_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 of fine 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 coal mines,
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 be
A comrade in purpose, sacred to thee.