THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAi , OCTOBER 3 , lSSo. TWELVE PAGES.
JUDGE MASON UALIFIES ,
The New Secretary of the
sion Rsatly fat Work.
FALSE FIRE ALARMS TURNED IN.
ni ihe Cnpiinl City fict
tuia Hie Solitary nit * Ton li
I'tlBOiitM'w Social Etrrntfl
of tlie Week
TIBS' * MSroT , ! ! WR At * . I
Yesterday .Juilgr Mason.Secretary Itog-
Ken's selected successor to C. 11. t ern us
! erTfHry < of the faUw-iV commission , ap-
i > p-ire < t at Iho capital builditut , | re < enleii
hs , honil nnd win dtil > qualified for the
1'ii-iiion. ' Ho f a * e < l the preater part of
llu forenoon nt UK ; commissioner's rnnms
1'ioKitiR ' into the details and present plans
( if work , which it is safe to predict will
Lo radically changed when the judge
fairly enters upon the. disehnrge of Ma
dm lei. Tim bond furnMied by 0.1' . MJ OII
and duly approved bv the governor ,
is in tin-sum of $10,000 , as required by
law , with C. O. hcedun , A. J. Sawyer
tinil K. K. Moore as sureties.Vilh the
entrance to work it is Iho general cx
pressed opinion that Secretary lloggen
lias made a wl.su selection for the place ,
knowing as many do tlril .Judge Alan on
has for years niiidu a careful study of
railway laws and regulations and will
bring that ability to the commission work
that will in tho'event of there being any
flood in the law , bring it out or inuru
clearly demonstrate its usi'los.siie.ss.
ht'HOOI. IIOM > S
were registered in ilie auditor's oflieo
vestcnlay that had arrived this day before.
They were small in amount , us follows.
District ! ! i , Madison comity , ssM ; ; district
'J5 , Cherrv couiity , s OOU ; district ) , I'helps
county , § -100.
KALM : AI.AIIMS.
Ye.ste.nhiy this lire alarm was sounded
threi ! times in succession , and after half
the. city had becomu excited over it ,
and a half do/.en places had beiMi ru
mored usthe locationit , was found to be a
false alarm. The day before an alarm
called thu department to the MeMurlry
re.sldonei ! on 1C street , but there was no
tire at that place. A gentleman requests
that if luc department are wjr king up
practice that a. general order to tliat
eH'oct bu issued.
TOWN TALK.
The county court has for the past two
days , ami has not yet reached a conclu
sion , been engaged in the trial of the
damage case of J. A. Iloglo vs. O.V. .
Kitchen , of the Capital hotel. Iloglo was
for a short time clerk at the Capital ,
coining from Malone ; , N. Y. His claim
that he sued for is $1,000 or a year's
salary , claiming a breach of contract on
the part of the hotel people. The defense
claims that there was no contract ag-eod
upon for a year and that Iloglo was dis
missed for cause.
There arc some eight or ten prisoners
of the toughest character in the city jail ,
tour of the number being the parties who
came near pounding a man to death at
the depot hotel. For a day or two they
have been insolent and .sullen , refusing to
work out their lines and sitting down
when taken to work. Friday night they
were given a diet of plain cold water for
supper and locked in cells for the night.
Yesterday Marshal IJoneh issued orders
that they should work out their lines if it
took all winter.
Six colored sports who were interview
ing the tiger in a gainbllng room over a
saloon on Klcvcnlh street , were gathered
in Friday evening , and the proprietor ot
the place wont their security for their ap
pearance nt police court , wlmro their
I cases were disposed of yesterday witli
the customary line and cost.
Only two plain cases of intoxication
were before his honor , the police judge ,
yesterday , each escaping with $1 and
costs.
Guy A. Drown , state librarian , leaves
to-day for Chicago , to attend , as one of
tlio delegates from Nebraska , the conven
tion of the Kpiscopal church , which con
venes in that city October 0.
K. 1 * . Holmes , a former Lincoln man ,
but now a resident of 1'iorco count } ' , anil
a member of the legislature from that
place , has made arrangements to move
bad : to Lincoln and enter the law otlico
of Field & Harrison.
John A. McShuno , thn democratic
nominee for congress in the big First ,
and \V. \ A. Paxton , of Omaha , worn in
the city yesterday at the Capital hotel. A
largo nu'nihorof democrats availed thorn-
solves of the opportunity presented to
moot Mr. Mi-Shano.
Kx-Jovernor ( David Duller , of I'awneo
City , was in Lincoln yesterday , and it
was rumored that ho came to attend ; i
consultation here of a political nature.
Funko's Opera house will bo occupied
' f 1 * on Thursday evening by Daly's company
in "Vacation ; or Harvard vs. Yalo. "
Tlie management assure the patrons of
tlio house that the engagement is one of
the strong ours of the season.
\V. 1' . llullings , Aurora ; K.V. . Itreck-
onridgo , Omaha ; C. S. Johnson , Nelson ;
J. C. Dirnov , Crete. S. A Sheldon. C. J.
Doll. V. S. Lewis , Omaha ; 11. K , llonrv ,
AleCook , were Nobraskaus at Lincoln
hotels yesterday.
SOCIAL NOTKS OF TIIK WKKK.
The opening meeting of the Chautau-
qua circle for the year was hold at the
ollico of Superintendent Jones , at thu
capitol building on Friday oyening. The
programme , as prepared and rendered ,
was highly interesting and instructive
withal , anil greatly appreciated by the
Clmutauquans in attendance. The pro
gramme , as announced , was :
Song "Hither Wu Come , ClwuUuiiua' ! >
Host" Uy tlio Circle
ThoLoid's Prayer Circle
Opening Kciimrks ly ! the .Secietarv
KcdahiK of tlio Constitution of the
Circle Secretary
Outline of the Veai's Work..Mrs. Johnson
Mutual ( iruutinKs.ApnllcHtlon lor Mem
bership , Payment of Annual KCPS.
HmtKi'stiuns and Dlicussious Relative
to the Work of thu Year. What Wo
Saw at Ohautauqua MlssJoslo Treinnlno
Query Hex .Mr. Altken
Miscellaneous JiushiL' ! > s.
