THE PRISON CHAPEL

THE PRISON CHAPELReligious services are conducted in the prison chapel each Sunday, and as previously stated, a Catholic and Protestant chaplain preach every alternate Sunday. The attendance, although voluntary, is very large, taxing the capacity of the chapel. Services are held at nine a. m., previous to which time each prisoner is asked by his guard whether or not he wishes to attend.A great many people think that, as a rule, prisoners are hardened sinners, not susceptible to the refining influence of the Gospel. But the facts do not justify this belief, for there are as many Christians in the Stillwater penitentiary, per population, as can be found anywhere. Many of the prisoners attend church every Sunday and are better inmates for the imbibing of moral instruction.The law strictly forbids the teaching of sectarian doctrines and visiting clergymen are instructed to observe this rule.The prison orchestra and choir, consisting of inmates, furnish the instrumental and vocal music for the services. Any inmate who wishes to consult the chaplain of the prison or the pastor of his particular denomination in regard to spiritual matters is always accorded the utmost liberty to do so. The chaplains also attend the sick in the prison hospital and conduct the burial services of the unfortunates who die in prison. Upon entering the[pg 85][pg 86][pg 87]chapel the men take their places on the benches and must remain seated, with their arms folded and eyes to the front. When it is necessary to arise the deputy warden gives a signal and also when to be seated. The benches contain hymn books, and all prisoners are permitted the privilege of joining in the singing.THE DINING ROOMTwo of the inmates' dining rooms are located just above the officers' kitchen and beneath the prison chapel. The population of the prison, however, has increased so rapidly during the past few years that it was found necessary to make room for the overflow in the chapel and mess room opposite the officers' kitchen. One of the rooms in the main dining hall is devoted to first-grade prisoners and the other to the second grade.Entering the dining room, the prisoner promptly takes his seat and remains with his arms folded until the signal to eat is given by the deputy warden. There are six waiters in each dining room, and it is their business to see that the men are promptly served. Some pass nothing but bread, others coffee or water, and the rest attend to distributing the miscellaneous items on the bill of fare. Talking is forbidden in the dining room at all times. The food is very plain, but wholesome, and there is always plenty of it. The following bills of fare, one for the winter months and the other for summer, will give an idea of the food served. They were selected from the house steward's records and are authentic copies for that date:[pg 88]PRISONERS' BILL OF FARE, WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 1907SUNDAY.Breakfast: Baked pork and beans, light biscuits,syrup,butter, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, gravy, bread,pickles, cake.Supper: Hot tea.MONDAY.Breakfast: Fried pork sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Vegetable soup, boiled fresh beef, bread, potatoes,pickled beets.Supper:Stewed Beans, white and graham bread, tea.TUESDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash, syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled ham, cabbage, potatoes, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper:Apple sauce, white and graham bread, tea.WEDNESDAY.Breakfast: Fried beef livers, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast pork with dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pickles,macaroni and tomatoes, bread, cake,cheese, coffee.Supper: Hot tea, prunes and bread.THURSDAY.Breakfast: Vienna sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, stewed beets, gravy, bread.Supper:Peach sauce, white and graham bread, tea.FRIDAY.Breakfast: Fried bacon, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Mutton stew, (potatoes, turnips and onions), bread.Supper: Oat meal and milk, white and graham bread, tea.SATURDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled salt pork, potatoes, cabbage, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper: Hot tea, dried peaches and bread.[pg 89]WEEK ENDING JULY 4, 1908.SUNDAY.Breakfast: Baked pork and beans, light biscuits,syrup,butter, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice and tomatoes, radishes, bread, cake.Supper: Hot tea with sugar.MONDAY.Breakfast: Bologna sausage,green onions, potatoes, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled ham, potatoes, hominy, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper:Stewed beans, white and graham bread, tea.TUESDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, gravy, stewed peas, bread.Supper:Prune sauce, white and graham bread, tea.WEDNESDAY.Breakfast: Fried pork sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread.Dinner: Mutton stew, (potatoes, turnips and onions).Supper:Rice and syrup, white and graham bread, tea.THURSDAY.Breakfast: Vienna sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, baked pork and beans, bread.Supper:Pie plant sauce, white and graham bread, tea.FRIDAYBreakfast: Fried bacon, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled salt pork, potatoes, gravy,spinach, bread pudding.Supper:Oat meal and milk, white and graham bread, tea.SATURDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast veal with dressing, mashed potatoes, beans, gravy, bread,radishes, apple pie, cheese, cake,lemonade.Supper: Hot tea, stewed peas and bread.[pg 90]The items in italics are served to first and second grade only. Items in small caps are served to the first grade only. Third-grade prisoners are required to eat in their cells and are not allowed in the dining room while in that grade.On holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, an excellent meal is served to every inmate in the institution, and they are allowed on all legal holidays to spend three hours in the prison park where they are given the privilege of talking.THE IMPLEMENT FACTORYAt present, although still in embryo, there is in the Stillwater penitentiary a factory devoted exclusively to the manufacture of rakes, mowers and binders, but this branch is just emerging from the experimental stage and may require a year or two to reach a scale large enough to supply the needs of the Minnesota farmers.This factory is in charge of Supt. Downing, an experienced machine man, with years of experience in this kind of work. At present all preliminary work is being carried out and field tasks made with the machines. These machines had to be constructed along entirely new lines so as not to infringe patent rights controlled by the harvester trust. An appropriate name has been chosen for the binders,—“The Minnesota.”The legislature of this state has been very liberal in supplying the farmers with cheap twine, rakes, mowers and binders, and, it is presumed that as soon as some trust controls the price of wagons these, too, will be made by convict labor at greatly reduced prices.[pg 91]PRISON LIBRARYThe inmates of the Minnesota State Prison have a fine library of about 6,000 volumes at their disposal, and it is well patronized. The books have been carefully selected, and all those of a suggestive nature or of the“Dead-Eye-Dick”variety have been excluded. Here are many volumes pertaining to history, biography, science, art and fiction, bound magazines, poetry, reference books, etc. However, the intellectual pabulum mostly preferred by the inmates is fiction and bound magazines. The state subscribes for all the best magazines, and, after they have been withdrawn from circulation, they are sent to the bindery, bound and later listed in the catalogue ready for reissue among the prisoners.There are two prisoners employed in the library who circulate the books and papers among the inmates. The prison has what is known as an“exchange box.”All papers and magazines subscribed for by inmates are permitted to be exchanged for others. Papers circulate ten days from date of issue, and magazines thirty days. For instance, a prisoner subscribes for the Weekly Dial; after he has read it he can place five or six of his friends' numbers on the margin thereof and then drop it in the exchange box in the morning as he comes down the main stairway to work. It is the duty of the librarian to see that such papers and magazines are delivered to the room numbers indicated. When the first man has finished the paper he erases his number and again places it in the exchange box. This procedure is continued until the last number has been reached or until the prescribed limit that it has to circulate has expired.Every inmate in the institution is given a library[pg 92]catalogue and permitted to draw out two books a week. He is his own free agent in the selection of books, receiving just what he has ordered on his library slips. These slips contain the numbers of the books selected by him and are gathered up by the night guards. If an inmate mutilates a book he is denied the privilege of the library.THE MIRROR OFFICEThe Prison Mirror, with the exception of the Summary, published at the Elmira reformatory, is the oldest institutional paper in the country. It is also the only paper exclusively managed by prisoners, all other penal and reformatory periodicals being conducted by a high-salaried superintendent or else the policy is under the supervision of the chaplain.The Mirror is issued each Thursday, has a circulation of about 1,500, and is distributed free to the inmates of the institution, who are permitted to send the same to relatives or friends free of charge The subscription price to the general public is $1.00, and it goes to nearly every state in the Union.This publication is edited and managed by a prisoner, who has full charge of the printing department. Each Wednesday chase proofs of the following day's issue are submitted to the warden for approval, but he is rarely called upon to exercise his censorship, as the editor is instructed to eliminate all personalities and sensational topics.Editor's Room, Prison MirrorEditor's Room, Prison MirrorComposing Room, Prison MirrorComposing Room, Prison MirrorLibraryLibraryWarden's Dining RoomWarden's Dining RoomAny inmate can contribute articles to the Mirror, which, if found satisfactory upon being carefully examined by the editor, are published. Quite a number[pg 93][pg 94][pg 95]of the inmates are very competent writers, contributing regularly to the columns of their home paper.This bright little publication was founded in 1887 by the prisoners.For the benefit of those who have never seen this paper, we select at random the following extracts written by prisoners:“It makes a batsman hot to have the pitcher fan him.”“The only prisoners in this place who have a pull are the barbers.”“A New Year's resolution will not keep by preserving it in alcohol.”“The wife of a big-mitt politician always wears imported kid gloves.”“When a mouse hoves in sight, a woman acts as if she had rats in her garret.”“Sometimes the lady pickpocket will faint in your arms in order to pull your leg.”“It makes a man awful hot under the collar to accuse him of having cold feet.”“A Stillwater girl is so modest that she cannot take the pajamas off a murphy without blushing.”“A boose fighter usually continues to take his little drop until the big drop of—five feet or more.”“In a game of freeze out Thanksgiving afternoon I got cold feet when some one raised six windows.”