The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-16

Bat This Time sonth.

Chairman Barr and Representatives Frazee,
McBroome, Haworth, Glszebrook, Fisher,
Mauck OF Harrison, KTeuger aud Moner.
Dir. Mos.er, who was frozen or s1oT-oound
while north, of course did not put in al ap-
pesrsnce, and the talented son OF Hon. D. S.
Gooding with few ladies, left last Wednes-
Cay on the $3.50 p. NJ. train for Jacksonville
to inspect things and people in general
Right here let the committee express their
thanks for the cOur;esies at the hands of the
officers Of the J., 81. and l. Z. r. and their
splendid management. We were soon trans
ierred from the cold, icy regions of Indisnap-
oils to the warm and balmy atmosphere of
Louisville, where the Committee had made
arrangements to stop, owing TO the inconve-
nience 10 hotels st Jacksonville. The hotel
at Louisville is a hostelry of which the city
may we'll feel proud, AID once under the
bospitsble roof the committee met genuine
Southern hospitality. The evening wa
pleasantly spent ia forming new acquaint-
anCes.
The next morning the gallant chaplain
was or hand sud with the ladies' Ia charge
landed us on abe other side of the river mot
jordan but the OhiOl TO Jacksonville,
? here the cars stop only a few steps from
the prison. When the prison doors closed
upon them at first the sensation was rather
peculiar, but in looking around We saw SO
many familiar faces our hearts became calm.
Among those we saw was Hon. II. Z. Shat
4 who took much pleasure in escOrting
Ii g party around especially the ladies' who
appreciated his kind attention. There was
also our old friend MsiOr Finney. Al
though Republ. can, we have great
admiration for hun, especially when grac-
ing the table, where ho fourishes the
carving knife and fork rs though he was
after ragged rebel" Notwithstanding
gravy bowls ana scolloped oysters Be COM
posed. Major; Cleveland is elected; that is
al. Or. II. Y. Hunter, one CT natures no.
blemen, was also there. he quite caDtivsted
the ladies. How could they resist. when be
was so extremely entertaining. Every sec.
end Tue sdsy n the month being inspection
day for the Directors, made il very pleasant
for the committee. There was some whisper
about TIE Collectorship Of I1ternal Revenue
being bestowed on this gentleman. It is q
wise suggesiiGn--the right man In the right
place. We met our young friend, DR.. Jesse
Mcclure, son Of the Senator, who is very
much thought OF by the c0nYicts. He ls
gentle and, kind in his manner toward these
poor unfortunate ones in his care. de is
most undoubtedly entitled TO higher seat
and We hope be will yet bs surgeon Of this
prison. There are now confined in tbs hos.
pital four sick with consumption. one or two
soon to die The hospital is in a fearful
place the noise from the machine shops,
The heat from the boilers and wash rooms
are sitting, and with all the care posi-
bic can not render their suffsrings less.
Those that are there now in their desolate
home are not devoid of hearts or insensible
TO feeling. They have soul to save. Life
is sweet even to the greatest criminal.
| Charity Is needed here rs well and more
really than in places nearer the capital.
Why can not the Legislature contribute
| money here, and s0on2 This is q benevolent
institution, ard one that should be attended
| to at oncs. There is need of more shops.
| Just think Of nearly 600 men in
theie shops. They cover now seyen
boots and shoes daily, and yet how NAVY
more can supply the demands Of the out
side word If the chance was only given.
| The work cone in the machine shops is very
| fine, and the men seem contented. and work
with an sim. New walls around the prison
are badly needed. II is great temptation
/ to escape as they GRE now. This is an old
old prison. The walls ara SCATTERING, and
| il q severe wind storm should come as might
| be probable during the month of March and
on the river, too, where they could have full
sway, away GOES bondage, and perhaps, too
! Tor all The convicts complsiu very little
OF their treatment. They cO1d not say her
Nlst. l0I luclI ttOhe WOhiu GeuY II. ana the
managers could do no more. The most
touching sight ist0 see Them eating, ss or.
| DERBY as can be Then YOU can watch their
counfenances and how neatly their hair
and whskeTs were cOmbed. No shaved
| hes ds among them as one has been taught
to believe, and many exceedingly handsome
| ard of fire build. For rstiOns they daily
consume 600 pounds of meat, eight bushels
| potatoes, seventy-fVe loaves of bread and
| 100 gallons OF beans, and, by the way, we
| INDUCED in their lunch. and we found the
| soup Just delicious. The men return to
their cells ct D. M, and remain until
morning. The meat is very tender in quail
| ity, anO they are given pretty good allow
ance. Their bill OF fare for dinner was SOUP
cornbresd, splendid meat, beets and pota-
| toes; If they could not eat all at table they
were allowed to carry away, aS their work
| sometimes called for it sooner or later
Their clothing, striped according TO GUS
/ tom, was OF & splendid quality and warm /;
the pants and coats were " iae stripe, and
the shirts and hats OF the narrow and be-
coming 60 most of them, very clean IN per-
sonal appearance OF course Those employed
| ~ machine shops we're an exception. vet
| they were much cleaner than a great many
| l have seen in indianapolis Captain How
ards cousin has had charge OF the dress
making, washing and drying department l
believe, for ten years. This department is a
wonder in itself The eDgins-room is the neat
est of all. es there was nothing but the
engine and the colored man that keeps the
engine in order; and he just prides himself
| on having IL polished until il glistens, aud
| the floor is clean aud nice as one could wish
! he is a life conYict-kilied his wife, he says.
| He has learned q sad lesson, by experience
! but it comes too late. There is a sad case OF
father and son. They are Jews, from Rush
| County, and formerly OF good standing; but
in an evil hour committed murder, and are
/ now serving life sentences. Tbs son saws he
would willingly exchange places with bis
father. One man. who has been confined for
eighteen years, has appealed in vain to
| Governor Porter. His mind is affected very
much. There are four lunatics, bat they
can be managed by their careful wstchmen.
| The chapel needs considerable attention. The
walls sre not plastered and II is q cold, cheer.
lees place for the words of God to be uttered.