Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-04-21
The JUNIOR CONVICTS.
a Remarkable Meeting in the Ohio
Penitentiary,
"o'h"y heah Pleased With the Situation
~ iifteen-Near-old BOY Relates
the story of His Crime.

COLUMBUS O., April l8 -fhe meeting OF
c@Hvcts under twenty years of age at the
penNSntary tonight turns out to be one
OF the most remarkable in the history of
penal institutions. 1t seems to have been
converted in}Q an experience meeting, in
which one oil Ihecoavicts acted on the the
ory That IAN open confession is good for
the soul" and confessed that while he was
convicted of manslatIghter his real
crime was murder The first speak,
cr after the lecture by DR.. j.
H. Clements, was J. 4. Beall fifteen years
CT age, ntenced for life >{rom
Preble County for chopping his mothers
lead off with an axe. He began by thank
ing Warden CJifin for his kindness to the
young prisoners in allowing them to meet
anu express their views on subjects in-
structive and entertaining "While this is
the main motive of the meeting it has for
US more significant meaning, which is
this: That although each one of us by
wrong do ngs have become amendabe to
the laws of the State, we have, through
the mercy of Col, been given for guard
lans kind Christian gentlemen who not
only pity our misfortune, but forgive us
IN this our worst misstep and by kindness
arc striving their utmost to lead us back
INTO tho paths of duty. This, be.
Ileye, Is the first meeting of the
kind ever held in this or any other
penal institution. At least this is the
first in this, and the first have ever ad.
dressed, so you will be lenient with me
and not expect too much of me, as am
the smallest and youngest prisoner
among you,' lie closed with two verses
OF orig nal poetry and thanking those pres
ent Tor thei' kindness. Alexander Nc.
Daniel was the most remarkable speaker
as it consisted of confession. He is tif.
teen years Of age and was received from
Clark County, January 81, 1885, on an
e'ght-year sentence for manSlauglter
He said; "Doar Friends and Fellow.
Prisoners: 1t is through sense of
duty that | taIthouga guilty of on3
of the worst crimes of the law make
this confession. ID is likely there are
number of you who have mother.
| have not, and have never known
what mothers care was, or perhaps
would not be hero tonight. W. $ but
three years old when my mother was tax.
en- away, and we must all be taken away
some day. As to my crime, it was mur-
der, But it was done while under the in
iluenCc Of liquor, and the oae killed was
my worst enemy, for he taught me to drink
whisky and many OIL her evil habits, among
which was gambling | have but few re-
iatiyes and only one who has stood by me
through this, my greatest sin, which |
would not have committed had realized
what was about. | would willingly have
pleaded gu lty and taken life sentence
had the charge not been reduced to man
slaughter, upon which charge was sent
up for eight years. Still, ]
am only too glad to serve that
out. ! love liberty as well as any one;
Tut | have deprived myself OF il, and
therefore | can not enjoy it, but | trust
that when my turn comes to leave these
prison walls ] may go a new boy, and /
trust hat the God of Heaven will make
this the turning-point Of my life, and en-
able me when | leave here to shun evil
companions and bad company. trust
that | may with gooi conduct meet my
friends in Heaven, where have loving
mother. have chosen God as my helper
and hope you have done the same. My
friends, have but one request to make Of
you, aud that is to shun evil companions
and liquor Trusting that You will en-
doavor to make this the turning.point of
your life, am yours respectfully, Alexan-
der MCDania'.