HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA PENITENTIARY.WRITTEN BY A PRISONER.
In 1863 the state was admitted as one of the constellation of states of the union. Virginia had seceded from the union by a majority vote. The strong and indomitable minority citizens of the Old Dominion residing in the western part of it, many of whom were Scotch and Irish descendants and natives of the adjoining states, who had taken up their homes in the valleys and on the hillsides, were loyal to the Union, loved well the flag, and reverenced with an undying affection the builders of the union of states for the greater blessing of the people, and stood firm and unyielding for an indivisible united country. By their hands and brave hearts they built a state stretching from the Potomac to the Ohio river, carved out of the Old Dominion. The war-born daughter of the historical commonwealth proved, in the subsequent years, to be rich in the production of materials in active demand in the marts of commerce, and she now outstrips her mother state in the race for greatness, prosperity, and happiness.
Many regions of the state are mountainous, and the principal industries are lumbering, mining, and oilproduction. Many of the white people are typical mountaineers and somewhat rough and uncouth in manner, while the negroes, many of them, have drifted from North and South Carolina, Alabama, and other southern states to be employed in the development of these industries.
There are very many respectable farmers, professional and business men, and cultured ladies residing in these almost inaccessible parts; but the rough element in many places predominates, and the order of the day and night is drinking and brawling, ending as a rule in desperate encounters and murder. Most of the white and black inmates of the penitentiary have been and are now composed of the lawless men from these regions, from the time it was only a stockade of ten acres in 1866, when Hon. J. W. McWhorter of the Tenth Judicial District was appointed warden by Governor Boreman. He resigned the position after viewing it. In a letter to Warden Hawk he states it was for the reason that there was not so much as a building erected for the shelter of the inmates, and he thought he could not work the convicts to advantage under the circumstances. The penitentiary has been improved from time to time to the present, by additions, until it is a massive structure of stone and iron, with a high stone surrounding wall. It has 695 inmates at the present writing.
The center, or main building, is built after the old baronial castellated style of architecture, andwith its several stories height, it makes an imposing appearance. It is flanked on the north and south by the stone and strongly-barred buildings, wherein the old and first built stone cells and the modern steel ones—900 in all—are placed. Entrance is to be had into the prison proper by means of a round turning iron-barred cage in the main hallway of the central building.
The cell-building halls are kept in a neat and clean condition; the cells are in good sanitary condition and are kept in good order by the inmates, many of whom are artistic in taste and paint and make many fanciful designs as adornments of their small sleeping quarters. The yard, limited in area by the shop, dining-hall, engine and hospital buildings, is artistically laid out in grass-grown plats and flower beds in season. Around the area of space on brick-laid pavements the prisoners are permitted to walk in columns of two according to grade for exercise during the afternoon after working hours, and Sabbath forenoon prior to and after chapel services. At the four corners of the penitentiary walls are stone turrets where armed guards are placed from four o’clock a. m. to 9 p. m.
Upon West Virginia establishing a state government, Wheeling was selected as the capital where the legislature met in session in 1863, with Hon. Arthur I. Boreman as chief executive. The prison was located in 1866 at Moundsville, Marshall Co., then abeautiful village a few miles from the seat of government. The location, for drainage and sanitary conditions, might have been better selected from one of the many surroundings hills than in the midst of the village in the valley on the banks of the Ohio river.
Moundsville has since the location of the penitentiary there, grown into the eighth city in population of the state, and is now a manufacturing and resident town possessing daily and weekly newspapers. Modern improvements prevail, with water and electric light systems and street-car lines connecting with Wheeling and adjoining suburbs. The magnificent mound erected by the Mound Builders many years gone by for the burial of their dead, to be seen near the penitentiary, is one of the attractions to the thousands of persons who visit the locality.
Hon. G. S. McFadden, of Moundsville, was the first active and practical warden of the penitentiary. With the means at hand he made many praiseworthy improvements for the amelioration of the inmates during his incumbency. The condition of the prisoners during the four years past and now, is a vast improvement over the old system. Skilled and humane prison managers for many years were wanting. The condition of the inmates was at times deplorable in the extreme. The methods of punishment in vogue were extremely severe, the work laborious, the clothing of the zebra kind, the lock-step exacting, the supply and kind of food indifferent and bad. The employmentof the prisoners on the state account or under contract was unprofitable, and expenses for the prison’s maintenance piling upon the taxpayers, who made just complaint. Loud demands were made by the people of Moundsville and throughout the state, conversant with the deplorable condition of the affairs of their penal institution, for a change.
