diff options
Diffstat (limited to '48208-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 48208-0.txt | 4398 |
1 files changed, 4398 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/48208-0.txt b/48208-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a0aa3f --- /dev/null +++ b/48208-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4398 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison, +Stillwater, Minnesota by William Heilbron + + + +This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re‐use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +http://www.gutenberg.org/license. If you are not located in the United +States, you’ll have to check the laws of the country where you are located +before using this ebook. + + + +Title: Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison, Stillwater, Minnesota + +Author: William Heilbron + +Release Date: February 8, 2015 [Ebook #48208] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF‐8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONVICT LIFE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON, STILLWATER, MINNESOTA*** + + + + + + CONVICT LIFE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON + STILLWATER, MINNESOTA + Profusely Illustrated + + + + + + + + [title page decoration] + + + By W. C. Heilbron +Second Edition 1,000 Copies + +W. C. HEILBRON +104 Dispatch Bldg. +ST. PAUL, MINN. +PRESS OF MURPHY‐TRAVIS CO., MINNEAPOLIS +1909 + + + + + +PREPARER’S NOTE + + +Typographical errors have been retained in this text. + + + + + +PREFACE + + +Few people have a comprehensive idea of a penitentiary, especially the +daily life of the inmates and the routine work in connection therewith. We +will endeavor to give an accurate account of the prisoner’s mode of +occupation, his ideals, hopes and aspirations and follow him from the day +he entered the prison, from his initiation into the various departments, +to the day of his final discharge. One of our celebrated poets has truly +said: + + + A prison is a house of care, + A place where few can thrive, + A touchstone true to try a friend, + But a grave to one alive. + + +This stanza sums up the situation very nicely, although prison life is not +the horrible nightmare that many authors have depicted. Most writers seem +to get their ideas from the comic papers, wherein the prisoner is absurdly +cartooned with close‐cropped hair, low‐browed and villainous looks, +dressed in striped clothing of grotesque fit, and in many cases he is +pictured chained to the floor by a huge ball and chain. This may have been +an authentic description of the average prisoner years ago, but is not +true today. It is a far cry from the time when Diogenes walked the streets +of ancient Athens with a lighted lantern in the day time looking for an +honest man. There were no prisons at that period of the world’s history. +If a man committed a serious crime against the state or an individual the +authorities ordered the lictor to strike off his head. If the offense was +a minor one the offender was sold into slavery. This mode of procedure +required only a few moments to execute, for in those days there were no +protracted trials or clever attorneys to seek technicalities through which +to free their clients. This condition of affairs prevailed for many +centuries, and it often happened that a greater injustice was done the +wrongdoer than he had committed against the state. + +Fortunately, however, it remained for Victor Hugo to cry a halt against +the then inhuman treatment accorded prisoners. In “Les Miserables” he +paints a vivid picture that profoundly awakened public conscience, which +still causes the world to shudder as it thinks of the injustice society +did to poor Jean Valjean for stealing two loaves of bread to keep from +starving. + +There is today a more broad, more tolerant and a decidedly more civilized +sentiment towards the inmates of penal institutions. It is universally +recognized that the prisoner of today becomes the citizen of tomorrow; +this fact must be conceded. Every effort is, therefore, made to assist +them who have a keen desire to lead an honest life. However, if one is +inclined to go around with a “chip on his shoulder,” so to speak, he will +undoubtedly find as much trouble inside as he will outside of a prison. If +he behaves himself, complies with the rules and performs his work in a +conscientious manner he will have no more difficulty than he would +anywhere else. + +Modern penology has many bright laurels to its credit. What is meant by +“modern penology” is that era which ushered in the good‐time law, whereby +a prisoner is enabled by meritorious conduct to reduce his original +sentence to a marked degree; the parole and grading system, which permits +the release of a first offender at the expiration of half his sentence; +the establishing of prison night schools, enabling him to learn a trade +during imprisonment and permitting him to have books, papers, magazines, +etc. In fact our modern penology, of which a striking example can be seen +in the Minnesota State Prison, that has the reputation of being one of the +best‐managed institutions in the country, aims to develop the good in the +prisoner instead of continually keeping at a white heat all his coarse and +brutal instincts. + +Many years ago (and in some prisons at the present time), harsh measures +were employed to punish an inmate for the slightest violation of a prison +rule. But experience vividly impressed upon the public mind that such +policy was a vicious one. It returned the prisoner to society a hundred +fold more dangerous than he was previous to his commitment. Moral suasion +has now supplanted the loaded cane, the dungeon and all other drastic, +coercive measures which, instead of improving, had a decided tendency to +make idiots of prisoners, morally, mentally and physically. It is +dangerous to permit a mad dog to roam at large, and the same is true of +the prisoner whom the custodians of the state turn loose on the community, +whose every fibre beats stridently for revenge upon those who have +subjected him to brutal treatment. Roughly speaking, we feel safe in +saying that seventy‐five per cent of the prisoners are susceptible to +moral suasion and any appeal made to them is taken seriously. + +Our modern penology is not the effervescent dream of unbalanced minds, but +the result of exhaustive research by many of the best prison authorities +in America and Europe. Long experience has proven its value, and the +present century will assuredly witness as many wonderful improvements as +took place in the past. + +For various reasons I have refrained from mentioning the names of +prisoners with sensational reputations who have been inmates of the +Minnesota State Prison in the past. + +I am sincerely indebted to Warden Wolfer, his employees, and many inmates +of the prison, for their cooperation in assisting me to present the +following pages to the public, without which this book would be +impossible. + + W. C. Heilbron. +St. Paul, June 20, 1909. + + + + + + +MINNESOTA STATE PRISON + + + + + THE PRISONER’S RECEPTION AT THE PENITENTIARY + + +An incoming prisoner is designated by the inmates as a “fresh fish.” He +enters the administration building, and, as a rule, if he has the +reputation of being a “slippery chap” is handcuffed to the sheriff or one +of his deputies. Handcuffs, in the vernacular of the underground world, +are called “come‐a‐longs.” He now enters a room known as “between the +gates.” (One of these gates leads to the outer world and the other to the +inside of the prison.) Here the prisoner’s commitment papers are examined, +the deputy warden sent for to receive the new arrival, and slips are +immediately made out notifying the several heads of departments of the +man’s name, county from which he came, the offense for which he was +committed and the time that he shall serve. + +Upon the arrival of the deputy warden the prisoner is taken in charge and +marched through the officers’ barber shop and kitchen. Upon leaving the +latter room the “fresh fish” is commanded to “turn to the right,” and a +short distance ahead, about twenty feet, he is told to ’“turn to the +left.” He now enters the large cellhouse—his future home, to remain for +the number of years that His Honor, the Judge of the District Court, has +sentenced him to serve. The cellhouse contains 664 cells (referring to +Minnesota’s institution, which furnishes the nucleus for this article) and +is in charge of an officer known as the Captain of the Cellhouse. + +This officer now takes the new arrival in charge and searches his person +thoroughly, empties his pockets of everything they contain, and takes his +coat, hat and vest. Any valuables found on him, such as money, jewelry, +trinkets, tobacco, etc., are immediately tied up into a bundle and sent to +the deputy warden’s office. A duplicate receipt is made out for all +articles of intrinsic value, is signed by the Captain of the Cellhouse and +also by the new arrival so as to insure their safe keeping until the day +of his release. + +The next move, and one that is a decisive reminder of his future status in +the world, is to the bath room, where he takes a bath and puts on a +“second‐grade” uniform, there being three grades in all. The first is the +highest. Its garb consists of a neat grey suit and cap. First grade +prisoners are entitled to write one letter each week, to draw a ration +(four ounces) of tobacco weekly, and to receive visitors once in four +weeks. They have a dining room to themselves and are served with a greater +variety of food than are the prisoners in the other grades. They have also +such other privileges granted them from time to time as their general +conduct warrants. + +Prisoners in the second grade are clothed in a black and grey check suit +and cap. They are permitted to write one letter a fortnight, to draw a +ration of tobacco weekly and to see visitors once a month. They also have +a dining room of their own, but the food served therein is not as varied +as that served to first grade men. The latter, for example, are served +with butter and other relishes at stated intervals, but such things are +not part of the diet of the second grade prisoners. + + [Administration Office ] + + Administration Office + + + [Between the Gates ] + + Between the Gates + + + [Group Showing the Three Grades of Prisoners] + + Group Showing the Three Grades of Prisoners + + +Inmates in the third grade wear black and white striped suits. They are +denied tobacco, writing and visiting privileges and their meals are served +in their cells, which are located in one portion of the cellhouse. In none +of the grades are prisoners required to march with the “lock‐step,” and +excepting those in the third grade, all are permitted to wear their hair +long enough to comb during good behavior. The prisoner, after his bath, is +again brought into the cellhouse and the captain has one of the inmate +barbers clip his hair and shave him. If the new arrival belongs to the +respectable class, wearing a mustache and dressed well he will hardly +recognize himself if he should chance to look into a mirror. In a few +moments the proud American citizen has been supplanted by the convict. +Those who belong to the so‐called “criminal” class are not affected upon +donning the prison uniform, but it is different with the first offender. +If he is a proud, sensitive man the change is great enough to almost +wrench his heart strings asunder. Many a new arrival, spending his first +night in his cell, with its iron bed, whitewashed walls, scant +furnishings, iron floor and the dimensions of the room only five by seven +feet, has been known to break down completely. After such an ordeal (not +your make‐believe imprisonment, where some author has himself locked up +for an hour or so to gain local coloring for a novel) one gets a clear +idea of what prison life really is and places a higher valuation on the +liberty that he so recklessly trampled under foot in his mad rush for +riches, position and fame. + +After the tonsorial artist has completed his task the prisoner is +conducted to the deputy