Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-24
LOVE WAS THE CAUSE
THE PATHETIC STORY or A JOLIET
PRISON TRusTY.n
Though lie would Have Given Ills
Right Arm for Liberty, He Resisted
Until Woman smiled on Him.
tchlcago Hsrald.l

tchlcsgo Hsrsld.I
Everybody who has visited that living
tomb, the Joliet penitontiary, cannot
but feel sorry to learn that Robert Click,
the "trusty OF Warden Berggren, has
fallen from grace The solitary figure
in convict garb standing on the narrow
platform at the penitentiary depot was
the last recollection that visitors carried
away OF the horrors OF that dismal place.
A link between the vretchedness within
the walls and the glad freedom outdoors,
the hearty good-by from the tralnmen TO
the convict as the train moved OIL ilnger-
ed in the memory OF those who heard u
like q death. bed parting between friends.
Even the trainmen themselves, who have
long grown accustomed TO see the hall
free convict swinging bis lamp at the
stopping place at all hours of the night,
have never been able 10 overcome the
feeling of sadness and sympathy as they
have watched him trudge back TO BIS
wretched prison home, faithful as dog
returning TO It's collar and chain.
rRAIyMES HIS FRIENDS.
They all knew his story. Years ago.
when first the new "trusty APP
peared at the depot, singie
glance into his clear blue eyes
was sufficient 10 make the trainmen
his friends. That Warden McClaughrey
had made a good selection in the new
."trusty was admitted even before they
heard his story. That he was HE,
convict. and that his crime was wiliul
murder. made no difference. Any one
could see that he was honest as day
light, and the sympathies OF his new as
eociatcs went out 10 him even be-
fore they had learned the details Of bis
one offence against his country laws
Visitors 10 the prison who have ieit tne
building with feelings strangely alterna-
ting between repugnauce and pity LOT
The miserable occupants OF the WHITE
washed cells have seldom failed 70 ques,
ton the convict-guide who escorted
them to the train how it happened that
be was in such place. And, indeed, IL
did appear more than strange that man
Of his unquestioned honesty should
be among the condemned. Without
ATTEMPTING either 10 minimize hls offence
or 10 appeal for sympathy, Click would
answer that he had killed man and had
been sentenced for life. Seven years
ago the crime had been committed ana
seven years ago he had worn his frst
suit of stripes. Seven years hence ne
would in all probability be wearing stlli
another suit of stripes and 80 on from
wear TO year until" Maybe when LIN
ON old man III get out OF here.
PAINFULLY SAD.
To hear young man full OF vigor
thus talking hopefully OF the time when
he should be an old man and free once
again to earn his daily bread was pain
fully sad Curiosity and sympathy
demanded a fuller explanation, and the
convict would not hesitate to give 1t. 1t
was very ordinary quarrel that had re-
suited in the loss OF life TO Click
victim and the loss of liberty to Click
himself. Click was hostler III the
employ Of q hOrse-trader IN south
ern Illinois. Between bis employer
and O noighboring dealer a bitter
feud had long existed and when
ever necessity arose for business nego-
iiations between the two Glck always
bcted as representative OF his employer.
On one of these occasions high words
arose between Click and the rival horse
dealer. A fight seemed imminent. Ac-
cording to Clicks story his opponent
was on the point of drawing knife,
when a friend thrust "a revolver into
Clicks hand. A second later the horse
dealer was dead, shot through the heart
by bullet from Clicks gun. Then
O long imprisonment and tflal.
Popular opinion ran high that the deed
had been instigated by Clicks employer.
Every inducement was offered to Glck
10 confess that his employer had actua-
ted the crime. But TO every appeal
Click replied that the killing had been
done in self-defence, and that If he were
placed in the same position agaln-an
angry opponent about to draw KNIFE,
and a revolver thrust into his own hand
ct the instant when his life seemed IN
most imminent peril-he would act just
as he had done.
Sentenced TO the penitentiary for life,
Click accepted his fate as stoically as he
had undergone the ideal of trial and jail
imprisonment. His new life began IN
the harness shop, where his conduct was
80 exemplary that Warden McClaughrey
singled him out as his "trusty or con-
fdential servant. In this capacity al
most unlimited confidence was reposed
in the convict The journey to and
from the station, which is within a
stones throw of the prison gates, was tho
best of the chances thrown IN Clicks
way 10 escape had he so desired.
As confidential servant TO the Warden
Click was often sent, dressed IN civilians
clothes, into the city OF Joliet The
fast horses in the warden's stable were
nj the convict's disposal whenever, as
often happened, his duties took him to
any considerable distance from the
prison. Thus it happened that on the
streets Of Joliet the convict became one
OF the best-known figures. People would
stop TO exchange good-day with tho
onest-looking fellow. Acquaintance
began to multiply, and within a radius
OF dozen miles there were few who
had not good word to say IN behalf oil
Robert Click, the warden's "trusty.
"Wouldnt you like to get out OF
prison ?" WAS question put to Ghck
dozen times day, to which his inyarla-
BILE reply was, " would give my right
arm for liberty, but not my honor. In
the eyes OF the law | am murderer. but
| can stand that rather than feel that |
en- not honest never deceived man
who trusted me, and don't propose TO
begin now"
A woMAN's CHANCES.
But alas for the poor fellows sense of
honor. In u moment OF madness, in
iatuated by womsn's glances and
morally blinded by the fumes OF LIQUOR,
he decided 10 throw away his moral OBJ.
legation and elope with woman Of
Joliet. Still tho old feeling Of friendli.
ness, born OF honesty and trust, saved
Click at least from the actual breach of
trust which he had contemplated. Among
his friends IN the prison were many who.
though wearing convict's garb, we're vet.
in Clicks opinion, trustworthy. To
leave them without word was some
thing he had not contemplated, and in