“When a woman becomes afflicted with St. Vitus dance it generally goes to her tongue instead of her feet.”“Just because a boy can grow a baseball mustache is no reason why a saloon keeper should sell him a highball.”“I do not know whether there are any lady‘bugs’in here or not, but there are quite a number of the other sex.”“‘Y is the Fourth of July. J is the first, u is the second, l is the third and y is the fourth—of July.’Marvelous!”[pg 96]“Count Boni has taken part in many duels, but the only thing he ever killed was the goose that laid the golden egg.”“The trial judge hit me so hard that I not only saw stars, but have been seeing stripes ever since he landed on me.”“A writer says that there is no room in this country for anarchists. But I think we could find room for a few in here.”“The one who cherishes the picture of his or her mother is scarcely beyond hope, no matter how far from the narrow path.”“It is admitted that the tariff is the mother of trusts, but their papa, like the father of John D. Rockefeller, is clouded in mystery.”“The people of Pennsylvania are now convinced that the contractor who built the bootblack stand in the capitol is a polished rascal.”“When the courts register a fine against Standard oil, John D. chalks it down on a piece of ice and then places the ice where the sun will strike it.”“With a few expert trainers and Governor Johnson for jockey the meek-eyed mule is apt to show his heels to all competitors in the presidential race of 1912.”“Throw a few ponies of whiskey into a young man who does not possess horse sense, then arm him with a Colt pistol, and he will make an ass out of himself.”“A French count, who is not throwing his feet under the dining room table as often as he would like to, will soon sail for this country where he expects to cop out another meal ticket.”“In pleading his own case a prisoner in a western state quoted from Shakespeare and was rapped down by his honor who said that no eastern boo-gang talk would be tolerated in his court.”“It is not near so disgusting to see a man with a little streamlet of tobacco juice wending its way through his chinwoodlets, as to see a woman chewing snuff and the rag at the same time.”“When I went to sharpen my knife the other day in the cutting room I noticed a big mosquito on the frame of the grinding stone. He was evidently getting his proboscis in shape for the peek-a-boo season.”“Eddie Foy, the famous comedian, used to sing,‘There are[pg 97]Moments When One Wants to be Alone.’This is the place for that Eddie. You need not look any farther or advertise Morning Telegra(w)ph.”“Out of of a total number of one hundred and twenty-six tramps arrested in Philadelphia the other day, eighty-seven of them were baby carriage mechanics. The new woman has put this industry on the bum.”“One of the inmates who is doing time for horse stealing, had a serious case of nightmare the other evening, Evidently he imagined he was again handling horses on the range and sheriff was gaining on him.”“‘I am pleased to note,’said Tailor Nelson,‘The Mirror is keeping in touch with the latest sartorial fashions in this institution through this department. Coats will be worn longer by some than others is all I can say at this time.’”“Uncle Sam is not seeking trouble, but he is something like the Irishman who threw his bonnet on a barroom floor and shouted, I am not looking for a fight, but there is going to be one if there is a man in the house who dares to jump on that old hat.”“A big longshoreman in New Orleans by the name of Tim O'Keefe has challenged Jack Johnson to a rough and tumble fight. Tim has a hand as big as a ham and when unloading a vessel he uses a three hundred pound bale of cotton for a shoulder pad.”“A woman in the east recently made her pet dog a present of a diamond collar that cost two thousand, five hundred dollars. Now I have reformed, still if I were hungry and did not have the price of a meal, I would be tempted to sandbag Fido for his sparks.”“Cal, the sorter in shop H, who is an old sea dog himself, says that the only practical experience Sin Bad and other local fishermen ever had in the whaling line was throwing the harpoon into one of these miniature whales that are habitats of Liver Brown's free lunch counter.”“One of the villagers here who has been accustomed to having a liquid nightcap before entering upon his nocturnal visits to Morpheus says he is compelled to have a nightcap here just before retiring—and therefore he wears one—made up of a towel. His imagination does the rest.”[pg 98]There are six men employed in the print shop the year around. This includes the editor, the pressman, job man and three compositors. At times, when printers are rather scarce, it is necessary to break in a new man. Some of the men who learned the printing business in this shop have followed up and are successful at the trade. The mechanical work is performed entirely by prisoners, but the printing itself is sent to a downtown press. It is expected that a first-class press will be installed in this department in the near future, which will prove highly economical.The Mirror department prints all the stationery used at the prison. This item alone contributes a large saving to the state each year. The job work is all of a superior quality and in as good form as could be done in any outside first-class office. All the press work is done on an eight-by-twelve Gordon press, but it is now entirely too small for the size and amount of work performed.THE BINDERYThere is a bindery department in connection with the Mirror office and the prison library in charge of a life prisoner, who learned the business while in the institution from a well qualified short-time inmate. He repairs all the library books, binds the state magazines and attends to the binding of all the printed books, blank forms, etc., issued in the print shop. He is frequently called upon to bind books and magazines for the various state institutions, is a very competent man and performs his work in a neat and durable manner.The BinderyThe BinderyManufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in BackgroundManufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in BackgroundSinbad's GreenhouseSinbad's Greenhouse[pg 99][pg 100][pg 101]THE STEWARD'S OFFICEThe steward's office is in charge of Mr. T. W. Alexander, a man who has had at least twenty-five years' experience in institutional work, well qualified to fill the position of chief steward of the prison. All supplies are ordered for the prison through this department and upon receipt are carefully checked to ascertain if they comply with specifications.Supplies are issued from this departemnt on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month, the heads of the several departments making out requisitions therefor, countersigned by the warden. Prison supplies are purchased quarterly through the State Board of Control. Whenever any articles are issued to a department duplicate vouchers are made out, one retained by the steward and the other signed by the recipient and forwarded to the State Board of Control.The chief steward has charge of the officers' quarters and the administration building, and sees that they are kept clean and in proper order. He is responsible for all the property under his charge.THE FEMALE WARDOn an average there are ten females in the matron's ward. This department is located above the administration quarters, and is entirely separated from the cell house; it is impossible for the occupants of the latter to communicate with the former.The women's ward is presided over by Miss McKinney, who has been in charge for many years. The rules governing women prisoners are not nearly as strict as[pg 102]those pertaining to the men. Their food, also, is of a better quality. In the summer they are permitted to take outdoor exercise each evening during good behavior. The women prisoners are subject to the grading system and also receive the benefit of the parole law. If they wish to do so they can attend chapel service every Sunday morning. Their work is not very arduous, being mainly confined to keeping the officers' rooms in a neat and orderly condition.Matron's ApartmentMatron's ApartmentWomen Inmates Outing on HolidayWomen Inmates Outing on HolidayFemale Department—Sewing RoomFemale Department—Sewing RoomFemale Department—Women's CellsFemale Department—Women's CellsTHE GREENHOUSEA large greenhouse is located in the western end of the prison yard, just opposite the prison hospital, presided over by a life prisoner who has been there over eighteen years. By the boys of the institution he is known as“Sindbad the Sailor,”having spent many years on the high seas before the mast in the merchant marine, on board of whalers and in the old navy.The greenhouse supplies flowers for decorating the lawns and park, cut flowers for the hospital inmates, the officers' and guards' mess rooms and the room used by the members of the State Board of Control on their monthly visits to the prison. When Sindbad becomes lonely for the wash of the sea waves his assistant throws a few buckets of water against the side of the greenhouse and he exercises his imagination for the rest.THE POWER HOUSEThe engine room is located on the main street of the institution, and it is here that power is generated for driving the immense lines of shafting that radiate through[pg 103][pg 104][pg 105]the several departments. The power plant is in charge of a chief engineer and several inmate assistants, two of whom are life prisoners, one having charge of the big engine and the other attending to the electric light plant. Both men are under considerable responsibility, but they are conscientious workers and have little difficulty in performing their duties satisfactorily.The chief engineer has charge of the automatic sprinkling plant, engine, steam heating, ventilating, cooking, electric light plant, water supply and all the machinery pertaining thereto. Each of the cells contains an eight-candle power lamp, and the shops and streets are provided with electric lights so that the inmates can see to work during the winter months. As they are employed from seven in the morning until six in the evening the year around, lights are often necessitated.THE PRISON FIRE DEPARTMENTIt is not generally known, but, nevertheless, the prison maintains a well organized fire department. This brigade is not a large one, but as a first aid in case of necessity it is equipped to do efficient service.There are eight prisoners on the day shift and the same on the night crew. The fire alarm system of the prison is as nearly perfect as human ingenuity can devise. There are two hose carts, and frequent experimental runs are made in order to keep the department to a high state of efficiency. At these runs the men go to the fire house, take out the hose carts and make as quick time as possible to the nearest hydrant where the supposed fire exists, the hose is attached and all preparations made as if a real fire were under way.[pg 106]Occasionally a general night alarm is sent in, and when this occurs all the guards residing at the prison must respond promptly. The warden and deputy warden also respond to a general night alarm. Since the big fire of twenty-five years ago, and that which consumed the large paint shop occupied by the Minnesota Thresher Co., about eighteen years ago, there have been no conflagrations within the prison grounds. This, in a great measure, is due to the vigilance exercised in each department in regard to leaving refuse and inflammable material lying around.

Religious services are conducted in the prison chapel each Sunday, and as previously stated, a Catholic and Protestant chaplain preach every alternate Sunday. The attendance, although voluntary, is very large, taxing the capacity of the chapel. Services are held at nine a. m., previous to which time each prisoner is asked by his guard whether or not he wishes to attend.

A great many people think that, as a rule, prisoners are hardened sinners, not susceptible to the refining influence of the Gospel. But the facts do not justify this belief, for there are as many Christians in the Stillwater penitentiary, per population, as can be found anywhere. Many of the prisoners attend church every Sunday and are better inmates for the imbibing of moral instruction.

The law strictly forbids the teaching of sectarian doctrines and visiting clergymen are instructed to observe this rule.

The prison orchestra and choir, consisting of inmates, furnish the instrumental and vocal music for the services. Any inmate who wishes to consult the chaplain of the prison or the pastor of his particular denomination in regard to spiritual matters is always accorded the utmost liberty to do so. The chaplains also attend the sick in the prison hospital and conduct the burial services of the unfortunates who die in prison. Upon entering the[pg 85][pg 86][pg 87]chapel the men take their places on the benches and must remain seated, with their arms folded and eyes to the front. When it is necessary to arise the deputy warden gives a signal and also when to be seated. The benches contain hymn books, and all prisoners are permitted the privilege of joining in the singing.

