The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-21
WETUMPKA WARDEN GIVEN WATCH CHARM
Lee Johnston Surprised by C0nvicts on 50th Birthday
AN AFFECTING SCENE
Incident Is Described by Dr. J. Max Austin, Resident Physician--Dr. J. E. Pearce Makes Appropri-
 ate Presentation Speech

The convicts at wetumpka presented the warden. Lee Johnston, with Knight Templar watch charm on the nftieth anni- versary of his birth. which was one night last week. Dr. J. Max Austin, for mer physician inspector of the state con- vict bureau, and now physician stationed at Wetumpka related the incident last night in Birmingham, as follows;
 "One evening this week about o'clock, just before tho prisoners were counted into their prison rooms a very striking and touching incident occurred.
 Capt. R. l.. Johnston. the warden of Prison No. 1 at Wetumpka. was sitting on the veranda of his office within the walls when the inmates gathered about him with their band and rendered very beautiful selection of music. He was then presented with u very exquisite Knight Tempiar watch charm. and Dr. J. E. Pearce made the presentation re- marks. as follows:
 IS GIVEN CHARM
 Captain Johnston, in behalf of the inmates of this prison, I wish to present to you on your fiftieth anniversary this Knight Templar's charm as 6 token of their gratitude and of their love. Each one of us recognize your just. humane and kind treatment, and 1t is our hope that we will come up to your standard of men and will learn from the beautiful lessons you have taught uss of what Is right, to plumb the line of rectitude; to act toward you and our fellow man as you have toward us--upon the square-and when our summons comes to join the car avan. which levels each of us before tho Great Warden. we may receive the wei come words: Well done, good and faith full servant. thy prison bonds have ceased.
 The whole scene was very affecting Captain Johnston. whom all the prisoners love and revere, with trembling voice and fearful eye, arose and spoke to his men feelingly;
 Dr. Pearce. to you and to each and every prisoner here, wish to extend my healtfelt appreciation of this act. 1t has been my purpose during all of my admin istration as warden to let each man who comes within my care realize that I am his friend as well as his keeper. We all know that there is good in every man, but which can only bo brought to its fullest light by kindness and example If I have failed at any time to show a dis- position other than this 1t has been for the purpose of carrying out discipline which is due to the state and every other inmate in this prison
 MAKES BETTER MEN
 Society demands that certain pun ishment is necessary for the correction or hiractohS d6alnSt the law, put at the same time It is not the purpose of society or the law to destroy the individual, but merely to correct him and make him a better and moro useful citizen
 My friends, it shall ever be my pur- pose and effort to return you to your homes better men. better fitted to strive with the many problems and difficulties which confront all of us in this life'
 The affair was kept q profound secret among the prisoners and was quite sur prise to Captain Johnston, as none of tho officers were aware of tho plan except tho efficient deputy warden, Captain l.. D, Carlton. who gladly gave his hearty co. operation.
 After the conclusion of the warden's remarks over 600 prisoners cheered him heartily"