New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-14
CHAS. READE"S FAMOUS L4L.
THE REAL PRISON DESCRIBED ~
NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND
From The London Express.


From The London Express
Rear-AdmiraI Arthur TinkIar r n has an
nOunced his intention Of retiring from the t,,r-
ernOrsh1p Of Her Majesty's prison al Wins ~
Green. Birmingham after holding the position
for more than quarter of a century This Jail
was the scene of the awful prison atrocities
related by Charles Reade in 1t Is Never Too
Late To Mend, and NEST Gf the incidents ia that
terrible story taken from the report Of the
Royal Commission sent down 10 inquire into
the matter.
"Josephs" was ffteen-year-oId boy named
Andrews who had been sent TO Jail Tor three
months FOR stealing a piece of beef, and was SD
mercileSsly treated and starved by Lieutenant
Austin fHawesl, the Governor. that length
he hanged himself in despair. The Rev. Am
broSe SheTWIE was the prototype of Nh. Eden.
the kind hearted chaplain. who rebuked the
Governor for his severity; and Warder Evans
was based Warder Brown. who recently re-
tired. and is still living 10 tell the story Of the
atrocities.
The sentence of three months imprisonment
passed on Lieutenant Austin. and the popular
indignation aroused by his crueIJies, produced
much more humane regime within the walls ~
Winson Green. so that when Captain Tink-ar
took office some twenty-five years ago h found
the post much more agreeable than if ne had
entered upon has duties Immediately after the
exposure.
As a midshipman he had fought in the BLACK
Sea during the CIimean War and was rewarded
with the Turkish and Crimean medals. with s.
baStOpOl clasp Subsequently he was -nsae-,l
in many operations in the Chinese war OF lN~'N-
I'll, receiving the China medal and Canton
clasps
His methods were in singular contrast to those
of the notorious Lieutenant Austin Although
the new system at Winscu Green was based ON
humanitarian principles. Admiral Tinklar found
many ways by which he could allevf ne the 1T
OF his charges. one OF these was tL- abolition
of the dark cell To which a prisoner UiGh- a-
consigned FOR fourteen days at a time. lt ,U-
CURED To Of the Birmingham maSiS-ra--s
try the effect If such confinement ON hiU-~. o.
Admiral Tinkldr placed him in the cell. SI 10
the door and left him in Zimmerman darkne~S-
\ few minutes SUtiCed % convince the m2EiS-
trate OF the awful horror Of the place. and, act
ing on his representations the Governor Of the
jail was only TOO ready 10 abolish the black
hole and To substitute for ii one to which little
light is allowed 10 enter
He would have been more than human ~
ever if. during his long period Of prison rule =
had never fallen into The SndreS set by IN. OFT
jaiIbird Some time ago a man who had So no
the greater part of his life within prison walls.
sought an interview with Admiral Tinkiar- ara
50 IMPRESSED him with his desire 20 reform tl--
the Governor actually persuaded the IL me $500
Rotary 70 remit the term of imprisonment zvE...s
he had To serve under broken ticket OF .alr-.
Further than that he obtained situation TOR
the fellow and gave him a sovereign To set MIN
on his feet but all in Vain-Within SIX months
ne was again in the Admirai'S charge, serving
a sentence for robbery
one more curious instance may be given "t
how Admiral Tinklar was imposed upon. tu-
this time uncOnSCiGuSly- one of the prison rs
had been engaged To paint the Governors house.
and in the mOmentary absence of the WaTder h-
took the opportunity of boiling with calm as
surance he walked from the room where he was
working into the entrance nall. dunncu the Adj
miraI's overcOat and silk hat. and after COM
plotting his responsibility by selZinS an umbrella.
stepped out Of the front door. as though he had
just been engaged on q morning call The man
was considerably CEasrined to find himself back
in the iai at nightfaII and clothed in less fash
ionable raiment than he had worn during his
temporary visit TO the City