THE DINING ROOMTwo of the inmates' dining rooms are located just above the officers' kitchen and beneath the prison chapel. The population of the prison, however, has increased so rapidly during the past few years that it was found necessary to make room for the overflow in the chapel and mess room opposite the officers' kitchen. One of the rooms in the main dining hall is devoted to first-grade prisoners and the other to the second grade.Entering the dining room, the prisoner promptly takes his seat and remains with his arms folded until the signal to eat is given by the deputy warden. There are six waiters in each dining room, and it is their business to see that the men are promptly served. Some pass nothing but bread, others coffee or water, and the rest attend to distributing the miscellaneous items on the bill of fare. Talking is forbidden in the dining room at all times. The food is very plain, but wholesome, and there is always plenty of it. The following bills of fare, one for the winter months and the other for summer, will give an idea of the food served. They were selected from the house steward's records and are authentic copies for that date:[pg 88]PRISONERS' BILL OF FARE, WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 1907SUNDAY.Breakfast: Baked pork and beans, light biscuits,syrup,butter, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, gravy, bread,pickles, cake.Supper: Hot tea.MONDAY.Breakfast: Fried pork sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Vegetable soup, boiled fresh beef, bread, potatoes,pickled beets.Supper:Stewed Beans, white and graham bread, tea.TUESDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash, syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled ham, cabbage, potatoes, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper:Apple sauce, white and graham bread, tea.WEDNESDAY.Breakfast: Fried beef livers, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast pork with dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pickles,macaroni and tomatoes, bread, cake,cheese, coffee.Supper: Hot tea, prunes and bread.THURSDAY.Breakfast: Vienna sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, stewed beets, gravy, bread.Supper:Peach sauce, white and graham bread, tea.FRIDAY.Breakfast: Fried bacon, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Mutton stew, (potatoes, turnips and onions), bread.Supper: Oat meal and milk, white and graham bread, tea.SATURDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled salt pork, potatoes, cabbage, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper: Hot tea, dried peaches and bread.[pg 89]WEEK ENDING JULY 4, 1908.SUNDAY.Breakfast: Baked pork and beans, light biscuits,syrup,butter, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice and tomatoes, radishes, bread, cake.Supper: Hot tea with sugar.MONDAY.Breakfast: Bologna sausage,green onions, potatoes, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled ham, potatoes, hominy, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper:Stewed beans, white and graham bread, tea.TUESDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, gravy, stewed peas, bread.Supper:Prune sauce, white and graham bread, tea.WEDNESDAY.Breakfast: Fried pork sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread.Dinner: Mutton stew, (potatoes, turnips and onions).Supper:Rice and syrup, white and graham bread, tea.THURSDAY.Breakfast: Vienna sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, baked pork and beans, bread.Supper:Pie plant sauce, white and graham bread, tea.FRIDAYBreakfast: Fried bacon, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled salt pork, potatoes, gravy,spinach, bread pudding.Supper:Oat meal and milk, white and graham bread, tea.SATURDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast veal with dressing, mashed potatoes, beans, gravy, bread,radishes, apple pie, cheese, cake,lemonade.Supper: Hot tea, stewed peas and bread.[pg 90]The items in italics are served to first and second grade only. Items in small caps are served to the first grade only. Third-grade prisoners are required to eat in their cells and are not allowed in the dining room while in that grade.On holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, an excellent meal is served to every inmate in the institution, and they are allowed on all legal holidays to spend three hours in the prison park where they are given the privilege of talking.

Two of the inmates' dining rooms are located just above the officers' kitchen and beneath the prison chapel. The population of the prison, however, has increased so rapidly during the past few years that it was found necessary to make room for the overflow in the chapel and mess room opposite the officers' kitchen. One of the rooms in the main dining hall is devoted to first-grade prisoners and the other to the second grade.Entering the dining room, the prisoner promptly takes his seat and remains with his arms folded until the signal to eat is given by the deputy warden. There are six waiters in each dining room, and it is their business to see that the men are promptly served. Some pass nothing but bread, others coffee or water, and the rest attend to distributing the miscellaneous items on the bill of fare. Talking is forbidden in the dining room at all times. The food is very plain, but wholesome, and there is always plenty of it. The following bills of fare, one for the winter months and the other for summer, will give an idea of the food served. They were selected from the house steward's records and are authentic copies for that date:

Entering the dining room, the prisoner promptly takes his seat and remains with his arms folded until the signal to eat is given by the deputy warden. There are six waiters in each dining room, and it is their business to see that the men are promptly served. Some pass nothing but bread, others coffee or water, and the rest attend to distributing the miscellaneous items on the bill of fare. Talking is forbidden in the dining room at all times. The food is very plain, but wholesome, and there is always plenty of it. The following bills of fare, one for the winter months and the other for summer, will give an idea of the food served. They were selected from the house steward's records and are authentic copies for that date:

PRISONERS' BILL OF FARE, WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 1907SUNDAY.Breakfast: Baked pork and beans, light biscuits,syrup,butter, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, gravy, bread,pickles, cake.Supper: Hot tea.MONDAY.Breakfast: Fried pork sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Vegetable soup, boiled fresh beef, bread, potatoes,pickled beets.Supper:Stewed Beans, white and graham bread, tea.TUESDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash, syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled ham, cabbage, potatoes, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper:Apple sauce, white and graham bread, tea.WEDNESDAY.Breakfast: Fried beef livers, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast pork with dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pickles,macaroni and tomatoes, bread, cake,cheese, coffee.Supper: Hot tea, prunes and bread.THURSDAY.Breakfast: Vienna sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, stewed beets, gravy, bread.Supper:Peach sauce, white and graham bread, tea.FRIDAY.Breakfast: Fried bacon, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Mutton stew, (potatoes, turnips and onions), bread.Supper: Oat meal and milk, white and graham bread, tea.SATURDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled salt pork, potatoes, cabbage, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper: Hot tea, dried peaches and bread.

WEEK ENDING JULY 4, 1908.SUNDAY.Breakfast: Baked pork and beans, light biscuits,syrup,butter, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice and tomatoes, radishes, bread, cake.Supper: Hot tea with sugar.MONDAY.Breakfast: Bologna sausage,green onions, potatoes, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled ham, potatoes, hominy, gravy, bread,bread pudding.Supper:Stewed beans, white and graham bread, tea.TUESDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, gravy, stewed peas, bread.Supper:Prune sauce, white and graham bread, tea.WEDNESDAY.Breakfast: Fried pork sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread.Dinner: Mutton stew, (potatoes, turnips and onions).Supper:Rice and syrup, white and graham bread, tea.THURSDAY.Breakfast: Vienna sausage, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast beef, potatoes, baked pork and beans, bread.Supper:Pie plant sauce, white and graham bread, tea.FRIDAYBreakfast: Fried bacon, potatoes, gravy, bread, coffee.Dinner: Boiled salt pork, potatoes, gravy,spinach, bread pudding.Supper:Oat meal and milk, white and graham bread, tea.SATURDAY.Breakfast: Corned beef hash,syrup, bread, coffee.Dinner: Roast veal with dressing, mashed potatoes, beans, gravy, bread,radishes, apple pie, cheese, cake,lemonade.Supper: Hot tea, stewed peas and bread.

The items in italics are served to first and second grade only. Items in small caps are served to the first grade only. Third-grade prisoners are required to eat in their cells and are not allowed in the dining room while in that grade.On holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, an excellent meal is served to every inmate in the institution, and they are allowed on all legal holidays to spend three hours in the prison park where they are given the privilege of talking.

On holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, an excellent meal is served to every inmate in the institution, and they are allowed on all legal holidays to spend three hours in the prison park where they are given the privilege of talking.