warden’s office, where he is weighed, asked +innumerable questions, etc., instructed as to the rules of the +institution, measured according to the Bertillon system, which is the +standard adopted in this country and throughout Europe. + + + + + BERTILLON MEASUREMENTS + + +To Dr. Alphonse Bertillon, the celebrated French anthropologist, the world +is indebted for the knowledge of the scientifically demonstrated fact that +no two persons are exactly alike in physical measurements. In fact any +single individual can be identified from thousands of others by this +cleverly thought‐out system, which was first adopted in this country in +1887. The accompanying illustrations are self‐explanatory. + +The system embraces three distinct parts: First, the measurement of +certain unchangeable “bony lengths” of the body; second, a careful +description of the features of the face; third, a careful localization of +all scars and marks on the body. While the face may change, be even +mutilated beyond recognition; while the scars and other marks may be +removed, the “bony lengths” of the body remain unchangeable in adults. The +parts measured of the bony lengths of the body are the length and width of +the head, the cheek width, length of foot, the middle and little finger +and the cubit, i. e., from the elbow to the tip of the little finger; the +height standing, the height seated, the reach of outstretched arms, right +ear length (which most authorities assert remains the same through life), +the median line in front from the fork or hollow below the “Adam’s apple” +down, and, in the rear, the spinal column from the seventh vertebra to the +base of the spine, are the anatomical or “guiding points” from which all +descriptions of the body are recorded; in the fingers, the joints and +flanges,—the flanges being the portions of the fingers between the joints. +The calipers for measuring the head are provided with a graduated arch and +are similar to a compass. In taking the length of the head the left point +of the caliper is held at the root of the nose and the right point is +brought against the occipital bone in the back of the head; the thumb +screw is then tightened and the measurement checked by passing the +instrument again over the head. The width of the head over the cheeks is +taken in the same way. The measurement of the foot is taken with a caliper +rule similar to that used by a shoemaker; the prisoner is posed standing +on his left foot and steadying himself as shown in the illustration. The +graduate stem is placed against the inside of the foot with the fixed arm +in contact with the heel and the sliding arm then brought in tightly +against the toe. In measuring the left middle and little finger the back +of the caliper rule is used, two small projections being provided on the +fixed and sliding arms. The finger is bent at right angles to the back of +the hand and the measurement taken from the tip of the finger to the +knuckle. + + [Head Length Measurements.] + + Head Length Measurements. + + +The registering and record made of the foregoing, together with an +accurate description of the face and all marks on the body, constitute the +third and complete part of this system. To illustrate this part briefly,— +measurements are all based on the French metric system, viz: Height, 1 +metre, 71 centimetres, 3 millimitres; width, 14 centimetres, 5 +millimetres; length of right ear, 6 centimeters, 3 millimetres; length of +foot, 2.62; length of middle finger, 11.7; length of little finger, 7.1; +length of forearm, 46.3. A metre is 39 inches, a centimetre about 3/8ths +of an inch and a millimetre, 1‐25th of an inch. + + [Measurements of Outstretched Arms and Left Foot.] + + Measurements of Outstretched Arms and Left Foot. + + + [Left Middle Finger Measurement.] + + Left Middle Finger Measurement. + + +The description of heads range in 14 (head) classes, being reckoned from A +to Z. The middle fingers have three classes; forearm, three classes; +height, three classes, and the little finger, three classes. Only one +millimetre or 1‐25th of an inch is allowed as the difference between the +measurements of any two operators of the Bertillon system in the “bony +lengths” of the body. This is so infinitesimal that a measurement taken in +France, England, the United States or in Russia by different operators +will discover the prisoner, no matter where he may be, and there is no +escape unless it be the grave. + +The technical terms used in the description of scars or marks are strictly +medical. For instance, if a man has a scar on his left breast it is +described as recitilnal, vertical, horizontal, inal—such a distance from +the median line, and to the right, left, above or below the nipple. Scars +on the fingers are described in the same terms, indicating the flange and +joint, and so on through all parts of the body,—every mark, cut or bruise +being measured in front, from the median line, and in the rear, from the +spinal column, as stated. + +With reference to the ears, there are certain external features by which +scientists assert criminals may be instantly detected. Have you a criminal +ear? Dr. D. S. Lamb, at one time curator in charge of the Army Medical +Museum, says there is such a thing as a “criminal ear.” Anthropologists +have been giving a great deal of study to this matter of late, and their +data points to the conclusion that the term “ear‐mark” is something more +than a mere figure of speech. No one has two ears just alike; all ears are +faulty in one way or another, that is, as to size, shape or position, and +these organs do not stop growing when the body pauses in its development. +At all events, chronic malefactors are apt to be disfigured by certain +malformations of that organ. It has been proven that abnormalities in the +ear structure are characteristic features of degenerates. Such +abnormalities are commonly found in idiots, imbeciles and epileptics, and +the prisons contain quite a number of inmates with such ears. The sloping +ear is bad; it shows a tendency to reversion to the primitive animal ear +which slopes. The great Napoleon, Lord Byron, Henry Clay and Alexander +Hamilton had sloping ears. Another objectionable type is the “wing ear,” +which projects wing‐like from the head. This type of ear is said to +indicate a tendency towards degeneracy; are found in one individual out of +every five among sane persons, in two out of five among the insane and in +three out of every five in criminals, occurring twice as often among men +as among women. + + [Criminal Ear.] + + Criminal Ear. + + + [Right Ear and Trunk Measurements.] + + Right Ear and Trunk Measurements. + + +Considering all available data, it appears that ape‐like traits, monkey‐ +ancestry being commonly exhibited, are found far less frequently in the +ears of women than in men. This fact would seem to prove that our female +race has progressed the farthest from the ancestral type. By carefully +feeling with the thumb inside of the edge of the ear and a little behind +the top a very small lump of cartilage will be found, as if a foreign body +had become imbedded in the tissue. This is a remnant of what was +originally the tip of the ear, when hundreds of thousands of years ago +that organ in our remote ancestors had a point on it. Among men of +note,—statesmen, scientists, politicians, etc., it occurs less frequently +by about ten per cent. The so‐called “Darwinian tubercle” appears, as +stated, less frequently in women than in men, and is unmistakably a trait +reverting to the ape. Certain it is that no part of the body can be +identified with greater accuracy than by the ears. Your own, for example, +are not matched exactly by any other pair in the world; there are +differences which are shown beyond the possibility of mistake, by careful +measurements, as applied in the Bertillon system. In nine out of every ten +persons the ear‐lobe runs into the flesh of the cheek without any +perceptible division between. Experts term this the “confluent lobule,” +and it also is found more often in women than in men. It is said to occur +in 92 per cent of the sane and in 47 per cent of the insane. The most +remarkable feature in regard to the criminal ear, if it can be so called, +is the prominence of the raised area just inside the outer edge, the outer +edge being termed the “helix” and the part referred to the “anti‐helix.” +It appears that the overdevelopment of this portion of the aural structure +is particularly characteristic of criminals. + +A student of this subject can tell a person’s age more accurately by +observation of the ears than by any other way. Even women, who, in other +respects, preserve the youthfulness of their appearance to an advanced +period are apt to betray their maturity through this organ, which acquires +a sharp definition of contour, a tiny wrinkle appearing just in front of +it. Some people are able to wag their ears slightly,—another indication of +primeval animal traits: Our remote ancestors unquestionably wagged their +ears, and every human being today is provided with ear‐wagging muscles. In +most individuals, however, these muscles have become so far rudimentary +that they are useless for wagging purposes. + + + + + THE FINGER PRINT SYSTEM + + +Our new arrival is still in the hands of the record officer; his next +introduction is to what is known as the “finger‐print” system, which +method has but recently been inaugurated at the Minnesota State Prison. +All prisoners are at first compelled to have “photos” taken of the balls +of their fingers, the procedure being very simple. The recording officer +has an inking‐stone and brayer similar to those used in a print shop for +“pulling” proofs. He inks the stone, grasps the outstretched finger of the +new arrival, the underside or ball of his finger rolled a full turn on the +stone, and then given a similar roll on paper blanks provided for that +purpose, which are filed away in a cabinet with the Bertillon records for +future reference. These blanks are frequently consulted for the purpose of +identifying escaped or suspected offenders. + +The finger‐print system was invented by the Chinese thousands of years +ago, and is considered to be the safest method yet discovered for correct +identification purposes. Today it is being extensively used in this +country and in Europe. The United States Government has a perfectly +organized bureau in operation in conjunction with its federal and military +prisons. Hundreds of thousands of thumb prints have been made, but no two +have yet been found exactly alike. + +The impetus given to the system in this country is perhaps due to Mark +Twain, America’s famous humorist, author, publisher, printer and lecturer. +In “Puddenhead Wilson” Mr. Clemens has the village dunce riding a “hobby” +at full tilt and that hobby was the taking of finger impressions. The +citizens considered him a weak‐minded fool, but to humor him they allowed +impressions of the balls of their fingers to be taken. The names of their +owners were recorded and then carefully filed away. Finally Puddenhead +Wilson proved himself to be anything but a fool, for when a mysterious +murder was committed in the village he apprehended the perpetrator of the +crime, his sole clue being the bloody imprints of the murderer’s fingers +found on the woodwork in the room where the crime was committed. The +finger‐print system, since the advent of Mr. Clemens’ book, has sprung +into vogue in all parts of the country. + +There are to date several authentic cases on record where by means of this +new method of identification prisoners were acquitted, notwithstanding the +fact that circumstantial evidence in the hands of the prosecuting attorney +was overwhelmingly against the accused. One case was that of a man who had +broken his parole from a penitentiary. While absolutely innocent, he was +arrested and charged with having committed a certain crime. He could offer +no proof without divulging the fact that he had violated his parole, (he +still had about two years to serve), but realizing that he was about to be +sentenced for eight or ten years on the present charge, he chose