The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-06
WHERE CRIMINALS
LIVE IN RICHMOND
Penitentiary Bottom Possesses Sui
phurous Atmosphere,
Ex.CONvICTS GET TOGETHER
The Police Keen Tab on All Residents
and Much Crime is Traced to
the Doors OF Residents or
the Bottom.

What Five Points used TO be 70 New
York. Pcnitcntiary Bottom is to Rich
mond..
The geographical location OF Poniten-
t,ary Bottom makes It the home OF many
an ex-criminal. Lying at tho foot OF the
State Penltentlary, and embracing within
its confines scores Of unsighty aoodes
and tenemon;s. st gives 20 the criminal
a place OF shelter secluded and safe from
the eyes OF the average citizen.
From this locality has arisen a peculiar
society. and tho perpetrators Of crime
are often traced % this section by the
shrcwd police
STRANGERS ARE WATCHED.
Penitenuary Bottom Is known by repu-
tafion by nearly every ono In the CITY
hut there are comparatively few outside
~ the criminal classes who have ever
entered its confines or trayerscd ITS alleys
and by-ways.
The police keeps track on every stranger
that takes up his abode there. and his
movements are known 20 the officers %
the law. Whenever a crime IS com
mltted. Pcnitcnuary Bottom Is placed
under close surveillance With the result
that often the pcrpctrator OF the crime
IS caught thcrc.
The cvil-doers have an idea that the
shantles and dens Of Penitcntiary Bottom
Will shield them from detection. Convicts
who have served their time in the Deni-
Tertiary and are released. frequently take
10 their residence IN the Bottom. and
pio, and plan more mischief. which
eventually lands them IN the big white
building again.
KEEP N TOUCH
From the windows OF the "Pcn." the
denlzens Of Pennonuary Bottom and the
Bottom itself are plainly in view, and
the criminal behind the bars figurative-
ly. keeps I'm touch with the place OF crime
on the outside Signals pass between
those within and those without. and while
stu in a state Of Aanishment from the
world. the prisoner IS 10 some extent OF
the world.
The police have known - 20 be a fact
that within the comparatively small limits
Of Penhentiary Bottom there have lived
at the same time as many as fifteen des-
perate ex-convicts.
SUIPHUROUS ATMOSPHERE.
A trip through the Bottom IS worth the
time OF the person in search Of experience.
The houses, as a rule. are small frame
structures over-crowded and illy-venti-
lated. Harsh, strong and unhOly words
float out Of the doors and windows.
At night the noises cOmmingle in a weird
way with song from musical lips. and
the guitar and banjo play prominent
parts In the passing OF a Penitentiarv
Bottom night. Frequently the words Of
some sweet song Of love rise above the
ordinary sounds IN clear tones. In strong
contrast with the sulphurous undercurrent
Little attention is paid 10 the sound OF a
pistol shot or the cry OF distress.
KEEPING DOWN IAAWLESSNESS.
The po'ice are doing much, however, in
keeping down lawlessness. and crime in
Pentitentiary Bottom is at a minimum.
because Of this fact. Numbers Of murders
and rObberies are reported from Peniten-
tiary Bottom. and in nearly every IN
stance the criminal IS brought TO justice.
II is believed by the officers that It IS
better TO have colonization OF the crimi-
nal class than 10 have them scattered
broadcast. for I'm that case crime is more
easily detected. and the criminal pun
ished.
Local missionaries are doing some good
there. and II IS probable that within the
next decade there may be a big change.