The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-12-20
CONVICT GOES
 IN FOR CULTURE
Mastered Languages and His tory Without Correspondence SchOOlS-BOStOn, of Course.

James Harding Pomeroy has been an inmate, or "shut-in," to use his own language, of the Massachusetts state prison for about AS years. says a writer in the Boston Globe.
 Numerous stories have been writ ten concerning him, especially during the 41 years he was in absolutely soli- tary confinement, when the writers, to quote Jesse, never saw him and gave the public more theories than any thing else about, his personal appear ance, character, and acts. Most of these stories" added Jesse, whenever saw or heard of them, amused me more thany anything else, although at times l was pictured to be an en- tirely different human being fHom what am
 "I have always hoped and prayed that in time the press and the people would understand me and not con tinue to judge me entirely by the past"
 There is an earnestness, mingled with pathos in everything that Pome roy says that deeply impresses a vis- itor.
 The writer had not seen Jesse since about 1868, when both were boys in Charlestown, Jesse being then about seven years old, a little, chubby youngster with curly hair, carefree and happy.
 The writer was some years his senior. Both went to the Winthrop school and they lived near each other. It was by his invitation that the writer called on Pomeroy at the ln- stiSntion. There was recognition in Jesse3s eye the minute he saw the writer among the visitors in the TO- tunda. His step was light and springy and the grasp of his hand cordial.
 Pomeroy today is a little under me dium height, weighs 142 pounds, has a reddish mustache, a thin head of hair, bright grayish eyes, firm chin, no special pallor, and pleasant mien. The pictures of him that have been printed do not do him justice now, for he is not rough looking.
 The once very prominent blemi5h
  is not now very noticeable.
 He was 59 years old Friday Nov. 29, and had two celebrations, one Thanksgiving day and the other Fri day, so far as eatables are concerned. No one can talk with him long without coming to the quick conclu- sion that he is an optimist and con- siderable of a philosopher.
 Fifty years is a long time to con- template, yet in one hours cOHYersa- tion Jesse went first back to remi- uiscences of his boyhood days, named persons and events with which his visitor was perfectly familiar, and seemed to enjoy talking about old Charlestown more than anything else. He spoke warmly of the kindness of the warden and all the officers of the institution.
 As to what he did with his time he skipped details as to occupation and said he liked the evenings and all spare moments when he could read. Reading and writing are his chief recreations, and he also takes much pleasure in all entertainments that are given.
  talked intelligently of the princ1pa battles, and praised in the warmes terms the bravery of the American soldiers and sailors. He had relatives in the civil war.
 What impressed him most, he said were the gigantic problems the Wa produced.
 He said that all the inmates ar "red hot Americans" and have fol lowed the war movements with tn keenest interest, "all rejoicing at tn successful outcome of it." He though the boys who had not been sen across, but had slaved in camps an were now being dropped, should b given some praise in the press, an that the legislature should pass som resolutions thanking them officially as it were.
 There should be correction of tn idea some individuals have that Pome roy is a fairly well educated man. H modestly disclaims high scholarship but declares he read and studied great deal during his solitary confine ment of more than forty years.
 After spending two years on Lat in," he says land then two years o French, in October, 1880, l began tn study of Spanish. In those days W did not have the correspondent schools which dates think, frol the nineties; and if there was a schot here in 1880 I knew nothing of i although the ischoolhouse on tn south wing was in use in 1889-9O. struck out for myself, selecting Spar ish.
 "In a few months I was able write and read correctly, and wit understanding. the Spanish language
 Apropos of Pomeroy's reading, appears that he has always been for of history. In an essay on son Momentous Events in History printed in the Mentor, an institute paper he writes very fully and a curately of events that occurred b. fore and after the Christian era. Tn essay serves to show one very distin trend of his mind. Pome1oy signs g his writings Grandpa"
 Nor has Pomeroy's mind been q Noted exclusively to history. H reading has been extended In vario.