as his confidential
clerk. Duped by Wards astonishing
operations, and beguiled by hints of
gentleman accepted the offer. And
mans schemes, and remembering only
his first really sincere gratitude, he is
devoting his best energies to unravel
the tangled affairs of Grant & Ward,
and bring the case into court as soon
as possible. A knowledge of the Cir
cumstances of his case gains for this
confidential agent the confidence of all
parties to the suits.
Dinner finds Ward ready and wait
ing. His appetite is unfailing, his di-
gestion sound, and though his face is
still drawn and pail d he has gained
flesh. In the early afternoon of three
days in the week he receives long
visit from his wife. She is spending
the winter in Brooklyn with her
mother. Mrs. Green. Twice week
one of his lawyers pulls the big brass
knob of the numbering jail door and is
Immediately admitted. His legal inter-
ests are cared for by the firm Of Butler,
Stillman & Hubbard. When he has no
visitors he reads the few books in his
cell until the evening papers arrive.
He always shows great interest in any
printed matter relating to himself. It
is said that he has a scrap-book contain
ing all the comments that he has seen
on his case. He has pasted choice
collection of them on the walls of his |
it from time to time such new pictures |
as take his fancy.
Mr.. Wards solitude is uncheered by |
the visits of his old cronies. None of |
the Grants have been near him. As |
patron of the drama and lover of the |
gay and beautiful, Mr.. James d. Fish |
could easily enliven him with choice |
anecdotes of the world of fashion as
well as finance; but Mr.. Fish has sed- !
ulously kept away. He seems to have
no friends devoted enough to brave
ride in the Grand street cars and fu-
gitive hour in the gloomy shadows of
the jail. Nor does he. go outside the
walls. There is reason to believe
stories to the contrary-pure inyen-
tions. Ward is left alone with his
thoughts when he is not busy over the
record of his eccentricities. OF these
he never speaks to his prison associ-