Several years ago the poet‐scout, Capt. “Jack” Crawford, delivered a
lecture in the prison chapel to the inmates. In passing it is well to
state that this well‐known lecturer makes it a point to visit the various
penal and charitable institutions throughout the country free of charge,
hence his friendly call at the Stillwater prison.
During the course of Mr. Crawford’s remarks he paused in his discourse and
said: “Men, I heartily sympathize with you for being in the unfortunate
condition you are, but (and the speaker pointed his hands at each side of
the room where the guards were stationed) if these high‐toned gentlemen in
blue uniforms were dressed in the same clothes you are and placed among
you, why I couldn’t tell the difference between you!”
This unintentional joke at the guards caused a great deal of applause, but
when Mr. Crawford’s remarks are examined by cold, logic, it will be found
that he simply told the truth and that the dissimilarity is a question of
clothes and nothing else.