THE IMPLEMENT FACTORYAt present, although still in embryo, there is in the Stillwater penitentiary a factory devoted exclusively to the manufacture of rakes, mowers and binders, but this branch is just emerging from the experimental stage and may require a year or two to reach a scale large enough to supply the needs of the Minnesota farmers.This factory is in charge of Supt. Downing, an experienced machine man, with years of experience in this kind of work. At present all preliminary work is being carried out and field tasks made with the machines. These machines had to be constructed along entirely new lines so as not to infringe patent rights controlled by the harvester trust. An appropriate name has been chosen for the binders,—“The Minnesota.”The legislature of this state has been very liberal in supplying the farmers with cheap twine, rakes, mowers and binders, and, it is presumed that as soon as some trust controls the price of wagons these, too, will be made by convict labor at greatly reduced prices.

At present, although still in embryo, there is in the Stillwater penitentiary a factory devoted exclusively to the manufacture of rakes, mowers and binders, but this branch is just emerging from the experimental stage and may require a year or two to reach a scale large enough to supply the needs of the Minnesota farmers.

This factory is in charge of Supt. Downing, an experienced machine man, with years of experience in this kind of work. At present all preliminary work is being carried out and field tasks made with the machines. These machines had to be constructed along entirely new lines so as not to infringe patent rights controlled by the harvester trust. An appropriate name has been chosen for the binders,—“The Minnesota.”

The legislature of this state has been very liberal in supplying the farmers with cheap twine, rakes, mowers and binders, and, it is presumed that as soon as some trust controls the price of wagons these, too, will be made by convict labor at greatly reduced prices.

PRISON LIBRARYThe inmates of the Minnesota State Prison have a fine library of about 6,000 volumes at their disposal, and it is well patronized. The books have been carefully selected, and all those of a suggestive nature or of the“Dead-Eye-Dick”variety have been excluded. Here are many volumes pertaining to history, biography, science, art and fiction, bound magazines, poetry, reference books, etc. However, the intellectual pabulum mostly preferred by the inmates is fiction and bound magazines. The state subscribes for all the best magazines, and, after they have been withdrawn from circulation, they are sent to the bindery, bound and later listed in the catalogue ready for reissue among the prisoners.There are two prisoners employed in the library who circulate the books and papers among the inmates. The prison has what is known as an“exchange box.”All papers and magazines subscribed for by inmates are permitted to be exchanged for others. Papers circulate ten days from date of issue, and magazines thirty days. For instance, a prisoner subscribes for the Weekly Dial; after he has read it he can place five or six of his friends' numbers on the margin thereof and then drop it in the exchange box in the morning as he comes down the main stairway to work. It is the duty of the librarian to see that such papers and magazines are delivered to the room numbers indicated. When the first man has finished the paper he erases his number and again places it in the exchange box. This procedure is continued until the last number has been reached or until the prescribed limit that it has to circulate has expired.Every inmate in the institution is given a library[pg 92]catalogue and permitted to draw out two books a week. He is his own free agent in the selection of books, receiving just what he has ordered on his library slips. These slips contain the numbers of the books selected by him and are gathered up by the night guards. If an inmate mutilates a book he is denied the privilege of the library.

The inmates of the Minnesota State Prison have a fine library of about 6,000 volumes at their disposal, and it is well patronized. The books have been carefully selected, and all those of a suggestive nature or of the“Dead-Eye-Dick”variety have been excluded. Here are many volumes pertaining to history, biography, science, art and fiction, bound magazines, poetry, reference books, etc. However, the intellectual pabulum mostly preferred by the inmates is fiction and bound magazines. The state subscribes for all the best magazines, and, after they have been withdrawn from circulation, they are sent to the bindery, bound and later listed in the catalogue ready for reissue among the prisoners.

There are two prisoners employed in the library who circulate the books and papers among the inmates. The prison has what is known as an“exchange box.”All papers and magazines subscribed for by inmates are permitted to be exchanged for others. Papers circulate ten days from date of issue, and magazines thirty days. For instance, a prisoner subscribes for the Weekly Dial; after he has read it he can place five or six of his friends' numbers on the margin thereof and then drop it in the exchange box in the morning as he comes down the main stairway to work. It is the duty of the librarian to see that such papers and magazines are delivered to the room numbers indicated. When the first man has finished the paper he erases his number and again places it in the exchange box. This procedure is continued until the last number has been reached or until the prescribed limit that it has to circulate has expired.

Every inmate in the institution is given a library[pg 92]catalogue and permitted to draw out two books a week. He is his own free agent in the selection of books, receiving just what he has ordered on his library slips. These slips contain the numbers of the books selected by him and are gathered up by the night guards. If an inmate mutilates a book he is denied the privilege of the library.