After Governor Atkinson’s inauguration, March 4, 1897, he appointed Colonel S. A. Hawk as warden of the penitentiary. He was at the time of his appointment a well-known business man of Huntington, Cabell Co. For a number of years he was also known as a popular employee of an Ohio river steamboat running out of Huntington. He was at one time a successful merchant, hotel-keeper, contractor, and during President Harrison’s administration as President he was an official of the Interior Department in charge of the public domain in Arizona Territory.
Prior to the incumbency of Warden Hawk the West Virginia penitentiary had for years been running behind the legislative appropriation many thousand dollars annually, and not much, if any, success was made in the reformation of the prisoners. Altogether the prison was in bad order when he took hold as warden, he not only introduced reformatory treatment with respect to the prisoners, but he has made the institution bring to the state an actual profit over and above all expenses for maintenance. Warden Hawk took hold of the penitentiary management May1, 1897. He discovered that his predecessor’s method of punishment was principally solitary confinement. Twenty-seven or more prisoners were undergoing the punishment on bread and water, and they presented a pitiable condition. Their labor was lost to the state; their mental, moral, and physical health undermined; hope seemingly was blasted, and they were strangers to God. The warden turned the key and liberated these men and put them to work, which they gladly expressed a willingness to do.
He adopted the new and advanced method of prison management in line with up-to-date penalogists; viz., The grade system, plain clothing in lieu of stripes, more and better food, first-class medical attendance, every prisoner at work, more personal liberty and exercise granted; he made himself approachable to those prisoners having a grievance, and in so far as he could within the bounds of true discipline, rectified them. Religious worship was fostered and encouraged; punishment for willful infractions of the rules and regulations governing the prison, sure and certain, by black-listing from special privileges, for a period of thirty days or more; the lock-step, by carrying on the yard an iron weight during working hours, and in extreme cases of fighting and other reprehensible misconduct, corporal punishment with a leather strap was inflicted, or by buck-and-gag. Other changes of a minor but not less ameliorative nature were made conducive to the moral welfare of the inmates.
To bring about these humane changes many and substantial improvements were made in the way of buildings and additions without cost to the taxpayers, for the prison was more than self-sustaining, and a handsome sum of money was on hand for this purpose.
January 1, 1900, Warden S. A. Hawk completed the erection of a two-story brick addition to the prison dining-hall. The second story room, 40×40 feet, was dedicated by him to the use of a library and school. The fixtures were placed in the room but there were only a few mutilated books at hand to begin with. E. E. Byrum, President of the Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company of Moundsville, hearing of the situation, offered his gratuitous service to the warden to aid him to build up the library to a respectable proportion. Upon the assurance given him that there was no available appropriation to purchase books for the library, Mr. Byrum called the attention of the members of his company to this state of affairs, and upon their advice and with their consent, a splendid lot of artistically bound religious and other suitable books valued at $1,000 was placed at the disposal of the warden for the use of the prison inmates. So grateful were the prisoners, the warden, and prison employees at the generous gift that it was
Resolved, That the prisoners of the West Virginiapenitentiary, through Warden S. A. Hawk, tender their grateful thanks to E. E. Byrum and to the Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company, Moundsville, W. Va., for the very welcome gift of books placed in the prison library for their use.
This fine gift of standard literature, including 500 song-books, was a nucleus for the building up of an excellent library, few equaling it in the state.
Thousands of circular letters were mailed by the warden to the leading citizens of West Virginia and leading publishing houses of the country asking for donations of literature. The responses were generous—donors sending from one book to cases containing hundreds of books. One year after the opening of the library twelve thousand standard religious and secular books and magazines were donated. It is true many of them were second-hand and worn, except those received from the publishing firms—such as the people of the state could afford to give.
The library represents to every inmate the warden’s desire that every one of them should feel that an opportunity for newness of life to them is open, and in such opportunity may be found an ample encouragement of good purposes and well-meant efforts. Better life, better men, hence a hope for the prevalence of improvement.
