New-York tribune., 1899-07-27
SHERBORN REFORMATORY.
NO SUCCESSOR TO MRS JOHNSON HAS
YET BEEN APPOINTED.
SOME ANECDOTES OF THE ONLY WOMAN WARDEN
IN THE WORLD. SHOWING ORIGI-
NALITY OF METHOD.

NALITY OF METHOD.
Miss g. p Brooks. clerk of the Reformatory
Prison for Women. South birmingham. Mass. said
yesterday TO a Tribune representative that no ap-
pontment 10 the place Of superintendent Of the
prison in the place OF Mrs. Ellen c. Johnson. who
died on June Is. in London. has as yet been made
The deputy superintendent has been appointed
acting superintendent" temporarily.
while much latitude is allowed the super1n-
tendent in government Of the institution. It Is
altogether probable" said Miss Brooks. that the
general routine as established will he preserved by
q successor"
Governor Wolcott. strong personal friend OF
Mrs. johnson. when seen at Cambridge paid a
glowing tribute TO the faithfulness and efficiency
of the late incumbent.
She was a most estimable woman" he said; "a
valuable official In her position. and one whose
place 1t will be very hard TO fill do not know
exactly who might be obtained to perform the
same service TO the Commonwealth"
Commenting upon the sudden death Of Mrs.
johnson and the reformatory work in which she
had been sgnally successful. Miss Lucy Elliot
Keeler had many interesting anecdotes to relate
concerning the special methods of work employed
by Mrs. Johnson.
Mrs Johnson" she said. was not only one OF
the most remarkable Of the American delegates at
the Woman's International Council but of the
most extraordinary women of the age 1t was
largely due TO her efforts that the reformatory
was established. and other wardens having prompt
~ and ignominously failed. the Governor told her
that she must take care OF It herself For fifteen
years she had given her life to the work and made
the reformatory a unique institution Of the world.
Extraordinary stories Of romance. tragedy and
crime came under her notice. one was Of a
wedding that took place within the prison. after
which Mrs Johnson took off the black dress from
the sad little bride. put back the prison suit and
sent her down the corridor to her work. Another
was OF an untamed child OF the woods. who, until
she came 10 the reformatory. had never slept In a
house; and still another, of n beautiful prisoner
who was sought in marriage by the lawyer who
tried her case These and many others are too
private In nature and concern persons too well
known to be detailed in print. The following. how
ever reveal something Of Mrs. Johnson's originality
Of method and her intutive perception Of how TO
treat the divergent cases coming into her charge
The painting that hangs on the side Of the
chapel platform shows Jesus turning ptyingly and
lovingly TO the abandoned woman at His feet with
the words: Go and sin no more. Mrs. Johnson
had II painted TO her order framed, hung and
cred and all the women present when it
unveiled
ITO one prisoner in solitary confinement she
went 10 tell how beautiful the picture was and
how she wished she might see II; but she had been
sent into punishment often that she did not de-
serve another chance The womans curiosity
aroused and she promised. II allowed 10 go TO
chapel that she would keep out Of the punishment
cell for the future.
AS the picture was unveiled the woman seemed
fascinated by It. and during the reading, prayer
and talk never lifted her eyes from it. AS the bell
tapped dismissal she kept her seat When the
others had gone she told Mrs. johnson that she
wished TO 20 back TO her cell
But Katie you promised me that you would
"'Oh. Mrs. Johnson want 10 go back and stay
q week ! do not want any sewing. any reading,
any comDany l want week TO myself 10 think
memory Then / will come out
Silently Mrs Johnson led the way BACK 10 me
cell. At the end Of the week the woman came out
and never after gave a particle OF tIouoe. a. ue
terminate Of the sentence she went INTO a fanlly
as housekeeper joined the Baptist Snurch, iVed
four years of consistent Christian life and died.
A PRISON ROMANCE.
"a little gir1 Of fifteen was committed for five
years for a high crime. She was a lovable child
and for three years Mrs Johnson kept her as
servant in her own house One day friend IN
Western city wrote asking for trustworIhy fnalq G
caeo Her wages rose from s. 10 :. and she DC,
the caretaker Of the family. She was asHed
IN marriage by the son Of a well known fanny
and wrote 10 Mrs Johnson in great distress. for
advice. The reply came. Marry hltn II ETu P, 9 ION99
him but not until you have told him your history.
The girl replied that to tell him was more man
months she wrote that she had changed her nlHd.
Sac could not give him up; he was 100 goOu. ne
had insisted on her giving the reason iot n1r f he
horrible crime OF what was her mere chlIdhood.
q" Ny dear he replied. this all happened beiore
] knew YOU Since ! have known you you nave
been good and true and l still wish TO marry you
Inc marriage took place -
When Mrs Johnson made a trip WeSt some
years ago she teegraphed that she wouu STOP az
the station FOR ten minutes AS she got out OF the
train a beautifully dressed woman. accoHpdHIeu
by TWO little girls met her, while her husband SAT