THE MIRROR OFFICEThe Prison Mirror, with the exception of the Summary, published at the Elmira reformatory, is the oldest institutional paper in the country. It is also the only paper exclusively managed by prisoners, all other penal and reformatory periodicals being conducted by a high-salaried superintendent or else the policy is under the supervision of the chaplain.The Mirror is issued each Thursday, has a circulation of about 1,500, and is distributed free to the inmates of the institution, who are permitted to send the same to relatives or friends free of charge The subscription price to the general public is $1.00, and it goes to nearly every state in the Union.This publication is edited and managed by a prisoner, who has full charge of the printing department. Each Wednesday chase proofs of the following day's issue are submitted to the warden for approval, but he is rarely called upon to exercise his censorship, as the editor is instructed to eliminate all personalities and sensational topics.Editor's Room, Prison MirrorEditor's Room, Prison MirrorComposing Room, Prison MirrorComposing Room, Prison MirrorLibraryLibraryWarden's Dining RoomWarden's Dining RoomAny inmate can contribute articles to the Mirror, which, if found satisfactory upon being carefully examined by the editor, are published. Quite a number[pg 93][pg 94][pg 95]of the inmates are very competent writers, contributing regularly to the columns of their home paper.This bright little publication was founded in 1887 by the prisoners.For the benefit of those who have never seen this paper, we select at random the following extracts written by prisoners:“It makes a batsman hot to have the pitcher fan him.”“The only prisoners in this place who have a pull are the barbers.”“A New Year's resolution will not keep by preserving it in alcohol.”“The wife of a big-mitt politician always wears imported kid gloves.”“When a mouse hoves in sight, a woman acts as if she had rats in her garret.”“Sometimes the lady pickpocket will faint in your arms in order to pull your leg.”“It makes a man awful hot under the collar to accuse him of having cold feet.”“A Stillwater girl is so modest that she cannot take the pajamas off a murphy without blushing.”“A boose fighter usually continues to take his little drop until the big drop of—five feet or more.”“In a game of freeze out Thanksgiving afternoon I got cold feet when some one raised six windows.”“When a woman becomes afflicted with St. Vitus dance it generally goes to her tongue instead of her feet.”“Just because a boy can grow a baseball mustache is no reason why a saloon keeper should sell him a highball.”“I do not know whether there are any lady‘bugs’in here or not, but there are quite a number of the other sex.”“‘Y is the Fourth of July. J is the first, u is the second, l is the third and y is the fourth—of July.’Marvelous!”[pg 96]“Count Boni has taken part in many duels, but the only thing he ever killed was the goose that laid the golden egg.”“The trial judge hit me so hard that I not only saw stars, but have been seeing stripes ever since he landed on me.”“A writer says that there is no room in this country for anarchists. But I think we could find room for a few in here.”“The one who cherishes the picture of his or her mother is scarcely beyond hope, no matter how far from the narrow path.”“It is admitted that the tariff is the mother of trusts, but their papa, like the father of John D. Rockefeller, is clouded in mystery.”“The people of Pennsylvania are now convinced that the contractor who built the bootblack stand in the capitol is a polished rascal.”“When the courts register a fine against Standard oil, John D. chalks it down on a piece of ice and then places the ice where the sun will strike it.”“With a few expert trainers and Governor Johnson for jockey the meek-eyed mule is apt to show his heels to all competitors in the presidential race of 1912.”“Throw a few ponies of whiskey into a young man who does not possess horse sense, then arm him with a Colt pistol, and he will make an ass out of himself.”“A French count, who is not throwing his feet under the dining room table as often as he would like to, will soon sail for this country where he expects to cop out another meal ticket.”“In pleading his own case a prisoner in a western state quoted from Shakespeare and was rapped down by his honor who said that no eastern boo-gang talk would be tolerated in his court.”“It is not near so disgusting to see a man with a little streamlet of tobacco juice wending its way through his chinwoodlets, as to see a woman chewing snuff and the rag at the same time.”“When I went to sharpen my knife the other day in the cutting room I noticed a big mosquito on the frame of the grinding stone. He was evidently getting his proboscis in shape for the peek-a-boo season.”“Eddie Foy, the famous comedian, used to sing,‘There are[pg 97]Moments When One Wants to be Alone.’This is the place for that Eddie. You need not look any farther or advertise Morning Telegra(w)ph.”“Out of of a total number of one hundred and twenty-six tramps arrested in Philadelphia the other day, eighty-seven of them were baby carriage mechanics. The new woman has put this industry on the bum.”“One of the inmates who is doing time for horse stealing, had a serious case of nightmare the other evening, Evidently he imagined he was again handling horses on the range and sheriff was gaining on him.”“‘I am pleased to note,’said Tailor Nelson,‘The Mirror is keeping in touch with the latest sartorial fashions in this institution through this department. Coats will be worn longer by some than others is all I can say at this time.’”“Uncle Sam is not seeking trouble, but he is something like the Irishman who threw his bonnet on a barroom floor and shouted, I am not looking for a fight, but there is going to be one if there is a man in the house who dares to jump on that old hat.”“A big longshoreman in New Orleans by the name of Tim O'Keefe has challenged Jack Johnson to a rough and tumble fight. Tim has a hand as big as a ham and when unloading a vessel he uses a three hundred pound bale of cotton for a shoulder pad.”“A woman in the east recently made her pet dog a present of a diamond collar that cost two thousand, five hundred dollars. Now I have reformed, still if I were hungry and did not have the price of a meal, I would be tempted to sandbag Fido for his sparks.”“Cal, the sorter in shop H, who is an old sea dog himself, says that the only practical experience Sin Bad and other local fishermen ever had in the whaling line was throwing the harpoon into one of these miniature whales that are habitats of Liver Brown's free lunch counter.”“One of the villagers here who has been accustomed to having a liquid nightcap before entering upon his nocturnal visits to Morpheus says he is compelled to have a nightcap here just before retiring—and therefore he wears one—made up of a towel. His imagination does the rest.”[pg 98]There are six men employed in the print shop the year around. This includes the editor, the pressman, job man and three compositors. At times, when printers are rather scarce, it is necessary to break in a new man. Some of the men who learned the printing business in this shop have followed up and are successful at the trade. The mechanical work is performed entirely by prisoners, but the printing itself is sent to a downtown press. It is expected that a first-class press will be installed in this department in the near future, which will prove highly economical.The Mirror department prints all the stationery used at the prison. This item alone contributes a large saving to the state each year. The job work is all of a superior quality and in as good form as could be done in any outside first-class office. All the press work is done on an eight-by-twelve Gordon press, but it is now entirely too small for the size and amount of work performed.

The Prison Mirror, with the exception of the Summary, published at the Elmira reformatory, is the oldest institutional paper in the country. It is also the only paper exclusively managed by prisoners, all other penal and reformatory periodicals being conducted by a high-salaried superintendent or else the policy is under the supervision of the chaplain.

The Mirror is issued each Thursday, has a circulation of about 1,500, and is distributed free to the inmates of the institution, who are permitted to send the same to relatives or friends free of charge The subscription price to the general public is $1.00, and it goes to nearly every state in the Union.

This publication is edited and managed by a prisoner, who has full charge of the printing department. Each Wednesday chase proofs of the following day's issue are submitted to the warden for approval, but he is rarely called upon to exercise his censorship, as the editor is instructed to eliminate all personalities and sensational topics.

Editor's Room, Prison MirrorEditor's Room, Prison Mirror

Editor's Room, Prison Mirror

Composing Room, Prison MirrorComposing Room, Prison Mirror

Composing Room, Prison Mirror

LibraryLibrary

Library

Warden's Dining RoomWarden's Dining Room

Warden's Dining Room

Any inmate can contribute articles to the Mirror, which, if found satisfactory upon being carefully examined by the editor, are published. Quite a number[pg 93][pg 94][pg 95]of the inmates are very competent writers, contributing regularly to the columns of their home paper.

This bright little publication was founded in 1887 by the prisoners.

For the benefit of those who have never seen this paper, we select at random the following extracts written by prisoners:

“It makes a batsman hot to have the pitcher fan him.”

“The only prisoners in this place who have a pull are the barbers.”

“A New Year's resolution will not keep by preserving it in alcohol.”

“The wife of a big-mitt politician always wears imported kid gloves.”

“When a mouse hoves in sight, a woman acts as if she had rats in her garret.”

“Sometimes the lady pickpocket will faint in your arms in order to pull your leg.”

“It makes a man awful hot under the collar to accuse him of having cold feet.”

“A Stillwater girl is so modest that she cannot take the pajamas off a murphy without blushing.”

“A boose fighter usually continues to take his little drop until the big drop of—five feet or more.”

“In a game of freeze out Thanksgiving afternoon I got cold feet when some one raised six windows.”

“When a woman becomes afflicted with St. Vitus dance it generally goes to her tongue instead of her feet.”

“Just because a boy can grow a baseball mustache is no reason why a saloon keeper should sell him a highball.”

