STORY OF PRISON LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9823, 18 May 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

STORY OF PRISON LIFE

An interesting story of his life in prison has been given by John Kelsall, the man who has just been released after serving almost three years of a sentence of fourteen years' imprisonment for the alleged manslaughter of his wife at Manchester, It has since been discovered that a witness at the trial committed perjury, and the release of Kelsall followed. One of the topics on which KelBall delights most to dilate is the events nearest to the hour of his discharge from Portland. One Thursday he was ushered into the presence of the governor, who, in the course of a long talk, alluded to the excellent character which Kelsall had borne in prison. He did not at once apprise Keleall of the news of his release, but made eundry references to the fire on the memorable 2nd of April, 1892, in Sedan-street, apparently with the object of drawing some compromising statement from Kelsall, who, however, maintained his' innocence. At 12 o'clock on Thursday morning the news of Kelsall'a release was made known to him, and the governor extracted a promise from him that he would never take drink again. Owing to some formality Kelsall could not leave until Friday morning, and the remainder of Thursday was spent as a holiday. Kelsall had no work to do that day, but quietly remained in his cell, conscious that on the morrow he would leave the island forever. His joy was boundless, and bis feelings at the prospect of relief caused him to spend a restless night. He rose early next morning and tramped along the winding road to Portland Station, whence he took train to Weymouth. John Kelsall found it difficult to describe the emotional feeling with which he turned his back on the " scenes" of the past hard time. As he lefb the prison gates several warders wished him " Lack and God-Bpeed."