Carroll Free Press

From the Ohio State Journal.
The Penitentiary

The pestilence still rages among the convicts in the State Prison, though with not quite so much fatality as for a few days preceding.—This apparent abatement is perhaps owing to the fact that there is less food for it to prey upon. All discipline is necessarily suspended—and the appeals of the poor fellows to be released from the house of death are almost enough to move the very stones. All attempt at labor in the prison has been suspended for several days. The chapel and all the shops, except the blacksmith shops, have been converted into hospitals. Two hundred has not been a high average upon the sick list for the last four days.

The Warden and Directors have united in recommending a pretty free exercise of Executive clemency. The Directors have been in constant attendance upon the suffering during the season of trial, and their services and sacrifices cannot be too highly commended. Two of the Directors, (Messrs Ridgway and Martin) reside in this city—and have devoted their undivided attention to the wants of the sick and dying, ever since the pestilence commenced. Mr. Brown promptly came to the scene of duty, from Dayton, when he heard of the condition of affairs at the prison.

The physicians of the city have acquitted themselves nobly on this occasion—foregoing rest, and staying at no danger. One has already fallen in the noble effort. Another is lying in imminent peril—both from disease contracted in their unwearied efforts to extend relief to suffering humanity. The Warden has done what any one man could accomplish, as well to avert as to stay the plague. He has shrunk from no danger. Not more than three or four convicts were put in cells last night. There are not well men enough among them to take necessary care of the sick.