Hull call with quotations of Riveting.
Thn circle commences with increased
membership and much interest , with thn
following otlicnrsMrs. . T. II. Loavitt ,
president ; Mrs. Isaao Johnson and Mrs.
T. C. Slovens , vice-presidents ; Miss Anna
T'obbotts , recording secretary ; 'J' ' . 11.
Leavitt , corresponding secretary , C. 11.
ImholV , treasurer.
One of thi ) coming social events , already
anticipated with much pleasure and
prominent in social discussions , is the
ball and banquet by thu now Standard
club , which will bo given at Masonio
temple hall on the evening of October
1-1. The club ollicors having this ovonl in
hand are making careful and elaborate
preparations that it may bo in every par
ticular the social event of the month , and
the niemboridiip of thu club entire are
adding their inito that success may be
assured.
The "blue label" ball was hold at
JlasqIo tcmplo hall on Thursday
evening , and was largely attended bv
members of the eigarniaki > r.s' union and
their numerous friends. The ballroom
was handsomely and appropriately
decorated. Thu programme was f.aro-
fully selected and generous in numbers ,
\vhilo the miisiu furnished by 1'rof.
Jonah's orchestra WHS highly compli
mented by all. The committee having
thu ball in charge was composed
of the following members of
tlio union ; K. K. ( ic&ford , J. 11. Kramer ,
Jl Stino , S. Ilohlodcr , J. Pollard amiV ,
K. Ilaro , and thu iloor managers who at
tended to tbo details of thn dnnco were
Harry Stinc , 11. Coovcr , U. lluhvlg and
K. K. ( iesford.
The new secret order , Iho Modern
Woodmen of America , had a large and
IntorcMintf meeting on 'Thursday even
ing , whieh was open to all and generally
attended. l > r. MrKinncy , t'ue chief med
ical examiner of the order , lectured upon
Its aims , objects and work , ami Deputy
IIuRil CoiiMil Yolton also gave a stirring
ml lrc" < . The St. 1'aul M. K. church
choir furnished innmo for the entertain
ment , and for their aid and assistance a
banquet was spread for them after the
ini't'ting. The choir is under the leader
ship of 1'rof. llowell.
Iriday evening Ml s Kmtna nillespio
entcrltmicd a number of her friends at
her home , and the evening was pro-
niiiinccd a very enjoyable one to all
Major Hohannon and wife.aecoinpanied
toy their jruest * , Mi. and Mrs. S. A.
I'M ton of I'cona , 111. , were visitinirOinalin
Tuesday.
Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Homeland 'are en-
joviim a visit from Mrs. M. C.riUinand ( !
Miss Hattie Dcvol , two ladies of Louis
ville , Ky.
Mrs. ( Sondrieh of this city has gone to
Colton , Cal. , for a visit on the western
coast.
M. U. Davoy has gone to Colorado ,
where ho lias a business engagement at
Denver.
Miss Ktta L. Thompson of Lincoln was
married at Klllngham , III. , on the 10th
to It O. Atherton of that nlaee. The
notices of the happy event in local papers
were most flattering to Mr. and Mrs.
Atherton.
Miss Hello Weaver of Lincoln has gone
to Kldorado , 111 , tor a visit at that place.
Fred Kiinke , managerof thcCcntcnnial
opera house , accompanied by his daugh
ter , were in Chicago the past week.
Lo \Ves.sells \ , jr. , proprietor of the
Capital City Courier , was in Chicago the
past week on a business visit to that city.
The Misses Kiuiua and Anna Hull , of
1'coria , III. , are visitinir Lincoln friends
and acipi'iintances the present week.
Mrs. Judge Saviduc , ot Ml. Vernon ,
la , formerly of Kearney , Neb. , has
been visiting Airs. 15. II. lioulding and
other Kineoln friends the past week.
Nov. and Mrs. C. C. I'ierce departed
eastward Thursday for their new home
in Philadelphia , where Itev. 1'iorco enters
upon the pastorate of the ( ierniantown
Haptist church. The First Hapli.it church
people of Lincoln sent with them the
heartiest of vyisho.s for a pleasant home.
Airs.V. . II. Dobson is homo aga u from
a visit in Iho ea-t.
( jeorgo VV. Hanilin , of Alilford , was in
Lincoln Thursday en route homeward
from Denver , Col. , where ho took unto
hiniselt a wife. His many friends are
busy extending congratulations.
Aiiss Cora Dooliltle , who has been pass
ing the latter part of the summer with
friends in the cast , is at homo again in
Lincoln.
Mrs. Jay , mother of Will S. Jay. of the
Journal , is visiting with friends at Dakota
City.
Air. ail'1 Airs. p. M. Drti ° e have been
enjoying a visit from Mrs. J. O. Chase ,
of Fairmont , the past week.
Senator and Airs , Van Wyck , of
Nebraska City , were in Lincoln several
days the past week , the senator attending
the state convention.
Mrs. AL W. Knsign is homo again at
Lincoln after passing the summer months
with relatives and friends in the east.
Airs. Lizzie Sharp , of Alanniiig , la. ,
was thu guc.-t of Airs. Druse the past
week.
KINDLINGTlGHTNING.
How Electricity Accumulates in
Clouds anil Flaslies Into Si ht ,
The observations of meteorologists ,
says Science of All , show that the vapor
which ascends in an invisible state from
the ground carries "with it in calm and
line weather into the higher regions of
the air a very considerable supply of
positive electricity. Eacii minute vapor
particle that goes up boars its own portion
tion of the load. \ \ hen , however , the in
visible vapor has thus mounted into very
hiirh regions of the air it loses its invisi
bility , anil is condensed into visible mist ,
as has already been explained in detail.
Numerous particles of tlio aqueous sub
stance arc drawn close together and
grouped into the form of little vehicles
or globules. Kach one of these is then a
reservoir or receptacle of electric force ,
and as more and more watery
vehicles are condensed more and more
electricity is collected in the gathering
mist ; but each of the water globules is
enveloped by a space of clear air. In a
drifting cloud the mist specks can bo
discerned floating along with the trans
parent intervals between. The clear uir
which lies around the globules of vapor
then acts as an insulating investment ; it
imprisons its own part of the acquired
electrical force in each separate glouulo.
The cloud is thus not changed as a
whole , li.vc a continuous mass of metal ,
witli itselectricit v spread upon its outer
surface. Is is interpenetrated everywhere
whore with the force. It is eomposcd of
a myriad of electrified specks , each hav
ing Us own particular share of the elec
tric force , and each acting as n center of
electrical energy on itsown account. The
electricity which at any one instant re
sides in tlio outer surface of a cloud is ,
therefore , but a comparatively small portion
tion of that which is present fn the entire
vaporous mass. That such is the way in
which electricity is stored in thu clouds
lias boon proved by direct observation.
When a gold-leaf clectro-niPtor is placed
in the midst of a clout ! driven along by
the wind , it is seen that the strips of gold
leaf continually divcrgo and collapse as
the mass of the cloud passes along.
Tliiu'u is an electrical charge acting in all
parts , but the charge varies in intensity
from place to place accordingly as there
is greater or less condensation of the
particles of vapor in each particular spot.
Dut the intlucnco externally exerted by
thn cloud is nevertheless capable of be
ing raised to a very intense degree , be
cause it is , so to speak , the sum total or
outcome of the force contained in the in
numerable internal centres of energy.
It is no uncommon thing for the electri
cal force emanating from a cloud to IIUIKO
itself felt in attractions and repulsions
many miles away. Clouds resting npoa
the remote hori/.on thus frequently produce -
duce perceptible ell'ccts at distances from
which the clouds themselves cannot be
scon. A electrical cloud hanging a mile
above tin ; ground acts inductively upon
that ground with considerable power.
When in the bummer time the tempera
ture of the earth's surface is very nigh ,
the ground moist , the air calm and the
sky eluar , very copious supplies of vapor
are steamed up from thu ground under
the hot sunshine. Clouds , however , begin
at length to gather in elevated regions of
the air out of thu abundance of the sup
ply. The free electricity which has been
carried up with the vapor is at first pretty
evenly spread through the clouds ; but
after a time , as the electrical charge becomes
comes more and morn intense , a power
ful repulsive force is in Iho oiul estab
lished between the spherules of the mist ,
and a very high degree of tension is at
last produced at the outer surface of the
cloud , where it isonvelope.il by insulating
air , until in the end the expansive energy
them becomes strong unoiigh to oceaMon
on outburst from the cloud. Tlie escape
of the redundant charge then appears to
an observer's eys as a Hash of lightning
issuhng from thu oloud. Such , in its
simple form , is tlia way in which light-
niug is kindled in thu storm-cloud.
VonlS Veal !
( J. Darth , 1010 Sannders street Lilltd 8
very line calves yesterday. Call and got
your Sunday meat. Fresh ami clean.
Dargain Corner on J-nnuuu , tuuth
and cast front , amidst splendid improve
ments , very cheap , | 'JOUJ
S. A. Bi.OMA > , % 1513 1'aruam.
IIMTIIIV Tttl l\MTr > A\f 11 * T t H
\\1TI11N \ \ THE PRISON \\ALLS \ \ ,
A Representative of the Bee Reviews tbo
Procession of Convicts.
SOME WELL-KNOWN PRISONERS.
Jimmy llnrke A IlntiiNtmin Mtirilcr-
t > s A Voting liiri'-t'rlsoiiei Tlio
Story ol'a llevoll Some Omnlia
Coll\ lots Prison Com rnut.
II
[ HVUfoi fttftlic Omnli/t / Si wfnjtlrr. . ]
As the eon\5cls liled past the warden
and the several keepers who stood near
the entrance , the only .sound was Hint of
slititlling feet , and there was not mueh
even of that , They seemed to have been
perfectly schooled and walked as if upon
a secret mission and with a strong desire
to itttrnot as little attention ns possible.
There was lower than a do/.en keepers in
the vicinity , and yet ! li)0 ) mortals , drawn
from among thu mo t reckless , daring
and vicious classes in thu community ,
slunk away like sulky children to avoid
contact with their watchful superiors.
There were ,
A MONTI Tin : i : r.NTmrrrvATr.s ,
burglars , thieves , robbers , cmbe//ler ,
forgers , lirc-liond" , bigamists and mur-
dercr.s men , who , when without the
walls , contemned the law and defied its
ollk'crs ; and yet , there was not one of
them who did not appear absolutely
crushed. The greatest braggart was pos
sibly the most abject convict , and more
than any of his associates was mindful
Ion a glance , a shrug of the shoulders era
a muscle of the lace should reveal to the
otlicers of the plaeo that ho did not led
Hit ! superiority of their position. As each
of the tiers was tilled , the guard walked
i > ast each cell and counted the inmates.
When every convict hud been a oer
taincd to bo in his place , the caged
humans were left to discuss their soup
and bread.
This scene is enacted in the evening
AvInJii the men have finished the work of
the day. After supper , they are at liberty
to read until dusk deprives them of nat-
uial light. Kveii then , some are supplied
with candles , by means of which they
prolong their reading until I ) o'clock ,
when a bell is rung , and every light is ex
tinguished in an instant. The immense
pile of cells is then loft to darkness and
the night watch , whose lights servo in a
weak manner to dispel the heavy gloom
which would otherwise envelope the vast
interior.
.IIMMII : nniKi : .
1'ointingto the lirsl eel ! on the ground
tier of the south frontj Warden Mobcs re
marked : "That is Jiinnno Durko's. " 1
approached the grate. Burke stood at
the bars. Ho was as ditlidcnt as a back
ward school boy. Ho was under the gaxc
of the warden , and long familiarity with
jirisou regimen had seemingly caused him
to forget his former demeanor. His face
was palo and dried up , and an ugly circu
lar scar told of the tlirow tic got
trom Weil , into the glass case in
Collins' liarnu.ss storeon I'arnam
street in Omaha , more than six years ago ,
an instant after ho had sent a bullet
through Weil's heart. I saw him a few
minutes later when the exeited crowd
ran after him through the streets , and
again , when , covered with blood , he was
ioijgcd in the old county jail , lint ho
has changed greatly. Wo exchanged a
few commonplaces , and I bade him good-
bye. Ho will bo at liberty next May.
