Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-09
B|)RIDN'S HUA[|S
Privileges Accorded Former
Senator Serving Sentence
Checked by Government
SHARES COMMON PRISON LOT
Treated as Other Prisoners Except as
to Meals--Ha. Best Of Food Served
TO Him-Humiliatio in Selection Of
His successor-Looks After Heavy
Correspondence.

His Successor-Looks After Heavy
correspondence.
st. Louis, Mo-, Jan. 9.-Joseph Ralph
Burton, the only United States sena-
tol. ever convicted of crime against
the federal government, is serving his
sentence in the Iron county Jail at
,Ir,nton, Mo-, the six months sentence
In posed upon him by the United
States district court for bartering his
influence as senator. He has become
us ed to his surroundings and to the
tremendous humiliation to which he
has been subjected. One-third of his
ter m has expired.
During the first weeks Of his inn
pr sonment Burton, at 1roT "a, Mo-, set
4 strenuous pace which amazed his
fellow prisoners. He wrote reams of
correspondence, made necessary by the
va.,t quantities of mail he received.
His wife, acting as his consider and
sec rotary as well, opened a great many
OF his letters, and discussed with him
all the important affairs of his busi-
mes and is his adviser at all times.
I.urton seemed not to suffer much
the first week He was treated cor
daily and with leniency the first day.
privileges. Then the department of
Justice at Washington began to hear
the tales from Ironton, resulting in an
! orc er to the effect that Burton was q
federal prisoner and should be treated
as such.
THE fact that he was once a United
Suites senator does not alter this case.
Burton is prisoner, paying the PEN
alt " of a crime
The Kansas legislature is in session,
ami It will not be long until he
will read accounts OF the cleo
ton In his own state Of his successor
to the highest federal Office within the
gift OF the people Of any state.
Within three years Burton lost all
he had strived for during career exc
ter ding hack twenty-five years.
Hiss Carrie Mitchell, a daughter OF a
former surgeon in the confederate
army, became his wife. in 1876, when
he was q struggling lawyer at Prince
/ tor, Ind. After his marriage he re-
ma ined In Princeton for three years
anil then moved to Abilene, Kan, and
since has made that his home.
During his gradual rise to fame. his
vile had been his devoted assistant
AMI a great measure of his success
was due to her.
1sot over a stones throw from where
The noted prisoner passes his days in
!. his cell III the county Jail, with a pref
ty embez;.ler as his ceN neighbor, Mrs.
Burton has secured quarters in order
to be nea. him that she may attend to
every want. She prepares his food with
PERTAINING while he eats his meals.
These meals consist Of the best that
thu. market affords, each day some IA
vo'ite dish finding its way to the "ho-
tel as Burton facetiousiy refers to the
JAIL
ldrs. Burton was jokingly asked why
1T was that she supported republi-
call when 1t was known that she was
lifelong democrat. Her reply,
quick as fash, was: well, you know
Isalways support the best man, and in
i king over the available timber found
that there wasn't one in my party
which could compare with the repub-
lics.n candidate (Mr. Burton), so / sup
ported hirn, and have never been sor-
~ of my selection"
Then. becoming serious, she said: Il
am the daughter OF a soldier and have
lea rned to bear up bravely under mis-
fortune. Adversely creates opportuni-
ties. and we shall make the best Of
our s..
Those who were formerly my
friends have Stunned me, and have
see women go out of their way to
aw'id me, but do not mind these In
suits"
I.,irton'.s quarters are in direct con-
trast to those Of his wife. Surrounded
by other prisoners, confined under
chs.rges varying from misdemeanor to
the prisoner under sentence of death,
he faces the situation with stoicism
worthy Of. comment.
lie presents jovial front under all
cir eumstances, but it is apparent that
1t s forced and that he feels intensely
the disgrace brought on himself. His
FAC e is getting careworn. and he ex-
hill its nervousness never before
sht,wn. He is fastidious in his dress
AMI presents an immaculate appear
ante after he completes his toilet.
Since the first days confinement he
has. devoted the greater part Of his
tine to his correspondence. He writes
from fifteen to forty letters a day All
let ers to which he has replied are
turned over to his wife in the evening.
They are taken to her home and filed
away for future reference.
Turton looks forward to the visits
OF his wife and his face is wreathed
in broad smile as he meets her at
the Inner door and greets her with
kiss. The meals are placed on a table
in the north corridor. The dethroned
senator with the other prisoners is al
lowed the freedom Of the corridors,
where most Of the time is passed. He
SIN okes great number of cigars each
da.s.
Tsurton now receives the same treat