A night school from 5.30 to 7.30 p. m., for two hundred and more illiterate white and colored inmates, ranging from seventeen to seventy-two years ofage, was begun in the library at its opening, without intermission during every week-day of the year. The good result has been more satisfactory in the teaching of spelling, reading, arithmetic, geography, and writing than the most sanguine could have anticipated. Every one of the illiterate prisoners at the end of the year can read. The attendance of the pupils, thirty-two white and forty colored, being voluntary on their part, alternate nights. The prisoners are visited at their cells every Saturday evening by assistant librarians (who are employed in shops during the day), with slips in hand, and their order taken for whatever book or magazine they may ask for. The magazines are securely bound, three in one volume, minus the advertisements. The number of the cell is taken down with the prisoner’s serial number. The literature is carefully selected by the librarian and made ready for his assistants to place in the inmates’ cells, and each book is charged to the prisoner by his serial number, to be kept for one week. If, however, the book is one that can not be read during the regular period of time, upon application, a further period of a week is allowed. The books issued the previous week are collected and returned to the library, there to be carefully examined, for intentional mutilation the culprit being black-listed and deprived of the use of books, at the pleasure of the warden. At the first and several issues thereafter illiterate and mischievous prisoners marked their books, but by judicious use of the black-listand reprimand the practice on the part of these culprits ceased, and they cheerfully refrained from committing themselves again, and they are now most careful of their literary treasures. For a period of seven months of the year no reports for mutilation of books have been made.
The following are most in demand: Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons, Pilgrim’s Progress, Fox’s Book of Martyrs, The Kingdom of God, Divine Healing of Soul and Body, Grace of Healing, Boy’s Companion, and Letters for Our Girls—the last being in demand by the female inmates, there being twenty-seven white and colored of them. Many books on tobacco and its effects were also issued to the inmates above named. The books are a part of the Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company’s donation. From close observation of the readers of all this admirable literature the good results are carefully and conscientiously given as follows: Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons is in constant and steady demand from young men to the “manor-born” of West Virginia. They are a unique, original, and reverent body of criminals. Far too many are illiterate, possessed of high, lofty, and impulsive dispositions, their very souls throbbing with vitality, their eyes beaming with inspiration, doubtless inspired with the magnificent scenery of their native and well-beloved state. Their hearts and minds seem to expand with the thought ever present with them, “Mountaineers will ever be free.” While restraint isirksome to them, they are, however, sensitively susceptible to kind treatment. They love their mountain homes and hearth-stones and cherish with fond remembrance the parents at home, and they are keen to read literature that brings these close to their prison home.
Pilgrim’s Progress is called for by older inmates from other states, white and colored alike, and also those from foreign lands, some of whom have enjoyed the benefit of early home religious training or have been picked up during their wanderings around the world and about the country. They seem to get much good from their reading of John Bunyan, his temptations, trials, and triumphs. All of these men continue in their demand for Gospel Trumpet literature until they have read all of the different volumes of the donation. A marked and decided improvement is noted in the good discipline and the attendance at religious services of all of the readers of good literature and the warden and guards are pleased with their exemplary behavior. The warden has found it convenient to stop altogether the issue of tobacco to the inmates, doubtless accounted for by readers of “Tobacco and Its Effects,” who are now non-users of the weed. It is to be hoped that the contractors do not issue to their employees as much tobacco as heretofore. May the use of it grow less until in as well as out of prison its use may be entirely eliminated.
Rule 1st. Upon entering the library prisoners must promptly remove their caps and go to their seats in a quiet manner.
Rule 2d. Chewing tobacco, smoking, or spitting on the floor is strictly forbidden.
Rule 3d. Books, papers, or stationery required by any prisoner can be had by raising the hand and asking the librarian or teacher.
Rule 4th. Undivided attention must be given to the teacher; his instructions promptly and respectfully obeyed, and the whole time of the prisoner who is learning must be devoted to study.
Rule 5th. Books, magazines, and papers will be issued for not longer than one week. Care must be exercised not to mark, tear, or mutilate them in any way.
Rule 6th. Should a violation of any of these rules result in a prisoner being reported for punishment, he will be black-listed, and denied the privilege of school or library.
Rule 7th. The privilege of the library will be given to prisoners of exemplary record, where they will have free access to books, magazines, and papers, after working hours.
S. A. Hawk, Warden.
The Greenbrier (W. Va.) Independent says: “A short time ago Judge McWhorter of our town shipped to S. A. Hawk, warden of the state prison at Moundsville, a lot of books, magazines, etc., donated by himself and others. We are permitted to publish Mr. Hawk’s letter to the judge in acknowledgement of the donation:
“‘Your fine donation of literature came to hand to-day (March 10), for which please accept my sincere gratitude. I am gratified to inform you that from donations received from the generous people of West Virginia and some few publishers, I have about 10,000 volumes of books and magazines—the latter securely bound and covered. The library is indebted to the Wheeling Intelligencer and News for very many daily exchanges. The library room is 40×40 feet, handsomely furnished and fully equipped.
