The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-11

On the shore of the Eastern Branch
stands the District workhouse. On either
side loom up two massive buildings, tht
Jail and the almshouse, the former on the
north and the latter on the south. Grounds
acres in extent, mostly under cultivation
surround these buildings, which harbor il
the aggregate many hundreds of the IN
fortunates.
One day is much like another to these
enemies of society. yet once each week
and that on Sunday, a slight variation OF
food, relaxation of rules, and an influx OF
visitors brings some relief to the vice.
begone souls.
Sunday is the day of rest from toll, the
day when friends appear, often laden with
! delicacies, and all are happy. Religion,
also, forms no unimportant part of the
days doings, and quiet. if not joy, reigns
/ supreme. In one particular alone is the
Sabbath like other days. No change is
made in the schedule SO far as rising is
| concerned. At o'clock whistle sounds,
| calling the inmates to the days duties.
| There is rush, for all want to be on hand
for breakfast. Before 6 o'clock, when a
second whistle announces breakfast, all
beds must be in order and rooms must
be ready for the daily inspection.
An Early Breakfast.
At 6 o'clock the steam whistle sounds
shore: there IL clatter of iron plates and
clink of knives and forks. Into each
apartment in both buildings-there are two,
for. fav,, Ia av,I f<,rv 10 y,rfc
an iron box is slipped, and breakfast is
served. The food for Sunday is good, and
the meal is enjoyed BY all. In each build
ing there are several cooks, chosen from
among the most trusty of the inmates.
These prepare the food in large kitchens;
others, assisted by guards. serve the meals
to prisoners in their rooms. Half an hour
brings the meal to a close. At o'clock
cleaning is in progress, and everything
must be rubbed, washed, and polished.
Two hours pass, and inspection is in order.
1t was during inspection yesterday that
a reporter reached the workhouse. Super
intendent William II. Stoutenburgh was
there, as was his chief assistant ]. w.
Thompson. both of wide experience and
ability. There were guards galore, Tut
their usefulness was no. apparent. Every
thing seemed in perfect order, neat, and
clean. First the male section was visited.
The prisoners are confined in large brick
structure. situated toward the southern end
of the reservation. Heavy iron bars guard
the windows, and similar protection against
escape of inmates is found on the doors. !
As q rule. the rooms are large. They are !
arranged on either side of corridors, and |
escape by doors, windows, or roof is well |
nigh impossible. Guards are always there. |
Eleven O'Clock Service.
Inspection over. about O'Clock the in |
mates are given breathing spell. Es,ven
O'Clock arrives. and with II services of the
Catholic Church. Sunday always finds a
priest at the workhouse, fair weather or
foul. Others come, too, and religious ser
vices bring together the varied and motley I
More than an hour is occu-
pied by these services. They are SEEM
ingly enjoyed. The st. Vincent de Paul So
ciety has charge of the arrangements and
never does the Sabbath roll around with
out the appearance Of the faithful.
AT ] o'clock dinner is announced. Like
its predecessor the meal is eagerly an
ticipated and promptly devoured. The
same routine is observed in its prepara-
tion the same rule followed in its service.
All eat the same thing and all eat at the
same time, each in his own apartment.
AT the end of the meal lull is allowed
in the daily programme. No definite pro-
gramme is followed until o'clock when
religious services again Claim attention.
This time it is the Protestant service.
Music is generally furnished by faithful
,nes from the city a sermon is delivered
and neither is without attentive listeners.
An hour passes and Sunday, SO far as fea-
.ures are concerned. is over.
No special programme is followed dur
ng the evening. Nine o'clock brings the
etiring hour.
Today there are 209 persons In the work
ouse, male and female. One hundred and
orty-seven are males and sixty-two are
emales. There are old creatures, iniirm
rom neglect and crime; there are young
len just started on the downward path
ONE of the women have been going there
Or years, and there they will likely die.
iris are also found there. To these. once
the workhouse, the path to social de-
truction IS steep indeed.
Two Old Inmates.
Perhaps there is no woman better known !
the police or workhouse authorities than
nnie Foley. She is at the institution win
II and summer, spring and fall. She knows I
D other home. Drink and dissipation, want | I
nd misery. all have combined to bring her
the workhouse Scarcely does she leave c
lie institution before she again returns
ow she is well on in life. about sixty years b
age, but time seems to make little change c
her.
There is a man, also who is a fixture at c
lie workhouse. He is Michael Hadey, 9TH &
wise styled Michael Angelo" Hadey o
i'll likely end his days on the shores of v
lie Eastern Branch AS with the woman, I
nnie Foley, Hadey has grown old in the il
.rvice Of the institution. The police know II
adey and Hadey knows the police. II a
a fortunate precinct, If such one ex- a
is. that has not had Hadey as guest. is
the Police Court, too his face is q fami- n
ar one. and once there, he seldom leaves
II destination other than that on the s
astern Branch. d
For twenty-five years William II. Stout a
lburgh has been connected with the d.
orkhouse. Eighteen years ago he was W
ade superintendent. He received his f,
pontment the day Giteau the murderer b
President Garfield, was hanged Mr. | m
outenburgh is a man about forty years o,
age. He has keen insight into human W
ture; he knows his business An able +
sstant is J. w. Thompson. Mr. Thomp- II
n is somewhat younger than his chief e,
2 is man OF experience and for several fc
airs has been connected with the work.
'use. Besides these there is an ample n,
rec of guards. N,
THE SON OF A SEA COOK. =,