the +lesser of the two evils and informed the authorities of his identity. +Investigation disclosed the fact that he had not been released from the +penitentiary when the alleged crime was committed. This incident +demonstrates conclusively that the finger‐print system not only detects +the wrongdoer, but greatly assists in preventing a miscarriage of justice. + + [Visitor’s Reception Room ] + + Visitor’s Reception Room + + + [Governor’s Room ] + + Governor’s Room + + + [Board of Control’s Room, where Monthly Meetings are Held] + + Board of Control’s Room, where Monthly Meetings are Held + + +After the operation of taking the new arrival’s finger‐imprints is +completed, and instructions are given as to prison discipline, etc., the +incoming prisoner is sent to the medical department, where he is given a +thorough physical examination, and if he is affected with any disease it +is noted in a book kept expressly for that purpose. If he needs medical +attention he is told to come up to the “sick‐call” in the forenoon at nine +o’clock. All ailing prisoners can attend this call each morning. + + + + + THE PRISONER IS ASSIGNED WORK + + +By this time the new arrival is, in all probability, wondering what will +happen next, but he is soon enlightened. Work in one of the various +departments will be assigned him, for instance, presuming that the shop +where he is to be employed is the twine factory, he is turned over to the +guard of that particular shop. This officer instructs him very minutely as +to shop rules and duties that will devolve upon him, and usually +accompanies his instructions with some good, sound advice as to how to +best get along with the least possible trouble. The shop foreman now takes +him in charge and instructs him how to perform the duties required of him. + +At the noon hour he must take off his apron, wash his hands and face in a +bucket of water placed conveniently near the shop runner, and when the +guard blows another sharp blast with his whistle form in line with the +other men and prepare to march to the dining room. He is now assigned a +place in the ranks of his shop crew and told to always “fall in” at his +place. The guard stamps his cane twice on the floor and the men begin to +march to dinner. + +At first the “fresh fish” makes quite a number of mistakes: In the dining +room he is somewhat bewildered as to how to make his wants known to the +waiters, as he has been told that talking is strictly forbidden, but upon +reading the rules in the library catalogue he easily comprehends the +silent method of asking for food. If he wishes bread he must hold up his +right hand; meat, his fork; soup, his spoon; vegetables, his table knife; +coffee, his cup, and for water, the rule is to hold up the cup inverted. +This form of the sign language is fully adequate for the situation. + + + + + THE FIRST NIGHT IN HIS CELL + + +At the close of the first day’s work the prisoner is marched to his cell. +Just inside the entrance to the cell house he is handed his supper in a +tin dish, goes to his cell, previously assigned to him, and remains +standing with his right hand on the cell door until the evening count of +the number of prisoners in the institution has been verified by the deputy +warden. If the count is correct the prisoners are notified by the sounding +of a gong near the desk of the cellhouse captain, at which signal they are +permitted to sit down and amuse themselves as they see fit. Immediately +after the ringing of the gong the gallery men pass around tea for the +prisoner’s evening meal in addition to what he received when he enters the +cellhouse. + +Our subject now has an opportunity to take a glance at the cell wherein he +must spend his “little bit” as the professional crook jocularly terms his +sentence. This apartment is not commodious nor supplied with modern +improvements of a first‐class hostelry; its dimensions are five by seven, +and contains: one Bible, two cups, one small mirror, one cuspidor, one +spoon, one face towel, one dish towel, one piece of soap, one comb, +blankets, sheets, pillow cases, matress, bedstead and springs, one wooden +chair (for first and second grade), one earthen water jar with cover, one +electric light, one small shelf, one library catalogue and all the library +and school books desired. If the occupant is of a philosophical bent of +mind he will now realize that the way of the transgressor is indeed hard. +The first month or two are the most severe upon the new arrival. His +environments force him to dwell continually upon the depths of degradation +to which he has fallen, and he suffers the keenest possible mental +torture; but after passing this period he begins to readjust his viewpoint +and adapt himself to his surroundings and then calmly awaits the +termination of his sentence. Few people have any conception of what the +first offender endures during his first few months’ imprisonment; the +thoughts of his jeopardized liberty are ever before him. In summing up and +planning for the future about the worst obstacle he fears,—the +quintessence of human degradation,—is the baleful word “ex‐convict.” That +alone hurled at the public through the medium of the public press +expresses the sum total of moral turpitude and degeneracy. No matter if +the individual in question is pure‐minded, the symbol of the culture of +the age in which he lives, the hyphenated word “ex‐convict” seems to +conjure in the minds of the public a picture that causes them to shudder +with fear for their safety. As a rule this fear is not shared in by prison +officials. Only about ten per cent of the inmates cause them any anxiety, +the rest are orderly, perform their work promptly and properly, and cause +as little trouble as possible. + +Prisoners frequently remain at the work first assigned them until their +discharge. However, if it is found too difficult the superintendent of the +respective departments can assign other work. Should this be impossible a +prisoner may put in an application to explain the situation to the warden. +Each prisoner has the privilege of seeing the warden at least twice a +month, who adjusts all differences of opinion between the guard and +prisoner, or between prisoner and foreman. Every complaint of unjust +treatment is investigated thoroughly by the warden, and equitable measures +are employed to remove the bone of contention. If the guard or foreman is +at fault a dignified but forcible lecture generally produces the desired +result. This is also true where the inmate has been negligent in his work, +causing the trouble. + +As previously stated, if the new arrival remains at the task first +assigned him during his entire imprisonment the routine from day to day is +almost identical. He can attend chapel on Sundays if he wishes to do so; a +Catholic and Lutheran chaplain preach excellent sermons each alternate +Sunday. + +Sixty days prior to the expiration of sentence the outgoing prisoner is +given a shaving ticket, or if he desires to grow a beard he can do so, if +not he can get a shave each week as usual. He is given a bath and change +of underclothing each week, and if his clothes and shoes need repairing he +is taken to the tailor department and supplied with a new outfit. A few +days before his time expires he is taken to the tailor shop and fitted to +his outgoing suit of clothes, and upon the day preceding his discharge is +sent to the cellhouse barber shop, where he is given a hair cut and shave. + + [Interior of Men’s Cell ] + + Interior of Men’s Cell + + + [Employee’s Dining Room ] + + Employee’s Dining Room + + + [Officers’ Kitchen] + + Officers’ Kitchen + + + + + THE PRISONER’S RELEASE + + +Now arrives the day so anxiously anticipated by those incarcerated in our +penitentiary. A new beginning and a new chapter in their life’s history is +before them. It is an event that so greatly excites the average outgoing +prisoner that he hardly knows what he is doing, and in many cases his +nerves are in such a condition that he is unable to sign the receipt for +the money that he receives. The inmate in the forenoon is notified of his +release, and is immediately taken to the tailor shop, where he dons his +discharged clothing, is given any personal belongings that may have been +in his cell by the captain of the cell‐house, who inspects them in order +to ascertain whether or not he is the owner thereof. He is now conducted +to the administration building by the deputy warden, where he is given his +discharge papers and twenty‐five dollars in money, a sum provided by law +for each released prisoner. Just before he walks into the world a free man +the former inmate is told to step into the warden’s office, and this +gentleman gives his departing “guest” a few words of helpful advice, +bidding him Godspeed on his journey. + + + + + WHY SOCIETY SHOULD ACCORD HIM A SQUARE DEAL + + +The discharged prisoner is now in the hands and at the mercy of society. +If he is accorded a square deal he may become a useful citizen. If it is +his misfortune to become associated with bigoted zealots who taunt him +with his past degradation the chances are that he will become a criminal +again and prove a source of great expense to the state. + +In closing this chapter it would be well to suggest that every ex‐convict +is not a dyed‐in‐the‐wool villian, but that persecution may make him such +in the course of events. Is he entitled to a square deal? Most assuredly +so, especially if he is employed at honest work and his every action shows +determination to lead an upright life. He has sinned against society, it +is true, but without question he has paid the debt of his transgression a +hundred fold by his imprisonment. Still, after all has been said, a bad +reputation is a difficult thing to live down, even that which clings to +the free citizen. The discharged prisoner’s chief reliance, therefore, in +the final analysis is to so circumspectly conduct himself as to place him +above the carping criticisms of his new associates. If he follows this +course his neighbors are not likely to keep their eyes on his “cracked” +reputation. + + [Cell Door Decorative Illustration] + + + + +DEPARTMENTS AND INDUSTRIES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON + + + + THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. + + +The administration building is directly under the charge of Warden Wolfer. +He has the power to appoint all subordinate officers and employes and +discharge them for inefficiency and insubordination. As chief executive +officer of the prison, under the supervision of the State Board of +Control, the warden is directly responsible for its successful management, +the humane treatment and reformation of the inmates placed in his care for +safe keeping. + +Warden Wolfer is one of the best prison men in this country and the +enviable reputation Minnesota’s penitentiary has attained is due entirely +to his long and successful experience in handling criminals. He has headed +the Stillwater institution for nearly twenty years and has conducted the +affairs of the prison in a sane and business‐like manner. Under his +unceasing vigilance the institution has emerged from a non‐paying to a +profit‐earning enterprise, and today it is one of the best self‐supporting +institutions in the world, for, in our opinion, Europe has nothing that +can compare with it. Mr. Wolfer has received many flattering offers from +other states to take charge of their penal institutions, but he has +declined, preferring to remain at the head of the institution that he has +worked so faithfully to perfect. + +The position of warden of the Minnesota state prison is no sinecure, for +that presiding officer is one of the busiest men in the state. The +business connected with the twine plant, conducted almost entirely on a +mail‐order basis, is colossal in itself, there being nearly fifteen +million pounds to be disposed of each year. In addition to this important +item the task of maintaining peace and harmony among the officers, guards, +employes and the (at present) seven hundred prisoners assumes monumental +proportions. However, Mr. Wolfer has succeeded in performing