Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-12


which was the signal for a loud burst of APP
plause After the singing of hymn No.
373 Rev. c. L. Winget former chapain) Of
fered an earnest and thoughtful prayer for
those IN this, as well as other prisons
Chaplain Starr hen read the scripture
lesson, after which Mrs J. H. Chayers
again favored the audience with a beautiful
song, and the sweet tones Of the singers
voice touched a tender chord in many a
weary heart"
In addition the band played besides the
overture several selections and the account
goes on to state that the best number on
the program was "a recitation by Gladys S.
d Buell.,
The variety in the chapel service began
on the succession of Mr.. Winget to the
chapl lincy Of the prison Il was not alto
gether on that gentleman's initiative, how
ever that the change took place II will be
recalled that his two immediate predeces-
sors had demoralized the prisoners, the one
by his licentiousness and the other by his
dishonesty IT, therefore, became matter
of necessity with the chaplain to do some
thing out Of the ordinary to win back the
corvicts TO any semblance of Christian be-
lief and worship. There were always prayer
meetings and Sunday or Bible class meet
ings on the Sabbath morning previous to the
regular service at 10 a. IN. All prisoners had
to attend this general service, whether
Catholic Protestant or Pagan. The Catholic
prisoners had their own chaplain and they
heard mass at s a. m, but were required, as
stated, to attend the general chapel service
at 10 a. III. The Catholic chaplain received
no compensation for his services, nor was
he recognized as an official of the prison.
He was simply given permission to hold
services in a specially fitted up room and
was compelled to furnish, at his own ex-
pense, the necessary altar adornments, etc.
From the innovation in the general ser
vice of an occasional address by some out
side speaker the variety grew or degener-
ateo into the circus" | have family de-
scribed in the foregoing. Now, it must in
truth be admitted that the effect was not
bad on the prisoners, and if they were not
benefited spiritually by the nature of the
Christian services held they were won, for
a few brief hours at all events, from their
selfbrooding and the mental depression
which overtakes those who suffer enforced
solitude They we're frightened up and
made more human by these Sunday morn
ing services and the variety" in the PRO
gram" kept them in touch, so to speak,
with the outside world and its progress.
Prison saints" are generally under sus-
piciou of working some scheme to secure
their release and all such are regarded by
their fellow prisoners as hypocrites. Any
ostentatious display of piety Immediately
earns the distinction among the prisoners
of fraud" and the officials as a class so re-
gard it,
When Jimmy , an Englishman and
a professional sprinter, was sent up for one
year from Ironton, Munshower's home he
was brought down to the kitchen and
turned over to the superintendent to be
provided with an easy job. The prisoners
in the kitchen saw him enter with a bible
under one arm and his hat under the other,
while the tears rolled down his cheeks.
The entry settled Jimmy and presaged
rocky time ahead for him Kind hearted
Munshower tried to console his former
acquaintance and did everything to cheer
him up, but all he could elicit from Jimmy
were signs and groans and tears with an
occasional heart-breaking semi-roar Of
OH OH a whole year in this place
Finally Munshower left him in the office
and instructed me to put him at work on
the coffee Kettles when he was sufficiently
composed I drew out of him that he had
a wife and child, and that he was rail-
roaded" on a technicality Of course
sympathized with the poor fellow, but zone
year" looked very little to me then, who
was in for life. When found that my con
ISOLATION was unheeded fixed up Job on
80, g.
him on his initiation to convict life. l left
the Office for few minutes and instructed
some seven or eight prisoners to
call one at a time at the Office
/ then returned and there sat Jimmy
the picture Of woe with his Bible
still clasped under his arm. The first
prisoner to call was Dick Frames, serving
twenty years for manslaughter He wanted
an order for pepper on the storeroom.
After han written the order casually in
quired:
How long have you to serve yet, Dick?"
"Ohl I've got the stretch more'n half
done-about nine years more ONLY"
Jimmys ears were thrown forward like a
rabbits and after Dick left he ventured to
ask with protruding eyes if he understood
correctly that the prisoner who had just left
had nine years of his sentence to serve. Be
ing assured that he had Jimmy nearly col
lapsed and fairly screamed:
And he said only mime years. Oh!
Oil
In succession FIVE or six long termers
called, some with ten, fifteen and one man
with thirty years to serve. Jimmy had dried
his tears by this time, and when ! ques-
toned the last man about his new job ! ef-
fected Jimmy's entire cure.
Say, Tom how do you like the new
place you got1'"
'Oh FIRST rate; / only have to wheel the
pig iron on top of the cupola, and was only
padded twice since I've been on the Job
You see, since ! left the Bible class the
boys give me a fair show and the guard has
made me his runner now"
When this prisoner left noticed Jimmy
quietly dropping his family Bible under the
sofa on which he was sitting, he then
asked
"And how long have you to serve--or are
you a prisoner"
Yes / am prisoner, and have got it
ALL"
What do you mean by that?"
why, am in for life, you know"
Jimmy lopped over on this announce
ment and groaned in anguish, Got 1T ALL,
OIL ohp'
When he had recovered from his amaze.
neuf nuiativ arose and said UCo,,,a