The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-08-17
.BRITON has RECORD
FOR IMPRISONMENTS.
Robert Lawson Has Been
Placed Behind the Jail Bars
Ill Times.

From the Philadelphia North America
II some 81 years ago the magistrate
who was passing sentence on Robert
Lawson had said, "Thirty-five years in
the house Of correction" 1t wouldn't
have been a joke. Lawson is the cor
rection's STEADY" The place wouldn't
be the same II he wasn't there. Dur
ing his lifetime he has been sentenced
to the Holmesburg retreat Ill times.
Criminals of all classes-murderers.
burglars. highwaymen-have served
out their terms in that time; but poor
Lawson is still patrolling the grounds
Nevertheless, he Is a privileged char
Rcter and Is allowed to roam about and
do pretty much as he pleases. No Won
der. He knows more about the place
than the oldest guards or keepers.
The police in Kensington have al
ways considered Lawson a pretty hard
case" That's where his old haunts
were and where he spends his little va
cations. Sometimes these last a day
or two at the end Of the six-month sem
fences; sometimes even a week. Yes,
and few years ago Lawson was out
for six whole months. He was tryine
new tangled cure. and 1t worked
well Tor a while-until Lawson fell Oft
the wagon.
Lawson has a splendid opinion OF
himself-far better than the police
have. He was interviewed at what
might be called his home short time
ago. The interviewer was surprised
when the man was ushered into the re-
cesving room. Every rough looking
customer that approached might have
been Lawson; but instead a meek lit
tie man about go years old, whom you
would say couldn't hurt fly, came in.
He is about s feet inches tall; his
hair has turned gray and he has little
blue eyes, which are generally cast to
the floor unless Lawson wants to
strenuously deny some remark made
about him. when he stares straight at
his interviewer.
fellow as some people try to make out
1t has been said that I've been here
since the place opened, but it's not
true. No. sir: not a bit of 1t. Why,
I've only been coming here about %
years; that's all. How many sentences
in that time? oh, about IS or 40. The
papers said that I've been here So
times, but there is no truth in that.
They are exaggerating"
But Lawson had evidently forgotten
number OF his sentences, despite the
fact that he tried to get some of the
older keepers to prove his words.
Horace L. Davenport. the master
warden, has the record of every prisS
oner ever brought "up the river" and
Lawson's record shows that he has
made Ill trips. Mr.. Davenport said
that in the early days. when Lawson
was more spry. these were for being
drunk and disorderly;" but nova
days they are just plain drunk"
Well. to get back to Lawson's de-
IN, q hol % Call
all. Why, they won't give me a
chance" (By they" Is meant the po-
lice.) mo. sir; just as soon as get
out they nab me, and the first thing
know is that I wake UP and find my
self arrested. Is 1t the same fellow
that pinches me all the time? Well. to
tell you the truth, sir, / really don't
know. You see, generally meet the
old boys after get out and we have
good time. and that's the end OF it,
Now it's only natural, after being away.
from them so long. that I would want
to see my old friends once again.
They are always glad to see me, too
The drinks follow, and that is as much
as I can remember. I fall asleep on
some doorstep and am pitched into the
patrol; and that's the reason / don't
see the policeman. Why don't go
somewhere else? Well, I wouldn't be
as content You see, I was born and
: L
around the old hooks and corners. /
have nephews and nieces living at
goth and Waverly streets. / guess !
would be welcome there; but like
Kensington better.
But I would be freer in any other
section? Yes. sir. I bet you that I
could get arrested dozens of times
downtown. or somewhere else and
would get Off scot free. Why, hun
dreds Of other fellows get a little, in
toxicated and nothing Is done to them
But that is not the case In Kensing-
ton. They know me too well. Just as
soon as am brought before Magis-
that six months is the House Of Cor
rection' is going to follow. Other
judges have given me go and, 90 days;
but not so with Scott It's always six
months.
Scott knows me too we'll, you see
I'VE lived in his neighborhood all my
life, and probably he thinks this is the
best place for me. But can't under
stand why. for I've never done any
thing except take drop of liquor once
in a while. And can't do that with
out being put on the boat. I'm un-
lucky; that's all there is to it, Why,
there's lots Of fellows far worse than
me out in the world
Then he looked at himself and his
stripes. but poor mel This Is where
have to spend my days!"
Lawson explained that he was
driver; but he seldom gets chance to
drive, except the wagon on the farm
occasionally. He drove carriage
when he was taking his six months
cure.
When Lawson left to go back on the
farm, one Of the guards said: Lawson
is a fine man, the best we have here.
He never gives any trouble, and he Is
a friend of everybody His only fault
is that he can't keep away from the
liquor when he is In the city and II
takes very little to put him out But
he has it much much better here than
lf he was walking the streets of the
city. or course. he has to wear the
stripes; but he is privileged to go any.
where he wants within the boundary
lines, and to do as he pleases. Nc
tabs are kept on him. and he never
abuses his privileges"
The BABY Likes Being Automatic.
From Success Magazine
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