New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-11
BEHIND BOLTS AND BARS
The Everyday Life of a People
Little Known.

THE WALLED CITY. A story OF the
Criminal Insane. By Edward HununS-
ton Williams, VI. D., formerly assistant
professor of pathology and bactellolos.'
State University OF Iowa formerly as
sistant physician at the MatteaWah
state Hospital for Insane Criminals as
sistant physician at the Manhattan
state Hospital for the Insane. WIN
illustrations from photographs; l5Ino'
Do. 26} The Funk & Nagnalls COM
pany.
DR.. Williams here offers the general
reader the freedom of the "Waileu
City" His book pictures graphically
the everyday life Of the citizens
there, interesting and very appealing
people, forgotten for the most part by
the inhabitants Of other communities
those within anv hospital for the III
in mind of criminal tendencies. the
picture is not particularly gloomy
one. The life of these citizens In many
cases becomes even happier and more
useful one than 1t had ever been in
other places. The author tells OF the
social distinctions which exist among
them, decreed by the nature OF their
crimes. and of the varied amusements
provided for them Of many efforts TO
escape; Of the different types, humor-
lists, wags and characters" lie DIS
cusses the shortcomings OF some OF the
governors and officers Of these institu-
tions. and speaks of the disinterested
devotion of others. Many anecdotes
from his own experience as assistant
physician at Matteawan state Hospital
and Manhattan State Hospital for the
Insane are given. A very interesting
CHAPTER describes a fire. which the citi-
zens fought and saved their city
fought against their own chances of
liberty as eagerly as they would have
fought for it under other cIrcum-
stances
The life OF the professional theatrical
manager. we have heard, is no path of
roses But. our author says, when IN
addition to all the whims and caprices
common to stage people-vanity, pride.
iealousies-you add decisions, halluci-
nations and criminal instincts. some
idea may be had OF the trials Of the
unknown manager" Of home talent
who arranges theatrical entertain
ments in a walled city. Usually. he
SAYS. the colored members Of these
communities are about the most salts
factory and enthusiastic stage per-
formers. But the inordinate vanity
Of some Of these men. and the means
they will devise TO get themselves be-
fore the footlights, are amazing one,
Sam Gilmore, whose single accomplish
ment Of dancing had at last worn out
IFS attraction, on hearing that he had
been omitted from the programme Of a
special performance. came TO the man
ager and asked TO be allowed TO do a
"fre-eating act" As this was a de-
cided novelty he was put on the pro-
grammc He gave very spectacular
performance, and the following night
was on hand eager for his act, when II
was discovered that his nose, lips,
tongue and mouth were frightfully
burned. He had eaten nothing all day.
il was found later. and must have been
in great pain. 1t developed that Sam
knew nothing whatever OF the trick OF
fire eating" He had simply thought
of this means Of accomplishing his end.
He went and was inconsolable when he
was forbidden to appear on the stage.
We made many good friends In this
very interesting book.