Youtsey, Kentucky's Famous Prisoner
[Louisville Herald]
Henry E. Youtsey, sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary for his complicity in the murder of Governor Goebel, and at the present time the most distinguished prisoner confined behind the cold, gray walls of the State prison at Frankfort, has at last "got religion."
The man who has succeeded in reaching the heart of this man whose name emblazened the front pages of newspapers from coast to coast almost ten years ago, is the Louisville prison evangelist, the Rev. George L. Herr. The medium he employed was a little pamphlet containing the simple story of the reformation of one Dad O'Brien, an erstwhile scalawag who was finally converted to a new life.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.—Psalm 103:11.
Rev. Herr, who has carried the gospel into the cells of many a poor, crime-stained wretch, not only here in Louisville, but in every prison-house in the country and has accomplished a great amount of good among the outcasts of society, recently received a letter dated October 16, 1909, which reads:
"I am delighted to learn that you visited all the cells today and left in each one the tract, 'How Dad O'Brien Became Converted.' I have read it, and it is simply an additional evidence of a truth that has long been known to sincere evangelists like yourself to the effect that no matter how hardened and steeped in sin a poor fellow may be, the love of God can win him and Jesus can save him, and he can start life anew, singing praises to his Redeemer, and winning the lives of his old companions for the Master. I believe that the happiness of O'Brien's latter years more than made up for all he suffered—for he enjoyed a portion of the most glorious life that could be lived here below. When you get into heaven, as you surely will, Dad O'Brien will be the brightest star in your crown. Yours most sincerely,
Henry E. Youtsey."
Practical Religious Work in County Jail
Dear Brother Herr: