Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17
4 Prisoner Dies From the Effects of
Excessive Drinking After Days
and Nights Of Agony.
FOUR VICTIMS OF ALCOHOLISM.
The Agony Of Father Who is Not Allowed
to Look Upon the Dead Fsco
Of Beloved Child.
AN EASY NATTER TO BREAK INTO JAIL.
Rigid Regulations Enforced, and Simple Bill Of Pare
Provided.

When King Death, the grizzly monarch
with his scythe-scepter, enters the county
Jail, Warden Berlin asks not for an order of
release from court or committing magis-
trate, but simply throws back the iron doors
with clang that echoes through the vaulted
corridors, while the Sovereign of Shades,
his black plumes trembling with the chill
blast from the grave, stalks silently through
the halls in search of his subjects.
Deaths calls at the county Jail are not
infrequent. Every day men and women are
sent to the institution suffering from alco-
holism and on the verge of delirium tre-
mems. The change from freedom of person
and liberty to imbibe bad whisky at will,
to the close confinement, enforced abstinence
and rigid rules of the Jail is fraught with
danger to the whisky soaked prisoner. Then
Jail Physician Chessrown is sent for in
haste, and has to spend hours, and some
times days. in rescuing the patient from the
effects Of his own folly.
DEATH FROM DELIRIUM TREMENs.
Coroner Mcdowell held an inquest yes
terday on the body of Charles A. Martin,
who died of alcoholism. The cause of death
was clear, but under the law an inquest has
to be held on the body Of every person VINO
dies in an institution of this character.
Martin was sent to Jail upon trihing
charge, but primarily for the purpose Of
Strengthening him up. For days the Jail
physician had been working with this
patient, adopting the most radical remedies
known to medical science. Internal doses
of nitro-glYcerine and hypodermic injec-
tions of French brandy were given to ex-
cite the heart into action, but that organ
had already been too heavily oYer-ta1ed
and refused to respond. Martin died on
Friday night
There are now four prisoners in the Jail
suffering from delirium tremens. One, a
man, should have been released on Thurs
day, and the time of another, woman, ex-
pired yesterday. but the condition of these
prisoners precluded the possibility of allow
ing them to go free. These patients are
placed in the hospital department, which is
fitted up with all the latest improvements,
and are nursed by prisoners who have been
committed for vagrancy or some similar
minor offense. This is great treat for the
prisoners, and they show their appreciation
by attending faithfully to their duties.
These nurses find the change from a plank
bed, with diet which is mainly admirable
for its cleanliness and freedom from dyspep.
sis,' % a neat little cot bed, with food OF
much higher grade, pleasant in the extreme.
The care Of the sick also makes the time pass
more quickly, and has the apparent effect Of
shortening their term of imprisonment.
NOT THIS SIDE THE GRAVE.
One Of the saddest incidents connected
with the county Jail and its inmates oc-
Cured yesterday. Samuel Davis was ar
rested about a year ago in connection with
the robbery of some brasses from the ALLIE
gheny Valley Railroad. At his trial and
since, Davis has always stoutly maintained
his innocence, but he was convicted and
sentenced to years imprisonment in Jail,
his term expiring in about ten days. AS often
as the Jail rules permitted, Davis was visited
by his wife and little son. At every in
terview the child, who was but years old,
would weep because his father could not 90
home with him, and he could not under
stand why iron bars should separate them.
On Friday the child was run over by a
wagon on Thirty-third street and killed.
When the father heard the news be was
heart-broken.
Yesterday a petition was presented to
Judge Collier, asking that Davis be released
in charge Of an officer long enough to attend
the funeral Of his idolized child. The Court
refused the petition on the ground that all
precedent was against such action. He sug-
gested that perhaps, it the Warden would
consent TO assume the responsibility, the
man might be allowed to attend the funeral
The Warden has not rendered decision
yet There is no fear that Davis will en-
deavor TO escape if be is granted the priv
lege. In fact, it is the opinion of the jail
officials that he might be trusted to go with
out an officer in attendance to insure his re-
turn. Since Davis has been in Jail his con-
duct has been exemplary, and he has been
treated as a ''trusty." Another thing
which would likely encourage the return of
Davis is that he has SO short term to serve
before his sentence, while the penalty for
making an escape is three years imprison-
ment in the penitentiary.
EASY TO ENTER.
Where one prisoner breaks out of Jail a
thousand persons break into it. 1t is a very
easy place to enter, Notwithstanding its
massive granite walls its iron-barred
windows, and its steel-studded doors. An
introduction to Jail Warden Berlin can be
obtained in the manner best suited to the
temperament and purse of the aspiring
guest. Imported champagne and barrel |
house whisky, taken in sufficient quantities,
are alike in their results. A man who |
thumps an acquaintance, robs stranger,
murders a dude, deserts his wife and family, |
invests the funds Of bank with which he |
is connected in Canadian real estate, runs |
speak-easy, or tries in any manner to repeal !
any one of the thousands of laws on the |
statute books without the aid of the Legis- /
lature, is Immediately qualified for resi- |
denoe in the county Jail. After the court |
has considered the guests case, the latter |
NAV either be required to find another resi- |
dence, or may be transferred to the county |
workhOuse or the Western Penitentiary. In |
a few cases the guest is returned to the Jail, |
and he becomes a star boarder, the court |
determining the length of his visit
The Jail was instituted mainly for the |
purpose of detaining persons charged with |
crime until their cases are tried in court, |
bet many persons are committed there |
for snort terms for minor offenses |
by Aldermen, Justices of the Peace, and |
Police Magistrates. All persons committed |
to iail 70 await trial are treated alike. They |
are placed in cells and are furnished the |
prison fare, which may be augmented by |
dainties sent in by friends. The Jail Of |
fcials do not suffer from sickly sentimental |
ity, and they argue that the man who is |
seat to them is more than likely to be guilty |
Of tae crime charged against him. They |
argde that if the man bears good reputa- |
ton, or belongs TO a respect bic family, he |
will have little trouble in furnishing bail. |
OF course, sil prisoners are treated as II in |
nocent until alter their conviction, and |
L.. L. rpr