Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-22
S w E E T + "A u B U r N
GOSSIP OF THE IsUyELIEsT VILLAGE
OF THE PLAIN.
Her Big Prison, hut Best Of All
tJL
Her Lovely Homes and
10
SURROUNDINGS.
Special Correspeudeneeof The Evening Star.

AUBURN, N. T., August 10, 1900.
Sweet Auburn. the loveliest village of the
plain is delightful town for summering.
1t Is rural, and vet it isn't rural The
streets and avenues are beautifully shaded
with large overhanging elms and many
other hardy varieties of tall old trees
When the various pastors were inter-
viewed by an ambitious Advertiser reporter
with nose for news" as to where they
would pass their vacations, the venerable
rector Of st. Peters Episcopal Church
said: What! Go away from Auburn at
this season, when our city Is so pleasant?
No, L will remain and enjoy Its comforts
and If 1 take a vacation at all l would
rather go south in the winter
There Is much wealth here, consequently
many handsome houses in the midst OF
beautifully kept grounds. In fact, land is
not so expensive here as in the larger cities
ana almost everybody, even II he Is not
burdened with great riches, may have a
velvet lawn, flower beds and kitchen gar
den, since the houses are not 'all stuck
together, as the Ii tie country girl said on
going to New York city and seeing the
rows or residences. where you only get day
light from the front and rear.
Inc city has population of over thirty
thousand, and It's growth is steady and sure
one OF It's prominent citizens is Repre-
resentative Serene Payne. With him a
nomination Is always as good as an cleo
ton. His term of service began with the
torty-eighth Congress, and he will return
IL ne does not become the New York gov
ernor. The chief show-piaces of the town
are the state prison, with about LOCO regu-
lar boarders; the Theological Seminary,
where numerous Presbyterian divines are
graduated every year, and Osborne's extern
sive establishment for the manufacture of
agricultural implements, employing about
three thousand men.
The Prison Chapel.
l attended chapel service at the prison
one Sunday morning at o'clock, together
with two hundred other visitors who filled
the broad corridor while waiting to enter.
The convicts are seated first, and we could
hear, but not see them. as they steadily
tramped in and almost filled the large audi
forum The morning was warm and the
prisoners were in their shirt sleeves and
all quiet and orderly, since two armed
Keepers sat at each window. The visitors
are seated in the rear of the hall, so can
not get sight at the mems faces.
The music was excellent, composed Of a
convict orchestra and choir the solos,
choruses and instrumental numbers being
given with great deal of taste and feeling
IL was mostly song service, lasting nearly
an hour. with the exception of a ten min
utes' talk by visiting clergyman from
the west. who interested his audience so
we'll that there were frequent bursts of
applause, which were not quelled by the
keepers. =
Grounds Are Pretty.
The prison grounds are very pretty at
the entrance behind the big barred gate
way, and within the frowning walls.
Beautiful plants and flowers abound, and
on either side of the walk in the center
Of flower bed, some brilliant, growing
coleus spell the words Auburn Prison.
A dignifled and one armed custodian holds
the fort at the main entrance, and one must
make known his errand to him, between
the bars, before being admitted to the Of
fice
] went there one bright morning, thinking
to gather a few interesting items from him,
as he stood on one side of the gate and !
ON the other. But he was not permitted to
give any information but l might go II
and see the warden, who was in his office,
he would give facts and figures to report
ers and nterviewers.
The heavy gates were unbarred and l en-
tered. But ] soon departed factless, as l
came, the warden being exceedingly I'M
communicative. There were no prisoners
of national reputation here" 1.-TWO had re-
Gently escaped, but they were so well adj
vertised. that it was expected that they
would be recaptured'
l might go through the institution at the
regular hour. about 10 m, with other WIS.,
itors, IL | chose to wait, but not having
time to do SO | left
Not being good an interviewer the
Chinese minister at Washington I did no:
obtain as many Items as | desired.
Prison of Clay.
Fort HILL" a pretty cemetery, situated
on an eminence not far from the post Of
flee, contains the remains of VIM. H. Sew
ard. His old home is on South street, not
far from the business center of town, and
near that Is a little green triangle. Au-
burns only park known as "Flatiron
Park" stands the city's one statue, that OF
Mr.. Seward
To Ego out to the lake" is the chief sum-
mer pleasure, and the electric cars are al
ways crowded with picnickers for Owasco,
where may be found all the usual attrac-
tions of a pleasure resort, music dancing,
boating and bathing. l.. f. Ii.