Press enter after choosing selection

Gilman In Prison

Gilman In Prison image
Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
October
Year
1877
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

" Take him to the receiving-room," "Warden Clark said to the keeper. Gilman nervously touched tlie wardon's arm, as if to say something, and then, turning to the keeper, pointed to his valise, and said timidly : "That is mine." " I will take care of that by-and-by," the keeper replied, and then Gilman ollowcd him down stairs to the receivingroom. In the bleak receiving-room, -when Gilman entered, there were the six other convicta whohad been-brought up handcuffed. Gilman quietly awaited orders. He looked quiekly at the other convicta, but without any appearance of repulsión. " Fold your arms; stand in line, with your faces to the wall," said the clerk. The men ranged themselves in line. Next to Gilman stood a negro who was under sentence for larceny. Gilman atood at the end of the line nearest the clerk, and the first inquines were put to him. " What is your name ï" " William 0. Gilman." " How old are you ?" " Forty-three years." "What is you business ?" " A broker." " Where were your bom ?" "Norwich, Ct." " Have you ever been arrested before ?" " I have never been arrested at all." "What!" exclaimed the clerk, in a loud voice, as he looked up at Gilman in astonishment. "I have never been arrested at all," Gilman quietly replied. " Never been arrested I" said the nowbewildered clerk. " Then how comes it that you are here ?" To this question Gilman made no reply, and, as it was a question that the clerk was not authorized to ask, Deputy Sheriff Burns, who was in the room at the time, said that Gilman did what was proper in net answering. As soon as the clerk recovered from his surprise he asked, " Can you write?" "Yes, sir." " Then sign your name to this roll." Gilman took the pen and signed "William 0. Gilman" to the roll m a firm, plain hand. " What have you gotaboutyou ?" said the clerk to Gilman. Gilman took from his pockets his knife, pocket-book and a few trifles, and then took off his watch and chain and gave them to the clerk. Then, suddenly thrusting his hand into another pocket, he took from it a key. "That is the key to my valise, up stairs." Again the clerk was astonished. "The key to what?" lic exclaimed. " To my valise, which is up stairs." ',' Your valise ! Well, we'll see about that by-and-by. Have you gotanything else about you ?" " No, no'thing but this ring," pointing to a plain gold ring on his finger. " Take it off." "I can't get it off." " Then we will file it off." Gilman, alter some tugging, succeeded in taking off the ring, and then he gave it to the clerk. The convicts were then taken into the ante-room to be shaved and have their hair cut. But, as Gilman'a face was smooth and his hair closely trimmed, he was passed by, but was kept in the room until the other convicts were attended to by the barber. Then he was taken to the bath with the others, and, af ter he had removed his clothing, it was taken away. By the side of the bath-tub lay the coarae striped prison clothing, which was put on af ter the bath had been finished. During all this Gilman showed no feeling, and, exeepting that there was a set look upon his face, seemed unchanged. In the yard the seven convicts, in their striped clothing, were placed in Judian file, Gilman at the head. Next to Gilman a negro was placed. " Put your hands on the shóulders of the man 'in front of you," said the keeper. The negro put his hands on Gilman's shoulders. " Now march, keeping step." The convicts marched a few paces, hnlted, turned, and marched back again. This drill was kept up for about half an hour, and, although Güman had not eaten anything since an early hour, his step did Dot flag. His conduct made a good impression on the prison officers. When the drill was ended Gilman and the others were la'jen to their cells, where they will remain, excepting at moal time, until Monday. Thus the Pine street broker began his prison life.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus