The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-26
CHRISTMAS CHEER
IN PRISON WALLS.
Convicts at Pratt City Enjoysa
Good Dinner
SPECIAL SERVICES HELD.
Sunday School Exercises In the Chapel
Are Well Attended and the
Men Join in the Songs.
Three Men Paroled. s

It was The Age-Herald that bore the
glad tidings of liberty to three lifetime
convicts at Pratt prison yesterday morn
ing, which Governor Cunningham had
presented as a Christmas gift-an eXer-
else of clemency given him under the
constitution. Paroles were granted to
Wesley Jenkins. Bragg Body and CagerJ
Green.
Wesley Jenkins. a 'trusty'', who has
been carrying the mail from Pratt city
to the prison for the past ten years,
was the bearer of the news that an
nounced the freedom of the men.
West was serving life sentencetand to-
day, after wearing stripes for sixteen
years, he doomed a brand new suit of
clothes. purchased with the extra money
he had made by digging coal, and after
eating a Christmas dinner he went out Of
the big prison gate singing songs of joy
and thanksgiving.
| Green and Body will not be given their
release until today. They have been
given the privilege, however. OF discard
ing their stripes and the whole OF yes
| terday they spent in circulating among
their fellow prisoners, receiving the con-
| CALCULATIONS of their less fortunate COM
panions.
Christmas In Prison.
| That God in his infinite mercy has or
dained that good cheer should prevail
throughout the world on Christmas day.
was exemplifled at the Pratt prison yes
terday. The happy spirit of the occasion
pervaded tho prison walls and at the
Sunday school yesterday afternoon there
was a large attendance of the convicts.
The Rev. J. j. d. Hall. the state chap
lain, who has devoted his life efforts
to uplift the fallen. beamed with salts
| faction as he saw the members of his
flock by word and action filled with the
Christmas feeling that brings peace and
good will to all men.
The prison chapel was taxed to its ut
termost but as the rules forbid any
visitors on Christmas day, only half a
dozen outsiders were present. The SER
vice was conducted by General r. ID.
johnson. The scripture lesson was the
ninth chapter of ISAIAH. The theme of
! the lesson. which was impressively read
/
as follows; For unto us child Is born.
unto us a son is given; and the gov
eminent shall be upon his shoulders and
his name shall be called Wonderful
Counselor. the Mighty, the Everlasting
Father, the Prince OF Peace"
The convicts answered the questions
propounded them with accuracy and
promptness and all during the service
gave close attention.
Feature of the Service.
A feature of the service were the
Christmas carols sung by Miss Jackson
of st. Mary's choir When she sang a
hush came over the convict body and
their demeanor was one of reverence and
awe. That they felt overwhelmed and
honored by the presence of this fair
singer was shown in every action. At the
completion of each song the convicts
would applaud most appreciatively. When
| the service was brought to a close by
Miss Jackson singing The molly City"
the tears flowed freely down the faces of
a number of the prisoners. They were
deeply affected by the soprano voice of
the singer.
The singing Of the conyicts themselves
is well worth trip to the prison. They
sing with feeling and with will. BY re-
quest the colored members Of the Sunday
school sang Lets Go Down to Jordan" "
AS Is the annual custom the state gave
the convicts a good Christmas dinner.
consisting of light bread. beef, cakes.
fruits Of various kinds and nuts.