Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of LoveWheaton, Elizabeth Ryder
Religion
Prisons and Prayer; Or, a Labor of Love
Wheaton, Elizabeth Ryder
Evangelistic work; Prisons
That night I started by steamer for Mobile, Alabama--but God knew I
did not mean to disobey and He let me work among the stockades in the
south until I got boldness to enter other prisons. After a year or
more I returned to Fort Madison and was granted the privilege offered
me before and from that time to this I have always been made welcome
there and have had many blessed seasons within these walls. There is
no place where I have been more kindly received by both officers and
prisoners than at Fort Madison. Chaplain Gunn and wife were always
true and loyal friends. 'Tis now several years since he crossed over
to the better shore. I shall ever remember with deep gratitude the
kindness of himself and family. Chaplain Jessup and wife, and Warden
Jones and wife, as well as other officials, have been especially kind
and courteous. To the prisoners at Fort Madison, also, I must give the
credit of contributing freely from their small savings to my
necessities. While I would gladly mention all who have especially
befriended me I feel that this tribute is due to the officers and men
of Fort Madison. That it is deserved may be easily seen by the
following communications and selections from letters which I find
among my papers:
Warden's Office, Iowa Penitentiary,
Fort Madison, Iowa, August 3, 1889.
The bearer, Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton, a devoted Christian woman,
has for years been visiting the prisons and jails of this country
seeking to do good to their inmates. I think she should be kindly
received and encouraged by prison authorities. I do not think any
one has ever spoken to the convicts in this prison with better
effect and I am sure that no one who has ever addressed them will
be longer or more kindly remembered by them than Mrs. Wheaton. I
heartily commend her and her good work to those engaged in
prison management and to good people everywhere as most deserving
of their aid and encouragement. It affords me all the more
pleasure to give Mrs. Wheaton this testimonial because it was
unsolicited and because of the unobtrusive way in which she goes
about doing good.
G. W. GROSLEY, Warden.
* * * * *
Ft. Madison, Iowa, Oct. 5, 1893.
Rev. J. M. Croker, Chaplain State Prison, Anamosa, Ia.
My Dear Brother: This will introduce to you our dear sister, Mrs.
Wheaton, the prison missionary, who would like to address the
prisoners. Any favors shown her will be duly appreciated.
Yours truly, W. C. GUNN, Chaplain.
* * * * *
Fort Madison, Iowa, June 4, 1897.
Mrs. E. R. Wheaton, Tabor, Iowa.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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