“I do not know whether there are any lady‘bugs’in here or not, but there are quite a number of the other sex.”

“‘Y is the Fourth of July. J is the first, u is the second, l is the third and y is the fourth—of July.’Marvelous!”[pg 96]

“Count Boni has taken part in many duels, but the only thing he ever killed was the goose that laid the golden egg.”

“The trial judge hit me so hard that I not only saw stars, but have been seeing stripes ever since he landed on me.”

“A writer says that there is no room in this country for anarchists. But I think we could find room for a few in here.”

“The one who cherishes the picture of his or her mother is scarcely beyond hope, no matter how far from the narrow path.”

“It is admitted that the tariff is the mother of trusts, but their papa, like the father of John D. Rockefeller, is clouded in mystery.”

“The people of Pennsylvania are now convinced that the contractor who built the bootblack stand in the capitol is a polished rascal.”

“When the courts register a fine against Standard oil, John D. chalks it down on a piece of ice and then places the ice where the sun will strike it.”

“With a few expert trainers and Governor Johnson for jockey the meek-eyed mule is apt to show his heels to all competitors in the presidential race of 1912.”

“Throw a few ponies of whiskey into a young man who does not possess horse sense, then arm him with a Colt pistol, and he will make an ass out of himself.”

“A French count, who is not throwing his feet under the dining room table as often as he would like to, will soon sail for this country where he expects to cop out another meal ticket.”

“In pleading his own case a prisoner in a western state quoted from Shakespeare and was rapped down by his honor who said that no eastern boo-gang talk would be tolerated in his court.”

“It is not near so disgusting to see a man with a little streamlet of tobacco juice wending its way through his chinwoodlets, as to see a woman chewing snuff and the rag at the same time.”

“When I went to sharpen my knife the other day in the cutting room I noticed a big mosquito on the frame of the grinding stone. He was evidently getting his proboscis in shape for the peek-a-boo season.”

“Eddie Foy, the famous comedian, used to sing,‘There are[pg 97]Moments When One Wants to be Alone.’This is the place for that Eddie. You need not look any farther or advertise Morning Telegra(w)ph.”

“Out of of a total number of one hundred and twenty-six tramps arrested in Philadelphia the other day, eighty-seven of them were baby carriage mechanics. The new woman has put this industry on the bum.”

“One of the inmates who is doing time for horse stealing, had a serious case of nightmare the other evening, Evidently he imagined he was again handling horses on the range and sheriff was gaining on him.”

“‘I am pleased to note,’said Tailor Nelson,‘The Mirror is keeping in touch with the latest sartorial fashions in this institution through this department. Coats will be worn longer by some than others is all I can say at this time.’”

“Uncle Sam is not seeking trouble, but he is something like the Irishman who threw his bonnet on a barroom floor and shouted, I am not looking for a fight, but there is going to be one if there is a man in the house who dares to jump on that old hat.”

“A big longshoreman in New Orleans by the name of Tim O'Keefe has challenged Jack Johnson to a rough and tumble fight. Tim has a hand as big as a ham and when unloading a vessel he uses a three hundred pound bale of cotton for a shoulder pad.”

“A woman in the east recently made her pet dog a present of a diamond collar that cost two thousand, five hundred dollars. Now I have reformed, still if I were hungry and did not have the price of a meal, I would be tempted to sandbag Fido for his sparks.”

“Cal, the sorter in shop H, who is an old sea dog himself, says that the only practical experience Sin Bad and other local fishermen ever had in the whaling line was throwing the harpoon into one of these miniature whales that are habitats of Liver Brown's free lunch counter.”

“One of the villagers here who has been accustomed to having a liquid nightcap before entering upon his nocturnal visits to Morpheus says he is compelled to have a nightcap here just before retiring—and therefore he wears one—made up of a towel. His imagination does the rest.”

There are six men employed in the print shop the year around. This includes the editor, the pressman, job man and three compositors. At times, when printers are rather scarce, it is necessary to break in a new man. Some of the men who learned the printing business in this shop have followed up and are successful at the trade. The mechanical work is performed entirely by prisoners, but the printing itself is sent to a downtown press. It is expected that a first-class press will be installed in this department in the near future, which will prove highly economical.

The Mirror department prints all the stationery used at the prison. This item alone contributes a large saving to the state each year. The job work is all of a superior quality and in as good form as could be done in any outside first-class office. All the press work is done on an eight-by-twelve Gordon press, but it is now entirely too small for the size and amount of work performed.

THE BINDERYThere is a bindery department in connection with the Mirror office and the prison library in charge of a life prisoner, who learned the business while in the institution from a well qualified short-time inmate. He repairs all the library books, binds the state magazines and attends to the binding of all the printed books, blank forms, etc., issued in the print shop. He is frequently called upon to bind books and magazines for the various state institutions, is a very competent man and performs his work in a neat and durable manner.The BinderyThe BinderyManufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in BackgroundManufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in BackgroundSinbad's GreenhouseSinbad's Greenhouse

There is a bindery department in connection with the Mirror office and the prison library in charge of a life prisoner, who learned the business while in the institution from a well qualified short-time inmate. He repairs all the library books, binds the state magazines and attends to the binding of all the printed books, blank forms, etc., issued in the print shop. He is frequently called upon to bind books and magazines for the various state institutions, is a very competent man and performs his work in a neat and durable manner.

The BinderyThe Bindery

The Bindery

Manufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in BackgroundManufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in Background

Manufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in Background

Sinbad's GreenhouseSinbad's Greenhouse

Sinbad's Greenhouse

THE STEWARD'S OFFICEThe steward's office is in charge of Mr. T. W. Alexander, a man who has had at least twenty-five years' experience in institutional work, well qualified to fill the position of chief steward of the prison. All supplies are ordered for the prison through this department and upon receipt are carefully checked to ascertain if they comply with specifications.Supplies are issued from this departemnt on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month, the heads of the several departments making out requisitions therefor, countersigned by the warden. Prison supplies are purchased quarterly through the State Board of Control. Whenever any articles are issued to a department duplicate vouchers are made out, one retained by the steward and the other signed by the recipient and forwarded to the State Board of Control.The chief steward has charge of the officers' quarters and the administration building, and sees that they are kept clean and in proper order. He is responsible for all the property under his charge.

The steward's office is in charge of Mr. T. W. Alexander, a man who has had at least twenty-five years' experience in institutional work, well qualified to fill the position of chief steward of the prison. All supplies are ordered for the prison through this department and upon receipt are carefully checked to ascertain if they comply with specifications.

Supplies are issued from this departemnt on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month, the heads of the several departments making out requisitions therefor, countersigned by the warden. Prison supplies are purchased quarterly through the State Board of Control. Whenever any articles are issued to a department duplicate vouchers are made out, one retained by the steward and the other signed by the recipient and forwarded to the State Board of Control.

