The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-06-05
MOVING A BIG PRISON.
THE NEW REFORM LAW in EFFECT IN
INDIANA.

THE NEW REFORM LAW in EFFECT IN
INDIANA.
Transferring the Prisoners to the Train
md Their Behavior OH the Railway
Journey From Jellersonville to MicEl-
gan City-striking and Pathetic Scene.
A short time ago 36S convicts in the
Indiana State Prison at Jefersonville
were sent by special train to the prison
at Michigan City, and POI young
prisoners from Michigan City were
conveyed by special train to Jefferson
vile. This is in accord with the new
prison reform law. The northern and
southern institutions are hereafter to
serve distinct purposes. The institu-
ton at Jacksonville becomes the In
diana reformatory, while the Michigan
City Prison is to be known as the In.
diana State Prison. The effect will be
to separate the hardened and con-
firmed criminals from the first term
prisoners under thirty years Of age.
Every foot Of track was inspected tif-
teen minutes before the trains passed
and every bridge was carefully ex-
amined. Even the switches were
spiked and the trains were given the.
right Of way over everything. No
stops were made for crossings, Gov
ernor Mount having given permission
for this violation of the State law, and
no stops were made except for the
purpose Of changing engines or taking
water.
The account of the removal as told
in the Indianapolis News give most
interesting picture of the Zig hts and
| shadows of prison life.
cat $50 the guards reported for
duty, and they at once aroused the
prisoners. All those who were to be
transferred were ordered to go at once to
the dining room, where breakfast had
been prepared for them. Before the
men rose from the breakfast table,
Assistant Superintendent Garvin made
brief speech to them. He told them
that they would proceed at once to the
train that was in waiting, and that all
of them would be shackled Us pre-
cautionary measure. He told them
that all men who had any personal be.
longings which they wished to take to
Michigan City might go at once to
their cells, get their bundles and take
them to the train. AS soon as they
had their effects on the train they we're
to return at once to the dining room.
The removal of the personal belong
ings Of the prisoners was a sight.
Nearly every man had some little
bundle which he wished to take with
him. A great NUMBER Of men had
musical instruments, and more than
one prisoner had his things packed in
a Saratoga trunk. While the men were
carrying their things to the train, fou1
convict blacksmiths were in the dining
room getting ready for the manacline
of the convicts. Each Of them had ,
blacksmith's hammer and a small
anvil. As the men came in they were
seated on the floor, their backs agains
the wall, and the heavy irons wer'
riveted about their ankles. It tool
!. less than a minute for each couple O
men. The whole process Of ironing
the men occupied one hour and twent..
minutes. They did not seem to resen
being placed in irons, but rather recog
! nized it as precaution properly takel
by the prison officials. 1t was rathe
pitiful to see them walking, OF rathe
} stumbling, away after the blacksmith
were through with them.
"They found it difficult to keep ste:
with each other, g measure rendere
necessary by the shortness Of the con
Meeting chain between the shackles
Most of them put their arms abou
each others necks, and, so mutual
sustaining each other, limped down tn
yard and aboard the train.
"The saddest part Of the early morr
ing's embarkation was the carrying {
the sick prisoners to the cor. Their
were five of these, all Of them bedrit
| den and very weak from consumption
: They had to be carried to the train i
cots, improvised Of strip Of canya
: supported between two iron rod
I They were carried as carefully as POI
sible. but in spite Of it all the unwon
ed exertion left them lying on the doe
, of the baggage Car, used as a hospit'
car, gasping for breath and coushln
violently.
' "As the bands Of manacled men ho'
bled painfully, but in a comical MAJ
ner, across the yard, the men in tt
' cells greeted them with bursts Of laug]
y ter and cheers, which the guards wei
y too busy to attempt to check or refral'
9 When the prisoners had taken the
l. places in the train, there were seats Il
e ell. Assistant Superintendent Garv'
went through the eight coaches, coun
ing the heads. he found that Il
Enthusiastically corresponds
q with his list, and he gave the order Il
II the train to proceed.
Il .The switch leading out Of I Il