The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-07-04

| mother in her far off home knew nothing
| of her boys misdeeds. Sickness came upon
him as he worked one day. Removal to the
| hospital followed. Down into the dark val
| ley the sufferer went until deaths skeleton
grasp was almost upon his pale form. Not
until then would he disclose his mothers
address that she might be told where and
what he was. When the burden OF the ter
rible secret was lifted he rallied and grew
better. Swift as steam could bring her
the mother came and saw her boy. Con-
tinement would kill him. DR.. Llewellyn
said. Straight to the governor the mother
went. Her story told with fearful eyes
and stalnmering tsngue. back to the hos
ptal she hurried. An hour OF waiting for
the governors decision followed. When
it came it was in the form of great white
parchment. with golden seal and govern.
Ur's autograph. all unconditional pardon.
AS the mother sat with her boy alone. hold
ing his warm hand and looking down into
his pale face. the pardon was handed her.
1t needed but glance to tell her the good
news. The great tears like rain n.drOps
coursed down her cheeks. and as she kissed
her wayward boy the one witness to the
scene silently cleared the door and left the
two alone. The afternoon train next day
bore the sick boy and his faithful mother
to St. Louis. thence to the Philadelphia
home. Would that all stories could end so
happily. But another case comes TO mind
with result sadly different. This was of
a husband, convicted of murder and serv-
ing out ten years sentence. He. too,
fell sick. His wife was summoned but be-
fore the poor woman could reach the prison
the buryingground and not the hospital
ward held his body. Freedom had come
without the governors edict. Death had
issued pardon.
There are some curious facts Oh the reg
lister books of this great institution. Three
preachers and ouly two saloon keepers are
here. ShOemakers Outnunber any other
trade. and not newspaper man is behind
the bars, barring the writer Here is
family of six brothers from one county.
Here is man who is serving his fifth term;
few pages further on is description
Of one just returned for his eighth term.
A woOden-legged man was released the
other day and yesterday Swede with arti-
tcial feet, who was convicted for counter
feiting and who could scarcely speak a word
of English, was discharged. Two or three
Bald KnObbers are here and q number Of
other distinguished criminals. They sink
their Individuality" however. when the
stripes are dOnned, and become known
only by that most impersonal of cogno-
there are quite number of G. A. r. men
here, more than twenty Of whom draw
pensions from the federal government. it
is said there are but three eX-cOnfederates
who are cOnvicts. Governor Francis par
dOned last week Barton county convict.
who at the age of 70. was sent here in
1856 for murder. The old man will not
have long to enjoy liberty.
1t would be romantic to say that all or
the majority af the fifty three women con-
fined in the female department are hand
some and youthful. but it would be untrue
When woman falls 1t is as Lucifer did and
the marks OF the descent make her face
most hideOusly ugly. OF course. there are
exceptions. There is one. shop-lifter,
from ST. Louis, and several convicted of
other crimes. A girl was brought down by
Marshal McGowan. from Kansas City, the
other day. Would it not be proper after
the style Of the Kansas City papers to say:
Heavens sunlight was in her fluffy, golden
hair, and the tint of heavens June sky was
in her great blue eyes. but the prince of
the other place seemed to have gotten into
her heart" The contrary was true. She
was tall, angular, tOugh-loOking and swOre
like our army in Flanders" She was con-
victed horse thief, the only one of her sex
within the walls. There is big. brawny
woman here from Henry county for steal
ing and selling forty head of cattle. She
admits the theft and says the money is in
a good place where she can get it when she
is released.
The saddest sight of all is just outside
the window yonder. Look with me mo-
ment. The insane are being given an
hours exercise. Round and round they
walk. That young fellow, third from the
front. is from Cooper county. The march
is in almost the same order daily. The
General will permit no one to 90 before
him. That poor hunch-back with his eyes
constantly on the ground is here for lar.
ceny. Speak to him and he never looks