The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-04-22
THE PENlTENTIARY.
The Editor Takes Trip Through the
Institution.

Institution.
While in Columbus last week we called
at the penitentiary. On arrival at the
warden's Office we observed three young
men who appeared to be exceedingly hap
py and very anxious to take their de-
parture. After they had left we in
quired of Warden James what caused the
young men to be so overjoyful. He in
formed us that their records had been
clear while in prison and the board of
pardOns had recommended them to the
governor to be sit at liberty on parole,
which was granted. In accepting this
they have to report in person to the war
den every thirty days until the original
sentence expires, but it was anything
to be released from further service to the
state in that particular line.
In short time the conductor kindly
escorted company Of us through the
prison. 1t has about $500 inmates, and
more coming than are being released
On account of dullness in trade 1000
are compelled to remain in the idle
house. They are not permitted to read
or converse, but set with folded arms,
closely guarded. They are sOrrowful
looking set of fellows, and notwithstand-
ing they had been transgressors, it would
seem that their term of service should be
abridged in many cases if they show
penitence.
ALI classes are represented, from the
professional man moving in society to
the very dregs Of humanity; the white
hairs of old age and the bloom Of youth
find common level in the cOnvict's cell.
On some, confinement is telling rapidly
and they wear careworn, haggered
look; while others ply their vOcations ap-
parently unconcerned. The daily toll in
the shops amid the incessant clatter Of
heavy machinery, the flame Of fOrges and
sparks of emery wheels is relief fol most
prisoners in comparison with the hours
spent in acell, and many would rather
be worked to death than be driven there
by melancholy and despair. 1t is in his
narrow cell that the convict receives the
news that his wife has procured a di.
vorce; that q mother, father or some deal
friend is dead or needing aid, and over such
news and his own condition grows mel.
ancholy and yields to despair. Expert.
ence shows that the convict who
gives up in despair seldom lives Ovel
seven years, which is the average peni
tentiary life of the life convict. If one
could only sound the depths of tht
human soul and witness the conflicts
that take place it would, no doubt bt
found that there are fought thC
greatest and most decisive battles of thu
convict's life. Hope, remorse and de
spair struggle through many wear!
day for supremacy, and these silent bat
ties affect the convict's life more thar
his toll in the shop or the punishment o
the ducking tub and whipping post.
Mrs. Mary Garrett, late of Spencer
who was found guilty Of numbering he
stepdaughters on the night of Novembe
; 1, 1887, is now serving a life sentence
She still claims that she is innocent am
!, should be released. She said that tim
passed very slowly. Mrs. Garrett is look
ing we'll. but her hair is quite gray
There are twenty-seven now confined il
the won ems department.
After looking over the entire list Q
trades there, we decided that if we eve
had to serve the state in that way W
u should insist that the managers Great
u the position of travelling salesman an
u that we be selected to fill it. Warde
u James will retire May and be succeede
VI by Mr.. Coffin, of Springfield. Mr.. jaime
y has been very accommodating an
II painstaking official. We suggest ths
Ii his successor air the bedding in the cell
y and consume little more soap an
u water and few more scrub brooms i
keeping the premises in condition to
little more inviting to visitors.