We entered the warden house. Oil' tlio
chapel and adjoining the warden'sotllce ,
Air. Nobes unlocked a door. It led to a
small room. In this were
TIIUKIWOMIN. : : .
They wore all young. Olio was polite ,
neatly attired in alpaca , with a pretty
face , expressive features , set oil with
luminous ha/.el eyes. We took a hasty
glance , and then retired. "The woman
in black is a murderess , " said Mr.Nobcs.
Our party was ama/.ed. They could
scarcely liavo been otherwise , i had
seen such faces before , but they were
those of idealized women who had never
known cither ahanio or crime. She. was
a Mrs , Drown and had coinu from Kear
ney , and the recital of her story by the
warden caused us to marvel that the jury
could not lind justification for her deed.
A YUf.NT ! Llfi : ritlSONEU.
Air. Nobos has an ollico and a private
apartment. These are excellently nir-
nislied. In the firstarc the records. Behind
the rail sat a young , handsome man , with
intelligent features and well-shaped head.
He did not notice us but continued the
perusal of the paper which ho hold before
Ids face. W o entered tlio next apart
ment. "That young man's name is Hall.
Ho came from Choyenno. He. keeps the
records. He's boon hero for live years , "
said the warden. I had not tlio'ught of
him as a convict. "He was convicted of
murder. He's in for life1' ! That was the
succinct sketch of a life that evoked re
gret for sonio of our party , bccaiiso the
man was not twenty-live years of ago.
Ho looked as if blood enough for seventy
years coursed through his veins. Fifty
years to servo in jail ! 1 was shown
A STACK Of I'llOToraiAl'HS.
As a coincidence , it contained pictures
of the most noted convicts in tlio stato.
Alany of these 1 had met. Kach photo-
tograph was numbered , and the work
was done by the prison artist. No pains
were taken to make thorn goms. Never
theless , they showed well the features of
the criminals. Occasionally , there wore
duplicates , ono showing the man as ho
appeared in citizen's dress , the other
when ho was shorn of board , mustache
and hair and clothed in the zebra suit.
In most instances the diflbronce was re
markable. With bearded and mnstachod
faces , they appeared as gentlemen ; with
out these adornments , they seemed per
fect devils. With the history of every
individual the warden seemed most fa
miliar. Ho had long been intimate witli
them , his connection with thu institution
dating bacK about cloven years. In re
sponse to a question , the warden detailed
thu circumstances ot
THK rritisiMi OF THI : CONVICTS
only a short time after ho hail boon given
charge of the penitentiary. The Inmates
overpowered him , pinioned his arms ,
locked him in the gimnl-hou.su , shot one
of the sentries and took possession of the
placo. They were slow in getting out ,
however , knowing that their clothes
would betray them nmj defeat their at
tempt to uscapo. Aloanwhilu , Nobos
worked himself loose , and word wad
finally sent to Lincoln. Citi/.mis has
tened to the penitentiary and the convicts
were soon brought under control. It
was a severe lesson for a now man and
from it Mr. Nobes has doubtless learned
some things with which to bo guided in
his conduct of the institution. Passing
Hi rough the basement , and through sev
eral other parts of the prison , 1 caw a
number of people who have at times
I'KitltUt IS OMAHA.
First of thuso was Jack II anley. the
young man who fought with Fell uirco
years ago , one damp , cold morning in
May. on a muddy plain just beyond the
1'latto on thu Itopublican Valley road.
a morning when overcoats were in de
mandam ! > ot these gladiators wore bared
to their breasts ; a morning also , when
four mo'i returned 10 Omaha from thu
scone with bullets in their bodies. A
Saiindo rs county sherifl'succeedcd in get
ting a Cass county .shorill' to arrest Han-
ley , while ho was asleep , and a tiaun-
dors county jury and judgodld the rest.
He's looking a gentleman , every inch of
him , is fresh , hearty and healthy and will
bo free in November. Then tnero was
Mallard , whom fresh air , regular diet and
and a little cxcrcisu to u certain degree
have rejuvenated , ( ta//.olo , the Italian
murderer whoso knife pierced his victim
six years aao , and a number of others of
tlio same class.
V A H0r ! OKI1 A HTM ESI .
Tlie kitchen , store , clothing and dining
rooms of the help are in the basement.
In the three first ciiunierr.tod. the assist
ing convicts- have sinecures , if such a
term be apniieahlo hi this connection.
Their work is easy , theli surroundings
healthy , and judging from apl > eaianee. ,
their appetite and digc'tioii suggest no
craving necessity for arsaparilla or
vegetable bitters. They resemble the
fnt eook in Kobsnn & Crane * 1'romio.i. '
Among them , howe\cr , 1 saw the black
est whiteinan with the most forbidding
set of leatures 1 hail ever noticed. Ho
was crouched beside a doorway and 1
feared that he might brain mo with his
ladle ns I pi : st.tl. ] 'ii , . others were at
tentive and at the warden's request ,
treated our party to a couple of sip of
the soup , whicli was being poured into
huge pails for dinner. ItMH about ai
thick us molasses , and as savory doubt
less a * that which Walter Scott tell Meg
Merrilies used to make. Section * of
turnip * , beats , potatoes and other escu
lents were lloundering in its murky rich
ness while shreds and hunks ol meat ,
were constantly coining to the surface to
show that they also had a hiuni or
rather a part in its making.
The odor was grateful even to a
satiated palate , and if strong enough to
have gone beyond the walls would have
made many a train ) ) who had traveled
to the fair , bemoan the lot that had thus
far kept him from within the walls of the
penitentiary. I could not help recalling
thu fact that , two years ago. when thu
.stale legislature was uuarreling ever this
same institution , in the city of Lincoln
were involuntary tramps , whom parties
vouched for as honest , begging for \york
and assistance , while , within the peniten
tiary walls , outcasts of society were iiu-
ing'ted , like converted prodigaUat the ex
pense of the good and true of the stato. Of
course , these things must lie , but they are
rather unpleasantly suggestive of an un
equal balance somewhere when recalled.
In the making of this soup , two-hundred
and fifty Pounds of meat an' consumed
daily , ami about seventy-live gallons of
it is required to supply the hungry jail
birds with mid-day .sustenance. We re
turned to the warden's ollico where a
rambling conversation drew forth a
number of
MINOIt TACTS.
There was no place for solitary con-
liiiement , except that in which prisoners
are detained for insubordination. As a
consequence , when a man's sentence
consigns him to one day's isolation , es
pecially on the anniversary of his
crime , he is there quartered.
When the sentence is for a longer period ,
however , it is not noted , because it can
not bo carried out. Some time ago.
Judge ( iaslin's peculiar method of
adapting punishment to the grade of the
crime , sentenced an unfortunate to soli
tary confinement for ton years ! It is ,
therefore. ID be announced , that at least
in ouo instance , this celebrated judge's
sentence lias not been carried out for the
reason above given.
Five men have escaped from the pen
itentiary in tlio last twelve years , and
these have , it iwoiild seem , turned then-
backs on tlio institution for ever. They
have never returned. In this respect ,
there is something remarkable. When a
a man escaped from jail , ho rarely , if
ever , returns under sentence of court ;
but , if discharged , his ruling propensity
to crime generally brings nim iack to
his old lot. The reason of this is prob
ably the severity Which a runaway vvriuld
bo most likely to meet , should his rc-
entree bo discovered. Thorn arc now
twenty-seven convicts serving life sen
tence , and tljeso.havo been committed
because of the two most heinous
crimes known' in the legal calen
dar. Ono of these is murder , and
the majority of the twenty-seven con
victs have been incarcerated for its com
mission. To judge from the appearance
of the inmates , it would , indued , bo a dilli-
ciilt task to determine which are those
whose sentence gives them no hopes of
again entering the world beyond ,
as was instanced in the ease of Harry
Hall. In fact , unless when alone , and
his isolation impels him to retrospection
with tlio fearful consequences whicli that
past has entailed , there was nothing
about him to suggest that ho was to be in
carcerated beyond the morrow. And
yet , unless by means of infirmity un
wise executive clemency or unlawful po
litical influence , ho will go forth from
thosii walls only to his grave.
The records of the penitentiary , with
respect to the men who liavo been im
prisoned it it. arc most complete and
interesting. They tell almost everything
necessary to bo known about the physical
condition and appearance of the convict ,
and these are supplemented by tie
camera. They tire largo books , each
page being divided into columns for a
specific purpose , the entries being made
in a legible and beautiful hand. These
columns tell the name , number , date of
committment , crime , sentenco.oxpiration
of term , time of discharge , ago , occupa
tion , height , complexion , color of hair ,
eyes , place of birth , social standing , re
ligion , habits , education , guilt or inno
cence together with other descriptive re
marks of the convict. I must admit hav
ing read the latter concerning a number
of our more prominent criminals with
interest. Among tlieso were , Oliver ,
Kichards , Hohannon , and several others.
These of the man first mentioned were
short j'ot to the point , while those
of the. others wore more numerous and
detailed. As a specimen , I quote from the
remarks made about a certain convict
selected at random. "Dim scar
on right of nock , light vaccination ,
scar on the upper part of loft
arm , mole ono inch to tlie right of the
back bono , at the lower end of the shoul
der bladu ; largo mole on right hip ; two
false upper teeth ; weight 1UD pounds. "
These facts are ascertained soon after
the convict's entrance. His hair cropped ,
ho is weighed , measured , given a berth ,
and then inventoried , so to speak , after
which ho is dressed like a zebra and goes
forth into prison a full-llcdgcd peniten
tiary bird. This description is invalua
ble in identifying him tor future arrest
or ether iduutiliuaUon. In the vicinity of
the penitentiary i }
A FAIIM , OK KOIITV AC'IIKH ,
which is tilled'by the convicts under a
guard. Upon thisj is raised all the veget
ables used by the prisoners. When the
workers are wiintud behind the walls , a
rod flag is raisyd to the top ot n stall' , a
signal which is , not , cnliroiy unwolcomoto
th ) men who are roasting in the sun or
being ilronchcJl by thu ram ,
TIIK rmsoN i.Aiioit rosTiiAcr.
1 ho manner under which those con
victs caino to bo employed , as is well
known , by the gentleman who has earned
the sobriquet ot ' 'JJqss" Stout would bo
a history in itsujf , It must hero bo but sim
ply hinted nt.'its'inception ' was in 1877.
On the 22nd of &ap lumber of that year ,
just nine years agdito-day , Iho board of
public lands and buildings , consisting of
K. Al. Davis , ISruno T/.solinck , ( Jeo. II.
Roberts , and J. C. Alclirido , advertised
In two papers in Omaha and ono in
Chicago , for sealed proposals lor the
leasing of the stale penitentiary and
grounds , and the convict labor of the
state. The conditions stated in the ad
vertisements were that the successful
bidder should pay all necessary expenses ,
sueh as salarius of olllcors , guards , keep- i
crs , tkirnkovs and other help , heating of 1 '
of the buildings , boarding and clothing I
of the convicts , the state puyjng the eon-
tractor an amount not to exceed sixty
cents per day for each convict. The
bidder who desired the contract for the
least number of years and least number
of convicts , at the lowest rate per capita
would bo awarded the contract , and
would bo guaranteed the use of the
penitentiary and grounds free. The eon- .
yield however , were to bo uutlcr the con-
trol of the said board and tlio warden
and wciv , moreover , not to bo depmed
of any priveleiro * granted bv law.
"
Accordingly" , it seem * that Stout wanted
the smallest number of comicl * for the
shortest period and was satisfied to tike :
them for the least money , because on the
day mentioned , a contract was closed
leading tuo labor of the com ids as above
specified Jo him for the term ot i\ years ,
or until October 1 , lssi * : , and fur caring
for each convict ho was to receive sixty
cents per day for the fir l two year. " ;
fifty-live cents per diiv for the second
two year * , and fitly cents per day for tin-
the third two years , or until the expira
tion of the contract. Ten hours were to
constitute a day's work. 1'ho state ,
however , reserved the ritfht to make any
and all temporary or permanent improve
ments and buildings. ' 1 Ins was a clause
With which , it may easily be imagined.
Stout found no objection , as will appe.tr
Inrthcr along. There is a ho t of minor
details not necessary lo be now re
ferred to.
