The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-26
LIKES PRISON LIFE.
A MAN WHO HAS SPENT FIFTY
WEARS Nv PENlTENTlARlEs.


county Qnd.) 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,
a poor, broken down old sinner, whose
only claim to distinction Is that he has
served fifty years In the penitentiary.
He was not celebrated crook whose
cleverness bafiled the police and made
his name terror. Re was only hum
bio 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 a reporter visited the
Indiana almshouse, and when he in
quired for "Old Man Hicks" he was told
that the venerable pauper was in his &C.
custorned place in the yard. He did
not seem surprised when the visitor
called him by name and made known
his mission. His eyes frightened as his
thoughts went back to his beloved cell,
but it was only for moment. Then he
said calmly aud quietly without any ap-
parent regret for the wasted years Of
his life:
al 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, II was
born in Montgomery county, Va, eigh-
ty-six years ago. My parents were poor
and died when ! was but a child. Ihad
no brothers or sisters, and went to live
with a neighbor, who taught me the
blacksmith trade when he found l would
not go to school. My masters name
was Neal, and he was fairly good to
me, but when l grew up decided to
leave him and come to Indiana. For
awhile | drove stage between Hamil-
ton and Centerville, but gave it up and
secured place as stage driver for Beard
& Scott, between Salem and Livonia.
lone day while waiting for my din
ner at the house of farmer named
Brown l saw pocketbook in bureau
drawer that had been left open. 1t con-
tained SlG0, which at once took posses
sion of. | got three years for this, which
served and went to Washington, Da-
viess county, where | stole $500 from a
man whose name do not remember.
| think it was Thomas, but it was such
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-
bic to deny it and the jury gave me ten
years. Five years had been served be-
fore 1t 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 at
Charlottesville got ME four years at the
Michigan City penitentiary.
about this time / thought would
try some other prison, and l went to
Louisville, Ills. Another alleged Grim
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 in Pennsylvania and Ohio
again and then went back to jefferson
vile. By this time was old and /
longed for my cell in the Jeffersonville
prison. 1t was more comfortable than
any had ever occupied, and in fact the
prison there is the most humane one in
the country. Well, walked all the
way from Columbus to Jacksonville,
and calling upon the late Captain Craig,
who was then deputy warden, asked
him to give me home in the prison,
saying | was too old to work aud wanted
to spend my few remaining days there.
He said he could not do 80, and re-
solved to make him do it.
"Going up to Paoli, in Orange coun-
| ty, | robbed house and took good care
that they should catch me at it. The
case came TO trial, and after l had told
the judge my story lie kindly sentenced
me to five years. He would have made
it more, but he said he thought could
not live longer than that. l thanked
| him and went to prison. But l was still
alive when the sentence expired, and
going to the northern part of the state
robbed man and got year at Michi-
gan City. Then | came back to Jeffer-
sonville, and the township trustees sent
mo here before | had a chance to steal
anything.
when began my prison career was
Fix feet tall and weighed 200 pounds.
was probably the strongest man in the
state. My first sentence in jefferson
vile was served in little log prison at
the corner of Ohio avenue and Market
street. ! was superintendent of the
iron work on the new prison, which was
built in 1877, and, if do say it myself,
the job was well done.
"Fhey made me keeper of the big gate
on the south side just west of the office.
Once, when the gate was open to let a
wagon out, fifty desperate consicts made
a break for liberty. Snatching an iron
bar from the tool chest planted myself
in the passageway and kept them all at
bay until the guards arrived and took
them in charge.
mo, don't care for money. Give
me chew Of tobacco. Thanks. When
you are out this way again come in and
see me. oodby."-Louisville Post.