The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-04-07
Incident in Prison.

at the close of the war of the Seceoahh
Buruam Wsrdel! was made warden Of tne
State prison of Virginia. On entering
upon his duties he discovered himself in
charge of b desperate set of men.
They had been treated with great Sc
verify. The whipping post, which s,"od
conspicuous in the Jail yard grim blood
besmeared .specter, had been daily used
in vain To restrain snd intilnida;s rris-
oners.
Brruam Wardell looked with horror
upon these things. 81 will have rone of
:hem," be said
"Such barbarity can do nothing tut
create harbarians. l will establish new
order. How should any man grow b. ter
under such discipline? 1t is at war with
nature. These men however weak and
sinful are still men, with hearts fash
ioned after the manner of my own. The
same influences that inspire Eobleress in
me will develop the same in them. I
will put myself in right relations to these
men, my heart shall call to them and
theirs shall answer. My faith in the Gre.
stor inspires confidence in the creature"
Accordingly lie ordered the armed po-
lice AS usual to assemble the prisoners in
the chapel. All eyes were fixed on The
omnanding face and form of the new
keeper. And he addressed them in ,nch
words of sympathy as they had -ver
heard before, He spoke to them as uen
and brothers who had fallen in weai ness
and sin. that should yet .rise in the
strength of the nobler element of aeir
nature, and be hono1ed among men.
That 20 this end he wosld be to them a
friend and helper. That be would de'ond
them from the inhuman treatment to
which they had been subjecs.
/ At the conclusion the prisoners were
dispersed, but tears glistened on many a
cheek wearing the brand of sensuality.
and sin.
;:Burnam," said Mrs. Waldell, "I don't
think Wallie sheald be allowed to run
through the shops sra listen to the con-
versation of these men,"
II will speak of it in the chapel" said
be. When they we're assembled he
spoke of his wife's fears. what shall I
say to her?' Give the child his }ibity,'
said one who seemed to speak for many.
will you all promise to utter no bad Ian.
guage in his hearipg?' All hands were
instantly raised. Then turning to the
child who stood at his eide be said,
Wallie these men will not hurt you.
Ee then ordered detachment 10 dig
up the whipping post and bring it into
the chapel It was placed on the speak
er's stand. The lash and the other be-
longings were hung on it and the whole
labeled for sale, price $50 Bibles aud 200
primers. The offer was accepted by
Boston publisher. The hated relic was
placed in lorg box like coffin and
borne away by the men like funeral.
A court was established which con-
vened daily when offences occurred,
which we're surprisingly rare. The
offender was tried before jury Of pris-
oners, B. W. acting IS judge, aud Wallie
was appointed sergeant Of arms.
On one occasion Big Jim the toughest
man in the building was convicted of
some offence. He demurred, insisting on
his innocence, and for q moment seemed
almost ready to resist authority. Jim.
N.Y." said the warden, II believe you to be
guilty and you must 90 to the cell. Take
him along Wallie" The little fellow
seized him by his pan'aloons, the convict
hesitated only moment.
"A Georgia farmer is rsisins two
calves that are being brought up to help
themselves, and, as consequences, re-
quire less care. They are kept in the barn,
near well, from which water is taken by
means Of common cistern pump. The
calves have learned to operate the pump,
and whenever they want 9 drink they
pump it. One pumps while the other
puts his mouth uuder the spout and
drink, and they take turns about pump
ing.
= Il close thinker says that the reason
why many people know comparatively
nothing is that they never can bear to be
told anything.