Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-07
WARD STORYTELLING ASHES.
u,. Hand Biirered BIZ ssis work--iIs
sl.ep. well. Eats Well, works Well. and
Has Nothing 10 Complain or
New York rnbunel

III q visitor 10 the oing-Sng prlson
yesterday had passed through the two
iron gratings which stand as perpetual
scntinels at the gates Of that huge pile
of masonry, had then skirted the court
yard with its carpeting Of green, set on
at its centre with flowers, had walked
thence down the stone walk towar the
Hudson and turned abruptly 10 his
lett, going on till he came TO brick
structure, had entered that builing
and then had descended q flight
of steps, he would have found
himself in super-heated room
where the pulsations of q mighty
engine shook the walls and where pent-
up fire-places gave out a tremendous
rush OF heat when their doors were
opened. In front Of one large boiler
stood barrel partly filled with coal
ashes. Beside it stopped man OF slen-
der form, with pale face, who grasped
shovel, pushed it into the ashes under
the huge boiler before him, lifted the
shovelful, and, Strengthening himself,
deposited his load in the barrel. All
day long, from the breSkfast-hour till
dinner-ume, and then with al interval
for his midday meal till evening, he
kept patiently, uncomplainingly at
work. He wore convict's suit Of
gray, with its broad, black horizontal
stripes. His name was Ferdinand Ward.
lie had risen at $3.50 at the sound Of
the rising-bell, had dressed and washed
himself, taken his bucket in his right
hand, and at 6:l5 A. NJ, when the
prison was opened for the day, had
fallen in as the ninth man from
the leader in his stove gang Of
forty-five men and had marched from
his cell, No. 927, down three flights Of
stairs to the first floor, thence in lock-
step with his left hand on the
shoulder of the man before him to
the spot where the buckets are
emptied. Then he resumed his
tramp to the mess-room. The man
in charge of the gang was Keeper Scrip
ture. Wards seat was nearly in the
centre Of the room, nearly filled with
its 1000 occupants. His manner was
subdued and as unostentatious as that
Of any one Of the other l,200 men.
lie had a good appetite. He had
been relieved of the presence Of
convict Ulrich, who passed the first
night in q cell with him, and had slept
we'll: so he ate heartily of good
beef-hash, nicely Drowned, with
black coffee and the wholesome
brown bread, for which the prison
is famous. At 7:20 o'clock Ward
rose from the table, fell in with his
gang, and the march that followed took
him south, then toward the Hudson,
then up three fights of stairs to the
top floor of the stove-mOunting shop.
He was ready to take his first lesson in
filing castings. But that was to be de-
ferIed until Tomorrow, because it was
found that no bench had been provided
for him. Keeper Scripture conferred
with Principal-Keeper Connaughton,
and it was determined to send Ward
was assigned to his post, took up his
shovel, and went to work brayely. He
kept on steadily until the bell sounded
at ll:30. when he washed his hands,
fell into line as the gong was struck at
noon, marched to the mess-room, and
partook heartily of pork, cabbage, po-
tatoes, and coffee. At 1910 the work.
whistle sounded, and few minutes
found Ward at work in front Of the hot
fires. He had to retreat once in a while
and 90 up to the room above to seek
temporary relief from the suffocating
temperature.
At few minutes Of 4 P. NJ. Tn
June reporter was seated in the room
of Principal-Keeper ConnaughtOn, when
a subordinate informed the principal
keeper that Ward had expressed de-
sire to see him. Mr.. Connaughton sent
for Ward, who dropped his shovel and
came to the office. He entered the
room, cap in hand, and recognized the
visitor, saying, somewhat hesitatingly,
"How are you?" Then he paused,
as if to be spoken to. His peculiar
submissiveness was his most distinct
and striking characteristic. His salu-
tation was returned by the reporter,
who had frequently conyersed with
him in Ludlow-Street jail. Mr.. Con-
naughton said there was no objection
to conversation, and so Ward was ask
ed how he was getting along.
Very WELL" was his quiet reply;
81 am sure have nothing to complain
Of"
Have you begun your work here
YETI"
well, yes, | have been shovelling
ashes to-day"
"Do you find it hard work? ?"
Ward hesitated and glanced at Mr..
COnnaughton, who promptly said "We
have nothing to conceal here, and al
ways speak the truth. The work is
not hard for one used to manual work.
lie will get used to it after little"
Then Ward said 4" Well. | do find
it pretty hard work. You see, I'm not
used to this kind of thing"
Have you done manual labor be-
fore?"
mo, have not"
"You haven't blistered your hands,
hope" said his visitor.
Well, | have, though" Ward re-
piled, smiling family for the first time.
He extended his left hand and showed
= blister as large as a pea on the inside
Of his left thumb. He added that he
had found the heat pretty strong"
and had had to seek the upper air sew
eral times for breathing spell. ~
don't know how long | can stand this"
he said thoughtfully, 4" but | am going
to do my best. am here and | shall
do everything | am told to the best Of
my ability"
"Do you feel the result of the days
work much?"
"Yes, | do" was the frank reply,
and Ward added with a shrug Of doubt:
Its pretty tough work, and feel
played out" A few words followed,
and then with hand-shake Ward was
left few minutes with Mr.. Connaugh-
ton. He wanted to see the principal
keeper to ask the privilege Of writing a
letter to his wife. This was granted,