The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-10
OFFICER PRAYs WITH PRISONERS
Indiana Constable Persuades Over 100
Criminals to Repent and Join a Church.

SonstaDlo IeIsudues oteI AVo
Criminals to Repent and Join Church.
A special correspondent to the Chi
cago Chronicle from Evansville. Ind,
says: This city has an officer who does
not believe in sending w-breakers to
jail providing they show a disposition
to reform. A year ago William Urban
was elected constable in Justice Thorn
burg's court, When he took charge of
the office he made resolution that he
would never be instrumental in sending
a man to Jail if there was any chance
of causing the man to reform. The
officer has kept his promise and boasts
that he accomplishes more for justice
than any other officer in the state.
Whenever Urban arrests a man he
asks him if he wants to join the
church. If the man shows a disposition
to reform he is treated with consider
alton and the court shows leniency.
If the lawbreaker has no desire to be-
come a church member he is given the
full limit of the law. There is an altar
in Urban's court, and it is nothing I'M
usual to see Urban kneeling in prayer
with some man who has violated the
law. Since taking charge of his office
Urban has persuaded over 100 people to
! renounce their evil ways and become
useful members of the church. A ma
jority of these reformed men have re-
manned firm in the faith and they now
lock upon the unique constable as their
patron saint.
Not long ago a man was arrested by
Urban who was charged with beating
his wife. The man was taken into
court and asked if he would reform if
released and go home and support his
family. The man was insolent and said
he would not live with his wife under
any consideration. He was sent to Jail
and the next day was given another
chance to turn over a new leaf. The
man promised to reform and join the
church. He became a member of Ur-
bans congregation the following Sun
day, and to-day he is a Devoted mem
Der. He provides for his family and
has the respect of all his neighbors,
which he never had before.
Another man was arrested recently
by Urban for malicious trespass. The
man had destroyed the property of one
of his neighbors. When taken into
court the man was anything else than
penitent and said he did not care to
go to jail The man was sent to Jail
and the following night Urban went to-
the Jail and talked with him. The re-
suit was the next day the offender join
ed the church and the court released
him. s7|t+5a'fr'EsE ''@'s'a '-FT r&
While Urban is DESTROYS of showing
the path of right to all men who are
really penitent, he has no patience with
the offender who delights in disobeying
the law and who shows no inclina ton
to reform.
Urban is 80 years old and has lived
in this city all his life. He was reared
a Catholic. but five years ago he Joined
the Free Will Baptist church and is
now a deason in that denomination.
Many who differ in religion from Ur-
ban respect him for his work among
the criminal class and they do all they
can to assist him in his work. Urban
often says he would like to die in his
office While kneelng at the altar with
some hardened sinner.
Urban will permit no one to swear
in his office. The following sign is
written above the office door: mo
swearing in this office. 1t is against
the laws of Indiana to swear"