this gigantic +labor for all concerned year in and year out with rare tact and good +judgment. + +For comparative purposes, the expenses ten years ago, with a population of +504 prisoners, exceeded the earnings by $35,285.04, whereas the earnings +for 1906‐7 were $329,735.70, a remarkable showing indeed and speaking well +for the executive ability of the present management. + +Warden Wolfer is an excellent type of the successful self‐made man. From a +guard in his youth at the Joliet (Ill.) penitentiary and later in charge +of the Detroit House of Correction, he was enabled to accept the +wardenship of the Stillwater, Minnesota, institution. + +There are several assistants employed in the executive department, where +the method of conducting the business of the prison is thoroughly +systematized and the organization is as nearly perfect as possible. The +warden is at all times in touch with every detail of the institution and +all correspondence of the prison, of whatsoever nature, passes through his +hands for final disposition. He makes a trip each day through the various +departments, morning and afternoon, to personally ascertain that +everything is in proper order. This watchfulness produces good results; +for instance, a short time ago he found a guard in the act of assaulting a +prisoner and immediately discharged him. Again, he overheard a guard using +extremely abusive language toward a prisoner and reduced his salary in +consequence. As all such offenses are posted on a bulletin board just +outside of the warden’s office and in the corridor leading into the prison +the officers and guards are careful in their treatment of inmates under +their charge. + + [Horace W. Davis, Chief Clerk and Accounting Officer.] + + Horace W. Davis, Chief Clerk and Accounting Officer. + + + [Main Street Inside Prison Walls ] + + Main Street Inside Prison Walls + + + [Convicts During Sunday Drill ] + + Convicts During Sunday Drill + + +Minnesota should rightly feel proud of her penal institution, and +especially of Warden Wolfer, who has advanced the prison to the high +standard of efficiency it occupies in the ranks of modern penology. + + + + The Deputy Warden’s Headquarters + + +The deputy warden ranks next to the warden in the administration duties of +Minnesota’s penal institution; in fact, he is the warden’s right‐hand man +in conducting the disciplinary affairs of the institution. Much depends +upon his efficiency in promoting harmony and goodwill among the prisoners. + +The deputy warden’s office is located on the ground floor of the hospital +building, and it is here that all the statistical records of incoming +prisoners are preserved, such as the Bertillon measurements, finger‐print +system, etc. + +The duties of the deputy warden are many and arduous. Mr. Backland has had +many years experience as a prison man and is very popular among the +officers, guards and employees. He is always courteous to guards and +prisoners alike. The following are the duties governing the deputy warden: + + +Duties of the Deputy Warden + + + 1. The Deputy Warden is the assistant and agent of the Warden in the + government and management of the inmates of the prison—more + particularly in securing compliance with its rules by the + subordinate officers, employees and inmates. + 2. He shall be present daily at the prison from the hour of unlocking + in the morning until after the inmates shall have been locked up at + night, unless leave of absence has been granted by the Warden, and + he shall visit the prison occasionally at night, and personally + ascertain that the inmates are secure and that the officers are on + duty and alert. + 3. In the absence of the Warden, the Deputy shall perform the duty of + that office relating to the government and management of the inmates + of the prison. His orders shall be respected and obeyed by + subordinate officers, guards, employees and inmates, so far as + relates to discipline and carrying out such rules and orders of the + Board of Control as are not otherwise delegated. + 4. Under the order of the Warden, the Deputy Warden shall have special + control and direction of all officers under his own rank, and all + guards and employees of the prison, and shall be responsible that + everyone performs his respective duties with intelligence, fidelity + and zeal. It shall also be his duty to promptly report to the Warden + every neglect of duty, impropriety, or misconduct, on the part of + any officer, guard, or employee. + 5. The Deputy Warden shall be minute in the inspection of every person + when coming on duty, especially armed guards, and of their arms, and + shall report to the Warden the name of any person who may come on + duty under the influence of intoxicants, or without being in an + appropriate uniform, or whose uniform is not in good condition; and + all who are unworthy or inefficient from any cause. + 6. He may grant leave of absence to any officer, guard, or employee for + a period of one day, but no longer, without consulting the Warden, + except on emergent occasions, and then only in the absence of the + Warden. The Deputy Warden shall enforce obedience to the rules and + regulations, and to all orders given by the Warden, and shall + maintain, generally, the police and discipline of the prison with + the strictest exactness. For that purpose he shall frequently, + during the day, but at irregular intervals and without notice, visit + the shops, towers, yards, guardposts, hospital, kitchen, cells and + all other apartments of the prison, and the different places where + work is being done, and take every precaution for the security of + the place and its inmates. And he shall see that the officers and + guards are vigilant and attentive to their duty, and that they keep + the inmates in their charge diligently employed during the hours of + labor. + 7. He shall not permit any book, pamphlet or newspaper to be read by, + or be in possession of, any subordinate officer, guard, foreman, or + employee, while on duty in or about the prison. Nor shall he permit + the use of liquor or smoking on the premises by any such officer, + instructor, guard, or employee, while on duty. + 8. When an inmate is received the Deputy Warden shall see that he is + bathed, shaved and has his hair cut, clothed in the suit of a second + grade inmate, and duly presented to the Physician for examination, + after which he shall measure him according to the Bertillon system, + and also carefully examine into his past history and character, + reporting same on blanks furnished for that purpose, after which he + shall assign him to work under the direction of the Warden. He + shall, at short intervals, but irregularly examine the gates, locks, + doors, levers and gratings in and about the prison, and see that + they are in a good and safe condition. + 9. He shall exercise due vigilance to see that there is no unnecessary + waste or loss of the property of the prison, and that there is the + strictest economy in the consumption and the use of supplies. Also + that thorough neatness, cleanliness and good order are maintained + throughout all the buildings and the grounds. + 10. He shall make himself acquainted with the social habits and conduct + of every subordinate officer, guard or employee of the prison, and + particularly whether, when off duty, such officer, guard or employee + is a frequenter of saloons or other houses of similar resort, or + associates with idle or loose characters, and report his information + to the Warden. + 11. He shall see that no material is allowed to be placed near the + enclosing walls, and that nothing is accessible to inmates which + might facilitate escape. He shall especially see that all ladders + are properly secured. + 12. As all business must first be directed through the office of the + institution, he shall have a vigilant eye over every person who may + have business with the prison, yards and workshops. And also see + that nothing which has not been authorized by inspection in the + office is carried in or out for inmates or others; and that no + communication is held by such person with any inmate, except by + authority granted, and in the presence of an officer. + 13. He shall, every night, before relieving the officers and guards from + duty, verify, by actual count of inmates to be made by subordinates, + the written daily count report furnished him from the office. + 14. As the prison reformatory law affords to inmates the privilege of + earning diminution of imprisonment from maximum sentence, affects + their grade standing, and in consequence their chances for parole, + it will be incumbent upon all authorities of the prison to give the + strictest attention to the conduct of each, that no injustice be + done to any inmate or to the state. And especially it shall be the + duty of the Deputy Warden to satisfy himself as to the behavior of + each inmate, and his industry, alacrity and zeal in the execution of + his work, so that he may be able to advise with the Warden as to the + merits and proper standing of each. For this purpose he shall, when + making his rounds, frequently communicate with officers, guards and + employees. + 15. All breaches of discipline, or other offenses by an inmate, must be + immediately reported in writing by the officer in charge to the + Deputy Warden, who shall, at the earliest opportunity, make full + inquiry into the facts. And if he cannot easily excuse or correct + the offender without the infliction of a penalty, he will make a + full report to the Warden, at the earliest practical moment, and + inflict such punishment as may be necessary under his direction. + 16. The Deputy Warden shall select from the trusty inmates a sufficient + number to compose a well regulated fire department and assign them + to their respective duties and stations in conjunction and in + harmony with the Chief Engineer. Frequent tests of the fire + apparatus shall be made and frequent false alarms given and runs + made to test the efficiency of the department. + 17. He shall take careful invoice of all personal property brought in by + prisoners, and deposit it with the Chief Clerk for safe keeping. It + shall also be his duty to store and preserve in as good condition as + possible the clothing worn by a prisoner when requested to do so by + said prisoner. + 18. The Deputy Warden will assign inmates to the several employments and + make details of inmates to act as runners, messengers, or + distributors of material in shops or elsewhere, and will decide how + far such inmates may converse with other inmates, and give them such + permission if any is necessary, through the officer in charge. He + will, each day, make a written report to the Warden, giving the + number of inmates on the previous day and how many were employed. + + [Deputy Warden Backland’s Office, with Inmate Clerk ] + + Deputy Warden Backland’s Office, with Inmate Clerk + + + [Prisoner’s Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse ] + + Prisoner’s Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse + + + [Interior of Woman’s Cell] + + Interior of Woman’s Cell + + + [Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse After Outing on Holiday] + + Band with Convicts Entering Cellhouse After Outing on Holiday + + + [Prisoner Band and Convicts Entering Cellhouse ] + + Prisoner Band and Convicts Entering Cellhouse + + + [Citizens Who Work in Shoe‐Shop Leaving Prison Through Main Gate] + + Citizens Who Work in Shoe‐Shop Leaving Prison Through Main Gate + + + [Officer’s Barber Shop with Inmate Barber] + + Officer’s Barber Shop with Inmate Barber + + + [Room where Breads and Pastries are Cooled] + + Room where Breads and Pastries are Cooled + + +On this floor are also located the punishment cells, the crank department +and the insane ward. At the present time there are about twenty insane +prisoners there and many are very dangerous and quite difficult to handle. +Mike Brennan has been locked in this ward for many years. He is a life +prisoner, has violent homicidal tendencies and has attacked several +prisoners before being finally separated from his fellow inmates. + +Mike