Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1915-03-25
TELLS Of A VISIT TO
PEM|TENT|ARY
AT BOISE
INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF HOW
PRISONERS ARE EMPLOYED
AND THEIR PASTTMES.
HYE PLAYS IN ORCHESTRA
Prison Has Base Ball Team With Star
Players-Rev. Hand of Moscow
Leader of Prison Orchestra.

A special correspondent to the Lewis
ton Tribune, writing from Boise, takes
as his topic "Northern Men at the
Prison" and he then very interestingly
portrays what he sees in a visit to the
pen. The article contains so much of
interest that it is printed in full as
follows.
Boise, March 20.-Just as the writer
reached the gate that leads to the open
section of the Idaho prison grounds
this afternoon, only the reasonable de-
corum that would suggest itself to
visitor prevented him from breaking
into exclamation, and had he exclaim-
ed it would likely have been along
these lines: "Hurrah for grand old
Nez Perez This hurrah sentiment
developed with the writer because his
first glance through the gate brought
into view a full baseball lineup at a
thrilling stage of the game, with
Arthur Barker (colored), Nez Perce
county convict, at the bat. There were
two men on bases and two strikes on
Barker when the latter lifted the ball
far over the prison wall for home-run,
with shouts of approval from at least
half of the throng and some of whom
crowded close to the diamond lines.
Barker, it was later learned, is star
among the prison players, and is pop
ular along other lines. He is serving a
term for the killing of tDoc' Morgan
at Lewiston about eighteen months
ago. The shooting occurred on the
main street of that city after the men
had quarreled over some trivial matter.
Barker has applied for pardon and it
will be considered next month. View
is held the pardon will be granted for
he has strong petition endorsed by a
number of Nez Perce county officials
and Lewiston business men. A petition
supporting the application also has
been received from Twin Falls, Bark
er's home prior to locating at Lewis
ton. At the time of the killing, Bark
er was a porter in the Hogan barber
shop at Lewiston. Soon after being re-
ceived at the penitentiary, he was
made trusty and was allotted the
janitor work about the penitentiary of.
flee and the guard quarters, while an
incidental employment has been the
care of the blood-hounds, held in ken.
nels that mount hill overlooking the
prison walls and where they "bay'
seemingly without tire. Barker told
the writer today that he was very
thankful to all Lewiston friends who
have interested themselves in behalf OF
his pardon. He does not intend to re
turn to Lewiston, however, but will &c
to Portland upon the granting of the
pardon. He has had no demerit mark
placed against him since his confine
ment in the prison, and is confident
next month he will be released. 81
had to do, he said, "the thing which
resulted in me being brought here, but
nevertheless my experience has taught
me good lessons. / do not want to re
turn to Lewiston, because I do not
want any memories freshly recalled
dealing with my trouble there
Frank Hye a Musician.
Frank Hye, of Idaho county, whit
was received at the prison last week
to serve a term for killing his wife ant
Hugh Kennedy at Elk City, plays ;
good piano accompaniment in the pri
son orchestra. The writer saw him ant
heard him today at rehearsal held il
the general dining room, the large
number Of those convicts not in tn
lineup or coaching at the ball game
being the audience. Hye is a new
member of the orchestra organization
which is led by Rev. Hand, the Mos
cow clergyman who was convicted o
rape several years algo and who !
serving a life sentence. Hand plays
slide trombone. Militantfy cheerful i
type were the selections being rehears
ed by the orchestra and as the martia
notes drifted over to the baseball fiel6
them seemed to stir the fans to furthe