New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-07
WOMEN FOX TROT
AT PRISON PARTY
One Step Replaces Lock
Step for 600 on Black
wells Island.
PRISONERS ENJOY .
FIRST REAL HOLIDAY
Cheer Mrs. J. Sergeant Cram,
Who Gave Piano and Played
Them Lively Dances.

They had a party in the women's
prison at Blackwell's Island yesterday.
Six hundred oldtimers and first
offenders, black and white, danced TO
the music Of the piano presented to
the institution by Mrs. J. Sergeant
Cram. and consumed pink ice cream
and cake, which came from the same
source.
hrs. Cram was there 10 play for
them, and pounded out fox trots. jigs
and the newest Broadway lyrical
successes with the matter-offaet vigor
Of music-hall pianist working for his
bread. At intervals she took to the
tambourire, and the Black Patti OF
Blackv ellis Island, buxom negro
woman, took her place at the piano
To assist them in making a joyous
noise, Mrs. Cram brought man who
played on various instruments. from
trick drum TO two pieces OF sandpaper.
This is the first OF series Of social
occasions at DR.. Katharine y. Devis's
rlace on the East river. Also, Mrs.
Cram is going over every Monday TO
preside at a class in dancing and
gymnastics. Judging from the way the
women did yesterday, they are not
greatly in need of dancing instruction.
3 The bas, OF manners prevailed. and ami
/ ability ruled. even 10 the extent o. two
+ prisoners, who had had a fist fight IN
d Of ha
should wash down A cell, doing the
bunny hug together most affect!onately.
This is the first time the women
prisoners have ever been out OF their
cells all at the same time. and Miss
Mary Harris, matron of the women's
department, confessed to being a biz
nervous. But everything went OFF
without n hitch.
Immediately after their early supper
the prisoners marched to the great
central platform between the lower
tiers o. cells. Mrs. Cram was there.
playing, We'll never get drunk any
more" The prisoners took up the
chorus, a fat woman with a crimson
face, who will probably break the
pledge the minute she gets out. leading
at the top of her voice, We'll never
get drunk any more"
A woman with hair done deliberately
and pretty dancing slippers on. seized
her cell-mate and started the dance.
Soon at least half the guests were
whirlng around. And really they
looked surprisingly like any ordinary
party Of merrymakers.
There were young girls there with
pretty faces, innocent faces, and old
women who, in the proper costume,
I l.. Ne D u
chaperCns at Small and early" out in
, the world. The dresses, Of striped ging-
ham. and bearing the marks Of toll
did detract from the beauty Of the
scene. but many of the prisoners had
stuck flowers in their hair, and nearly
> all had turned down their collars and
turned up their sleeves till the most
fashionable assemblage had nothing on
them IN the way or decoletage.
After the general dancing there
were various impromptu features. But
all too soon for the eager dancers, the
Rev. ". H. Nichols, chaplain of the
prison, advanced to the middle Of the
floor to announce the party was over.
"You will now have a march" he
began; and all the women cheered, but
as soon as they were silent he went
on "to your cells" and they gave
a laughing grOan.
But first" he said, "in honor Of
Mrs. Cram. who has given us the
rppingest time we've ever had on the
Island, Wen let loose a cheer
The six hundred women burst into
joyous shrieks, but that didn't please
"Father" Nichols, who wished 10 do ii
scien.i fcally
"Ston" he roared. keep still Shu,
up I'm going to lead this cheer" And
with him leading with barytone
whoo7 that made the stone roof ring,
the women saluted their hostess with
three shrill hurrahs, and retired TO
their cells,