On the Sflth day of February. I87ti.
however , Stout's contract wa. extended
for u period of six year * from October
1W3 , with the proviso that "Stout shall
build and erect in a good substantial
manner , at In * own expense , for the meet
ot the state and turn the same over to the
state free of charge , October 1 , ! > " < ( ' , two
hundred and forty stone cells , eijjhty of
whieh shall be completed bv the hrst of
October ISSl ; allot said cells shall bn of
good natural stone and siinil.ir to anil
equal in quality to those now in use in
said penitentiary. ' '
These " 210 cells" would require such
iinother cell-house as deserjbed in my
lir.st article , and would require an out
lay of many thousands of dollars. To
build such a structure out of his earnings -
ings , would necessarily Imply that the
business of leading convict * was a most
remunerative one indeed , and su-j est
the wonder that the stale did not go into
the business on its own responsibility.
Yet , llioM ! " 'JtO cells" have notbeen ;
built. Not aslnnu has been put in place
for them. 1 asked ilie reason for Stout's
non-com ; > lianeu with his contract. 1 was
first informed thai no more tiers could bo
eroded in the coil-house because that
would raise the highest cells above tbo
line ot comparatively fair ventilation ,
and that would tend to the injury of the
convicts. 1 then inquired why the cells
wore not built in what must eventually be
the oust wing of the penitentiary , and
received for an answer that Air. Stout ,
recording to his original contract , was
debarred from making permanent im
provements , a right' which the state , as
shown above , reserved to itself. Whether
the original contract is not abrogated by
the later one , especially so , as section 'J
specifically repeals all inconsistent acts ,
is a question over which the last legisla
ture , and. indeed , every legislature , for
that matter , hit * wrangled. Hy whom it
will bo decided ( cannot tell. Certain it
is , Air. Stout is not one who will question
the wisdom ot the earlier indenture.
Another proviso in tlio extension of tlio
contract mentioned , is that , from Octo
ber , 1 0 , Stout shall receive but -10 cents
per day lor the caring of each convict ,
and but-10 cents per day per capita for
the last three years of his contract ,
namely , until October 1 , is'Sil. Another
proviso is that after the 1st of January ,
IbM ) , there shall bo a cell provi.lcd for
each and every Nebraska prisoner , and
further , after January 1 , 1881 , none but
Nebraska prisoners shall bo confined in
tlio penitentiary.
At the present time , Stout is therefore
in receipt from the state of-10 cents pel-
day for every convict. There are ! l'7 con
victs in the penitentiary. His daily in
come for this per capita is ! ? t0.bi : ! ) . His
monthly revenue , assuming thirty days
to the month , is $ : ) , ! - ! , whicli at tlio end
liti.j days would amount to * 4,7I'J. ' 1 hero
are many people disposed to
think that oven if the con
victs were kept in idleness and
clothed and led , the cost of their main
tenance , with the simplicity of their life
in common , would fall I below this modest
sum. Yet , it must bo remembered that
Stout is also at liberty to luaso the labor
of those men to whomsoever ho may , and
as was shown in a preceding article , that
is precisely what bo is doing. For the
labor of each of at least 150 convicts , he
is receiving forty cents per day from con
tractors , thus enjoyingin some instances ,
cighjy cents per man. Assuming that tlio
labor of but one-half of the convicts is so
leased , which is rather below than above
the percentage , his revenue falls butlittle
short ot $7."i)00. ( ) In estimating the bone-
lit to him , I do not consider tlio injury
it is stated that is inflicted upon honest
labor. That has been greater than it is
at present , but it is nevertheless injurious ,
and possibly will continue so until
some moans be devised to satisfy ob
jectors to thu ( abolition of prison compe
tition , who claim that the convict must
not remain in idleness. While such induce
ments , as above , are hold out 10 men to
make fortunes , and at the same time 10
assume the role of friends to the convict ,
there are sure to be lound these who will
be unable to note the diilorenco between
convict and honest labor. 1 am aware
that it is claimed that Stout has not
made money by his contract. Then why
ho to have it extended Whv
is so t
te > ill ! iJ\j eager * " in i \ > i n -viuuiv < v t if ' * ' 1
at the last legislature did ho seek to build
a penitentiary on a small scale in every
county in the state i lie may liavo lost
money in constructing the capitol , but
the people have lost more. They have a
building whicli , in twenty years , will bo
worse limn tlio old ono which has long
since been swept from the face of tlio
earth. As the capitol of a growing state
the pile of badly cut , badly joined ,
cracked and crumbling stones is a dis
grace and ought to serve as a monument
of Iho double , yea , ( ruble cost whicli con
vict labor has imposed upon thu people
of Nebraska. K. A. '
Itoyal Arch Masons.
WASHINGTON , Oct. 'J. Tlio ireneral grand
chapter of the Itoynl Arch Masons at Its
meeting yostenlay completed the election of
ollicers iind selected Atlanta , ( in. , us its next
place of meeting , Following aio the olllcors
cleeted to-day :
Jtouhcii C. Lnnnnnn , Ohio , ( i. ( ! . T.
Christopher < i. Fox. Iliilfiilo , V. V.i. ( O. S.
IJeiij. F. Heller , Tennessee , ( i. O. ( , ' . II.
ItOi-er W. Wn.xlbtirv , Denver , O.U.I' . 8.
Laiisjii liurroiiKlis , Augusta , U.i. , U. ( i.
SvivestcrS. Hean , Cicston , Ohio. G. U. M.
sd y.
Henry S. Onus , Los AiiKelcs , C.d. . U. ( ! .
M. Sd V.
Hiram Dassott , Kentucky , ( ! . 0. M. 1st V.
A Vessel WruuKod ,
OWIN : Sor.Mi , Out. , Oct. : i. The rojunt
comes finm Lake Superior that on Wednesday -
day Inbt , during a hniivy Kale , the captain of
tlio steamer City of Owen Sound , while ly-
hit ; beside IMo island for shclltir , saw a vus-
bel KO down with all hands , Ho could nut
make out what kind of a emit it was. mid
was supposed it came from Venlo ishmd.
