Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1909 — GIFTS FOR PRISONERS [ARTICLE]

GIFTS FOR PRISONERS

Thirty-Eight Presented With New Year Releases. Indianapolis, Jan. I.—Thirty-eight novel New Year's presents were given by Judge Whallon today when he Issued orders for the release of that number of prisoners from the workhouse and jail. In a manner the release«of the prisoners commemorated the work of the Rev. W V. Wheeler, of the Rescue Mission, who died a few days ago It was Mr Wheeler’s plan for many years to keep close tab on the prisoners in the workhouse and jail, and on the first of each year to recommend the release of those he thought had been reformed. , . The prisoners released are rewarded for their exemplary conduct during their imprisonment and on their prom ises to lead upright lives in the future. As a rule the prisoners were locked up for misdemeanors and many of them are serving terms because they could not pay fines.