The chief steward has charge of the officers' quarters and the administration building, and sees that they are kept clean and in proper order. He is responsible for all the property under his charge.

THE FEMALE WARDOn an average there are ten females in the matron's ward. This department is located above the administration quarters, and is entirely separated from the cell house; it is impossible for the occupants of the latter to communicate with the former.The women's ward is presided over by Miss McKinney, who has been in charge for many years. The rules governing women prisoners are not nearly as strict as[pg 102]those pertaining to the men. Their food, also, is of a better quality. In the summer they are permitted to take outdoor exercise each evening during good behavior. The women prisoners are subject to the grading system and also receive the benefit of the parole law. If they wish to do so they can attend chapel service every Sunday morning. Their work is not very arduous, being mainly confined to keeping the officers' rooms in a neat and orderly condition.Matron's ApartmentMatron's ApartmentWomen Inmates Outing on HolidayWomen Inmates Outing on HolidayFemale Department—Sewing RoomFemale Department—Sewing RoomFemale Department—Women's CellsFemale Department—Women's Cells

On an average there are ten females in the matron's ward. This department is located above the administration quarters, and is entirely separated from the cell house; it is impossible for the occupants of the latter to communicate with the former.

The women's ward is presided over by Miss McKinney, who has been in charge for many years. The rules governing women prisoners are not nearly as strict as[pg 102]those pertaining to the men. Their food, also, is of a better quality. In the summer they are permitted to take outdoor exercise each evening during good behavior. The women prisoners are subject to the grading system and also receive the benefit of the parole law. If they wish to do so they can attend chapel service every Sunday morning. Their work is not very arduous, being mainly confined to keeping the officers' rooms in a neat and orderly condition.

Matron's ApartmentMatron's Apartment

Matron's Apartment

Women Inmates Outing on HolidayWomen Inmates Outing on Holiday

Women Inmates Outing on Holiday

Female Department—Sewing RoomFemale Department—Sewing Room

Female Department—Sewing Room

Female Department—Women's CellsFemale Department—Women's Cells

Female Department—Women's Cells

THE GREENHOUSEA large greenhouse is located in the western end of the prison yard, just opposite the prison hospital, presided over by a life prisoner who has been there over eighteen years. By the boys of the institution he is known as“Sindbad the Sailor,”having spent many years on the high seas before the mast in the merchant marine, on board of whalers and in the old navy.The greenhouse supplies flowers for decorating the lawns and park, cut flowers for the hospital inmates, the officers' and guards' mess rooms and the room used by the members of the State Board of Control on their monthly visits to the prison. When Sindbad becomes lonely for the wash of the sea waves his assistant throws a few buckets of water against the side of the greenhouse and he exercises his imagination for the rest.

A large greenhouse is located in the western end of the prison yard, just opposite the prison hospital, presided over by a life prisoner who has been there over eighteen years. By the boys of the institution he is known as“Sindbad the Sailor,”having spent many years on the high seas before the mast in the merchant marine, on board of whalers and in the old navy.

The greenhouse supplies flowers for decorating the lawns and park, cut flowers for the hospital inmates, the officers' and guards' mess rooms and the room used by the members of the State Board of Control on their monthly visits to the prison. When Sindbad becomes lonely for the wash of the sea waves his assistant throws a few buckets of water against the side of the greenhouse and he exercises his imagination for the rest.

THE POWER HOUSEThe engine room is located on the main street of the institution, and it is here that power is generated for driving the immense lines of shafting that radiate through[pg 103][pg 104][pg 105]the several departments. The power plant is in charge of a chief engineer and several inmate assistants, two of whom are life prisoners, one having charge of the big engine and the other attending to the electric light plant. Both men are under considerable responsibility, but they are conscientious workers and have little difficulty in performing their duties satisfactorily.The chief engineer has charge of the automatic sprinkling plant, engine, steam heating, ventilating, cooking, electric light plant, water supply and all the machinery pertaining thereto. Each of the cells contains an eight-candle power lamp, and the shops and streets are provided with electric lights so that the inmates can see to work during the winter months. As they are employed from seven in the morning until six in the evening the year around, lights are often necessitated.

The engine room is located on the main street of the institution, and it is here that power is generated for driving the immense lines of shafting that radiate through[pg 103][pg 104][pg 105]the several departments. The power plant is in charge of a chief engineer and several inmate assistants, two of whom are life prisoners, one having charge of the big engine and the other attending to the electric light plant. Both men are under considerable responsibility, but they are conscientious workers and have little difficulty in performing their duties satisfactorily.

The chief engineer has charge of the automatic sprinkling plant, engine, steam heating, ventilating, cooking, electric light plant, water supply and all the machinery pertaining thereto. Each of the cells contains an eight-candle power lamp, and the shops and streets are provided with electric lights so that the inmates can see to work during the winter months. As they are employed from seven in the morning until six in the evening the year around, lights are often necessitated.

THE PRISON FIRE DEPARTMENTIt is not generally known, but, nevertheless, the prison maintains a well organized fire department. This brigade is not a large one, but as a first aid in case of necessity it is equipped to do efficient service.There are eight prisoners on the day shift and the same on the night crew. The fire alarm system of the prison is as nearly perfect as human ingenuity can devise. There are two hose carts, and frequent experimental runs are made in order to keep the department to a high state of efficiency. At these runs the men go to the fire house, take out the hose carts and make as quick time as possible to the nearest hydrant where the supposed fire exists, the hose is attached and all preparations made as if a real fire were under way.[pg 106]Occasionally a general night alarm is sent in, and when this occurs all the guards residing at the prison must respond promptly. The warden and deputy warden also respond to a general night alarm. Since the big fire of twenty-five years ago, and that which consumed the large paint shop occupied by the Minnesota Thresher Co., about eighteen years ago, there have been no conflagrations within the prison grounds. This, in a great measure, is due to the vigilance exercised in each department in regard to leaving refuse and inflammable material lying around.

It is not generally known, but, nevertheless, the prison maintains a well organized fire department. This brigade is not a large one, but as a first aid in case of necessity it is equipped to do efficient service.

There are eight prisoners on the day shift and the same on the night crew. The fire alarm system of the prison is as nearly perfect as human ingenuity can devise. There are two hose carts, and frequent experimental runs are made in order to keep the department to a high state of efficiency. At these runs the men go to the fire house, take out the hose carts and make as quick time as possible to the nearest hydrant where the supposed fire exists, the hose is attached and all preparations made as if a real fire were under way.

Occasionally a general night alarm is sent in, and when this occurs all the guards residing at the prison must respond promptly. The warden and deputy warden also respond to a general night alarm. Since the big fire of twenty-five years ago, and that which consumed the large paint shop occupied by the Minnesota Thresher Co., about eighteen years ago, there have been no conflagrations within the prison grounds. This, in a great measure, is due to the vigilance exercised in each department in regard to leaving refuse and inflammable material lying around.

Back to Index Next