The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-27
SAM JONES IN JAIL
PRISONERS LISTENED TO THE
EVANGELIST IN THE PRISON
CORRIDOR.
JUDGE WEPT WITH FEL0NS
"MANHOoD" THE SUBJECT OF THE
EvANGELIsT's TALK.

itent-Str0ng Words Cause Hard
ened Men and Women to Break
Down-NesrO Woman tainted I'm
der the Strain While Sheriff Was
waiting With Her Discharge
Papers-MurderersC Chung to Evan
gelist and Were Led to Their Cells
Weeping BitterIy-Child Burglar
Gave way for the First Time in
His Criminal Experience and
Grasped the Minister'S Hand.
Murderer and forger, bigamist and
burglar, petty thief and highwayman,
drunkard and tramp. men, women and
children, together with the judge who
had sentenced many of them or before
whom they will appear, broke down un-
der the words of Rev. Sam P. Jones in
Chatham country Jail yesterday morning
and wept. The scene was an affecting
one and hardened criminals went down
before the words of the evangelist
Women of the street who have reached
the depths of wantonness shed
tears of repentance and the hearts of
those stepped in debauchery were touch
ed by the words of the magnetic speaker.
Men who had faced Judge Falligant and
received long sentences with stole COM
posture; at least one who had heard the
death sentence pronounced, and who
now rests within the shadow of the fatal
cell, bowed their heads and with tears
streaming down their cheeks asked Gods
mercy for their sins. 1t was a touching
scene.
AS the unfortunates went forward and
asked the evangelist to pray for them the
eyes of Judge Robert Falligant of tne
Superior Court became moist. He has
performed many hard duties, has SEN
fenced men to meet their Maker, has con-
demned men to lives of servitude in ac-
cordance with the law. These painful
duties have caused his tender heart to
ache more than once, but the words of
the minister and the action of the pris-
oners caused him to break down com
pletely.
Mr.. Jones spoke on Manhood" and it
was a characteristic talk He had no
sympa thy to offer those in confinement
If they had not been guilty of wrong
doing they would not be in prison, he said
1t is never too late to reform, however
and the evangelist endeavored by plain
tain " SlFON Tie utilOI Lutldl6S the eITOr
of their ways. He wanted them to ask
for Gods mercy and make up their minds
to lead a better life after their prison
life has ended. To those who must give
their lives, for having taken that which
God alone can give, he advised repent
ance. They should prepare to meet their
Maker.
Sheriff Horrigan of the City Court went
- he toll -
gan for the purpose of having a negro
woman discharged. She was held on a
bail of trover case, and was an attentive
member of the party of SO prisoners who
were taking in the words of Mr. Jones.
There were other officers and officials
with the prisoners on the second floor of
the big building and Sheriff Horrigan de-
cided to wait until after the service be-
fore presenting the discharge for the wo-
man. She is Mary Randolph.
The minister made a deep impression
on the woman, and although she was not
in custody because of any criminal charge,
she gave way under the strain and faint
ed Two fellow prisoners prevented her
from falling to the stone floor and she
was removed to a cell on the floor above
Sheriff Horrigan saw the woman fall and
when he learned that it was Randolph he
presented the paper for her release When
that she was at liberty she fell on her
knees and raised her voice to praise God
The incident caused but brief INTERRUPT
ton in the service and but few knew
what had happened.
John L. Stothard, red-haired, freckle-
faced boy, not yet in his teens. for the
first time in his criminal experience
wept. The boy is held on a charge of
burglarizing a Broughton street saloon
and getting Intoxicated he tnIa
whisky. He frankly admits his guilt and
until yesterday never displayed any desire
to repent. The boy has been in the
hands of the police on several occasions,
and has never shown any disposition to
mend his ways Voluntarily he approach
ed Mr.. Jones and promised to lead a new
life, and his face told plainly that his
young, but sinful, heart had been really
touched.
Walking on his stumps and with but
one hand to hold out. John Moody, the
notorious negro bootblack, professed re-
pentance. Liquor is responsible for his
presence in the jail. and with a look of
sincerity he promised his God to stop he
debauchins habit.
There are several men confined in the
Jail on charges of murder. Two of these
one white and the other black, chung to
the hand of the evangelist and with
broken voices, and tear-stained faces
pleadingly upturned, begged that they be
prayed for.
+. NJ. McClelland is the white man.
He Is charged with a murder in Coffee
county and is held for the authorities
there. He had to be led away and went
into his cell singing the praises. The
prisoner has not yet been tried.
Henry Brooks, the convicted slayer of
Patroman Harry B. Fender, was the
penitent negro. He was the first of the
prisoners to give way to his feelings,
and after the benediction had been pro-
nounced he was still sobbing piteously.
Towards the close of the service the ne
gro became weak and was forced to sit
on the floor.
r. II. Waterman, an elderly white man.
attracted the attention of MIR. Jones. This
prisoner had announced his reformatio
before the visit of the minister. Water
man is serving a six months sentence for
forgery committed while he was under
the influence of strong drink. He had
already promised the Christian women
who visit the unfortunates that he will
never again drink another drop OF liquor
Thus IL was that one by one the pris-
oners went forward and gave their hands.
Goldie Snow. the drinking Gypsy fortune
teller. men women end boys. who have
been confirmed thieves. all professed to
have seen their sinful ways, and asked
for the prayers of the good.
The service began with a PRAYER nv Nv