Page:Singular life, adventures, and depredations of David Haggart, the murderer.pdf/24

24 after having received our usual supply, my fellow-prisoners and I agreed to block up the passage that led to our apartments, and break through to the women— They began to block up the doors with benches and tables but I did not approve of that way, and began with the coal-spade to lift up the flags of the floor, and they all assisted me, and we barricaded the door so completely that the jailor could not get at us. We then broke through to the females, and served their doors the same and kept the premises two whole days, during which time we gave way to every wickedness and, of all the depraved scenes of my short and sinful life, none came up in licentiousnes to the jail of Downpatrick. After this period of riot, we were broke in upon and secured. I was ironed and locked up in a cell, and kept in confinement till the day previous to my trial.

"Alas! a prison is the blackest and worst conducted place in the world; many a poor lad is brought to the gallows at last, because his first offence is punished by imprisonment this teaches him evil ways; whereas, if he had been soundly flogged, and sent home to his friends or parents, he might have turned out a good man. I cannot say my bad habits were learned in jail; but this I can affirm they were confirmed there.