“‘I have an evening school of sixty pupils—thirty colored and thirty white, boys and men—the hours being from 5 to 7.30 p. m. Their progress is very satisfactory. Taking into consideration that I sent out my appeal for literature January 20, 1900, I think that I have met with unprecedented success, for which I am certainly grateful.
“‘I feel conscious that the new and more liberal system of discipline inaugurated by me since my management of the prison, and the many improvementsmade, is a duty I owe my charges and for the future protection of society, because these men feel that the hand of every man is not raised against them and that upon their release they will be encouraged to make of themselves useful citizens.
“‘Assuring you that I completely appreciate your kindness, I am sincerely yours,
S. A. Hawk.’”
Had been in an intermittent state of organization from 1890, with but moderate success. Some two years ago (1899) the Gospel Trumpet people took an active interest in the welfare of the Bible class, which meant that henceforth renewed and intelligent effort was to be made for the future. The class under the new order of arrangement and new infusion of God’s Spirit greatly increased in membership in a short period of time. To this class of earnest Christians the Gospel Trumpet people and denominational ministers of Moundsville give their attention and best effort in their respective turn, every Sabbath morning from 8 to 9 o’clock. The commendable progress the members of the class have made in their work is to a large extent due to these ministers of God. Very many remarkable conversions have been brought about, and baptism given by the ordained ministers from the Gospel Trumpet office.
Serial No. 2282—A veteran inmate from Randolph Co., aged 56 years, received at the prison in 1892 to serve his natural life for the crime of murder, this being his second term for the same kind of crime. About twelve years ago he was pardoned by the governor upon well established grounds of mitigating circumstances connected with the alleged crime.
For the second term he has been an inmate for nine years. He is a large man, six feet in height, with a good looking face and possessed of a warm and tender heart. His prison record is exemplary, and he is employed in the tailor shop, filling a responsible position. Four times has the Bible class selected him as their class-leader, recognizing his Biblical learning, industry, and signal ability at prayer and exhortation. He says that during the years prior to the aid given to the class at the hands of the Gospel Trumpet people, he was somewhat lukewarm in his class work. However, with their hearty assistance and material aid he took on a new spirit and inspiration for more and better work for God. He is much encouraged by the many conversions made and by the growth of the class. He canvassed for subscribers for very many Gospel Trumpet literary works; of these and the Gospel Trumpet paper, he is a constant reader.
Serial No. 2320—Received from Cabell Co. in 1892 to serve a life sentence for murder, is a young man offine education, culture, high resolve and noble purpose, a scion of Christian family residents of Ohio. The crime into which the unfortunate man was probably led appears to have been a concocted scheme made up and he enticed to join in, for the purpose of putting him out of the way in order to accomplish certain designs his enemies had against his life and property to be inherited by him. To make sure of their work the railroad officials and detectives were put on the job, so, when he and his companions made the attempt to stop and rob the railroad passenger train, they were fired upon by a posse of armed guards, which they returned, killing one of the passengers. He was seriously wounded, losing the use of his right arm.
He was converted several years ago and baptized. His health has long since been undermined by confinement and he is in a precarious condition, but above all things else he is a true Christian and child of God and entirely fit to be pardoned and restored to society, home, and friends. He has served one year as leader of the Bible class, and owing to his lovable disposition, learning, and industry he gave entire satisfaction to his classmates.
Serial No. 2547—Received from Fayette County in 1894, for murder, to serve his natural life in prison, age at the time 20 years, is a notable example of complete reformation within the prison-walls. He is a native of Virginia, raised to do hard work in the coalmines, where he was without much, if any, advantage to enable him to obtain an education. Possessed of natural abilities and doubtless awed by the shadow of the gallows from which a loving sister saved him, and the prison environments, he purposed to obey the prison rules by industry at his employment and civility toward the prison officials and his comrades. It seems also that early upon his entrance into the penitentiary he resolved to be a godly man. He taught himself how to read his Bible while in his cell at night. Attending the Bible class he learned how to pray. He gave his heart to God one Sabbath day while listening to a sermon. His classmates selected him as their leader and he served so satisfactorily that during the end of Governor Atkinson’s administration he was pardoned by and through the untiring effort and devotion of the sister who had saved him years before from the gallows. One and all rejoiced and prayed God that the Governor, at the end of life’s journey may be rewarded for the mercy he granted even unto the poorest and lowliest prisoner in the penitentiary.
