The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-07-13
JESSE pomERoYs PRISON LIFE.
Studying Chemistry. and Trying to Con-
struc. n Self Sharpening Pencil,

Studying Chemistry. and Trying to Con-
struct Self Sharpening Pencil.
An interesting pamphlet on Grimm
als, prepared by DR.. Charles D. Saw
in, for FIVE years physician at the
Massachusetts, state prison, contains
! authoritative statements concerning
Jesse Pomeroy. DIR. Sawin says:
''The public estimate of his char
acter, as revealed in the newspaper ac-
counts of his actions in prison, is with
out justification in fact. The express
dons, the boy flend, 'fend incarnate, ;
however applicable they may have
been to former state, are unwarrant-
able at the present time. The various
stories circulated about his 'torturing
cat cutting up mice and rats, are
absolutely without foundation"
Dr. Sawin gives a summary of the
circumstances of Pomeroy's conviction
and of the expert opinions given as to
his sanity at his trial for the murder
Of boy years and months old, and
then adds:
sPomeroy entered the prison, his
sentence having been COMMITTED to
solitary imprisonment for life, Sept. 9,
1877, when he was II years old. Dur
ing portion of his term he has been
permitted many privileges and diver
sions, snch as reading and painting
At one time he evinced strong desire
to improve his mind, and he tsudied
French, German and Latin. His
knowledge OF the languages is, how
ever, only smattering one. OF late
he has taken special liking to chem
istry, and Slight spark of inventive
genius has been manifested in his en-
dcavors to construct q hollow self
sharpening lead pencil, in which he
takes great pride. His paintings are
hardly WORTH admiring, but he looks
upon them as works of art, this fact
demonstrating to the observer that his
standard is not very high.
Without doubt his Intellect and
moral sense must have improved to
certain degree, since lie has not been
associated with other prisoners, and
he hasn't passed through any stage of
revolution His first punishment in
prison was four and half days in
dark cell on Nov. 8, 1877, for trying
to escape, digging cement out Of cell.
On the average he has received six and
one-half days punishment each year,
in most cases for tampering with his
cell structure in attempting to escape
lie on one occasion was punished for
'iusolence to an officer once for re-
fusing TO obey an order, and once for
writing an insolent letter to the war
den Not very serious offenses these.
Tie has never exhibited his former love
to torture at any time during his incai-
ceration in prison, which seems rather
strange were lie insane at the time OF
the murder. BE is remarkably cum
ming, clever and quick to see the drift
OF any conversation, logical and clear
in understanding, but notably self
willed and persistent. His bodily
health has been remarkably good, eat
ing and sleeping well, seldom COM
planning of his diet, and never asking
for favors of extra rations.
In recent interview lie stated that
ne thought his memory was very good
in regard to some occurrences; as, for
instance, his life in jail a nd his first
fouryears in prison, but h E had no rec
of ever meeting DR.. Folsom,
and only an indistinct remembrance of
bis trial"