Democratic messenger., 1892-08-13
LIKES PRISON LIFE
A MAN WHO HAS SPENT FIF ~
YEARS IN PENITENTIARIES.


Cell to Iiberty-strangc Life History
of an Octogenarian who Has No Am
biti"n to he Free or to Have Friends.
On a bench in front of the Clark
rounty (Iud. almshouse on warm, sunny
days sits an aged man whose silvery
beard is tangled and whose trembling
hands and faltering steps tell the story
only too plainly that the journey of life
is nearly at an end This is John Hicks,
u poor. broken down old sinner, whose
only claim to distinction is that he has
served fifty years in the penitentiary
He was not a celebrated crook whose
cleverness baffied the police and made
his name terror. He was only n hum
BILE professional prisoner with neither
kith nor kin to worry over his singular
choice. No wife ever shared his lonely
hours and no prattling children ever
climbed upon his knees; no tailor ever
worried him with bills for clothing,
and he never took the trouble to form
political opinion, because he never had
an opportunity to vote.
Not long since reporter visited the
Indiana almshouse. and when he in
quired for ''Old Man Hicks" he was told
that the venerable pauper was in his ac-
customed place in the yard. He did
not seem surprised when the visitor
called him by name and made known
his mission. His eyes frightened rs his
thoughts went back to his beloved cell.
but it was only for moment. Then he
said calmly and quietly without any ap-
parent regret for the wasted years Of
his life:
Il suppose you want to hear the story
of my life. Everybody does, although
do not see why they should take such
an interest in the affairs of an old man
they never knew and will never think of
again after they leave him. Well" he
continued. musingly, fumbling with the
ragged edge of his faded coat. Il was
born in Montgomery county, Va, eigh-
ty-siA years ago. My parents were poor
and died when was but child. had
no brothers or sisters. and went to live
with neiyhbor. who taught me the
blacksmith trade when he found would
not 90 TO school. MY masters name
was Neal, and he was fairly good To
me. but when | grew mp decided to
leave him and come to Indiana. For
awhile drove Il stage between Hamil-
ton and Centerville, but gave it and
secured Il place as stage driver for Bearl
* Scott. between Salem and Livonia.
''Onc day while waiting for my din
ner at the house of farmer named
! I l. IN,
drawer that had been left open. 1t con-
tained $l6O, which | at once took posses
sion of. | got three Years for this. which
| served and went to Washington, Da-
viess county. where l stole $500 from
man whose name | do not re,uember.
| think il was Thomas. but il was such
Il long while ago that | am not sure.
They gave me seven years for the offense,
and after serving six years | was par
doned by Governor Joe Wright.
when | got out went to Bedford
and worked at my trade until they
arrested me for assaulting woman.
was innocent. but never took the trou-
BILE to deny it and the jury gave me ten
years Five years had been served be-
fore il was discovered that | was not
guilty. and Governor Willard pardoned
me. At indianapolis | committed
burglary and was given three years.
Another burglary at Brookville brought
me four years and still another one Mt
Charlottesville got me four years Rt the
Michigan City penitentiary.
About this time | thought l would
try some other prison, and / went TO
/ oll
inal assault was the cause of my serving
ten years at Joliet. My term expired
and next fell at Hamilton, o., where
served two years for burglary. After
ward served i'll Pennsylvania and Ohio
again and then went back to jefferson
vile. By this time l was old and
longed for my cell i'll the Jeffersonville
prison. Ii was more comfortable than
any had ever occupied, and i'll t&ct the
prison there is the most humane one III
the country. Well, l walked all the
way from Columbus to Jeffersonville,
and calling upon the late Captain Craig.
who was then deputy warden, asked
him To give me a home in the prison,
saying was too old 10 work and wanted
to spend my few remaining days there.
He said he conld not do so, and re-
solved 10 make him do it.
''Going mp to Paoli i'll Orange coun-
". robbed house and took good care
that they should catch me at it. The
case came 10 trial and after l had told
the judge my story he kindly sentenced
me TO five years. He would have made
it more, but he said he thought / could
not live longer than that. thanked
him and went To prison. But was still
alive when the sentence expired, and
going to the northern part of the state l
robbed a man and got year at Michi-
gan City. Then | came back to Jeffer-
sonville, and the township trustees sent
me here before had chance 10 steal
anything.
w hen began my prison career | was
six fee; tall and weighed goo pounds. |
was prpaahly the strongest man u the
state Ny tr>, sentence ia jefferson
villr wa- served ia LITTLE log prison at
the corner Of Ohio avenue and Market
street. | was superintendent al tbo
iron work on the new prison, which was
built in 1877. and. if 1 DO say II myself.
the job was well done.
They made me keeper of the bis gate
on the south side just west of the office.
Once when the gate was open To let a
wagon out. fifty desperate convicts made
a break for liberty Snatching an iron
bar from the tool chest planted myself
i'll the passageway and kept them all at
bay until the guards arrived and took
them i'll charge.
No. do.:'t care for money Give
me chew of tobacco. Thanks. When
yon are ont this way again come in and
Sc. me Goodby. Louisville Post.