by all, officers, guards and inmates alike, for he
was a good, sincere and true man. Once in a while he would preach
a Mormon sermon, and it would be something new to the boys and they
would enjoy it so much. I remember an inmate by the name of Murphy,
who in his particular way was a good fellow, yet was as rough as
they make 'em. Murphy believed not in heaven nor in hell and never
spoke to the chaplain. I was much surprised to see Murphy approach
the chaplain one Sunday. This is what I heard him say: "Doc,
you knows that I never bother any of you church people, and I ain't
no saint, nor do I profess to be one, see! But I am here to tell
you that the sermon you preached today about the Mormons and the
guy with the eight wives, is the best that was ever preached in this
or any other penitentiary that I've ever been at. Did you see some
of them tough mugs sit up and take notice? Like me, they never listened
to the sermons before.
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And did you see some of the girls from down Lincoln,
how interested they were? Chaplain, shake with me, and if ever
I get religion, the Lord will give you credit for it." "Thank
you, Frank," said the chaplain, "you are a young man,
and you will come out all right yet."
Chaplain Huff had no desire to be the whole show, as some chaplains
have. No week passed by but what he looked for some good singers
and players to come to Lancaster and entertain the boys, and he
brought out some singers of great fame. Long will this good man
be remembered at Lancaster. When he said good-bye to his boys,
there were tears in many eyes.
The successor, to this splendid chaplain, was one P. C. Johnson
of Tecumseh, who had previously served a term as chaplain at the
prison. During my years among many people and in many climes, I
have become a judge of humanity and seldom do I misjudge a man.
I looked upon him for
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