Serial No. 2504—Received from Berkley County in 1894, for grand larceny, to serve a term of twelve years, upon entrance to the prison started in to make it unpleasant for the prison officials by stubbornly refusing to work and by violent acts of misconduct. It was found necessary to punish him severely several times. He was one of the prisoners in solitary confinement when Warden Hawk took hold of the prison.He was released with others, and at once taken in hand by the warden for individual treatment. A good position was given him in the laundry and other privileges granted to him as well as good counsel given and amiably received. It was soon observed by the prison officials that he was a constant attendant at the chapel Sabbath services, then at a pathetic and prayerful invitation went forward one Sabbath day and gave himself to the service of God and was baptized. He was in charge of the Bible class for a while. He was recently released by habeas corpus proceedings on the ground that having been committed to the penitentiary on two sentences, one for four years and the other for eight years, from different counties, the greater sentence embraced also the lesser one, in that the date of sentence in each case commenced from the day of sentence.
A close Biblical student and possessed of considerable natural ability, power of prayer and exhortation, it is hoped and expected that he will continue to be a worker in the Lord’s vineyard.
Serial No. 3595—Received from Monongahela Co. in 1898, to serve a term of four years for grand larceny. Upon entering the prison he became an active worker in the Bible class. He is an exemplary prisoner and thought well of by the warden and prison officials. It is expected that, upon his release, his experience in prison will make of him an efficient Christian worker. Possessing some ability and ambition as a hymn-writer, herewith is a sample:
“A BROTHER OF JESUS.”
A brother of Jesus, a comrade to fight,A brother to conquer, and strive for the right,A brother in daring, a comrade indeed,A brother to venture, whatever the need.A brother in spirit, when dangers surround,A comrade in courage who stands his ground,A brother who’s faithful, loyal, and true,A comrade who fights, and fights his way through.A brother for heaven, who stands by the cross,A comrade obedient, whatever the cost,A brother who’s ready and willing to die,A comrade who will not his Savior deny.A brother on duty, by day and by night,A comrade who’s trusting in Jesus’ great might,A brother so Christlike, O Savior, I’ll beA comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.
A brother of Jesus, a comrade to fight,A brother to conquer, and strive for the right,A brother in daring, a comrade indeed,A brother to venture, whatever the need.A brother in spirit, when dangers surround,A comrade in courage who stands his ground,A brother who’s faithful, loyal, and true,A comrade who fights, and fights his way through.A brother for heaven, who stands by the cross,A comrade obedient, whatever the cost,A brother who’s ready and willing to die,A comrade who will not his Savior deny.A brother on duty, by day and by night,A comrade who’s trusting in Jesus’ great might,A brother so Christlike, O Savior, I’ll beA comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.
A brother of Jesus, a comrade to fight,A brother to conquer, and strive for the right,A brother in daring, a comrade indeed,A brother to venture, whatever the need.A brother in spirit, when dangers surround,A comrade in courage who stands his ground,A brother who’s faithful, loyal, and true,A comrade who fights, and fights his way through.A brother for heaven, who stands by the cross,A comrade obedient, whatever the cost,A brother who’s ready and willing to die,A comrade who will not his Savior deny.A brother on duty, by day and by night,A comrade who’s trusting in Jesus’ great might,A brother so Christlike, O Savior, I’ll beA comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.
A brother of Jesus, a comrade to fight,
A brother to conquer, and strive for the right,
A brother in daring, a comrade indeed,
A brother to venture, whatever the need.
A brother in spirit, when dangers surround,
A comrade in courage who stands his ground,
A brother who’s faithful, loyal, and true,
A comrade who fights, and fights his way through.
A brother for heaven, who stands by the cross,
A comrade obedient, whatever the cost,
A brother who’s ready and willing to die,
A comrade who will not his Savior deny.
A brother on duty, by day and by night,
A comrade who’s trusting in Jesus’ great might,
A brother so Christlike, O Savior, I’ll be
A comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.
DEGENERATES.
