The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-22
tainted when HE
HEARD SENTENCE
RIoHM oND. VA Special

RIOHM I'd, VA Special
Thirty-six penitentiary convicts, five
of whom are white men, this morning
faced Judge II. Carter Scott, OF the
Circuit Court They appeared TO an
swer informationS charging them with
being old offenders-that is. with hav-
ing previously served terms in the
State prison.
These accusations were of dreadful
import to the men in stripes Ihey
meant that those who had previously
served one term we're TO have five
years added on 20 the penalty imposed
I'm connection with their second con-
viction. And those who had previous
ly served two terms, knew that they
would be sent back for life.
For the most part, the prisoners
seemed marvelously stolid and in the
great majority OF cases, they readily
admitted their identity when ques-
toned by the judge Most OF the poor
wretches appeared 10 think that pro-
tests were useless.
one stalwart negro, variously
known as John Miller and John Mil
,Rer, who has already had four doses
OF incarceration, proved an exception
\ 10 those who followed the rule OF ST.
sence. lie delivered long, but rather
saancoherent harangue, TO which the
court listened with great patience.
But after the talk was over Judge
Scott. in the kindest possibleStone. in
formed John that he could do but one
thing-sentence him for the term Of
his natural existence" When the ne
gro heard these dreadful words, h
crumpled up like wet rag and would
have fallen TO the floor had not TIVE
guards rushed TO his support. Thes
officers carried the convict back to nj
seat where he remained with bowe'
head and set face.
He presented a picture that Woul
har htnn n
though some of the other convict
showed much amusement at John
distress.
The only woman in the motle
crew was Julia Holmes, of this city
a very plump colored person, who ha
been twice convicted of selling CO
came Julia was absolutely immacu
late in her attire and chewed gun
She wore a spotless white suit an
a somewhat jaunty Jacket marked b
the prison stripes. Five years wer
added to her term, but Ii never feaZe
her OF even stopped her gum chew
Ing
David Jackson, wretched. gnarled
MP little dwarf of a black negro. VIII
was convicted in the Hastings Coul
for selling cocaine. also got the five
year dose.
PROFESSIONALLY the most pitiful, q
well as the most striking, figure in tn
wretched horde is the aged w.
Hamm ond, who has been getting
trouble pretty much all his life, {
rather since he attained his majorit
Old Man Hammond. who served
the Confederate army, is seventy-t v
years old and he looks every day
- IT. He he's done time at least fol
separate occasions. His last onen
was roebing the home of the Re
Ryland knight and stealing a lot
silverWare. 1t seems probable III
Hammond will go back to the pen.
s'lner,' though some technical que
tions may arise in this connection.
he has been pardoned once or twio
He is now bald-headed and toothles
and 1t would appear that no matt
what comes TO him, he is apt 10 a
behind the bars
Each mans case is being hea1
separately and each is asked the que
tion whether he is the person referr
30 In the Information. The Judge i
forms all, however, that they are n
compelled 20 answer unless they S
At so TO DO. But as a general thil
the unfortunate wretches answer rea
sly and swallow their medicine witho
q fgriuface
1t IS depressing thing to see II
crew of hardened criminals, and II
obvious from the manner of Jud
Scotk that MS duty in connection wi
tae convicts Is most painful one.