Rock Island Argus., 1895-07-02
IN LIBERTY JAIL"
Visit to e. v. Debs and His feI.
low Prisoners.
HOW THE TINE GOES WITH THEM.

sCo-Operativo Colony" Organized and Each
ereise. Study and Debate ON Sociological
and Other Observation-Disclosures Hall.
way Union President Adopts the Profes.
sion Of Teacher-Daily Bill Of Fare.
CHICAGO, July 2-The "Co-operative
Colony Of Liberty Jair'-.hat is the name
by which the seven United States prison.
ers now serving a six months sentence in
the McHenry county Jail at Woodstock,
Ills, wish to bo remembered by the hordes
Of curious visitors who daily flock to tho
quiet little town in the hope OF catching
glimpse Of the famous labor leaders. A
reporter was one Of the aforesaid visitors
and was directed to the rear Of the build
ing by q bystander Of whom he asked
where the iailer was to be found. Fol.
lowing the directions which were given
him the reporter made his way to tie
rear Of the building and found himself In
small inclosure fenced in by the court
house and small outhouses and surround
cd by high iron fence. Lounging around
In easy, picturesque attitudes were half
dozen men, reading, smoking or exercis-
ing with chest weights.
Prolting by Their imprisonment.
They did not notice the approach of tho
reporter, but upon being asked one OF
them directed him to the jailer's quarters
and Immediately turned to his paper.
The jailer found and being informed Of
the visitors mission, he displayed no hesi-
fancy in talking Of the life and habits Of
the prisoners in his charge. 'You want
TO know something about Debs and his
associates" said he; "well, there is n
good deal about them that is interesting.
They are fine lot of men, and they have
marked out for themselves n course Of
study and recreation which will result in
much benefit to them. They study and
read most Of the time, and when not en-
gagged with their books they exercise and
recreate in the Jail corridor and court
house yard"
introduced to the Captives.
At tho wish of the reporter the jailer
introduced him to the prisoners who were
in the yard. Those who were there were
James Hogan, l. w. Rogers, Roy NJ.
Goodwin, and Sylvester Keliher. All
were willing to talk and spoke entertain
ingly of their life in the Jail, and prac-
tically reiterated what the jailer had said
about the employment of their time. Jail
life, they said, wns net the ideal life, but
was not half rs bad as imagined.
Through the open window Eupeno V.
Debs could be seen seated in the jail cor.
ridor. He was reading Chicago paper
and had his chair tipped back while his
feet rested on the iron grating. Those
who knew Mr.. Dcbs would hardly rccog-
nize him row.
Debs Growing n Beard.
A board, sandy in color and cut in the
imperial style. covered his face which was
fuller than when he left Chicago some
weeks ago. He looked the picture of
health, as did all the other prisoners ex-
ccpt Burns who is suffering from SO.
we're cold. All the prisoners, except
Burns. have grown boards. After shor.
talk with the group in the yard the re-
porter was permitted to see tho sheriff.
George Eckert, who allowed him to enter
Debs' cell Debs was willing and anxious
To talk md led the way to the dining
{ room, which tho sheriff had suggested as
a good piaoc for an interview. Arriving
Mt tie room the famous labor leader
pointed to q chair having broad arm
rests, and said: There Is place for your
copy paper, and you can write while l
talk. suppose you want to know some
thing about my life, SO make ready and
I'll fire away"