Serial No. 4035—Was received from Pocahontas County in 1898, to serve two years for horse stealing. He claimed upon his entrance to the prison to be a “preacher.” It is alleged by persons who know his life and character that he is an old and experienced horsethief, who had served many terms of imprisonment in the different penitentiaries of the country, and was looked upon from a criminological point of view as a moral degenerate of the first degree. While playing the role of a “mountain evangelist” in the county from whence he was committed to the penitentiary, he there applied his first and only calling, as a horsethiefof the first degree. Upon his introduction to the prison he professed to be very religious, and stoutly maintained that he was an innocent man much maligned and persecuted. He was made janitor of the chapel, doubtless owing more to the fact that he was a cripple, having only the use of his left hand, and a glib talker and not of use elsewhere.
He soon ingratiated himself into the good graces of the visiting ministers, who looked upon him more in pity than aught else, and they extended to him charity which covers a multitude of sins. He did active and good work, however. Upon his release from prison he made loud professions of reformation and made pretense of going to serve God and by so doing become a good citizen. It was, however, soon after his release observed by persons interested in his welfare that he was secretly treading the path of wickedness. Soon he was a fugitive from justice with big rewards offered for his apprehension and conviction for the larceny of many horses from the farmers of the state and of Pennsylvania. Sheriffs of many counties were on the lookout to apprehend him. Recently the sheriffs ran their quarry down and landed him in the Mineral County jail and doubtless he will soon be returned to his old familiar quarters, there to once more ruminate the error of wrong-doing. It might well be said of him with Pope, “Why formed so weak, so little, and so blind.” He has received another sentence of ten years in state prison.
Serial No. 3984—Under sentence of death for the murder of his brother-in-law, is an object of great pity. This man for the love of his sixteen-year-old boy murdered a man, for which deed the law demands his life. He and the man murdered were both wealthy farmers at Terra Alta, Preston Co., West Virginia. Last November (1900) his boy was arrested by the brother-in-law for breaking into the cellar of his house and getting drunk on his cider. He had him indicted, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary for the term of one year, which angered his father, who took a shot-gun and shot his brother-in-law dead in his own barn in the presence of a hired man. The father escaped and lived in the mountains a month, gave himself up, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to be hanged Feb. 15, 1901.
His neighbors, who were kindly disposed to the erring man, at once put in circulation a petition to the Governor praying for a commutation of sentence to life imprisonment. His wife signed a remonstrance against granting the petition of her husband’s friends. However, the governor, in order to enable the condemned man’s friends to present the petition to the advisory board of pardons for their consideration, granted him a respite until April 13. Upon his arrival in the penitentiary he was permitted to see his wayward boy, and the scene between father and son was truly pathetic.
Serial No. 3715—An illiterate white boy from Calhoun County, to serve two years for grand larceny for stealing a heifer, sensibly availed himself of the privilege afforded by the warden to attend the night school. He made remarkable progress in his studies, so that he could read and write a legible hand. He was so elated with his success that he stated before his release that he was glad he was sent to the penitentiary for stealing the heifer to procure money to take his girl to the county fair, for now he had a fair education and could get on better in the world.
The West Virginia Legislature passed an act February, 1899, viz.: “The sentence of death shall in every case be executed by hanging within the walls of the penitentiary and not elsewhere. The officers of the court imposing sentence may be present, and twelve respectable citizens, a physician and surgeon, and such representatives of the press as the warden may desire; and the condemned may by request have his counsel, ministers of the gospel, and such relatives as the warden may deem prudent.”
Serial No. 3745—Colored, of middle age, who had served a term in the penitentiary for stealing, was brought to the prison in 1899, from McDowell County, to suffer the penalty of death Oct. 10, 1899, for theunprovoked murder of a “scarlet” negro woman. Upon his entrance into the prison he asked for and was given a Bible, which he constantly read during the time he awaited to be executed by mandate of the law. Ministers of his race paid him frequent visits, anxious to aid him in spiritual and temporal affairs. He professed sincere religious belief and that upon confession of faith he would be saved, yet he did not seem to accept with good grace the assistance offered him by the negroes.
During his former imprisonment while he was employed to clean and scrub the guard-room and the main-building hallways, he frequently met the chaplain; so he made request to the warden that he be sent for to pay him a visit. The chaplain responded at once and devoted much of his time to giving religious consolation and words of good cheer. He, however, constantly maintained that he was innocent of the crime charged; that the negro with him at the time of the shooting was responsible for the woman’s death, by means of a shot-gun. He doubtless was possessed of a scheming mind, and hoped that he might by some means escape the penalty for his crime. Many negro prisoners as well as white ones deeply sympathized with him, for he was considered a “good fellow” when they knew him in prison as one of their number.
A collection amounting to $50.00 was taken up from among the prisoners to pay a lawyer to procure a copyof the record of his trial to enable him to file an appeal to the Supreme Court for a new trial. The lawyer received and acknowledged the receipt of the money, making in return therefor full and profuse promises what he would do to save his life. He took and spent it for liquor, became drunk on the money, and did not turn a hand to save the life of his confiding client. The unfortunate man, hearing of the reprehensible conduct of his attorney, and the time near at hand for his execution, grew despondent and weak mentally and physically. He was baptized, professed repentance, confessed he murdered his mistress, and the night of his execution between the hours of 12 a. m. and 1 p. m. it was found necessary to administer powerful stimulants to brace him up for the trying ordeal. With zeal and courage his spiritual advisor prayed, counseled, and assisted him to the scaffold. His neck was broken by the fall and his death was painless.
Serial No. 3746—A splendid specimen of the young mulatto, possessed of a fair education for one with the limited opportunities within his reach, by occupation a coal miner. He was received into the prison from McDowell County under sentence of death for the willful murder of a sixteen-year-old negro boy, while he was in an intoxicated condition; also to be executed Oct. 10, 1899. He asked for and was given a Bible. He was a musician, playing the guitar with skill, and possessed of a fine tenor voice he was fond of singing hymns, which he did with pathos, rhyme, and music, to the delight of his hearers.
He stoutly maintained that his victim was not intentionally but accidentally shot by him; that he accidentally fired his pistol into the dwelling wherein the boy was domiciled out of his sight. Upon learning that the boy was wounded, perhaps fatally, he procured a doctor to whom he paid $50.00, all the money he had saved from his earnings, to save his life. The boy proved to be wounded beyond the hope of recovery and soon died. The chaplain also ministered to the spiritual welfare of the prisoner and became much impressed with the young man’s apparent religious sincerity and his plausible story of innocence of murder. So much was he interested in him that he made personal and strenuous efforts to save his life. The Governor was appealed to, the Attorney General was called upon for assistance to procure a copy of his trial record, and statements made by him were investigated, and the whole matter submitted to the pardon board for their consideration. After an exhaustive and painstaking consideration of the facts submitted to them the pardon board concluded that he lied and was in fact guilty, and should suffer the penalty for his crime. The Governor, after the conclusion of the pardon board was made known to him, paid the prison a visit. He called upon the doomed man in the death-cell, and the latter made to the Governor a most eloquent and pathetic plea to save his life. With tears streaming down his cheeks, the Governor kindly said, “Would to God I could do so,my boy, but the facts as presented to me are undeniable as to your absolute guilt.”
Now knowing that all hope for escape from the gallows was gone and that he must die, he read his Bible, sang gospel hymns, and played his guitar. He confessed that he was in fact guilty of the crime and was now content to suffer death, as he believed he had made his peace with God. He was baptized, and his demeanor to the scaffold from his cell was admirable and brave. He firmly ascended the stairway leading to the death-trap, stood over it without a tremor while his hands and legs were strapped and the rope adjusted about his neck. When asked by the warden if he had anything to say, he replied in a manly and firm voice, “I have made my peace with God. I am guilty. The causes of my downfall were whiskey and women. Jesus will take me and I am ready and willing to die.”
Serial No. 3772—Colored, was received at the prison in 1900, from Fayette County, to be executed for the willful murder of a prominent negro saloon-keeper who refused to furnish him more liquor when he was already drunk. He asked for a Bible, and when it was given to him he seemed to be pleased, and constantly read it. His attorney, however, was skilled in criminal law, and was an indefatigable worker. The prisoner, an intelligent colored man, peaceable and quiet when sober, believed that he would not have to suffer the penalty for his crime. Strenuous efforts were made by his attorney to save his life. The Governorand the board of pardon were respectively appealed to, but the guilt of the man was so conclusive, and the murder so unprovoked, that at all points his appeal for clemency was refused. He bravely and uncomplainingly paid the penalty decreed by the law and professed his belief in the saving power of Jesus.
Serial No. 3944—Committed from Wirt County, under sentence of death for the brutal murder (by means of an ax) of his wife and step-son, a child in years, the motive being to obtain money to be inherited by them, is a constant reader of the Bible, and at all times is ready to argue passages of the Scriptures with any one who will do so with him. His attorneys secured for him a stay of execution pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Serial No. 3972—Colored, was committed from Kanawha Co. in 1901, for the brutal and unprovoked murder of a negro on account of some money won by gambling. He is a large, middle-aged, gross-looking negro, who has served a term in the penitentiary for stealing. From his life record he appears to have been a vagabond, gambling, preying on the people of his race for a living. He is possessed of some education, a glib tongue, and appears to have made some friends among white people, whom he says are his only friends and are the only persons who will give himany assistance in his effort to escape the gallows. He was to be executed March 22, 1901, but his attorney procured a stay of execution until April 25, pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. He is a constant reader of the Bible.
Serial No. 3789—Committed to the prison in 1899 for twelve years, from Jefferson County, for the alleged crime, in company with other persons, of entering the Potomac river bridge toll-house at Shepherdstown and robbing Richard Morgan and wife, whom they bound and gagged, is an unfortunate victim of untoward circumstances. Evidence has come to light, proved by affidavit, that he is innocent.
The prison choir is made up of a number of good singers, white and colored, the latter predominating. They are under the skill and direction of Mr. Chas. E. Woodburn, a well-known business man of Moundsville, who has devoted a number of years of his valuable time to these boys as well as to the chapel services, and aided the warden in providing amusement on holidays for the inmates.
West Virginia Penitentiary,Moundsville, Jan. 1, 1901.
Dear Sir: Gratified that the generous people of West Virginia have in response to my letters of appeal to them dated Jan. 20, 1899, for donations of literature enabled me to build up a library for my convict charges to 12,000 volumes of books and magazines, I desire to further trespass on their generosity by asking for your support to bring about another measure of reform, viz., a parole law.
The parole law is in force in a number of up-to-date state penitentiaries with remarkable success, bringing protection and good results to society. It saves trouble to prosecuting attorneys and criminal judges, and enables convicts to gain their liberty solely through their individual efforts. For instance, by virtue of the criminal statutes a convict may be sentenced for the minimum of one year or the maximum of five years. The criminal judge upon conviction of the prisoner on trial imposes an indefinite sentence. The convict after the expiration of one year may become eligible to parole if his record is exemplary. Two reliable citizens are required to become surety for the convict’s employment and future good conduct, then he is paroled.
Upon violation of any of the parole conditions, he is returned to prison to serve the maximum sentence.If the convict is a man of family, he is enabled to provide for them; and if he is a single man, he has a chance to become a respected member of society and no longer a menace thereto. Respectfully yours,
S. A. Hawk.
That the reader may know and perhaps become interested in the writer of this sketch of the West Virginia prison, he herewith respectfully and modestly submits to them a sketch of his life. I was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1844. My parents, possessed of more than the ordinary education the poor people of Ireland were enabled to receive, journeyed across the American desert to California, having their troubles with the Indians and their Mormon allies. My father hoped to strike a gold mine and become rich, and in the new Eldorado build a home and surround his wife and children—a girl and boy—with all the good things of earth that money could buy. Soon after our arrival at San Francisco, the cholera made its appearance, the plague having been brought to the golden shores of California by emigrants traveling from the east by way of Central America. My father was stricken with it and died. In the Lone Mountain cemetery, of the metropolis of the Pacific coast, he has lain buried for years. The remainder of the family escaped the dread fifty-one disease. Mother was left to struggle alone ina strange land and among strangers to provide for her children. Not afraid of work, she did her duty to her children nobly, faithfully, and well. She now lies buried beside my father in Lone Mountain cemetery, twenty years gone by.
The war-bugle of the Rebellion rang in my ears and woke me to the realization that I had a country to protect and to save. I enlisted in a California regiment of cavalry and served three years with some merit. Upon my discharge from the army I entered an Illinois college to perfect my neglected education, and after graduation I located in Kansas City, Mo. I began at newspaper work, and have continued in that line of work to the present time, with occasional lapses from it to engage in other and more lucrative employment. A soldier of the civil war, having been wounded, injured, and having contracted disease in the line of duty, I was prompted upon McKinley’s election as President to apply for a pension. I went to Washington, D. C., to press my claim in person with the Commissioner of Pensions. He turned me down after I had some words with him relative to his delay in granting to me that which was mine by legal right and title, expressed by the American people through their representative in Congress assembled, and in fulfillment of promises made to the men who saved the nation. Somewhat addicted to the drink habit, I became drunk at my disappointment and the next day I found to my surprise that I was in thepolice station charged with breaking into and entering a small grocery in Washington City, two miles from my place of dwelling. The alleged damage inflicted was small, but Justice Clabaugh, who had recently been appointed from Maryland, said to me that five years was little enough for the alleged crime.
Serial No. 378.