The Nation Behind Prison Bars

BY

GEORGE L. HERR, Prison Evangelist

Author of "Light in Dark Places," "You Are My Prisoner,"
"The Life Line," "Man's Worst Enemy," "Nothing
Better," "The Missionary," "The Bethel,"
"Lost and Is Found," and "A
Glorious Rescue."

THE WORLD OF PRISONERS UNKNOWN TO MANY
BROUGHT FORWARD IN DESCRIPTIVE
SPEECH AND VIVID PICTURES

There are enough people in prison in these United States to furnish a citizenship to a considerable territory, or to populate a good-sized city. For the psychological student, they form the most interesting of all objects of study. For the philanthropist, and for the Christian missionary, they constitute a wonderful field of activity. How to lift them out of the criminal strata is the question to which Mr. Herr is devoting his life, in an effort to answer. In a good measure he is answering it. Many prisoners to whom the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation, will rise to call him blessed.—Rev. Jno. Paul, Mississippi.

Foreword

Gathered within these pages are recitals of scenes and incidents in a field of existence fortunately unfamiliar to the majority of our readers. The subject has been handled without any attempt to embellish the hard facts or gloss over the cruel details—the paramount desire upon the part of the author being an endeavor to show the crying necessity for a constant, earnest labor among the unfortunates who are shut away from God's sunshine; whom God still loves, despite their sins of omission and commission. If the perusal of this volume brings to the reader a belief that the cause is worthy, that labor in this field brings a reward which amply compensates for the time and effort expended, the author will rest in the knowledge of a duty well performed. There has been no effort at exaggeration in presenting these sketches of daily experiences among the outcasts of society, no straining for effect, no striving to paint word pictures that may touch the heart. It is simply the story of everyday life in the field of the prison missionary's labor, and is given to the public with a fervent prayer that God, in His infinite wisdom, will instill in the hearts of our readers a feeling of charity toward those whose burden is almost greater than they can bear.

Contents

Title i Copyright ii Dedication iii Advertisement iv Foreword v Contents vii Illustrations ix Commendations from Louisville Ministers x Story of the Life of Geo. L. Herr xiii Subscription Card xvi Chapter First—Life of Geo. L. Herr 1 Chapter Second—"Lost, and Is Found" 10

tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">Chapter Third—"Political Peril," Sermon by Dr. E. L. Powell 23 Chapter Fourth—"Christ the Interpreter," Sermon by Dr. Hawes 34 Chapter Fifth—Throwing Out the Life Line 41 Chapter Sixth—Reformation of Criminals 46      Visit to Nashville Prison 52 Chapter Seven—Does Prison Work Pay? 54      The Work of a Prison Evangelist 57      Youtsey, Kentucky's Famous Prisoner 66      Practical Religious Work in County Jail 67      Praise for Prison Evangelist 69      Sermon in State Prison 70      Revival Stirs Up Inmates 72 Chapter Eight—A Man of Honor 74 Chapter Nine—Jim O'Brien, the Modern Miracle 76      Jim O'Brien Passes Away 83 Chapter Ten—Columbus Ohio Prison 85      The Big Ohio "Pen" Week by Week 88      Chapel Services 89 Chapter Eleven—Incontestable Proof 92 Prison Evangelist's Good Work 97 A Grand Work Highly Commended—John R. Pflanz 98 "Worked Wonders" 100 Strong Endorsement 101 Speaks to Prisoners 102 Sad and Pitiful Story

href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@35221@[email protected]#Page_103" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">103 Resolution Never Broken 104 What is a Friend? 106 "Another Chance I Crave" 108 Letter from Col. Will S. Hays 110 Letter from Capt. Scheider 111 Profanity Shows Mental Deficiency 112 Cincinnati Work House 115 Extermination of Habitual Criminals 116 Criminal Becomes Minister 120 Poem to Brother Herr 122 Success of Reform Criminals—Wm. A. Pinkerton 124 Letter from Editor Star of Hope 137 Lost and is Found 138 Christmas at the Frankfort Prison 139 Hundreds of Letters 144 A Tribute from Jos. M. O'Hara 145 Fishing for Men 147 Branch Library in the Jail 149 Change comes in Curt Jett 151 Christian Endeavor at Frankfort Prison

class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">158 Capital Punishment 165 Indiana Reformatory 168 Indiana Reformatory Chapel Services 169 Clinging to the Bible 172 Tree of Life and Knowledge 173 The World Dying for Love 174 George L. Herr's New Book 176

Illustrations

Geo. L. Herr and Wife—Frontispiece i The Late Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Herr iv Rev. Chas. R. Hemphill, D.D. xv Rev. Steve P. Holcombe 6 The Late Mr. George Gaulbert 8 Rev. Carter Helm Jones 9 The Late Rev. E. A. Ferguson 10 Rev. E. L. Powell 22 First Christian Church and Presbyterian Theological Seminary 28 Rev. T. M. Hawes, D.D. 34 Rev. Henry Clay Morrison, D.D. 40 Rev. John Paul 46 Dwight L. Moody 48 Valentine Burke 50 The Late Col. Mat. Ragland 54 Jefferson County Jail 58 The Late Hon. J. C. Bohart 60 Hon. John R. Pflanz 64 Rev. C. S. Hanley 92 Hon. Chas. F. Grainger 106 Judge Aaron Kohn 108 Rt. Rev. Chas. E. Woodcock, D.D. 112 The Hon. and Mrs. John L. Whitman 116 Gospel Service at the County Jail, Chicago, Ill 118 Wm. A. Pinkerton 124 Louisville Free

Public Library 149 Curtis Jett 151 Henry E. Youtsey 158

Commendation from Louisville Ministers

Dear Sir:

The undersigned Ministers of the Gospel in the city of Louisville, being members of the Ministerial Association, do hereby recommend to your Honor the appointment of the Rev. George L. Herr, a regular ordained minister of the gospel, as Chaplain of the Jefferson County Jail, in accordance with Part 9, Sections 627-632 Russell Statutes, 1909, inclusive.

The Rev. Mr. Herr is thoroughly well qualified to fill the position of Chaplain at the County Jail, he having for seven years previous to the enactment of the present law given up his time and money in this noble work, without compensation from any source whatever, either state, county or city, as the present Jailer of Jefferson County and many other will testify.

• R. D. SMART,
  • Pastor Broadway Methodist Church.
• CHARLES R. HEMPHILL,
  • Professor Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
• W. N. BRINEY,
  • Pastor Broadway Christian Church.
• W. J. CLARKE,
  • Minister Clifton Church.
• A. R. KASEY,
  • Pastor Clifton Crescent Hill Methodist Church.
• S. G. SHELLEY,
  • Pastor Jefferson St. Methodist Church.
• THAD. S. TINSLEY,
  • Pastor Third Christian Church.
• W. F. IRWIN,
  • 4th Ave. Presbyterian Church.
• E. B. PATTERSON,
  • Pastor Trinity Church.
• W. R. HENDRIX,
  • Pastor Methodist Temple.
• J. T. RUSHING,
  • Pastor Virginia Ave. M. E. Church, South.
• D. B. GREGORY,
  • Pastor Woodland Pres. Church U. S.
• G. W. NUTTER,
  • Pastor Parkland Christian Church.
• B. F. ATKINSON,
  • Pastor Rivers Memorial M. E. Church, South.
• C. F. WIMBERTY,
  • Marcus Lindsay Memorial.
• CHAS. A. HUMPHREY,
  • Pastor Portland M. E. Church, South.
• J. D. SIGLER
• E. L. POWELL,
  • Pastor First Christian Church.
• S. H. LOVELACE,
  • Pastor Oakdale Methodist Church.
• C. R. CROWE,
  • Pastor Highland Park and Hill Street.
• T. R. KENDALL,
  • Lander Memorial Church.
• T. L. CRANDELL,
  • Dumesnil M. E. Church.
• C. E. CARTER,
  • Asbury M. E. Church.
• ARTHUR W. BROOK,
  • M. E. Church, South.
• W. B. BEAUCHAMP,
  • Pastor Fourth Ave. M. E. Church, South.
• J. R. McAFEE,
  • West Broadway M. E. Church, South.

