The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-08-04

At one time the barrows were weld
ed 20 the handouts, but now the for
mer is the more usual method. No
matter where the convict may turn,
he drags with him the unwelcome
burden. He even sleeps with II on
bench made specially for the purpose.
How long Is he condemned TO be
chained 10 the barrow" / asked.
For two years; and the convict be-
fore him had slept in this bed for three
years"
approached the bed" The head
end Of the bench Is worn out with
the friction Of the chain. The wood
had rubbed up against the iron for
five years. Even the wood wears
out grumbles the convict
The punishment is very cruel and
did not ease their burdens now and
then. II Is impossible to chain the
convicts so fast as To absolutely pre-
vent their freeing themselves. With
the help Of their mates sometimes
they grease the chains with soap and
take OF their burden at night under
/ incredible agonies But still for few
hours each month they manage to rid
themselves Of their incubus. -.
/ All around US we see angry faces
I They peer hopelessly into the future
The glances are cold. hard, somber
and bitter. =.
Among the chained convicts many
are captured fugitives. relapsed muir
derers, and many still waiting to be
sentenced.
why were you convicted?" Sus-
pected of murder And YOU" "Sus-
pected of theft" And you2" "Sus-
pected of murder" Nothing but
suspects" "And you?" Killed two
men" The reply came frank. sharp
and firm. ..
The Female Prison.
The prison for women is very small.
1t consists Of one ward which holds
ten persons. The women conyicts OF
Sakhalin are punished for their crimes
in a special manner. They are given
away to settlers as so-called life
mates" Only those are in prison
whose cases have not been finally
passed upon. Two women arise as We
enter One is an old Tcherkessiar
from the hills of Caucasus who does
not speak a word OF Russian. The
other is a young woman. She was
banished for life because she hat
induced her godfather 70 kill her hus
band.
Why"
Il was married to him against M
will. and | loved my godfather
thought they would send US awsl
together. But they sent him to on'
place and me to another,
In Sakhalin she committed a crime
rare in the annals Of the island. Sh'
had defended her life mate with 1
gun. He got himself into a figh
with the settlers. Nine men sur
rounded him. and were beating him
She rushed to her hut. grabbed I
rife. and shot into the group.
you must have learned TO low
your life mate?"
"Of course; would have tough
for him? might have been killed
He's a good fellow; | hoped I coul'
live with him to the end. and nov
there's a fine mess 10 be in"
she dries her tears and sobs 81
lently.
Nothing will happen to her" say
the inspector she will be convict
ed and given 10 some settler in on
OF the distant settlements. Womei
in Sakhalin are not punished"
Perhaps some people may conside
this impunity But what greater per
atty could there be for a woman VIII
loved well enough to risk her life
and who was sentenced now 10 b
given away" TO another man?
What a dreadful custom. remindin
one OF bygone ages. In the days q
serfdom it was customary to civ
people away" toying with their lif
and happiness. OF all the prisons i
Rykofsk this little prison impresse
re most sadly.
The Executioners.
Halo. baby.' halo. uncle'
Don't you call me nucle baby. for
am your godfIher. or really you
life mates godfather" merrily e.
claims Tolstych. the old executions
OF Sakhalin.
And how do you come 10 be hi
godfather" ask.
"Ha. ha. your honor, knoute
him"
Have you lnoutcd many pc
ple7" Tolstych smiles. We'll. jus
as many as YOU see hereabouts, YOU
honor" Tolstych is about 60 year
old. He does not look a day Owe
80. He is a goodloolSing man, wit
a fine mustache and carefully shave
chin. He is wealthy. according
Sakhalin ideas, and is somewhat I
dude. Tolstych wears a coat, e
boots. and even a leather cap, whio
is the acme Of Sakhalin fashions. +
oluavc iol.aS and is fuil of fun "Wl