, 1900-02-19
A WOMAN CHAPLAIN
MRS. SLOSSON'S WORK AMONG
THE CONNECTS OF THE WYO-
MING PENITENTIARY.
Has Visited the Institution Every Sun
day Except Two in Period of Sew
en- Months-Spares No Effort TO
Improve Mental. Moral and Physi-
cal Condition of Inmates.

Sundays Denver News contains tn,
following. relating TO Mrs. May Pres
ton Slosson and her work among tht
convicts of the Wyoming penitentiar!
at Laramie. The article is supplement
man. The News correspondent says:
Mrs. Slosson is a lady of great abili
~, refinement and beauty, and a sin,
cere Christian. Her husband is Pro
fessor Slosson of the state university
Mrs. Slosson was appointed by Govern
or Richards in July, 1899. and since
that time has worked increasingly in
the interests of the inmates of that in
stitution. During these seven months
she has visited the penitentiary every
Sunday except two, when she was en-
gagged to deliver m in ether
places. She has entire charge Of the
religious services at the penitentiary,
carrying on in connection with them
a course of lectures in which she is
SOlHelllutS dSSlSltu ny OlutT speakers.
Before her formal appointment as
chaplain, Mrs. SlOssOn devoted several
hours each week to teaching the CON
victs. When the governor of the state
decided that the welfare of the prison
ers called for a chaplain, he naturally
turned to the clergy, and it was ex-
pected that some popular preacher Of
the day would receive the appointment.
The convicts held an Independent con
yention, and with one voice petitioned
the governor that Mrs. SlossOn be made
chaplain.
This good Samaritan aids the prison.
ers in many ways. often visiting them
when sick, supplying them with good
literature, directing their studies and
corresponding with them and for them.
She takes a personal interest in each
one, and spares no effort to improve
their metal, moral and physical condi-
tons. NJ salary is connected with the
position, but Mrs. Slosson says that
if there vas she would not have accept
ed it, Tor here is a work of love, and the
it. She has endeared herself to them
all, has won their love and respect, and
TO express their gratitude they have
presented their chaplain with many
valuable gifts. The last of these is a
handsome carved horn work table, fin
ished in plush and trimmed with ster-
ling silver. 1t was made entirely in
the ~penitentiary, and represents the
work of many thankful men.
Under the influence of Mrs. Slosson
these hardened criminals have become
changed. They often confess their
crimes and failures to her and promise
to live better in the future. Many,
since being released, have shown a
marked improvement and nave become
good, Industrious citizens. Mrs. Slos-
son, in speaking of her work, says:
What | am trying to do for the
prisoners is to awaken hope in their
hearts, to reiterate words of encourage
ment, to give them a desire to cult
vate their higher natures. The man
who despairs can do nothing. He must
be persuaded that life is still before
him; that the lost ground may be re-
gained. the mistaken past retrieved.
Hope is the best ally a chaplain has in
persuading men to reform. My work
is very encouraging. At first | thought
| would be satisfied if | helped one out
of 200 to live a better life, but now |
have a greater ambition. Neverthe-
less, my work is yet u~ndeveloped."
Warden Mcdonald of the penitentia-
ry, in a recent report. says: The ap-
pointment of Mrs. Slosson was the best
move in the direction of lettering the
condition of the inmates that has ever
been made in this or any other penal
institution. She is an excellent lady,
being eminently fitted for the work,
and at the same time enters into it with
a whole-heartedness that makes itself
felt by one and all. Breaches of dis
cipline have decreased nearly so per
cent since her appointment, as there
seems to be a general feeling of shame
! among the prisoners hat Mrs. Slos-
son should know that they are under
punishment"
Mrs. Slosson is a native of New York
state and studied at Cornell university,
where she was one of the first women
enrolled. She was also the first woman
to receive from the university the de-
gree of Phi. d. In her undergraduate
days she attracted the notice OF Presi-
dent White and the late H. H. Boyesen,
and was distinguished in her college
course for her Knowledge of literature
and her readiness in composition, in
both prose and verse.
nNES r-EJTo cTDTKE vNrTS