Story of the Life of Geo. L. Herr

The Rev. George L. Herr, prison evangelist, has received from Chicago his book entitled "The Story of His Life," by Edward De Alma. Mr. Herr distributed 100 copies yesterday in the Jefferson County jail, and the men received them with great eagerness. Mr. Herr will place the story in all penal institutions. A letter from the Rev. James M. Taylor, complimenting the book, says: "I have read with soul-stirring interest the sad, heart-rending experience of Brother Herr, and the miraculous deliverance by the grace of God; how, by a life of sin, he squandered a fortune; how God found him and gave him deliverance; the romantic way in which his God-given companion entered his life and how they are being used, perhaps, as no other persons to-day in helping those behind the bars. This story will warn the reckless, encourage the 'outcast,' and put a desire in the hearts of thousands to lead better lives."—Louisville Courier-Journal

The Rev. Paul, of Meridian, Miss., says: "The story of Brother Herr's life, 'Redeemed from the depths of sin to the mountain top of salvation,' is a thrilling narrative, published as a warning to the fallen."

The Rev. J. B. Foote, chaplain of the Onondaga county penitentiary, in New York, acknowledging receipt of the life story of Mr. Herr and thanking him for it, states in his letter that he will use the book in his preaching in prison.

When asked if prison work paid, Mr. Herr said: "Who will ever know the vast number that will attribute their first impulse to a better life, formed while in the seclusion of a prison cell, while reading this book. The world will never know how many, when sitting in judgment upon themselves, have learned the great secret, that it takes an omnipotent power to change the current of their lives and give them deliverance from the power of sin, and enabling them to go forth, not to live a new purpose, but a new life."

In 1909 Mr. Herr published 150,000 sermons, books and tracts.

The Rev. George L. Herr, whose address delivered in our chapel last Sunday morning was charmingly refreshing, is a man whose vicissitudes of life lead through a labyrinth that would require a half century of years to make its journey at an ordinary pace.—Rev. D. J. Starr, D.D., Ohio Penitentiary.

Bro. Herr knows the prison work as few men do. He is a man of large sympathy, and having had an experience of fifteen years as an evangelist, knows how to reach the hearts of the men. He has the entire confidence of both prisoners and officials and is always given a most hearty welcome by all.—Jos. Severance, Chaplain.

"The large number who have been helped by hearing your message will be still further benefited by reading your book."—Rev. Albert J. Steelman, Ph.D., Chaplain, Illinois State Penitentiary.

Get Rev. Herr's book for your good, but chiefly for the good of others.

Rev. C. R. Hemphill, D.D., Louisville, Ky.: "I believe Rev. George L. Herr especially equipped for the difficult work of an evangelist to those in prison and to the neglected."

Rev. Wm. Edmond Foster: "His love for lost souls and his zeal knows no bounds. I bespeak for him a life of great usefulness to his fellowmen without hope and without God."

Rev. Horace G. Ogden, D.D., New York: "I have been placed where I have known intimately his work as prison evangelist. I can say he has made a superb record. He has taken an enlarged field of work, and I have every confidence in his increased

usefulness. His book merits a large circulation."

Rev. Ed. Ferguson: "For years he, with his most estimable wife, have given their time and talent to the uplifting of the down-trodden of this great metropolis and they have the respect and hearty co-operation of the best people in Louisville."

Rev. James M. Taylor: "The story will warn the reckless, encourage the 'outcast,' and put desire in the hearts of thousands to lead better lives."

