The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-09-08
LIFE T|MESPENT
ALONE IN PRISON
Jesse Pemerey Begins Ssh Year
II Solitary Confinement

Ing spent thirty-fiye years OF his life
in solitary cell OF "Cherry HILL" sae
stronghold OF CharIcstown State pris-
on where the life prisoners are con-
fined. Jesse Pomeroy, the most notori-
Gus OF these life prisoners today en-
tered upon his thirty-sixth year of
solitary confinement. When Jesse
Pomeroy entered the prison cell thir-
ty-hye years ago he was a youth Of
about sixteen years; be Is now fifty
one and. Notwithstanding the rigor
of his confinement which was inter-
rupted but for a short period dur
Ing the present year. seems strong,
hearty and vigorous physically as
well as mentally.
During the latter part of 1871 and
thu, beginning OF 1872 series OF hes
tiaI and indescribab'y cruel crimes
perpetrated upon little boys of ten
der age created a perfect panic in
south Boston and Chelsea. In every
one Of the cases the little victim was
enticed 70 some lonely spot by boy
OF about twelve or fourteen years.
stripped, tied TO tree or board and
then numerically beaten and tortur-
I'd BY him. II was many months be-
fore the police obtained the first clue
to the perpetrator Of these crimes.
Information given by one OF the
young yictims led TO the arrest OF
Jesse Pomeroy. the son Of a poor
but respectable hressmaker.
Jesse Pomeroy at frst denied his
guilt but, after he had been con-
fronted with several OF his victims
aud definitely identified by them. be
broke down and confessed. He could
not explain his motive and repeated
" asserted that he was driven to
these iiendish ouirages by impulses
which he could not resist. He was
tried, found guilty and, In consider
alton OF his youth sent to the State
reform school At that time degener-
acy was not so thoroughly UNDER
stood as Il 10 now. Pomeroy was
called a generate. but II was con-
sidered more proper TO punish him
than 10 treat him as a defective and
send him To-. an asylum where he
could have been kept under perma-
mant control
Pomeroy remained In the reform
school seventeen months, always
playing the model prisoner. He act
I'd the part so successfully that he
deceived his mother, several clergy
men and a number OF charitably in
clincd women. Between them they
succeeded In procuring Jesse Pom.
eroy's release without having him
first examined by an alienIst. This
was In February. 1874. Scarcely one
month later a little girl named Katie
curran disappeared on her way to
school and although thorough
search was made extending over
many months. not trace OF her
could be- found.
Later In the same year clam
digger Of south Boston. in crossing
the marsh back OF Washington VIII
lagc. south Boston. found the hor-
ribly mutilatsd body OF a small boy
who was aftcrward Identified as
Horace Millcn. The crime was EVIL
IDENTITY the work Of a degenerate and.
remembering the record Of Jesse
Pomeroy, the police arrested him and
took him 10 the morguc where the
body OF the little boy lay upon a
stone slab. The sight OF the mutilat-
cds corpse NO unnerved Pomeroy that
he confessed his guilt aud also adj
mittcd that he had tortured and muir
dcrcd little Katie Curran. Her mutt
lated and decomposcd body was found
buried under ashes and rubbish in
the cellar Of Mrs. Pomuoy's house.
The confession OF these crimes Gre
ated the most intense feeling among
the people In south Boston and Chel-
eca and Pomeroy would I've bcspt
l.nchcd had Il not been for the pre-
cantions OF the authorities. His trial
lasted only three days aud only tho
prisoners YOUTH saved him from the
Eallows. He was. sentenced TO spend
the remainder OF his life In solitary
confinement In Charlestown prison.
During the FIRST ten years OF hls i'm.
prisonlnent Pomeroy made a number
OF attempts TO break out OF Jail. but
they were frustrated by the watch
fulness OF his guards. A number OF
sentlmentalists induced the governor
In the spring OF this year TO allow
Pomeroy more freedom, but bis PRIV