Crooks as a rule read the missionary’s character, and soon find out who are the “easy marks” in the prison. As soon as they find a person—usually a woman who is sympathetic—they pour into her ear a tale of woe in which the crook presents a real case of injured innocence and persecution.
Oftentimes people living at a distance write to the authorities asking that something be done to save heinous offenders who are not entitled to any sympathy whatever. And many times young ladies of good breeding and respectability come to the Tombs and ask to see old crooks whose pictures they had perhaps seen in the morning papers.
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Marriages have been performed in the Tombs Prison since it was first opened in 1838, by clergymen of all denominations, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish, without the least objection. During its long and eventful history it may be said truthfully that Cupid’s arrows have penetrated the gloomy old walls of this dark prison scores of times, where in such cases the love-making ended in a marriage ceremony in which two hearts were made one.
It ought further to be said that these Tombs weddings are of two kinds: Voluntary and involuntary. The latter kind is performed at the request of the Judges of Special Sessions. When a woman goes to the Superintendent of Outdoor Relief in this city, and swears that she and her babe are liable to be a town charge because John Doe, the father of her illegitimate child refuses to give them a support, he is forthwith arrested. If convicted after a fair trial, he is given the alternative of going to prison for a year, marrying the girl, or paying her a weekly allowance. As a rule, if poor, he marries her, as the easiest way out of his troubles. As soon as the knot is tied, “they go on their way rejoicing,” provided everything is all right, and the case against him falls to the ground.
We regret to say that many of these marriages are a failure, simply because the male end of the contract gets mad at being forced into matrimony against his will, even though he knows that he has ruined that girl. As there is seldom any love in such a match, we find in a great many cases after the ceremony is performed, the man runs away. The only redeeming thing about the marriage is that it has saved the name of the mother and child from lasting disgrace. And from henceforth she has a claim upon him for legal support, no matter where he may go. Of course, I always explain the nature of such a marriage to the bridal candidate. If she is willing to take her chances in the lottery of life, and is satisfied, I am always willing to do my part to help her with my services, and for this reason, if he refuses to live with her, she can compel him to pay her alimony in any part of the United States.
