Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-26
SUNDAY IN A PRISON.
Murderers and Thieves Who Sing Nearer.
NV Cod 70 Thee


My God, 10 Thee
Six hundred men in striped clothing lis
tened to the sermon Of the Rev. Mr. Barn
will at the prison church in Jetfersonville
yesterday morning, says The Louisville
Times. Since breakfast the cells had been
open, and the men sat about in the corridors
amusing themselves by singing, telling
stories and in divers ways
1t was curious, yet withal a sad sight.
Among them were great powerful fellows,
with splendid muscles and intelligent faces
men who, had they stuck TO the paths of
honesty, might have ranked high among
their fellows in social and political life.
Then there were scores of lew browed con-
victs, with the peculiar hang dog look tlrat
always characterizes sneak thief, who did
not seem at all ont of their proper sphere.
There were large men and small men, fat
men and lean men and ugly men; in fact,
every type of mankind could have been Sc
lected from among them There were many
present whom the reporter knew in happier
! times.
| Towering high above all the rest was the
| figure uf man who now owns one Of the
| finest farms in Clark county and who once
| SlANfl hlIhiAG lut ItEtIllfSb III us utISlAbtA'
| hood 1t was Jack Robinson, who is serving
a life sentence for killing his neighbor, Sam
uel Hay in a quarrel about the boundary
| lines OF their farms
| He is over 20 years of age, his hair and
beard are long and gray, and it is apparent
that his sentence viii be a short one.
Looking about him the reporter saw (
dark bearded man eveing HIM intently, /
was Edward McDermott, a man with whom
many years ago the writer played at school
Upon every hand there were murderers
forgers, sneak thieves emhezzlers and mel
who previously obtained a livelihood D.
WAYS that are dark and tricks that ar
vain"
At O'Clock the big bell on the top of tn
prison sounded, and the men quickly forme'
into line and marched up to the chapel i
single file. Each had his right hand on tn
shoulder Of the man in front Of him
The first rows were first filed, then th
second, and 81 on until every seat wa
taken snsce in the rear right hand col
ner was reserved for the coIored convicts.
On the right side OF the pulpit is spac
, reserved for visitors, and here the reporte
sat while on the left Is the little organ an
; the benches for the choir smooth face
| youthful prisoner took his seat at the instr
. meut while the choir, the members of whic
> ali wore stripes. took their seats
The little organ responded TO the touch {
] tire convict PLAYER, and the choir sani
= Nearer. Ny God, to Thee" as well as the
| render II in most churches where the men
? hers ore free. Several other songs were suui
4 and then TIE chaplain preached an eloquel
n sermon.
/ Ever man listened attentively th-oug
5 ont, amt thHrn We're tears IN the eyes II mar
r when the good man had concluded Tn
= another song vas sung, the benediction W
+ pronounced and the men slowly fled o.
n to dinner.
= In the afternoon they were again let o
g in the eel house until 4 O'Clock, when tn,
= were locked mp for the night This is fa
4 sample cf the way every Sunday in the ye
n isspent