The New York herald., 1921-02-28
PRISON PALS CHEER
EX-QUEEN OF CRIME
Sophie Lyons, ~, Now Good,
Urges COnvicts to Tread
the Narrow Path.
SING SONG NAMING HER
Found IL Hard to Reform, but
1t Pays, as She Is Worth
a Million.

Special Despatch to Trfs NEW York HrnsIp.
DETROIT. Feb. 27.-with tears stream
ing down their faces more than 600 In
mates OF the House OF Correction stood
UP and sang. "Oh. What a Pal Was
Sophie" at the conclusion OF the address
made to them this afternoon by Sophie
Lyons. formerly international queen of
the underworld" The scene was per-
haps the most dramatic OF Its Kind in
the history OF the institution
Sophie, now in her seventy-seventh
year. who has made nearly million
dollars In Detroit since she left the
primrose path, spoke to the inmates
not as a visitor or q welfare worker.
but as one who had served two terms
OF Ave years each in the same prison
and understood conditions from the
viewpoint OF q prisoner
She urged that a spirit OF fraternity
be developed among the inmates and
said: 'Some Of you men and women
are perhaps college and university grail
uates. Do not hold aloof from the na 4
who arrives here without education and
in an unclean condition. Extend your
arms to him in order that ne may feel
that there Is at least the consolation OF a
spirit of brotherly love.
Would Tread on Past ms n Mat.
DO not expect that society will run
to greet you with open arms. You mast
first prove to society that you are
worthy to be a member. that you have
trod on the past as you would a dor
mat and that you are determined t. be-
gin life anew.
Forty years ago, after I had been
discharged from this very prison,
found no one willing to extend an open
hand to me. l went to one man for
employment and he threw me down the
front steps of his factory. saying that
within a month / would make a crook
out OF every girl in his employ. That
night slept in doorway Next morn
ing my breakfast was a crust Of bread
from the refuse in o garbage can.
Was sorely touched ! could have gone
out that evening and made $500 by a
dishonest act in a few minutes, but
had determined that I would abandon
my crime fought down the voice Of
the tempter and my conscience tri-
umphed over the desire to steal
II persisted in my determination
never to return to my ways of crime
and after a hard battle prospered. II
was a bitter struggle, but It was worth
the fight.
What I, frail little woman, have
accomplished you strong men and women
can do as easily. Trust in the right.
place faith in your fellow beings, do
not let failure discourage you and moth
ing can prevent you from becoming sue
cesses In life.
No Such Thing as Failure.
There Is no such thing In life as
failure. What we term failure Is the
stepping stone TO success. ] remember
after had served my first sentence in
this very jail. / remained away three
days when / was packed into wagon
and returned to the institution.
''On my return I heard great cheering
and shouting. asked the warden what
Il was all about and he told me they
were having a blowout. ] asked them
what the celebration was for and they
told me that II was because had stayed
away from Jail for three days. What
would those dear old pals that have gone
to meet their Maker say now II they
know that I. VINO had served time IN
prisons In all parts of the world. had re-
ma,ned away for forty years?"
This sentence was the occasion OF
from the inmates, who
made the institution ring with their APP
plause.
when I left prison was so weak
that my legs trembled under me. I
looked at them and said to myself
Guide, o Thou Great Jehovah. Thy pill
grim through a most beautiful land. We
are weak, Thou art mighty. Place the
of Thy protection over us and
guide us with Thy powerful hand
"Tf you men and women. pals OF mine,
will remember this. abandon that which
Is not right and follow the paths Of JUS
tice, your life will be q success"