The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-07-17
THAT OLD MANS CHEERFUL
SACRIFICE WAS NOT AC-
CEPTED WAS NO FAULT OF
POWERFUL POLITICIANS.
Special Correspondence to The Press

Special Correspondence to The Press
OAKLAND. Cal, July 16.-Five
cent meals, bed on the floor or q
squalid shack, the animosity of
powerful politicians, the shadow of
a cell, hardship, privation, persecu-
tion-none of these had terrors LOT
J. Wess Moore, a paroled convict,
If, by accepting them all, he could
establish the means Of helping
other men, ex-cOnvicts like himself,
to get a new start In life.
It's the story Of one poor old
mans fight against the organized
forces of political power. And the
best part of the, story rs that the
poor. old man won.
J. Wess Moore was 81 years old
when he left a felon's cell at San
Quentin, California's state prison,
on parole. He had served eight
years of life sentence for killing
a man who had Jumped" his min
ing claim. With the memory of
those eight years indeli0iy stamped
on his life, he consecrated his re-
naming days to making life mean
something to other men with lives
criss-crossed by prison bars.
Moore came to Oakland and
quietly began the organization of
what he called Society for the
Friendless." 1t was not fong before
his efforts were seen. Help and
encouragement from many persons
interested in prison reform fol-
lowed. Mrs. M. v. Newman,
prominent prison worker or tbs
city. offered Moore her services as
secretary of his society and when
he gladly accepted, she devoted
herself to the>work of organization.
While in prison Moore had writ
ten book of verse, Echoes From
the Tomb of the Living" every
poem suggested by some expert
ence OF his eight years In stripes.
These books he now sold, and used
the money to keep the society ON
its feet He even spent his civil
war vetran's monthly pension.
The society grew. and with its
growth and the good work 1t &C
complished, came public praise for
it's founder
1t may not be that Charles Mont.
gomery. president Of the California
prison commission, begrudged
Moore his praise. II may be that
| Montgomery believed that Moore
was interfering by his efforts, with
the work OF similar society which
Montgomery himself had founded
But whatever the motive. Mont
gomery, when Moore's, success
seemed sure. began to pull the pc
litical wires OF the republican ma
chine to have Moore sent back t
his cell. One day Moore was hailed
before State Prison Director
Charles Sonntag and bluntly TOLD
that either he must take advantage
of the prison directors permission
to leave the state. give up his owr
society and devote his energies t.
aiding Montgomery In the organic
alton of his, or go back to Sar
Quentin.
There are many good peopl,
back Of my society now" sale
Moore. 1T does not lack for funds
am old. 1t can we'll get. alont
without me. But will not give 4
up Then, quietly, Y VIII TAX,
the cell"
But Montgomery, IN pulling hi
political wires, had forgotten tina
sometimes the public heart 4
touched; that sometimes even
political machine fails In me fac,
of public sentiment
When More's sacrifice wa
known. there was a storm of pre-
! test. Friends flocked to the rescue
BEFORE the day on which he wa
Ito deliver himself to the prison d.