Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-08-03
the comparatively weak, yet cruel, lash

Talk about the punishments of to-
day" complained the inspector. They
we're different in my days. Formerly
the punished convict had to thank the
inspector for the knout."
But why?"
For the instruction. II was the
custom formerly. He had to get up,
bow down to the ground, and say:
Thanks, your honor, for teaching me.
a knave and a fool
Now things are different. There's
no system. It's the fault of the hui
manitarians."
There are many inspectors who cam
not imagine an unwhipped convict. A
Convict who has never been whipped
is in their eyes no convict.
One of these inspectors, called the
Iron Nose, left a memorable reputa-
ton.
In the morning at roll call he used
to muster the convicts to see who had
escaped the kncdt longer than it was
healthy for him.
well, sonny, why are you standing
so disrespectfully? You have n foot
an inch ahead of the other. Come,
now, my on, lie down"
When the convict behaved himself
well-that is, stood without seeming to
breathe, and perfectly motionless, so
that the Iron Nose could find no fault
with him, he used to say:
Here, you Sunday-school boy, come
here. Lie down, my dear. Execution
er, give him a few. but real hot ones!"
But why, your honor?"
You dare to speak? Lie down."
The only unwhipped convict in the
place was his cook, who really under
stood cooking to perfection. For this
reason he vas under the particular pro-
lection of the inspectors wife.
Don't you dare to touch Gregor,"
| she warned her husband. One day she
went on a prolonged visit, and when
she returned her husband looked at
her sheepishly. You had Oregon
knouted?" exclaimed the wife, in
horror.
Yes, my angel, | had to have him
lashed; don't be angry, my darling!'
L. was considered one of the most
heartless inspectors in the service,
When he was sober there was no soft
er spoken man on the island. He was
in the habit of addressing the %convicts
as dear boy" little brother angel
and hardly said anything without add
ing: THE Lord be with you"
He used to beckon q convict will
his little finger: Come here, my deal
fellow, lie down; we shall sprinkle
you some"
The convict fell at his feet. Why
your honor? Pardon me-
Tut, tut, my beloved; what are you
saying? Am l angry with you?
have nothing against you. Lie down
my good boy. And because you spoke
we will add five more" Mercy, you
honor" well now, my dear boy
This is not at all nice. Your maste
says; Lie down. and you do not rusl
to obey. Five more. Lie down
brother"
Now, that's better, my dear. TIL
Lord be with you. Sprinkle him, Ivan
Slower, harder. Don't hurry. TAX
YOU time" And when the convic
howled with pain he would add: 'Neve
mind, never mind, hold out. The LorI
suffered, too, and we must folloy
Him."
Former Methods.
when | used to come to roll call,
boosted X, Il was in the habit of sa,
ing: Good morning, dogs. Good morn
ing, jailbirds.' And they always re
piled, joyfully: Good morning, you
honor For they knew that | was /
good humor. If l came and did nc
call them dogs they knew that some
thing was brewing. When | ordere
knouting they tainted with fear. used I
say: "Knouts and spadesto dig a grave
| wanted to make them believe tina
some one would be knouted to deatl
My assistants pretended that they wer
calming me. The convicts were wa
lowing in the dust before me, an
wept for mercy. But corporal pun
ishment is no good. In my opinio
: nothing beats solitary confinement
Worse Ian knouting. Two weeks {
} solitary sY'ings them all to thei
senses. q@Ine, and | will show you
We entered a gangway which wa
narrow and dark. On both sides wei
l narrow cages, with tiny windows j
} each door. The air in the gangwa
made breathing impossible. 1t smelle
like a dog kennel. The moment W
+, entered the gangway blood-curdlin
oaths and cries were heard On a
l sides. The convicts howled in fren2
md attempted to burst their doors.
was reminded of a madhouse and
Dante's Inferno.
Let Gussoff out" commanded tt
r inspector.
l The guard approached his Gag
1 From the cell arose a maddened roal
e Don't come near, don't come neal
4 l will murder you!'
well, perhaps you'd better leaN
him." calmly remarked X.
Don't you see now that this is mo.
t effective than knouting? Knouting
nothing"
w. DCRASHEVITsCH