The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-12-31
NO. 40


Scarcely was her health restored When
there came call of different kiad, one
which was to be the commencement of tbs
browning work of her life. As a result
Of the war homes were devastated -imno-
rality, always the accompaniment Of war
increased most fearfully,. children were
neglected, and was felt something must
be done to save the boys. She gave hera
self to it with great enthusiasm, went
with company of men and women Of like
consciousness to the capital. There she
laid the foundation for future influence
oyer public men, which continued until
no one individual had greater influence
over the minds of leading men or in the
administration OF the moral government
Of the state. This work accomplished
she was called to Indianapolis to aid in the
organization of work among her own
sex who had departed from virtue. She
closed her little quiet home from which
the childred had all departed for their own
homes) as she thought for short season
and commenced an organized effort--the
establishment Of a home for the friendless
lin which she stayed until called to take
charge ofthe Woman's Reformatory, about
nine years. To this work which requires
SO much courage, she was quite equal
courageous in times Of danger, fearless
under convictions of duty, she went down
to the lowest depths. She penetrated into
the dark recesses and grappled alike the
sin Of RIGHTEOUSNESS in either man or wo-
man. With quickness of perception,
warmly sympathetic, generous TO fault,
she was just the one for the place. Passing
on the street one day she heard the muf
fled cry of agony from little child peer
ing through the keyhole she saw little
girl six years of age in the hands Of man
who was ravishing her quick as thought;
with Herculean strength, for the time, she
broke in the door. rescued the child, took
her home and cared for her, had the man
arrested, and onher testimony be was con-
victed. Whilst on the stand his attorneys
tried to confuse her, but instead of confus-
ing it only gave her fresh courage, and
turning to the jury she gave such testi-
mony, appealing to them as fathers, that
caused his conviction for twenty years in
the State prison before they left their
seats. A young girl came under her
care to be nursed. who at the age of Is
years had been sedueed by her employer,
leading public man of the State, great
admirer of her ability. She had secured
all the evidence which the girl had in her
possession of his guilt (which was irrefu-
table,, and then sought an interview with
the gentleman, laid the matter before him
for counsel without revealing the fact Of
her knowledge Of his guilt. He entered
into it with interest, and assured her of
his assistance. When about to depart she
said, Thou art the man, and ! will act as
thou hast suggested OF course neither
of these men are admirers Of Sarah J
Smith. One is still in prison the other
should be.
Some Of her coadjutors with whom she
had worked for years in the same fields Of
benevolence, having ascertained the fear
full corruption existing in Jelfersonville
State Prison, where the women criminals
of Indiana we're Incsrcerated, her whole
mature was aroused to action and foremost
in efforts to meet the demand. she never
rested until Women and Girls Reforma-
tory was established at indianapolis.
And at the earnest request of the Cover
nor and the Board. of Managers she was
induced to take charge of aud start the
institution for some one else to follow
when the coming woman could be
found. LII the spring of 1869 the reforma-
tory was declared ready for the reception
of the women Of JeffersonVille, the most
hardened, debased, and undisciplined-
scarcely yestige Of woman. AS the car
riages containing the prisoners drew up
before the door, Mrs. Smith stood in the
doorway dressed in her Quaker costume
(which she always wore) with snow-white
cap and handkerchief. and with fne
physique and noble beauty, her handsome
face, as she stood there feeling the force
of her position, and the work before her
was Illuminated by sacred light direct
from the Holy Ghost under whose inspir-
alton she was then acting. The first one
brought in by four stalwart officers was a
woman past middle age, manaeled hand
and foot. She was murderess, had been
incarcerated seventeen years, a most ter
and officers. AS they brought her in they
inquired for the cell in which she was to
be placed feeling doubtless as many do
now, that women could. never manage
those terrible creatures). With compass
sion beaming out of her eyes, she directed
her to be set down and the chains re-
moved. They looked astonished and de-
INJURED, when in the full dignity of her
strength she replied: II command you to
unloose her, take off every chain, and let
her free; she is my prisoner, not yours"
And as the last chain fell, she stepped for
ward, took the vile creature into her arms,
said MY poor child, receive thee into
my arms as my child, and | will be
mother to thee, and l know thou wilt to
me be faithful child !" and imDrinting
kiss on her forehead (the first doubtless
that she had received in. many. years., she
said, "I.et us pray" Together they
kneeled, while Mrs. Smith asked the power
of the Holy Ghost to come upon them,
and for power to care for the poor woman,
and then rising with her arms still around
her, they walked to the cell, the hardened
woman broken, penitent soul. In three
weeks she gave every evidence-of. being
converted to God. For fourteen years
she has led a meek, humble, self denying
life.
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