Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-22
TRAMPS FREED BY HASTINGS
The Governor Pays Their Way
Out of jail.
NINETEEN FROM PHILADELPHIA
Scrambles for Nickels Scat
tered by MaJor7Cox.

Scramble: for Nickels Scat
tered by MaJoraCox.
Governor Hastings of Penhsyivania and
His STAFF Enjoy Themselves by Visit to
New Castle Jail-The Governor Finds
Some Constituents among the Prisoners
and Sets Them Free by Paying Their
Fines.
Gov. Hastings and his staff, together
with Rear Admiral Meade Of the
United States navy, said Tuesdays
Philadelphia Times, y went down to
Augustine Pier MondaV to review
the battalion Of Naval Reserves en-
camped along the Delaware bay. The
party went as far as Gdi@on Heights
on the steamer City of Ihester, and
the rest of the trip watm on the
police boat Visitor. The party reached
Augustine Pier about 12 O'clock.
The review was held soon after the
party arrived. The battalion appeared
upon the parade grounds shortly after
O'Clock, and having fornf9d companies
passed in review before the Governor
and his staff, who occupied position
which gave them full view of all that
transpired. The Governor expressed
himself as highly satisfied with the
showing made by the amateur tars and
congratulated the men upen their mag
nificent appearance. At the close Of
the inspection salute ofh17 guns was
fred in honor of the distinguished
visitors
After the review the Governor and
his party started back fof the city by
boat, but when opposite New Castle it
was decided that they should land and
secure transportation esrest of the
way by rail. The police boat reached
New Castle at 8 o'clock and it was
found that the next train for Philadel-
pbia did not leave until 5.37 o'clock,
so some one suggested TO Gov. Hastings
that there was time for visit to New
Castle Jail. Few of the officers had
ever been inside Delaware prison and
all of them expressed.a desire to see the
whipping post and the traditional
'cat-o'-nine tails.
VISIT TO THE JAIL.
81 wouldn't mind seeing the whip
ping post" said Gov. Hastings "but
| wonder if we can get inY'
Rear Admiral Meade said he had
desire. to see the post and pillory and SO
did Adjutant General Stewart.
"We might as well take in the
town. said the adjutant, Hand I
guess the whipping post is the biggest
show they got here. )"
When the boat reached the dock all
made bee-line for the county Jail,
Gov. Hastings and Admiral Meade
leading the way. Adjuta1lt General
Stewart followed close behind the
Governor and with him was Major
General George r. Snowden. The other
officers in the party. were Inspector
General Edward Morrell, Surgeon
General L. ". Reed, Col. W. F. Rey-
nolds, Col. Charles H. Howell, Color
Sergeant J. L. Green, Col. Alexander
A. McCandless Col. Ralph Cullinan,
Major j. A. G. Campbell, Major David
Lewis, Ordnance Sergeant Robert
Liberton, Brigadier General John W,
Schall, Assistant Adjutant General r.
S. Edwards, Inspector Frank Sweeney,
Quartermaster Benjamin r. Keim,
Major j. X. Weaver, Major Herbert
Cox, Capt. George Burton, Capt. d.
s. Bechem and Commissary Sergeant
w. w Bell.
After the sheriff had recovered from
the shock produced by the information
/
vania and his staff were desirous to
see the whipping post he led the way
to the Jail yard. There were between
20 and 80 prisoners in the yard, some
of them murderers doing life sent
enee, while others were there for lar
ceny, horse stealing and various other
offenses. The greater number, how
ever, were in for vagrancy and drunk
enness.
TOUCHING THE GOVERNOR FOR A LOAN.
The prisoners crowded all around the
Governor and his staff. and while the
party was inspecting the whipping post
and the "cat-o' nine tails, the prison
ers were busy touching" them for
loans.
A bright idea struck Major Cox
about this time and he sought to di-
vert the attention of the jail birds by
throwing five-c pieces in the air and
then watching the scramble which fol
owed. While the seuflling was going on
Gov. Hastings, "cat" in hand, found
an opportunity to try his hand at WELD
ing the lash, while he applied it lightly
to the convicts' backs.
SET NINETEEN FREE.
But few of the prisoners had any luck
IN graphing the coin Wnlcn tne OJnel
officers now began to toss into the
crowd, and several appealed to the Gov
ernor for help. Most of them said they
were from Philadelphia and had been
captured in raid while stealing ride
in a box car and sent up for GO days
Many of them served part Of theiI
term, they said, and they added that
If they could get tho money to pay
their fine they would be liberated.
How many of you are from Phila-
delphiaP" the Governor asked.
He had no sooner propounded the
question when fully 10 of the prisoners
raised their hands almost simultane-
ously and declared that they were
all from Pennsylvania and were 60
ing to get back there Just as soon as
they saw the outside of prison walls
again. The Governor ran his hand
down in his pockets and pulled out a
small roll of greenbacks, which he gave
to Adiutant- General Stewart, telling
him to pay the vagrants' fines and lei
them go. The money was paid to Keep
er Mcconnell, and 10 prisoners were
Immediately given their freedom.
As they left the Jail the party was
overwhelmed with thanks for theiI
kindness and had hard time escaping
from the Jail yard.