Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-07-11

may lay his lonesome bones, with four
tiers of these narrow habitations ris-
ing one upon the other, must indeed
be a trial, and the fellow who can
soonest lose himself in the oblivion Of
sleep is perhaps the happiest. See
ing men Gagged in these dismal cells
should be a strong preventer of crime.
The day we visited the prison was
holiday-fag day-and the prison
ers were assembled in chapel hall to
take part in an interesting programme.
One of the convicts was master of GER
emonies, and several of the prisoners
made addresses Of more or less merit.
1t seemed pathetically humorous to
hear them talking about the flag, the
emblem of the free, when liberty was
the one possession they wanted most
and had least of. A choir of men
with excellent voices led the singing,
and most Of the prisoners joined with
good will in singing the patriotic songs
that were on the programme. They
made the rafters ring when they sang
1.-THE West Virginia Hills" The or
gan was played by master of the
musical art, refined looking fellow
who is said to bea graduate Of Oxford
University. He fairly made the or
gan speak as he manipulated its keys
with his wonderful skill.
Among the prisoners are nearly
800 convicts sent there by the Uni
ted States courts from various parts
of the country. We do not regard
this as a very wise arrangement, for it
introduces into the penitentiary class
of habitual and vicious criminals from
the cities who are different from the
law-breakers of our Mountain State.
We understand that these prisoners
will not be sent here in the future, as
a new federal prison at Atlanta will
take care of them. This is, we think,
a good thing for West Virginia.
In the prison is building where
condemned murderers are executed.
Under the Jaws Of the State all execu-
tons must now take place in the pen
itentiary, and gallows has been pre-
pared there for putting to death by
hanging those who are decreed by the
courts to die. 1t is a gruesome place
but well-appointed for the object in
tended to be served. There are now
in the prison several men who are un-
der sentence Of death and awaiting
the doom that is creeping relentlessly
upon them. Archdeacon Spur is
ministering angel to these poor fellows,
and he hghtens the load as far as hu-
man sympathy and comfort can do SO.
George Winebrenner and Thomas
Garrison, the two prisoners from Shep-
herdstown, are serving their long
terms with good deal Of repining.
They still stoutly deny the crime Of
which they were convicted, the rob-
berry of Mr.. Morgan at the bridge,
and are hoping that they may be par
doned some time. George is working
in the bakery and Tom is in the bar
Der shop. Both are looking fairly
well, though they have the prison pal
lor that is an unmistakable accompan-
iment of such confinement. They said
they are sick good deal. They both
asked after Shepherdstown affairs with
interest. Guard Jacob Underdonk,
of Shepherdstown, is filling his duties
asan officer Of the prison satisfactorily.
We think the prison is excellently
managed by Warden Haddox and his
capable helpers. The inmates seemed
to be pleased with his administration
and we heard several ofthem commend
him. Everything about the place is
neat and clean and orderly, and there
is evidence that justice is tempered
with mercy in the case of the unfor-
tunate men. But, Notwithstanding
all that may be done for them, the
truth of the biblical maxim stands out
with vivid clearness to one who sees
within the prison walls, "The way Of
the transgressor is hard"