Ho Ilouulit Oolil
KANSAS CITY , Oct. 'i Win. Warner , n
vtell-to-do citizen , was induced by a confi
dence man to KO to Lawrence , Kau. , yostcr-
terdav and pay § 0,500 for two KOI | | bricks ,
winch , It was said , had been found by Indi
ans in New Mexico. On retiiriilm ; here lo-
day , thu ingenious s ) > eciilntor found thu
bricks valueless.
Cattln Qiiarantino In Dakota.
Itib.MAurK , Dak. , Oct. " . Uovornor I'ierco
yesterday l ucd a proclamation foihlihliiij , '
tholmportalion Into the territory of raltlu
from Chicago not aeconi.mled | by n cortl- '
llcalo uf health from the ollico of the Illinois
state veterlnnilun or United States Inspec
tor. |
Special Notice to Gnu Consumers.
Owing to some necessary repairs at the ]
gas works it will bo necessary to shut thu > <
iras oil'the-city on Thtir > ln > i .ft Milt , | \
lutwet'iiiho hours of fi Jii u in ami
JLJL'JU a m. 1) J COLLINS , i (
btipt , Omaha Ci a Mfg Co ,
j I
I
j
The Cheapest to Buy. The Easiest to
Sell , Because it is the Best.
Its special features are
its light-running qualities
and the reverse feed , en
abling tlie operator to sew-
forward or backward ,
, making perfect stitch
either way ,
Den /crs / Wen lea in All Unoccupied Territory ,
RMIAXCE OF SODA SPRINGS
A 1'ormor Oanha Lawyer's ' Gallantry To
wards the Widow Williams.
A STOHY OF LOVE AND LAW.
One o'tin ) : Most Notable Trials That
a Jury Ifvor VYrestlril Willi In
the Territory of
IllllllO.
[ IIMf/rn Fin Tlie Omilut .S'liw/ny / / ! , r. ]
Seine fifteen veara usro Hrigham Young
] > aid a visit to Soda Springs , Idaho , the
fa mo of whoso curative waters had
reached his cars. The head of IheAIoi-
moil church spent two or three days at
the springs , everything having been
pleasantly arranged for his visit by the
people of Hoar Lake , n town about fif
teen miles distant , They moved a frame
house over to Soda Springs from Hear
Lake , and otherwise provided for the
comfort of Hnghain. During his visit ho
blessed the springs with a good deal of
solemn ceremony , and assured the people
ple that at some day they would be the
greatest summer resort in tlio world.
Incidentally he remarked to a man named
Williams that in tlie near future a largo
hotel would bo built there by somebody ,
intimating at tlie same time that it would
bo a splendid opportunity for Williams
to erect such an establishment ai once.
Williams , who had boon n Alormon inis-
sionarv , and having great faith in the
head of the Mormon church , determined
to act upon the suggestion to a ccitain
extent at least , llu went so far as to
miinnfacturo the brick for a large house ,
in the hope that somebody would soon
btiv the brick with whicli to build the
hotel. Nobody , however , canio alonir witli
any such intention. The hotel was not built
and \ \ illiams had the brick loft on his
hands. This so disappointed him that ho
not only took to drink but went back on
the Alormon church.
About two years ago Williams had
souio trouble witli a neighbor , who there
upon instructed his young son that if in
the future ho should see him and Wil
liams having any personal dilliculty ho
must got. a gun and shoot his opponent.
Williams and this man , however , made
up their trouble and peace was declared
between them. Unfortunately , however ,
the ne.iirhbor's son was not informed of
this fact , and his father's instructions
were not countermanded. One day Wil
liams and his neighbor were haying a
friendly sculilo. The son seeing them ,
ran into the house and getting a gun
canio out and shot Williams through the
head , killing him instantly. The neigh
bor and his sou were convicted and sent
to the pcnitetiary for a short term.
*
-
The widow Williams , a perfect typo of
Knjrlish boautyand a very clever woman ,
took charge of her husband's business ,
which was that of running a hotel at
Soda Springs , her husband having finally
built a house himself at the springs , thus
partly fulfilling tlio prophecy of Hrigham
Young. At this point a well-known
Omaha character outers upon the plot of
the t story. Air. George N. C'rawford , wheat
at cnu time was a member of the Douglas
county nar and a member of Hie Nebras
ka legislature , upon leaving Omaha went
to Soda Springs ami embarked in thu
newspaper business. He was soon elected
to the Idaho legislature , and was evi
dently on the high road to fame in his
now lield , but taking to drink ho fell by
the wayside for a limu and .separated
from his wife and family. A few months
ago having braced up on the waters of
Soda Springs ho was appointed attorney
for tlio Williams estate. This called him
behind the desk of the hotel ollico , to act
as landlord , accountant , clerk , etc. It is
said that ho makes a pretty good land
lord. Heing a little deaf ho never hears
any complaints about the bill } ri faro or
any appeals for reduction in the price of
board. Incidentally it may bo stated
upon good authority that Air Crawford
soon fell dcoplv in love with the widow
Williams , and let no opportunity pass of
expressing his ardent devotion to h r.
An opporiunity came up not long ago
for him to show his sincerity. Not far
far from the widow's hotel stands an
other hotel , which is concluded by a
Alormon bishop named Law. There is
great rivalry between these two houses.
Ono day some mischievous boys , the
loader being an Omaha youth , worked a
tick-lack on ono of the windows of the
Law house , greatly lo the annoyaneo of
thu landlord and his guests. A tick tack ,
by the way , is a ton-penny nail hung by
a thread against a window , and operate ! !
with a long thread by a boy some two or
llireo hundred yards away , Iho noise
sounding very much like Unit of a tele
graph instrument. Hishop Law caught
the boys in the act , and suspecting that
Alro. Williams , his rival in business , had
iiut them up to the trick , ho wont over to
her hout > ittoinvi t.galcihc matter , taking
along with him the ( lui.iha boy. Law no-
eiisi-d Airs. William of putting up tlio
job , and while Im was o\oitudy ) shaking
his list ut her , the boy niadu Ins escape.
Air. Crawford now took advantage of
the situation , and gallantly cumo to the
widow's r.'sciio. Swelling up to the pro
portions of an elephant he swooped down
with all the fury of uoyelonuupon HUhop
Law , vyho is a small man , and or
dered him out of tlie. house. " 1 will allow
no > man to insult a lady in my im:8iico : , "
said the g.illanl Crawford as liu ejected
the pigmy bishop from thn premises.
'J Ids was victory No. 1. Mated with his
nucccM * and laboring under the belief that
ho had niadu a lasting impression upon
the fair widow's Imart , lie. followed it up
by swearing out a warrant againrt Law
for assault and battery. He wao deter
mined to d.-nionstratfi to he.- that ho
could defend and protect > icr legally as
well as ( > hysiciily ) Tin trial accord
ingly t"i > H plueo and was attended by all
tin people in Soda Springs unit all Iho
cuu'ito J'oai.d about , I'liu dtfi-nduul Law
had as his lawyer Mr. Hiolmrds , the
city attorney of Salt Lake , who hail just
returned from Washington , where ho liiul
been practicing before the supreme couif
of the I'nited States. At t.io time of the
dillioult.v witli Mrs. Williams he was vis
iting in S > da Springs and was a guest at
Law's hotel. Mr. C'rawford , of course ,
appeared for the widow and made the
greatest oMort of his life.
" ( lentlenien of the jury. " said Mr.
Crawford , "you have heard the ovldonoo
in this case , and I lia\e no doubt that any
appeal from me in behalf of my fair cli
ent would he superfluous. 1 believe that
you would return a verdict of guilty"as
to the doicndant without leaving your
seats , and without one word from mo.
Hut I cannot resist the temptation of ad
ministering to the defendant the castlga-
tion whieh he so richly deserves. What
does the evidence in this onso show him
to be , gentlemen of the jury ? It shows
him to belong to the Mormon church ,
the hot-bed of polygamy and vice , the de
stroyer of moiioguhiie Virtue , the defior
of our laws. The defendant is n bishop
in that organised institution of wife-plur
ality. Gentlemen of the jury , what would
you expect irom such a many Does it
surprise you in the least that he com
mitted an assault upon Mrs. Williams
that ho raised his fist at her and used loud ,
abusive and threatening language ? Yet ,
his eminent counsel has the audacity to
maintain that there was no intent to com
mit an assault. How does the eminent
counsel know his client's intent ? How
could he Know what was in that bull
dozer's mind unless ho unscrewed tlio
top ol his skull and looked down into his
brain , if he has any ? The intent , gentle |
men of the jury , is plainly shown
by the defendant's actions , which
have been minutely described by
the evidence. And 1 hope the honorable
court will impose upon the guilty wretch
the extreme penaltv of tlie law. A man who
will proceed to such extremes as to oven
attempt an assault upon a member of the
fair sex should be. treated with the utmost
contempt by all decent and honorable
people.
Air. Crawford sat down amid tremend
ous applause , and as he wiped the per
spiration from his forensic brow , ho cast
loving glances at the fair widow to sco
what impression his eloquence had made
upon her.
The jury returned a verdict of gulliy In
two minutes and a half , and the dofo'nd-
ant was lined live dollars and costs.
It was a glorious victory for Mr. Craw
ford. It remains to bo seen , however ,
whether ho will triumph over the widow's
heart. A. S.
The Hiislmiul of an Actrcsa.
Xiw : YOKK , Oct. S.-Davlil LJebensande ,
husband of the actress , \pioiet Cauinrnn , was
brought before .linlfzo Andrews in the su
preme court chandlers to-day , on a writ oC
habeas corpus , obtained by his counsel and
issued b > .hilri ( } ) Dounhou , of the supreme
court. The purpose of the writ was to have
him admitted lo bail. The prisoner did not
look as natty ns ho appeared In
the court of special sessions yesterday. IJo
wns unkempt looking iiiul his collar and
clothes weie dirty ami soiled with his night
in the tombs. Ho looked as though he had
passed a restless niulit , ami seemed to fcol his
( llMKi-aco keenly. The nubile sympathy had
been tinned by the lesiiiiiony fc'lven In the
police com ! ycstenhiv , and a naiiiborof cen-
tlemeii were piesent to oiler llioir smlcos as
bondsmen , and ho was released on ball.
A Slmlccii Manic.
SoiTII l-'liAJIlNOIIAM , MllSS. . Oct. 'J. It
was learned lids morning that II. 1C. Slni-
niuls , presliloiit of the L'r.iiiklin County JS'a-
tlonal h.mk , at Crccnliohl , Mass. , has re
signed , on account of an investigation of the
bank nmdrs by Itauk Kxandiinr ( jidohlll. 1)1-
icclor Sanderson was elected president pro
tern. It is alleged that about thirty-four
thousand dollars woi 111 of property of very
questionable character hits ciimn Into the po-
sesslou of the bank , mo.tlv that of Sliuonils ,
Siiuoiids is a larcu stockholder in the bank.
Tim examiner states Mat the bank Is still
solvent and can continue business bypassing
dividends. °
Bit ! I''lro In France.
1'AitiS Oct. ' . ' . A contlnKriitlon Is raging In
the town of Thenon , In the department ol
Ioulof-iiB. 'len houses have already
been burned and unless the fire la
soon eoi'.trollcil ' Iho cntho town will bo Uo-
hfroycd
Failure.
SAN Kit.v.vribco , ( M. 3SIirovoY"of \ !
dealers In RIIIIS and sporting mutctlals , nmdo
an assignment to If. K. Slcliiner , their book
keeper , for Iho benelit of creditors. Llablll-
ties S.V > , ( K 0. assets 54 ,000.
Wigwam Slipper ,
Miulo from two piiices riifsol Icntlior. No noaa.
nulls or < mlli'Mjf ti , hint tlio foot ,
a ad.
Clilldion cannot miiKepin-li n niokit vrltli tlimn ,
or njrulHi Imnl'.voi/it iKioi'B or lour curjuta ,
, $ t ; loiitliK , QI ,
C'Jiflilrim'o oc.
Sent bv mull , po t > ire puld , r > r ubove | irco !
KAYWAJE&B BUGS ,
ltuiuruuvu--Couiiavroial Nulional Jliuk ,
M StorU anil Lour t rr ! > > ! 8 tin
ISJJ Doitfjlii * Sti-ert ,