Rev. T. T. Taliaferro, Chaplain Kentucky State Prison: "Your sermons are blessed of God to the furtherance of the works of grace in our midst. May God bless you in your noble work."

Rev. W. O. Vreeland, Chaplain Kentucky State Prison: "You are worthy of the highest commendation."

Men's Bible Class, James Lee Memorial Presbyterian Church: "Rev. George L. Herr's talk at last Sunday's session was a treat."

Rev. George L. Herr, 195 Coral Avenue, Louisville, Ky.: "Who will ever know the vast number that will attribute their first impulse to a better life, formed while in seclusion of a prison cell while reading this book."

The Rev. George L. Herr is bringing out a book on prison life which is abundantly capable of two effects, namely: Enlisting the attention of readers, like a romance, and benefitting the class of whom he writes. It is a two-hundred page book, illustrated with pictures of prisons, and scenes behind the bars.

Dear Friend:

We know you will rejoice with us in the work being accomplished behind prison bars. Many thousands we are preaching the gospel to every year. There are converts all over the United States that we hear from. The outlook of the work was never more encouraging. May we submit to you our plan to secure auxiliary memberships at $10.00 each?

Will you be one?

Departments of Work.

Distribution of thousands of papers, tracts, and other religious reading.

Visiting the sick and poor.

Street work in the slums.

Evangelistic work in the different penitentiaries a specialty.

CHAPTER FIRST

LIFE OF GEORGE L. HERR

By EDWARD De ALMA

A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE BURNING.

"As we sow so shall we reap."

Born in the city of Louisville, of an old Kentucky family, whose escutcheon had never been shadowed by smirch or breath of shame or ignominy, it might truthfully be said of George L. Herr that he had been ushered into this world with the proverbial "gold spoon in his mouth," his father, the late Richard S. Herr, being a prominent and highly esteemed and wealthy citizen of the grand old state of Kentucky. Though surrounded by the luxuries of life, by environments unusually favorable for the development of a strong, healthy, vigorous and clean life, yet Brother Herr's life from his youth up to the period of this writing, presents an aspect checkered with the lights and shadows of temptation, sin, remorse, repentance, redemption and restful peace of heart in salvation through Jesus.

At the age of three months, the death of his precious mother caused him to be given into the keeping of his aunt, a noble Christian woman, and it was due to her teachings that the seeds of reverence for God, belief in his dearly beloved Son and faith in the promise of a life of everlasting happiness were planted deep in the recesses of George Herr's heart, while his father, a Christian gentleman, spared no efforts in his endeavor to bring up his son in the way he should go.

At the age of eighteen years, through the death of his father, he came into the possession of a large estate, but lacking the experience which usually comes with maturity, he developed a spirit of independence which soon brought in its train of attendant evils.

The story of George Herr's experience is the recital of a man's gradual surrender to the power of drink, until the enormity of his fall can but be depicted by contrasting his condition with that as it was a few years before. Then he was a well known young man of Louisville's elite society, wealthy, respected, esteemed and sought after. Friends without number, well wishers innumerable, the door of any refined home in the city would have swung wide open in welcome at his knock. Now the other picture: A drunken outcast, a prey to the buffetings of every chance wind of fate, deprived of friends, stripped of wealth, position and reputation; exposed to every form of evil, subject to the cruelty of every character of temptation that assails human nature. Ostracized from society, barred from contact with any self-respecting acquaintance of former days, can you imagine a more potent example of the victory of Satan through the agency of his chief field marshal, Drink? God grant that this may come as a warning to some one of the thousands of young men who, with prospects as bright or even more flattering than were those of George Herr at the age of eighteen, are at this moment entering upon the path which will lead them, as it has countless thousands, into the abyss of eternal destruction! God grant that the moral to be drawn from this picture will burn itself in indelible letters of fire upon the very soul of each young man who reads this.