Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-10-08

! look back to that time, can but
think that the management and con.
duct of cases in court at Chelsea
were characterized by as much skill
eloquence and ability as any | have
witnessed during my long experience
and observation at the bar in the state
of New York but Of course some al.
lowance must be made for the enchant-
ment which distance in time, as well
as in space, sometimes lends, and fol-
the impressions of boy, who, OF
course, knew nothing of the profession
or of the principles upon which legal
ability should be tested.
From my earliest childhood. | re.
member the Jail which was disreput-
able nei9hbor to my early home. The
iailors whom ! most distinctly remem-
Der were the brothers, Lncius and
Charles Howes, especially Charles. He
was 4 very indulgent keeper. His
government over the prisoners was
rather of the paternal kind. / remem-
Der that some of the prisoners used to
call him "Uncle Charles" and to speak
of him with great affection. The
prisoners were frequently allowed to
90 outside of the jail, and often to
work for the .iailor outside. They used
to chop or saw wood for my father by
some arrangement made with the tailor.
They were usually very sociable and
willing 10 talk about the crimes which
had led to their Imprisonment. / r..
member one incorrigible offender ZEE
particular, who had spent most OF u,
life in Jail OF state prison, but VIII Mrs
a very frank and willing talke d wee
rather prided himself upon II,
nowled@ed skill rs a thief apon' CUES
lar, especially when slightly ulS~s wee
influence OF liquor. ! have hearu M
say, 1T is true ! have been in state
prison a number Of times, and a devil
ish fine lot Of fellows ! have always
found there, and he would 90 on to
eXpatiate on the merits Of what were
commonly known as the criminal
classes" | don't think on the whole.
however, that the influence of the Jail
and it, too greatly INDUCED inmates
upon the boys in the neighborhood was
very good. Sometimes the prisoners
would be musical. and the songs which
they were allowed TO sing could be
heard for some distance around the
Jail, and they were not the kind to aid
in the moral or religious elevation OF
the youthful hearers. They were very
frequently men of skill and ingenuity
and We're usually willing for a trifling
consideration to supply the boys with
curious articles of their own manu-
facture. might tell many anecdotes
to illustrate the character and conduct
of these prisoners, but think it would
but weary you were to do 50.
The old court house, as | remember
il. was a rather handsome and quite
comfortable building. 1t fronted
towards the west. The Judges bench
was on the east side of the court room.
In front of it was the bar. an enclosed
space much like the usual bar in the
modern court rooms. The floor was
raised and inclined toward the west,
80 that the seats for the spectators
commanded a view OF the bar and the
bench. The witness box was at the
south end OF the bench. and seats for
jurors on the south side of the bar.
fear you will find in this letter die
tated from memory only, very little
that will interest the present genera
ton. Peehaps some of my contempo-
raries may be present, and this may
awaken memories which would other
wise lie dormant. 1t would be very
much more satisfactory ii | could be
present and hear the address of my
old friend and school and college mate.
Farnham, and the remarks
Of Mr.. Huse, but rs fate has ordered it
can only send you this let
ter rs a substitute for my presence.
Hoping that your centennial will
prove n great success. and by it the old
town may be awakened, and that Il
career of prosperity may lie before il
50 that on the next centennial there
may be much more worth remember
inc and talking about, ] remain, with
great respect,
Yours very truly,
MATTHEW HALE.