Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-05
HELP FOR HELPLESS
Scope and Object of National Prison
ers' Aid Society.
AGENTS WORK In POLICE COURTS
Proposed Mass Meeting for EIuci-
dalton Of the Subject.
THE SOCIETY 'SBENEFICIARIES

Arrangements are being made for the
holding, at an early day. of a mass meet
Ing at which it is intended to bring before
the public of Washington better knowl-
edge of the work of the National Prison
ers' Aid Society than is at present enjoyed
by the vast majority of the people of this
city and vicinity
For many months past Mr.. c. A Massie,
the agent of the society, has been daily
visitor at the police courts, watching for
an opportunity to do good to some unfor-
tunate man, woman child, as the case
may be, and rarely, indeed is it that
he does not find an object worthy Of his
benefaction. The work undertaken by Mr..
Massie has the warm and hearty approval
of Judges Kimbal and Scott, and an ap-
peal from him to either of them for the
exercise of clemency seldom goes UNDECIDED
1t would require a volume to tell of nil
the good deeds performed by Mr. Massie
in the name of the society since he began
his work in the police courts, less than
year ago. A few only of the many in
stances may be here mentioned Several
days ago there came to Washington from
ClarkSDurg, w. Va, a man named Jesse
Banks. In compliance with the request of
friend. after concluding the business
which brought him to this city, he purchas
ed revolver for the friends use Utterly
unaware that he was violating any law by
So doing, tho man exhibited the weapon to
an acquaintance on Pennsylvania avenue.
Banks was speedily arrested and taken to
the station house, where he searched.
The cartridges for the pistol were found
in his pocket. The next morning he was
arraiSned in the Police Court on the charge
of carrying Il concealed weapon. con-
vcted by Judge Kimbal and fined 500.
Mr.. Massie succeeded in getting the judge
to reduce the file to $50. and to make up
this sum MIR. Masse paid so out of his
the remainder.
Deeply Grieved at Disgrace.
a day or two later Banks left for Clarks-
burg, but before starting for that city told
Mr.. Massie that he would not outive the
disgrace of being arrested. Saturday even
ing last a telegram was received by Mr..
Massie that the man had a few hours be-
fore dropped dead in Clarksburg His fam
lily We're in this city, practically destitute.
Mr.. Masse made arrangements to have the
body brought here, and this was subse
quently done and the burial made in one
of the cemeteries.
Monday morning, as soon Judge Kim
ball reached his room at the Police Court,
the facts were laid before him. The judge
went to the office of Prosecutor Mullowny
and held a conference with that official to
determine what could be done toward the
remission of the fine and have the money
go toward paying the mans funeral ex-
penses. 1t was found that, in accordance
with law, SO of the fine had been paid to
the informer in the concealed weapon case.
The other SO was, however, handed over
to Mr.. Massie by order of Judge Kimball
and the amount appropriated toward the
funeral expenses
Rescues Young Women.
Not long ago the daughter and only
child of loving parents in Southwest Wash
ington, 1t is alleged, became the victim Of
a seducer, who is now in the District Jail
awaiting trial for the crime. The girl
was brought to the Police Court by her
father, who while broken hearted, was
enraged against his daughter to such an
extent that he threatened to drive her
outcast at the age of fifteen years.
The attention of Mr. Massie was drawn
to the case. Upon his earnest plea the
father consented to let the unfortunate
girl go the Crittenton Home, where she Is
now being cared for and will be provided
for for n number of months to come.
But this was not all that was accom-
plished In this case. Mr.. Massie has sue
ceeded in getting the father and mother of
the girl to forgive her, and all those most
directly interested are looking forward to
a reunion at the proper time.
1t has been but a few weeks since the
society, through Mr. Massie, was the
means of restoring to her relatives and
friends in Pittsburg a young woman who,
when interviewed, was on her way to the
workhouse She came to Washington to
follow the avocation of dressmaker. For
a while she had plenty of work and pros
pered But there came along tempter
and she was persuaded to visit a house Of
questionable repute south of the avenue.
A vigilant policeman saw her and she was
arrested.
To Judge Kimball she admitted in court
the following morning that she was where
the officer had testified he had seen her.
Apparently there was no nope Tor her Out
to 20 to the workhouse.
Then the society came to the rescue Mr.
Massie told Judge Kimball that If he would
suspend sentence he would see that she
was provided with place at the Crit
tcnton Home for a few days, ut the expl-
ration of which he would furnish her with
a ticket to her former home-Pittsburg. To
this the Judge consented. and letters re-
ceived since from the girl indicate that she
is leading correct and honest life.
A Sad Case.
One of the saddest cases that Mr. Massie
has had to deal with was that Of a young
married woman who was born and brought
up in Washington, but who, through no
fault of her own, is separated from her
husband. She was charged with a crime,
which did not, however affect her moral
character, and the society agent found her
in the dock of the Police Court.
- on may 90 what you please with me,
the accused woman told Judge Klmball In
the anguish of her despair. My three
children have been taken from me- and I
am deprived of the support to which 1 am
entitled from my husband, and / care not
what becomes of me-
Mr.. Massie went to the woman and urged
her not to give up hope. She finally be-
came convinced that there were better
places to go than the workhouse. Then
Judge Kimball was appealed to. and he sus-
pended sentence. The woman allowed
to depart in the care of friend, who cared
for her for some time. She Is now a clerk
in a large store in Washington.
Recently an elderly man was arraigned
before Judge Kimball for having been
drunk OH the public street. He admitted
the accusation, but pleaded that it was the
first time he had drunk any liquor in four
months, and also stated that his wife was
lying at the point of death. A fine of s. or
II days in the workhouse was imposed,
and the man went back. AS soon as 1T
was possible for him to DO so the agent of