ushered when called upon by friends. It was probably 8×12 feet in size, and surrounded by a wire screen, the meshes of which were so closely woven that it was impossible to see through them, and in addition to this, there was a second, or outer screen, similarly woven, which was placed about two feet distant and immediately in front of the person with whom the prisoner might be conversing. This arrangement, no doubt, was very good, insofar as protection against the introduction of contraband articles by the callers was concerned, but was a miserable place to hold a conversation in, as it was simply impossible to discern the features of the person with whom you might be conversing. In fact, a person could never tell with whom they were speaking, unless sufficiently well acquainted to recognize the voice. There was no secrecy observed, as the screen room frequently contained two or more prisoners, each of whom would he conversing with their friends at the same time.
Mrs. Puter called to see me daily, but was accorded no privileges, other than those extended to other callers. She pleaded with the jailer and also with the Sheriff, for a permit to see me and talk with me in private, but they coldly refused to grant her request.
I was not permitted to receive a meal brought to the jail by my wife, nor would they allow me to accept a bag of fruit. Neither were the prisoners allowed to send out to the restaurant for anything.
Concerning the food served the prisoners it was not my original intention to speak, as I believe, under such circumstances, one should put up with a great deal without offering complaint. It was of such vile character, however, as to warrant some comment, and I can truthfully say. whatever the crime or condition under which men may be forced into the Alameda County jail, under similar management to that which existed at the time I sojourned there, they are truly to be pitied. "Grub," as the prisoners called it. was too complimentary. Swill, in all truth would be a more appropriate term.
Those among the prisoners who had the price, might obtain a meal at any time from the jailer's table, by paying the sum of 50 cents extra.
I could never quite understand why there should be such a marked difference in the management of the Alameda County jail and the Alameda City jail, but I presume that the head of the institution has much to do with the way things are conducted.
During my four day's stay at the Alameda City jail, while I was made to feel my position as a prisoner in every sense of the word, at the same time, I was never treated in such a manner as would tend to force upon a man the feeling that he was not a human being, and I can only regret, since it was my lot to remain in confinement, that I was not permitted to occupy a cell in the jail over which Chief of Police John Conrad presided. I was his prisoner, but not his dog, nor was I ever so considered by him, and shall always hope for the time when I shall become better acquainted with him under more pleasant circumstances.
On the morning of the twelfth day of my confinement in the Alameda County jail, I received a message from Mr. Heney, informing me that I was to leave on the train for Oregon that night and that he would call to see me about seven o'clock in the evening. Upon receiving this information, I sent a message to my wife, advising her that I expected to leave for the North that same day, and asking her to call in the evening, when I hoped to be permitted to talk with her before my departure.
Mr. Heney and my wife arrived at the jail about the same time, and after talking with the former for about fifteen minutes, I was allowed to talk with Mrs. Puter for nearly half an hour, when the Marshal announced that the time had arrived when we must be going to the train.
After bidding my wife and daughter good bye, I was given into the custody of A. S. Dingley and J. W. Richards, the former being a Deputy U. S. Marshal, while the latter acted as his assistant for this particular occasion.
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