The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-11-25
A LIFE In PRISON.
A Dying Convict Gives "reminiscences Of His
Crimes
A Southern AristOcrat who Became a
Northern MalefactOr-Toid ON
His Death. Bed.
Louisville Times.l


The gray walls OF the Jacksonville, Ind,
penitentiary have held many prominent
figure in criminal history, and among them
is now is an old man named Benjamin f.
johnson. The last days Of his life were
passed behind the grated prison doors, and
now he is dying of consumption. His body
is 50 wasted that il has lost almost all SEM
blance of being that Of a human. His arm
at the muscle above the elbow measures but
i've inches in circumference. The silvered
hair is falling out and his mouth is destitute
of teeth. A Times reporter called upon
him at the prison hospital yesterday. On
one side of the cot, upon which the dying
man lay, was blind man, whose days are
also numbered, and on the other a colored
youth, who, ere this has crossed the dark
river. The scene was a thrilling one, and
deeply impressed the behOlders.
Mr.. johnson, how do you feel to-day"
asked the reporter.
. oh sir, | am dying: / can live but short
time, and an ill-spent life is nearly ended. l
feel the hand of death upon me, and soon
the feeble flame will be extinguished for
ever" said the old man, as he made an un-
successful attempt TO rise. In response 10
the queries of the reporter. the following
story OF his life was obtained
81 was born at Lexington, y. c., in 1906,
and am seventy-nine years of age. j am a
graduate of the Greensboro N. @ Academy,
and had every possible educational advant-
age. My father was a wealthy planter, and
i was his only son. AT the age of nineteen
j made my debut on the stage of crimes
Going to New York ] forced an entrance to a
jewely store, and took several hundred dol
lars worth of valuables. / was arrested and
served ten years in the famous Sing Sing
Prison. Upon the expiration OF my
sentence j went West, and made money in
San Francisco. Returning 10 my native
I L
Here ] soon rose into prominence, married
the daughter of respected citizen, and in
time entered into politics. was chosen to
represent my parish in the State Legislature.
and did 50 with honor, if do say it myself
Things went on smoothly until the war
broke out My four sons and myself went
into the army TO fight for Southern rights.
During my absence my wife died and my
property was destroyed by fire. To add to
my sorrow and trouble one day two of nv
boys were brought in with Northern bullets
lTf their hearts. Prior to this one of my sons,
- mas his name now is Foster, at least he
-in. ~lself SUCH, was a clerk in the Treas
walls H.. 7ent under the administration OF
ary Departl. He took several valuable
James h. Polk. I'D his position. Going
plates and then resign ny with woman
TO Mobile, Ala, in comp~- 200 worth of
named Glenn, he made $3.50 ~ to cir
counterfeit money and in attempth. 'ars.
was in on this deal myself, but escaped the
clutches of the law.
After the war was over | found myself
without money or friends. went to Louis
yille and tried, unsuccessfully, TO ind en-
ployment. j then turned my footsteps to
indiana and stopped in Washington County.
Being an ardent admirer OF horsef1esh was
not long in possessing myself of noble an
imal, but did not j;sv for it. Well, it is
,he Ga story. was caught alq got elght
wears. When ! was released my hair, which
was once black, was as white as snow
still remained in Indiana. At Versailles
magnificent horse again tempted me, and
took him out of the stable one dark night.
am now paying the penalty of my equine
admiration. Consumption is gnawlng at my
yitals and soon / will be dead All my life
] have been an infdel, and / will die the
way have liyed-a firm believer in the doc
trine advocated by Bob Ingersoll."
The reporter in passing out was informed
by DR.. McFadden that the poor old mar
could live but few days at the most.