The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-24
WILL PUBLISH
EARLDUDD|NG'S
L|FEOF CONVICT
Christian Herald To Run
Series Of Stories In
Campaign.
TO AID PRISON SOCIETY
EXPOSE" OF CONDITIONS AT
STATE. PRISON TO BE
cHRoNlcIEp.
TO AID PRISON SOCIETY

SflhSNiSIGG.
HUNTINGTON. W. Va. Feb. "a
The story Of Al. Jennings, who admits
he led the life OF a bandit for ten
years. served several terms in differ.
ent penitentiaries, exposed the graft
systems he discovered and when re-
leased started the process OF "beating
back" does in no way surpass that OF
Earl E. budding, OF this city, whose
history will be chronicled in the Chris.
tian Herald In series OF stories that
aim. that being to raise funds for the
Prisoners Relief Society. an organiza.
ton born In the brain OF. the local cit.
lien and which at his direction has
grow, to proportions exceeding even
the fondest dreams OF its adherents.
Manuscripts Of this story were seen
at the Prisoners Relief Society head.
quarters yesterday and to say that It
is an expose OF appalling conditions Is
putting It mildly. 1t is interesting
and contains 1900 words. The Chris.
tian Herald feels that in way 1t has
been instrumental in the reclamation
Of Mr.. budding.
The story starts with the six.day
trial In the Cabell county criminal
court, leading UP to the verdict OF
guilty OF murder. when Mr.. budding
was sentenced to five years in tho
Moundsville penitentiary. There are
several thrills in each paragraph. Wv.
idly describing the interest demonstra-
ted by both sides. Then a short his
tory Is given OF the events OF the local
county Jail before Mr.. budding was
taken to the state penitentiary. One
OF the most pathetic incidents cited
is the number of friends who visited
the man.
Mr.. budding tells how he wae taken
to the penitentiary, not like the ordi.
nary convict with his hands in irons.
1t is from this point that the story has
a gripping interest until the last sen
tence.
Marked by every stain OF convict
he finally made his way into the good
graces OF Warden Mathews, a former
fcllow-townsnan. Mr.. budding Is
very careful to emphasize that the
warden was not to blame, being ignor.
ant OF the conditions, bat there were
many petty gratis being pr.cticed by
the guards and their "inhuman" treat.
ment Of the convicts TO gain wealth.
One instrument OF torture is wildly
portrayed, the whipping post. These
things were learned on, his daily trips
with the institution physician. whom
he was assigned to assist as q
"trusty.' The unsan!tGry conditions
are appalling as told by Mr.. budding.
The little schemes lie adopted to un-
earth the filth and pollution OF the
penal institution were clever.
Finally when Warden NJ. L. Brown
was appointed he brought to his at
tention the facts he had cleaned and
reformation was brought about. One
Of Mr.. Browns first steps was TO
abolish the whipping post ut which
leather thongs were used BY the
guards.
Soon after Warden Brown was ap.
pointed, Earl budding took up the
work OF bringing about a Christian
reformation that could not have been
accomplished by anyone but a con-
vict, always in close touch with fell
low. prisoners. 1t was accomplished
by soliciting subscriptions for the
Christian Herald. Although thore
wore but few subscribers at first,
Christian trend became manifest and
later, led TO more subscribers. As
result OF Mr., buildings efforts several
religious bodies were organized that
are still living and with all prospects
for perpetuation.
After serving his term in the peni.
Tertiary MR. budding tells how he
wrote letters to different business &C.
quaintances, Of five years before, ask
Ing their advice whether he should re.
turn to his native city or move else.
where and Of the attempt to beat
back"
When he decided 10 return to Hunt
ington an idea was originated out OF
which tho Prisoners Relief Society has
been formed and grown to Its present
proportions. The idea was the out.
come OF the different sutterings he had
witnessed at the peritentiary. The
story will take up the career OF the
society and what It's. prospects are and
steadfastly emphasizing the fact that
the Christian Herald approves OF the
work and will conduct campaign 10
finance 1t. Several incidents of the
good done by the society will be cited.
Huntington gains no little advertis.
Ing In the article. The city is termed
the most philanthropic" In the United
States. and the newspapers eulogized
for their efforts to make the scheme
success. Local members Of the
Prisoners Relief Society believe the
story win create a great deal OF in
terest IN the country and will be the
means Of large sums subscribed for
the work. The Christian Herald has
received $4,000 in its campaign for
the Relgians that has Just closed.
There will no doubt be a great
furry in state circles when the truth"
as told by Mr.. budding becomes pub.
lie. The "inhuman" treatment accord.
ed the 'eonvicts in some incidents will
no doubt precipitate feeling never
before manifested In the state OF West
Virginia. II Is in line with the senti.
ment OF other stnrfea that have eanaad