Cunningham, who recently killed another prisoner and received a life +sentence, is confined in the crank department. Cunningham is very +treacherous. He conceals a sharp instrument about his person to use +whenever an opportunity presents itself. He is guarded with great care by +the officer in charge to see that he obtains nothing of a dangerous +nature. + +Each afternoon the deputy warden holds court in his office; at this time +all reports of the various guards are considered and reprimands +administered for violations of prison rules. The charge is first read to +the offender and he is permitted to reply in his own defense. If he can +prove extenuating circumstances in excuse for his breach of the rules he +is excused; if not, reprimanded and perhaps deprived of his tobacco and +writing tickets for three or four weeks; without these tickets the +privilege is withheld. + +It is well to state that no high‐priced attorneys are retained by the +accused in this “court” in order to locate a full‐grown technicality +whereby the chances of escaping censure are greatly enhanced. If the +inmate has committed a serious offense the deputy warden is empowered to +order the culprit put in the solitary for several days on bread and water. + +Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited, and no guard or officer is +permitted to “club” a prisoner except in self defense or to quell a +mutiny. The following are the principal offenses for which prisoners are +reported: + + Altering clothing. + Bed not properly made. + Clothing not in proper order. + Communicating by signs. + Defacing property. + Dilatory. + Dirty cell or furnishings. + Disobedience. + Disturbance in cellhouse. + Fighting. + Hands in pockets. + Hands or face not clean. + Hair not combed. + Impertinence to visitors. + Insolence to officers. + Insolence to foremen. + Insolence to fellow prisoners. + Inattentive in line. + Inattentive at work. + Inattentive in school. + Laughing and fooling. + Loud talk in cell. + Loud reading in cell. + Malicious mischief. + Not out of bed promptly. + Not at door for count. + Not wearing outside shirt. + Not promptly out of cell when brake is drawn. + Out of place in shop or line. + Profanity. + Quarreling. + Shirking. + Spitting on the floor. + Staring at visitors. + Stealing. + Trading. + Talking in chapel. + Talking in line. + Talking in school. + Talking at work. + Talking from cell to cell. + Talking in corridor. + Throwing away food. + + [Cellhouse Looking West. In Front of Desk on Left New Arrival is p] + + Cellhouse Looking West. In Front of Desk on Left New Arrival is Searched + + + [The Hospital in Background, and Sick Prisoners in Park] + + The Hospital in Background, and Sick Prisoners in Park + + + + THE HOSPITAL. + + +This building is located at the western end of the yard and at the head of +the main thoroughfare of the prison. It is modern, well lighted, +ventilated, has commodious rooms and a physician is always in attendance. +Dr. B. J. Merrill has been at the head of this department for many years +and is considered one of the best physicians and surgeons in the state. He +is assisted by a resident physician constantly in attendance. The head +physician visits the prison each morning at nine o’clock and prescribes +for those present at “sick call.” This call, as previously stated, takes +place every morning, the men being gathered from the various departments +of the prison by the assistant deputy warden. + +Any prisoner who is not feeling well need only inform his guard that he +wishes to see the doctor and his request is granted. This is obligatory on +the part of the guard, as the physician’s orders are final in such +matters. + +When the sick‐call men arrive at the hospital they form in line just +outside the door and are called into the doctor’s office one at a time. +The inmate states his complaint and his name and prescription is entered +on the records. If too sick to work he is permitted to either stay in the +hospital, loaf in the park or remain in a cell for the day. There are +several cells in the cell‐house which are used exclusively for this +purpose. After the chronic cases have been disposed of the chief physician +attends to the more serious ailments. He also prescribes the diet for the +sick prisoners, and if they order anything that is not in the culinary +department it is purchased at once. + +The hospital is well patronized by the inmates. During the month of July, +1908, 2,018 cases were disposed of. But the building used for a hospital +is now altogether inadequate to accommodate the growing demands of the +institution, as the population of the prison has practically doubled +during the past decade. + +With regard to epidemics the prison has been very fortunate and the +mortality list has been exceedingly small. The death rate for 1908 was +only nine, principally due to tuberculosis, a disease which is quite +prevalent in penitentiaries the world over. + +During the summer months the convalescent patients are permitted the +freedom of the park all day. Those who are unable to walk are carried down +and given an opportunity to get the beneficial outdoor air. + +The following rules give a clear idea of the duties of chief physician: + + + Duties of the Prison Physician + + + 1. The Physician shall visit the prison every day, between the hours of + seven and ten in the morning, and examine and prescribe for all sick + inmates, and also at such other times as the condition of the + inmates may demand. He shall also visit all prisoners in the sick + cells who are unable to come to sick call. If sent for at any time + by the Warden or Deputy Warden to attend an inmate he shall + immediately do so to the exclusion of all other engagements. + 2. He shall examine every inmate on his entering the prison, and record + in a book for that purpose his name, date of entrance, date of + examination, nationality and race of inmate, and of his parents; his + weight, stature and heredity, so far as affects his criminality or + health; also the condition of his heart, lungs and other organs; the + rate of pulse and respiration; the measurement of the chest and + abdomen, and any existing disease, deformity or other acquired or + inherited disability, and he shall immediately vaccinate him. + 3. He shall keep a record of all admissions to and discharges from the + hospital, and of all cases treated by him, with the name, number and + the place of the inmate, and the diagnosis and treatment, with such + observations as may assist in forming a perfect record of each + patient. + 4. He shall make a written report daily to the Warden of the attendance + at the sick call in the morning, and of the disposition made of + those reported sick. And also of all admissions to, and discharges + from the hospital. + 5. He shall, every morning, carefully examine all inmates in the + solitary cells, or in special restraint or punishment elsewhere, and + shall make a written report to the Warden as to the condition of + each. He shall be particular to report to the Warden in writing any + inmate whose health he thinks is being injured by the punishment or + restraint he is being subjected to, and shall recommend such changes + in such inmate’s diet or otherwise as he may think necessary. In the + absence of the Physician the Assistant Physician shall make similar + examinations every evening, and make a written report to the Warden. + 6. The Physician shall frequently, and also whenever requested by the + Warden, examine all of the cells of the inmates, the plumbing and + cell ventilators, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are + kept in a proper state of cleanliness and ventilation and in a good + sanitary condition and report their condition to the Warden and to + the official who made the request. + 7. He shall, whenever requested by the Warden, and also whenever he + thinks proper, examine the quality of the provisions and condition + of the food provided for inmates. Whenever he shall find that any + provisions are unwholesome, or that the food is insufficient, or for + any reason prejudicial to their health, he shall immediately make + report thereof to the Warden. + 8. He shall have full control over the patients in the hospital, + subject to the rules of the prison and instructions of the Warden, + and shall give daily instructions as to the treatment of each + patient to the assistant physician and his orders must be followed. + 9. In case an inmate claims to be unable to labor by reason of sickness + or other disability, the Physician shall examine such inmate. If, in + his opinion, such inmate is unable to labor, or his occupation + should be changed, he shall immediately certify the fact to the + Warden. Such inmate shall thereupon be released from labor or his + occupation be changed or he be admitted to the hospital or elsewhere + for medical treatment, as the Physician shall direct, having due + regard for the safe keeping of such inmate. When he certifies that + such inmate is sufficiently recovered to be able to labor the inmate + may be required to do so. + 10. He shall, whenever requested to do so by the Warden, make a careful + examination of any inmate, and make a written report of his physical + and mental condition. + 11. Whenever an inmate, in the opinion of the Physician, becomes insane, + he shall certify the fact to the Warden, giving his reasons + therefor, and make a full statement of the mental and physical + condition of the prisoner, together with his opinion as to what + disposition should be made of him. + 12. When an inmate dies the Physician shall record the cause of death + and all the circumstances connected therewith, and as full a history + of the previous health of the prisoner as he may be able, and + immediately report the information to the Warden. + 13. When the Physician considers it necessary, or when requested by the + Warden, to make a post‐morten examination of the body of a deceased + inmate, he shall do so within twenty‐four hours thereafter, if + possible, and shall immediately make a written report of the result + of his examination to the Warden as to the cause of death. He shall + also call the coroner of the county whenever he may deem it proper + to do so. + 14. The Physician may be assigned an assistant to be designated as + Assistant Physician and such number of nurses as may be necessary to + properly care for the sick. Such Assistant Physician shall be + selected by the Warden with the approval of the Physician, and shall + carry out in full the Physician’s orders in the care of the sick. + 15. He shall keep such books, and in such form as may be ordered by the + Board of Control and by the Warden. + 16. He shall report in writing to the Warden for the information of the + Board of Control at its monthly meeting, the patients received into + the hospital or treated in the cells or elsewhere during the + preceding month, stating their respective ages, diseases, previous + occupations in prison, the time they have remained in the hospital + or cells, the date of commencement and termination of treatment, and + number of days during which such patients, in consequence of + sickness, have been relieved from labor. Also the death and cause + thereof, transfers to Insane Asylums and such other facts, with + recommendations, as he desires to submit. + 17. At the close of each biennial period the Physician shall make a + report to the Board of Control as to the sanitary condition of the + prison during the biennial period just passed, in which he shall + present, in summarized form, all information included in his daily + and monthly reports. The Physician will be responsible for all + instruments and supplies in his department. + + [Hospital Cell and Life Prisoner] + + Hospital Cell and Life Prisoner + + + [Prisoner’s Exercise Drill on Sunday] + + Prisoner’s Exercise Drill on Sunday + + + [Hospital Cells, Prison Doctor and Inmates] + + Hospital Cells, Prison Doctor and Inmates + + + + HALLUCINATIONS OF A FEW PRISONERS + + +Like all other penitentiaries, the Minnesota State Prison contains its +quota of inmates who are slightly demented, or