Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-29
AT THE JAIL.
Thirty-four Prisoners Living
at County's Expense.
Several Are Awaiting Action Of Grand
Jury in September.
Mrs, CetchcII in Good Health Jail Looks
Well-N0.es.

When the first day of next January
comes around, the tenure of office of
Edgar e. Norton as high sheriff of
Kenncbec county will be ended and he
Marshal Andrew l.. McFadden of Wa
terville, will take the reins, that is,
providing, of course, that the Demo-
Gratis don't carry the county.
Mr.. Norton will, Jan. /, 1897, have
served four years as custodian of the
county Jail, years Of excellent satisfac-
ton and the good will of the people.
Even the prisoners who have been in
generated in the strong cells have only
the highest words of praise and com
mendation for Mr. Norton. Turnkey
Ramscll has been very courteous to
his term of Office has expired Mr. Nor
ton will move to the good old city of
Gardiner, and in that city of mills and
ice he will make his future home.
Mr.. McFadden, from Names Ever
green city. is by no means a novice in
affairs relating to police. He has had
experience as city marshal of Water
vile and will come to his new position
cmnently qualified for the place. His
f,+l lx,f Ia, ,.l,.
county, being succeeded by G. T. Ste
vens, now judge of probate.
Despite the barred windows of the
county Jail, it is not so bad as it might
be. on a warm, sunshiny day like
Friday, the rays of the sun enter
within the building of stone and tend
to cheer up" the inmates. The county
buildings are noted for their cleanli-
ness, the Jail and court house being
simply models of neatncss in all re-
spects. The prisoners are as rule
very neat. few taking a bath every
morning. They doubtless believe in the
Old maxim that cleanliness is next to
godliness.
a Journal reporter paid visit to
the Did jail, Friday, and through the
courtesy of Turnkey Kamsell. was al
lowed to inspect the various depart
in the Jail, the most of them for drunk
enness. Four will leave, next week
the sentences having then expired, and
they solemnly swear that never again
will they look upon the wine when it is
red. / felt sorry for some of those who
are spending time in Jail when we have
had such fine weather. They all say
they will repent, but whether they will
or not is question.
Did you know that lots OF men Serv
ing time in many penitentiaries al,
over this country are very bright and
intelligent? Numbers of them have
seen better days when they were in
their prime, and are simply down on
their luck so to speak. The Journal
reporter met a bright man on his visit,
Friday, a young man, too. who en-
gagged III conversation with the' re-
porter and told of his experience in this
worlds life. 1t was a pitiful tale of
woe, if his story is true At all events,
the man is a good talker. He told of
how a few short years ago he occu-
pied a responsible position in large
mercantile house in one of the largest
cities in the United States; how pros
pcrity was coming to him in album
dance; he had brilliant future; per-
haps some day he would be a member
of the firm; he fell in love; he was
Tilted; he took to drink; and" said
in jail for drunkenness. 1t is one of
the cases, sad but true. | suppose
was somewhat of a 'chump' to let a
little thing like love bother me. But
what's done can't easily Be undone.
have tried time and time again to re-
form and lead life of uprightness,
but I have gone so far that I've lost all
self-respect. / feel ashamed to so to-
nv home and am now cumming it
along the road.
The mans story was told with great
emotion. He spoke as if it was as true
as the Gospel and at frequent times
when the narration was going on,
tear could be seen trickling down his
check. 1t sounded like romance, but
If is one of those cases with moral.
In this life. no matter what your trou-
bles are. remember those two magic
words. cheer up Keep repeating
them and yodr troubles will be forgot
ten.
The grand jury will begin its duties,
Sept. IA. and will probably be in session
about a week. The court generally
convenes the first Tuesday in Septem-
Der April and June, but on account of
the fall election the session has been