The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-11
Octagon Wins the BROOKLYN.
EX-GAMBLER SAVES HIS BIBLE
1t was Very Dear TO Him for Several Rea-
Sons Which He Tells

Cleveland, Ohio, June 10.-John P.
Quinn, who has been conducting a gam
| bling expose in the city in the old Tay-
lor-Austin building, on the public square
which was burned Monday afternoon,
yesterday told Leader reporter an in
teresting and romantic story about one
Of the articles which hep artially saved
from the flames.
He showed the reporter an old copy OF
the Bible. about half of which had been
burned, and exhibited burns on his right
hand which were sustained when he
drew the book from the fire
The book has an unusually interesting
history, according 10 Mr.. Quinn's state
ment. The story is best told in Mr..
Quinn's own words: Il found that book
when L was restrained Of my liberty"
said he, 'tand L doubt if ever another
man had such an experience IN securing
a Bible. I. with two others. had been
sent TO the Jeffersonville, Ind, peniten-
tiary in 1887 on the charge of having
robbed man in Indiana. We were in
nocent of the charge and when the guilt
Of other men was established we were
tered the prison September 10. 1887, and
fourteen months thereafter was reIeas-
ed
This Bible came TO me in the darkest
hour of my life, May Z. 1883. The day
preceding 1 had received a letter from
my wife in Chicago, in which she told
me she had applied for divorce. TAe
blow staggered me. l could not sleep
that night, but in my cell, No. 10, pray
ed for salvation. Up 10 that time 1 was
hardened wretch whose reputation had
been responsible for his presence in a
prison. rather than any specific crime
During that night l believe 1 became
converted all alone.
The next morning. having lost much
sleep during the night, I vas unable 10
perform my ordinary work. My fore
man. George Eastman, was a kind
friend. and when ne asked me what was
The matter I told him. He told ME that
instead OF working at hard labor that
day ! could clean out the rubbish in an
unused quarter Of The prison I set
about the work in a most unsettled
frame Of mind. While I was engaged in
a haf-hearted way came across an Old
book, musty With age and covered with
dus.
Il cleaned it up and discovered that
il was Bible. Il was just such book
as l thought I needed at that time. and
1 kept it. informing Mr.. Eastman OF my
find and securing his permission 20 take
il In looking through theb ook found
that il had been presented 70 another
convict. and the one inscription on he
front fly leaf indicated an existence as
unfortunate as mine The words were
From your broken-hearted VIE and
the date was 1851. thiTIy-one years be- |
fore I found the volume. How long !;
had lain there l could no: tell. but felt I
assured that it had been placed there for
by especial benefit. and I have carried |
il ever since. When the fire started !
and I saw tia, tie building vas /
doomed, | sra bbei the Bible and rushed 4
out with il l intend % kepe Il as long
as / live" /
Mr.. Quinn said he had no: perfected I
plans Tor rhe future. but had sent q rep
resea;stlve 20 Chicago % investiga the !
cos: OF another outfit OF parapheraalia.
He said he could replace his fixtures.
out ne would be compelled 10 pay
tor them when i, was
known Tor what purpose they were be- J.
n purchased.
Minneap polls. MINI. June Ia-Juire Sinn- ,