who have periodical fits of +hallucinations. When these unfortunates give oral demonstrations in the +evening after the prisoners have retired and all is quiet for the night +they furnish considerable amusement. Their mental state, of course, is +deplored by all, and it is only their language that arouses the +risibilities of fellow prisoners. + + +THE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR. + + +One of these men imagined himself to be an operator in St. Paul; that he +had a train going out and one coming in on the same line. He was +vigorously tapping away on one of the walls of his cell when a night guard +asked him what troubled him. “This,” said the prisoner in all seriousness, +“is a telegraph station in St. Paul.” “Well, you had better cut this out +and go to bed; the prisoners can’t sleep with all this fuss going on.” +“Fuss nothing,” angrily retorted the prisoner, “I’m attending strictly to +business! The Governor is on one of those trains and if there is a wreck +there will be trouble!” + +The captain of the night watch immediately sent for the deputy warden to +suppress the “operator,” who, when he arrived, and after a sharp command +to be quiet, without glancing up from his “key” ordered the deputy to go +away and “not interrupt him.” Of course this rejoinder caused the other +inmates to burst out laughing, and no amount of discipline could check +their merriment. By this time it was necessary to open the cell door and +take the operator bodily from his “key” and transfer him to the +observation ward at the solitary. Just as he was relieved from “duty” he +shrieked at the deputy, “You will catch h— if those two trains come +together!” + + +THE BEDBUG INCIDENT. + + +For some unaccountable reason the cellhouse building is infested with +bedbugs, notwithstanding the fact that every effort is made to exterminate +them. An afflicted prisoner one day stepped up to the deputy warden, +respectfully gave the customary military salute, and, with a solemn face +that would do credit to a judge about to impose the death penalty, +remarked: “Say deputy, I have a complaint to make.” “All right, proceed,” +said the deputy. “Well,” continued the prisoner, “there are about five +hundred inmates who pass my cell every day going to and from their work +and each man throws a bedbug into my cell. This d— foolishness has to be +stopped or there will be something doing,” and the man looked as though he +meant business. Telling of the incident afterwards, the deputy said that +the story was so absurd he could scarcely refrain from laughing. + + +THE X‐RAY MACHINE. + + +There was also a prisoner whose particular form of dementia was in +imagining that the man in the cell above him persited in turning an X‐ray +machine on him, and the imprecations that he would voice every now and +then are unprintable. The incident had its laughable side, nevertheless, +and an outburst from him was always very amusing. + +So, too, were the demonstrations of the man who imagined that he had a +river on his back that emptied into his left ear. Every now and then he +would exclaim, “Boys, the river is rising,” or that the “river was drying +up.” He was absolutely harmless, but a trifle noisy. + + +IMAGINES HIMSELF PRESIDENT. + + +At present there is a life prisoner confined in the Minnesota State Prison +who constantly imagines himself the President of the United States. He is +a Russian, was considered quite harmless until a few years ago, when he +threatened to kill the deputy warden, and was removed to the crank +department. His conversations were very ludicrous, continually promising +the boys who talked with him that “as soon as he was pardoned (which was +always soon) he would appoint them” to the various positions at the +disposal of the chief executive. As a humorist he was on a par with the +inmate who imagines that his cell is full of ghosts. Every now and then +this man proceeds to drive out these unwelcome intruders, and swears at +them roundly. He becomes very noisy during this driving out process and +the night guards frequently command him to desist. When assured that the +ghosts are all out of his cell he remains quiet the rest of the evening. +These spells occur frequently, and there is little question but that the +man really believes that ghosts are in his cell. + + + + PRISON HUMOR. + + +Several years ago there was an inmate in the Stillwater penitentiary who +unconsciously perpetrated one of the best jokes that had been heard at the +institution for some time. He was a German and a hard‐working carpenter by +trade. He was honest to a fault and led a model life while on the outside. +The crime for which he was sentenced was assault on a fellow workman, and +for this offense he received a two‐year sentence at the Stillwater +penitentiary. He was immediately put to work for the Minnesota Thresher +Co., being assigned work in one of the carpenter shops. One day he forgot +to take his plug of chewing tobacco with him to the shop, having left it +laying on the small table in his cell. That evening when he came in from +work he found the plug of tobacco missing. He at once began calling for +one of the night guards, and on that gentleman’s arrival the prisoner +remarked: + +“Say, Mr. Guard, dere must pe thieves in dis here blace. Mine tobacco’s +she was gone, und I harms noboddies. I dink ve petter send for dere +bolicemans und catch sum uf dem rascals.” + +The foregoing story is absolutely authentic, and was told again and again +by the prisoners who appreciate a good joke as keenly as their free +brothers. It also brings out rather forcibly the fact that, +notwithstanding the man was in prison, he was still honest. + + + + THE VERSATILE PRISONER. + + +It is quite generally known that the prisoners at the Minnesota state +prison are prohibited from talking, and what conversation there is, +generally takes place on a holiday or is permitted in cases where their +work makes talking necessary. One day there was committed to the prison a +man who was proficient in a dozen different languages. The deputy warden +was examining the man as to his birth, nationality, religion, etc., and +when he asked the prisoner his nationality he replied that he could talk +in several different languages. “Hump,” grunted the deputy, “we talk +English here and d— little of that.” + + + + CAPT. “JACK” CRAWFORD’S JOKE ON THE GUARDS. + + +Several years ago the poet‐scout, Capt. “Jack” Crawford, delivered a +lecture in the prison chapel to the inmates. In passing it is well to +state that this well‐known lecturer makes it a point to visit the various +penal and charitable institutions throughout the country free of charge, +hence his friendly call at the Stillwater prison. + +During the course of Mr. Crawford’s remarks he paused in his discourse and +said: “Men, I heartily sympathize with you for being in the unfortunate +condition you are, but (and the speaker pointed his hands at each side of +the room where the guards were stationed) if these high‐toned gentlemen in +blue uniforms were dressed in the same clothes you are and placed among +you, why I couldn’t tell the difference between you!” + +This unintentional joke at the guards caused a great deal of applause, but +when Mr. Crawford’s remarks are examined by cold, logic, it will be found +that he simply told the truth and that the dissimilarity is a question of +clothes and nothing else. + + + + FEEDING THE DONKEYS. + + +When the prison band was first organized the inmate musicians made a noise +that was something indescribable. It sounded like a sawmill blowing up, or +a handsaw striking a 60‐penny spike. One day one of the highly‐strung +nervous chaps went up to the deputy warden and asked permission to buy a +bale of hay. + +“What do you want hay for?” asked the deputy. + +“Why,” replied the prisoner, “I would like to present a bale of hay to +those jackasses in the park who are making all that confounded noise.” + + + + TRICKS OF PRISONERS WHO SHAM ILLNESS + + +A prison is not an admirable place for those disinclined to work. A man +occasionally succeeds in hoodwinking the authorities for a time, but this +rarely occurs. Whenever there is a reasonable doubt the prisoner is given +the benefit of it. A case in particular is that of one Mr. B., who +complained that the entire lower part of his body was paralyzed and that +he was unable to walk. He was given a pair of crutches and put in the +hospital ward, where he lived well, his wants supplied by the attendants +and where he had absolutely nothing to do. The doctors suspected that he +was faking and secretly applied tests to verify their belief. Evidently +the man was on his guard and fully acquainted with the various modes of +procedure in such cases, for he stood the tests unflinchingly. + +Finally Warden Wolfer took his case under personal charge and evolved a +plan that the clever prisoner had not figured on as one of the +possibilities of detection. The strategy was this: A newly‐appointed guard +was dressed in a third‐grade suit of convict clothes on the day when the +prisoners in the crank department were given their weekly shave. Mr. B. +was sitting on the bench waiting to be shaved. The deputy warden stepped +into the room with the alleged third‐grade prisoner and gruffly ordered +him to be seated, then turned to the barber and told him to shave the +third‐grade man next, as he was in a hurry. Not an inkling of suspicion +flashed across Mr. B.’s brain. In the door leading into this ward a small +peep‐hole is arranged, enabling the guard to look into the room without +entering. The warden was stationed behind this door to observe the results +of this scheme. As the third‐grade “prisoner” sat down to be shaved he +suddenly seized one of the barber’s razors, and, with a whoop, jumped out +of the chair and made for the “helpless” Mr. B., who immediately cast +aside his crutches and rushed down the corridor to escape from the +supposed demented “prisoner.” The fact that his legs were paralyzed and +that he was acting a part was entirely forgotten. + +At this stage of the proceedings the warden entered the room and informed +the crestfallen Mr. B. that the comedy was over. At first he was inclined +to continue the paralytic roll, but when informed that he had the option +of going to work or taking an indefinite stay on a bread‐and‐water diet he +wisely chose the first alternative, and for the remainder of his term gave +no more trouble. + +Another case of shirking is that of Mr. M., who is a life prisoner and who +has spent over a quarter of a century behind the bars of Minnesota’s +famous penal institution. He insisted that something was wrong with his +limbs and that he could not walk; that he needed the assistance of +crutches, but one night one of the nurses observed him walking back and +forth in his cell, evidently taking a needed constitutional. He was sent +to work in a few days and is today walking as successfully as ever. He +employed this deception for many years. + + + + A “HORSE” ON THE PRISON PHYSICIAN. + + +Some time ago there arrived at the prison a man who appeared to be, as far +as visible appearances were concerned, a chronic sufferer from epileptic +fits. On the day he entered prison he had two of these fits, and almost +every day thereafter they occurred with surprising frequency. The +assistant physician was always called on these occasions, but could do +nothing for the sufferer, he being thoroughly convinced that the fits were +the real article. The prisoner was given an easy position in the +cellhouse, as it was considered too dangerous to have him working in the +shops alongside of the machines, belting, etc. + +Finally, however, this easy job began to pall on the epileptic prisoner’s +nerves; and he asked the deputy warden to be transferred to the shops. “I +can’t do it,” said the deputy, “as it would be against the physician’s +orders to change your work.” + +“Well, if that is the case I will have to cut out the fit business,” +replied the prisoner. + +“What do you mean?” asked the deputy warden. + +“These fits are all fakes,” smilingly retorted the prisoner, “and I can +cut them out any time.” + +“The only