Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-16
BEHIND PRISON BARS.
A PEN PICTURE OF coNNEcTlcUT's
 STATE PRISON.

waterbury's Life Prisoners Have Almost Despaired of Ever Securing Their Liberty-A Glimpse at Katc Cobb, and the Other Female Prisoners.
 Wethersfeld
 The very name makes one shudder, sug- gestive as it is of crime, misery and de- spair, from it's association with the Con necticut state prison. The town itself is an old farming village, pleasantly located on tho west bank of the Connecticut river, resting costly between surrounding hills, and one of the best farming districts in the state. Here is located the state prison, its massive stone walls looming up in weird contrast to it's peaceful surround ings.
 It was beautiful and quiet afternoon when a DEMOCRAT reporter quietly stole away with the purpose of Investigating for himself tho mysteries of the institution, of which so little is known by the outside world. It was shortly after noon when the reporter found himself in Hartford, and boarded street car for Wethersfeld. Along through the quiet street, with it's beautiful summer cottages and lawns, the car sped, the jingle of the bells, and the twitter of @ party of young girls lending a charm to the occasion which made the re- porter almost forget his mission, and think only of the beauty of nature and the de- lightful country all around Hartford. At n sharp angle in the road the tall guard towers of the prison gloomily loom up, the sentinel peering from his window, and from behind group of trees, Wethers- field prison is before you, looking like a castle, stately and forbidding, and behind it's walls, holding secrets that are sacred, of fond parents thinking of their children confined there, and children of their un- fortunate fathers who are dead to them, yet living. Up the walk, leading to the prison, the reporter slowly walked, the guard with him, musket on his shoulder, pacing the lawn, and the windows with their iron gratings telling their story louder than words. To the left as you enter the building is the warden's office, and sitting busily engaged at his desk, is Warden Chamberlain.
 fine face, ornamented with a luxurious black moustache, his hair hid under a massive slouch hat. With pleasing smile, he listened attentively to the re- porter as he explained his mission, which was to have an interview with all the Waterbury prisoners.
 My dear young man." he said, "your request may be just, but for my part do not think it would be best to write up these unfortunates, and I will have to re- fuse to give you an interview, but if there is anything else I can do fo1 you I am willing to do it, and taking the. reporters arm, placed him in charge of the keepers to make a oF f+ov ,>oCSinrr fbo door leading to the prison, which is con- tinually guarded by keeper, the first whom you meet, his form bent with age, his face one expressive of despair, is Ste phen Abbott of Waterbury, who murdered q man in New Haven some 15 years ago and, who although annually looking for 6 pardon, is still there, too feeble to do any work and roaming round the corridors ever under the eyes of guard. He took nc is evidently tired of life. Through the cor ridor out into the yard in the path of busy workmen at work on the new cells, the reporter and his guide walked to view the numerous shops devoted to the manufac ture of leather shoes.,
 In shop No l., Martin Phinney, who murdered his wife in Naugatuck in May 1887, is at work. That handsome nous tache, of which he was so proud, is miss ing and with his hair closely cropped gives him an altogether different appear ance. He works near the inspectors desl and with the other prisoners is constantly under the guard of keeper.
 In shop No ?, James Lynch, who mur dered his wife in this city, is at work Lynch, it will be remembered, went to hi' home off Wall street one morning in Sep tember, 1887, drunk, and becoming en gagged in an altercation with his wife pick ed up stick, bringing it down with fata effect upon her skull He then concealed her body beneath pile of straw and cooll, tying his two months old baby in chair walked to the center and gave himself III to Officer Dean. In October of that yea his trial came up in New Haven, Green Kendrick of this city acting as states at torney during the trial. Lynch was abl, defended by counsel who introduced tn plea of insanity, add produced Dr T. D Crawford of the Walnut Hill inebriate asy ium of Hartford, who testified the prisone was insane The state introduced Dr Pin, Jewett of Yale college who held that h. was only insane from drink, and he should be held responsible for the crime. As result the jury found verdict of murde in the second degree and sentenced him t Wethersfield for life. Lynch looks well despite his confinement and is considere a very good prisoner by the warden an his assistants.
 In shop No George French who mu1 dered young Andrews, near this city is z work. French it seems went out towar Shrub Oak one day in July, 1881, an coming up to party of workmen anon them young Andrews, shingling barn fc a MT Prichard, called them imprope names and in his drunken frenzy wante to fight them. Young Andrews accepted hi offer and coming down from the buildin met French, who plunged the blade of a ugly knife into the youths left side il flicting fatal wound. The murderer WI arrested and brought up for trial at th October term of the superior court, at Ne Haven The jury dwelt long upon tn legality of admitting the ante mortel statement of the murdered man as evident and finally agreed upon verdict of mu der in the second degree. Judge Pardt who presided at the trial sentenced Frenc to imprisonment for life. He does m seem to notice anybody, his head is bel over his bench and acts as if his mind W, far beyond the prison walls. He works C year in and year out rarely losing any tim
 Atkinson the counterfeiter, who Officer Dodds cornered, is at wol in the corridors. Being governmel prisoner he cannot be compelle 1,a ofO