Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-19


games are then allowed. Base and
football forms popular feature, and
several games go on at the same time,
many of the players showing by their
expertness that they have made base
hits before they made the one which
landed them behind the bars.
While it is well understood that most
convicts are clever at getting into
banks and Juggling of all the money
they can find. it's not SO generally we'll
understood that once in the prison
very many of the prisoners suddenly
manifest laudable ambition to save
money. Where before, the man would
not care to save few cents day, once
a convict he does not refuse to lay
aside however little he may become
possessed of against the day he will
see the outside world again. Many fell
lows who never supported any one,
even themselves, outside tho prison,
once there. will delve and save for the
support of wife or children
There is at present in the prison bank
belonging to convicts sil. s5O27 The
amounts vary from one cent TO one
thousand dollars. A few years ago a
man was released by expiration of a
long sentence who had saved s., 900. 1t
is on record that convict once fell
heir, while serving q sentence here, to
$50. 900. He received it when he came
out MANY Of the prisoners are rapid
workers and by doing two days work
in one save fairly good wages. Nearly
all have regular tasks assigned them
and they can work as fast or as slow as
they desire. only they must complete
the allotted work.
In these days of sensational crimes
anti noted criminals, Michigan has kept
up it's unsavory record equally strong
with other States. There are all sorts
and conditions of criminals inside the
walls. from the slick-fingered forger to
the bloody handed matricide The most
noted criminal Michigan ever had, who
was convicted. il without doubt f.
Irving Lstimer. at one time leader of
Jackson city's four hundred. He was
born Of parents who were both very
strict church members His father was
druggist and X. Irving learned
the profession. just before the
son was FL his father. who was a
man OF splendid physique aud of a
commanding appearance, went home
one evening. drank glass of cider
while awaiting supper and never left
hrs chair. dying inside the hour Mrs.
Lstimer and the son both opposed an
inquest and none was held. The father
carried $40. 0ss life Insurance and there
were several thousand dollars of debts
which were paid by the widow. Irving
was then started in the drug trade He
followed il two years and became over
whelmingIy in debt. Feb -. is-s.
Irving carried fictitious conversation
through the telephone with person
supposed to be Ina Detroit That after
noou he stated ne must go TO Detroit
on Important business. which would
desain him. he said. two days.
That night between the hours % i2 and
?. Mrs. Iatirner who was alone in the
house. was murdered by being shot in
her bed with . revolver and then being
held on the floor By the Assassin until
she safscated from the blood aowinG
into her throat irving was teie-
grsphed for. came heme. lied about
where he stayed. was arrested. and
after long trial Vas convicted When
he Vas sentenced hy Judge Peck and
asked II he had snythinx 20 say be re
~ponded. ssNotsiss. thssk yoaL Vie
never talked sbost tho murder
- sey one, never showed any
grief and w<nt to prison for
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