way you can convince me that these epileptic fits are not +genuine is to stop having them. If you do this for thirty days, I will +give you any job you want.” + +The prisoner got the job, greatly to the mystification of the physicians +and the deputy warden. + + + + ESCAPES FROM PRISON + + +There has been but one successful escape during the eighteen years that +Warden Wolfer has had charge of the prison. A capture was, however, +effected a few days later. The escape was neatly planned, and the +“loophole” through which he crawled could only have been detected by one +who was constantly looking for a chance to “fly the coop,” using a +prisoner’s expression. Opportunity came to him in the following manner: It +was the custom of the captain of the cellhouse to unlock the doors +immediately after the men had left their cells. In the fall of the year it +is still quite dark when the prisoners march into the dining room to +breakfast. On the morning that Mr. B. made his escape he simply remained +in his cell, and as soon as the captain of the cell house unlocked the +side doors and went back to his desk came out of his cell, cautiously made +his way out of one of the side doors and made a beeline for the wall near +the railroad gate, negotiating the same near this point. The wall guard +imagined that he saw some one go over the top of the wall and fired +several shots in that direction, but it was still very dark and he was +uncertain just what it was. The prisoner got away without a scratch, but, +as previously stated, was recaptured a few days later. Shot by a farmer +whom he tried to rob and received a bad bullet wound in one of his ankles. +The farmer, however, was not aware of his identity,—had ordered him off +his premises, but the prisoner acted in a threatening manner and was +thereupon shot. + +About seventeen years ago another attempt to escape was made by a +desperate young fellow and two companions. They evaded the guard, slipped +out of the shop near the wagon gate and then waited where they were not +observed; then a dash for freedom through this big double gate as it swung +open to permit a team to pass out. All three were apprehended shortly +afterwards under the warehouse building of the Minnesota Thresher Co., +where they had sought temporary refuge. This was just opposite the prison. +It is very improbable that any more attempts will be made through this +gate, a guard now being stationed on the wall above the gate and one +across the street. Formerly there was but one guard in charge of the gate, +which had a tendency to invite attack at this quarter. + + [Prison Band ] + + Prison Band + + + [Prison Band In Park ] + + Prison Band In Park + + + [Prison Train Backing Into Prison Yard to be Loaded with Twine ] + + Prison Train Backing Into Prison Yard to be Loaded with Twine + + + [Train Leaving Prison Yard After Loading ] + + Train Leaving Prison Yard After Loading + + +About twenty‐five years ago a prisoner, Frank Landis by name, made as +successful an escape as was ever made from any institution. He sawed the +bars on one of the cell house windows, squeezed himself through and has +never been heard from since. Landis had arrived in St. Paul one day and +victimized business men out of nearly twenty‐five thousand dollars. He +represented himself to be the son of a rich merchant of La Crosse, Wis., +and, to allay suspicion, invited one of the merchants to telegraph at his +expense as to his credentials. He evidently had a confederate at the other +end of the line, as word came back that he was O. K. After getting this +merchant to cash his checks he next induced him to introduce the generous +buyer to other merchants, the aforesaid merchant vouching for his standing +in each instance. One man became suspicious, and early the next morning +communicated with La Crosse and received immediate advice that the name +was unknown. Then the hunt for Landis began, but he had departed for parts +unknown, was later captured and received twenty years in the Stillwater +penitentiary. Here his stay was of short duration, as he soon made his +escape. + +On a previous page we stated that there had been but one escape from the +Minnesota State Prison since Mr. Wolfer has been warden. Recently, +however, a “trusty,” who had been acting as coachman, took advantage of +the freedom allowed him and disappeared. This is not considered by the +officials as an escape in the true sense of the word. Below we give the +“trusty’s” picture with the Bertillon Measurements. + + [Allus Petwray] + + Height, 1 m 75 1 + Height 5 ft. 9 in. + Outs A 1 m 82 + Trunk 90 + Head Length 19.8 + Head Width 15.3 + Cheek Width 13.6 + R. Ear 7.2 + L. Foot 27.4d1 + L. Mid F. 11.6 + L. Lit. F. 9.2 + L Forearm 48.1 + +Name, Allus Petwray, No. 2654. Nationality, African; age, 30; color, +Negro; build, muscular; complexion, M. brown; hair, black; eyes, Mar. +deep; weight. 161. + +Sentenced March 1, 1909; term, 2½ years. From Polk county, for the crime +of grand larceny, second degree. + +Marks and scars: 1 cut:‐ hor. rec. 1.5 c at 3 d ph. R. III‐Cut:‐ rec. hor. +4c at on & sr. of cen. sr. brw. III‐Cic;‐ rec. ob. 1c at slt. over & sr. +out. pt. sr. eye. III‐cut:‐rec. ver. sit. ob. 3c at 2.5 to front dx. +tragus. III‐Cut:‐rec. ob. 8c at 3 over dx. ear. + +Occupation, coachman. + +This photograph and record of Bertillon Measurements has been sent +broadcast to all the police departments in the United States and Canada, +and his recapture will probably be “only a question of time.” + + + + BREAKING INTO PRISON + + +We have just related some cases where men have broken out of prison, and +it is in order to state the facts regarding a robbery that took place at +the prison. A man actually broke into prison for the purpose of stealing. +He had procured a rope ladder and scaled one of the rear walls, made his +way to the Western Shoe company’s factory and selected the finest case of +shoes he could find. He then retraced his way to the wall, tied a rope to +the case of shoes, climbed up and went away as though the act of stealing +shoes from a penitentiary was an every‐day accomplishment for him. He was +also captured, and it was then discovered that he had been a former +inmate, accounting for his familiarity with the grounds. The place is +constantly patroled by two night watchmen, and it is still a mystery how +he managed to evade them. This act might have been performed out of a +spirit of reckless bravado to demonstrate to the other inmates that he was +fully capable. His little stunt, however, cost him another residence of +three and one‐half years at the prison. + + + + THE PAROLE SYSTEM + + +The state of Minnesota was one of the first to introduce the grading and +parole systems in its prison. Speaking of this feature, Warden Wolfer +says: + +“We have paroled 934 prisoners since the parole law went into effect in +1894. We now have 72 prisoners on parole, three of whom are females. Of +those paroled 716 were committed on a definite sentence, and 218 on +Reformatory Plan.” + +“The grading and parole law continues to work satisfactorily and gives +much promise and encouragement for the future. We are often disappointed +by the failure of promising parole men to make good, but on the other +hand, we are as often encouraged by the less promising who have made good +beyond our most sanguine expectations. All of which demonstrates the +limitation of human judgment and the difficulty of ‘reading the human +heart aright.’ Most of those who break parole are carried over the line by +some weakness, usually intemperance, a weakness that they do not seem able +to control.” + +“We are glad to be able to say that our expedience with the grading and +parole system gives us growing encouragement and hope for the future, +because we believe we have hopeful and satisfying evidence that few men +break their parole because of the desire to do wrong. As a rule, the +parole breaker heartily regrets his misstep, and frequently will make good +if given another chance.” + +“The parole embodies those ethical principles of conduct that make for +normal life and good character. Rationally and constructively applied, it +builds up and encourages manhood and at the same time it discourages a +disposition to yield to weakening impulses that lead to wrongdoing. Every +possible effort should be made to apprehend and return the fugitive parole +breaker, for if allowed to remain at large he is almost sure to become a +confirmed criminal. Therefore, a more thorough supervision of paroled +prisoners is necessary, and a more accurate system for the apprehension +and identification of parole breakers seems imperative in every state, and +throughout the country, wherever the parole system is in vogue.” + +“Of the 934 prisoners paroled 59 per cent were finally discharged by +reason of expiration of definite sentence; 13 2‐3 per cent, who were +committed on the Reformatory Plan, were discharged by the board after +having given satisfactory evidence of a desire and purpose to live +honestly and become good citizens; 19 2‐3 per cent of the whole number +paroled violated their paroles; 17 1‐3 per cent of the whole number were +returned to prison to serve unexpired sentences, leaving 2 1‐3 per cent +parole violators now at large.” + +This system has had a marked tendency to improve the discipline of the +prison, for it impels inmates to bend every effort to merit this +consideration at the hands of the state authorities. The state law +governing the parole of prisoners from the penitentiary is as follows: + + + + THE PAROLE LAW + + +Parole of Prisoners,—The State Board of Control may parole any prisoner: +Provided, + + 1. No convict shall be paroled who has been previously convicted of a + felony other than the one for which he is serving sentence, either + in this state or elsewhere. + 2. No convict serving a time sentence shall be paroled until he shall + have served at least one‐half of his full term, not reckoning good + time. + 3. No convict serving a life sentence shall be paroled until he has + served thirty‐five years, less the diminution which would have been + allowed for good conduct had his sentence been for thirty‐five + years, and then only by unanimous consent, in writing, of the + members of the Board of Pardons. + 4. Such convicts while on parole shall remain in the legal custody and + under control of the Board of Control, subject at any time to be + returned to the prison or reformatory, and the written order of said + board, certified by the Warden, shall be a sufficient warrant to any + officer to retake and return to actual custody any such convict. + Geographical limits wholly within the state may be fixed in each + case, and the same enlarged or reduced according to the conduct of + the prisoners. + 5. In considering applications for parole said board shall not + entertain any petition, receive any written communication, or bear + any argument from any attorney or other person not connected with + said prison, in favor of the parole of any prisoner, but it may + institute inquiries by correspondence or otherwise as to the + previous history or character of such prisoner. + +At the present time nearly all the states have inaugurated the parole and +grading system similar to the law in operation in this state, and some are +considering the advisability of introducing the system. This law is one of +the best measures of the so‐called modern penology and one in which the +leading authorities on such matters feel the most pride. + + [Dynamited Safe, Stephen, Minn.] + + This cut shows the condition of the safe and office of the State Bank of + Stephen, Minn., after being wrecked by dynamite. This was done by three +men. One escaped, one gave state’s evidence and the other is now serving + a term at the Minnesota State Prison. + + + [Warden’s Office] + + Warden’s Office + + + + DIMINUTION OF SENTENCE + + +The following law will give the reader an idea of the “good time” the +prisoner earns during imprisonment, and is another powerful incentive +toward good conduct. Few prisoners permit themselves to commit violations +of rules, the gravity of which subjects them to punishment. A man may be +deprived of good time for refusing to obey an order, fighting, insolence +to guard, foreman or fellow‐prisoner. + +Diminution of Sentence.—Every convict sentenced for a definite term other +than life, whether confined in the state prison or on parole therefrom, +may diminish such term as follows: + + 1. For each month, commencing on the day of his arrival, during which + he has not violated any prison rule or discipline, and has labored + with diligence and fidelity, five days. + 2. After one year of such conduct, seven days for each month. + 3. After two years of such conduct, nine days for each month. + 4. After three years, ten days for each month for the entire time + thereafter. + +Said board, in view of the aggravated nature and frequency of offenses, +may take away any or all of the good time previously gained, and, in +consideration of mitigating circumstances or ignorance on the part of the +convict, may afterwards restore him, in whole or in part, to the standing +he possessed before such good time was taken away. Whenever a convict +shall pass the entire period of his imprisonment without an unexcused +violation of the rules or discipline, upon his discharge he shall be +restored to his rights and privileges forfeited by conviction, and receive +from the governor a certificate, under the seal of the state, as evidence +of such restoration + + + + DISCHARGE ALLOWANCE + + +In some states there is little or no provision for aiding the discharged +prisoner, and in some states when parole is granted his prospective +employer must first send railroad fare before he is released. In many +states the discharged man is given five dollars in money, while in others +he is permitted to earn money during his imprisonment. The following is +the law that governs in the state of Minnesota: + +Upon discharge the Warden, at the expense of the state, shall furnish each +convict released with one good, serviceable suit of clothing and +underclothing, and, when released between October 1 and March 31 +following, with a good, serviceable overcoat; and he shall pay to each +convict, when released, $25 in money drawn from the current expense fund. + + [Decoration: Keys, Ball and Chain] + + + + THE CELLHOUSE BUILDING + + +Within the cellhouse building there are 664 cells, ranged tier upon tier, +there being six in all. The building is constructed entirely of iron and +stone, and the walls are nearly three feet thick. It is safe to say that +in this solidly built building more human sorrow is represented than +anywhere else in the state. If an authentic record could be made of the +tragedies that take place behind these grim, unsympathetic stone walls it +would fill volumes. However, it would require the enviable intellect of a +Victor Hugo or Charles Read to vividly picture the utter despair and +blasted hopes of the many thousands who have been imprisoned within these +cheerless walls since the construction of the building. It is absolutely +fireproof, but quite antiquated, the sanitation and ventilation being +extremely poor. About fifteen prisoners are employed in the cell house, +sweeping cells, galleries, passing out water, holystoning the flags in the +corridor and keeping the place as clean as possible. Two men are +constantly employed in whitewashing the cells and the interior of the cell +house, and another’s time is wholly occupied in exterminating bedbugs, +which are quite plentiful and possess large appetites. + +The captain makes a tour of the galleries each morning and inspects each +cell to see that everything is in order. If a cell floor or other articles +are in a slovenly condition the inmate is reported to the deputy warden, +whose duty it is to administer a reprimand for negligence. While making +this four of inspection he delivers all incoming letters addressed to +prisoners. All incoming and outgoing mail is carefully scrutinized before +delivery. On Sunday morning material for writing letters is issued to all +prisoners who are permitted to write, and the distribution of tobacco is +also made at this time. The upper tiers of the galleries used to be the +rendezvous for inmates possessing suicidal inclinations, not a few of +whom, having lost all courage and lacking the determination to live, chose +this method of ending their woes. We use the words “used to be” advisedly, +for they have ceased to be an attraction to the death‐desiring since the +failure to accomplish the result occurred to an inmate who a short time +ago took the plunge from the upper tier. In an hour or so he was at work +as if nothing unusual had happened. Heretofore a plunge from the upper +tiers to the stone flags always meant a call for the undertaker. + + [Cellhouse, Looking East] + + Cellhouse, Looking East + + + [Prison Band] + + Prison Band + + + [Spinning Room In Twine Factory looking West.] + + Spinning Room In Twine Factory looking West. + + + [Spinning Room In Twine Factory looking East. ] + + Spinning Room In Twine Factory looking East. + + + + THE CHAUTAUQUA CIRCLE + + +There is in existence in the Minnesota State Prison a Chautauqua circle, +being a branch of the main organization, conducted entirely by the inmates +and the presiding officers elected from the members thereof. + +Election of officers occurs once a year. Meetings are held fortnightly in +the prison chapel, at which time several papers are read and discussed by +the members. At the conclusion of the meeting a critic chosen from the +circle reviews the program, points out various errors in composition +papers or commends them as the case may be. + +The membership of this unique organization numbers about thirty, and as +old members withdraw new ones are selected from the better educated +prisoners. Meetings are always conducted in an orderly manner, not a +snigle serious violation of the rules having occurred since the +organization—about twenty years ago. Discussions at times becomes +exceedingly spirited, especially if a paper is read that attacks the pet +hobbies of the several members. + +As an educational feature of the institution the Chautauqua circle is +accomplishing excellent work and deserves the sincere patronage and +commendation of the prison authorities. + + + + BAND AND ORCHESTRA + + +Like the majority of the better‐class prisons, Minnesota’s penitentiary +has the honor of having within its walls a well‐equipped band and +orchestra. They are in charge of an experienced citizen‐music teacher, and +have made remarkable progress since organization. About nineteen members +compose the band, mostly men who have a long time to serve. + +The orchestra provides music for the services in the prison chapel, and +when entertainments are given provides the musical numbers on the program. +Of late years it has attained a degree of efficiency that has been +commended very highly by prominent visitors to the institution. + +The band gives a concert each morning during the summer months and also +during drill exercises, which take place in the yard every Sunday +immediately after chapel service. Concerts are also given in the park on +holidays, when the men are enjoying outdoor freedom, which the inmates +appreciate very much, helping wonderfully to break the dull, routine +monotony of prison life. The band and orchestra cost the state very +little, its instruments are paid for out of the fees received from +visitors, who pay a twenty‐five cent admission to see the institution. +This amount is donated for the benefit of the library fund. + + + + PRISON NIGHT SCHOOL + + +The prison that now neglects to provide suitable educational facilities +for the instruction of its inmates is considered behind the times. A great +many inmates of penitentiaries are illiterate, and the prison night +schools afford an excellent opportunity to acquire the fundamentals of a +good education. This department is under the supervision of the +superintendent of public schools of Stillwater, who is assisted by a corps +of teachers chosen from among the inmates. The course of study corresponds +to the course pursued in the state primary and grammar schools. There are +fourteen classes, ranging from a, b, c class to one in advanced +bookkeeping. Three sessions are held weekly, and the school is popular +among the prisoners. Those serving reformatory sentences are compelled to +attend, but the voluntary attendance is always in excess of the +compulsory. During the season of 1907‐08 the average attendance was 164, +and of this number 48 were compelled to attend, while the balance, 116, +attended voluntarily. + +The prison night school is in operation eight months during the year, and +is well partronized, many inmates receiving their first instructions in +reading and writing during their period of service. To the ambitious man +there is plenty of opportunity for self‐improvement, so it can readily be +seen that no one need wholly waste the time that he is compelled to serve +for infraction of state laws. When school is not in session inmates are +granted permission to have all the school books they require in pursuance +of studies. + + + + THE SHOE INDUSTRY. + + +This factory is conducted by the Western Shoe Co., and annually employs +about 225 prisoners. There is an excellent opportunity here for the inmate +to learn a trade at which he can make a good living upon his release. Few +citizens are employed at this work, but a competent citizen‐foreman is in +charge of each shop. As far as possible prisoners are taught the business +of making shoes, and many of them become very proficient at this work. + +The company pays a stated price for each piece of work turned out, and the +per diem earnings of the prisoners is larger than in any other prison in +the country. The volume of business of these two industries amounts +annually to more than $2,000,000. Of this total, returns from the twine +factory, operated on state account, amount to $1,300,000, while the shoe +company, operated on the piece‐price system, does a business in excess of +$800,000. + + + + THE REPAIR SHOP. + + +All the repair work of the institution is performed in this department, +and in this shop are located the tinner, plumbers, carpenters, painters, +machinists, etc., all under the supervision of a first‐class foreman. The +tinner makes all the tinware used in the various departments of the prison +and attends to its repairing. As the entire institution is heated by +steam, the plumbers are kept constantly employed during the winter +repairing radiators and overhauling wornout steam pipes. As repairs and +improvements are constantly being made and as the prison buildings are +quite old, considerable carpenter work is also necessitated each year. + +Perhaps the busiest men in this shop are the machinists, whose business it +is to see that all machinery, shafting, etc., are kept in repair, thus +reducing breakdowns to the minimum. This shop is run in an economical +manner and annually saves the state thousands of dollars. + + + + TAILOR SHOP + + +In this department is located the tailor shop, laundry and bath room, +about twenty prisoners being constantly employed in the former, making and +repairing clothing for the inmates; the second and third rooms, of course, +are devoted to washing and drying of clothes and bathing of prisoners. As +there are about 700 prisoners whose clothing must be mended and washed +each week, the employes of this shop find all the work they wish to do. + + [Prisoners at Work in Shoe Shop] + + Prisoners at Work in Shoe Shop + + + [Tailor Shop] + + Tailor Shop + + + [Laundry] + + Laundry + + + + BATH ROOM + + +The bath room is located below the tailor shop in a two‐story building. +Here bathing operations are begun each Friday morning under the +supervision of a guard, who marches the prisoners to the bath room, +twenty‐eight at a time, there being accommodations for only twenty‐eight +men, and each is provided with an overhead shower bath of hot or cold +water. + +As the guard marches in with the men the prisoners remain standing in +front of their shower until the attendant registers their numbers, and the +guard then stamps his cane twice on the floor to notify the prisoners to +begin bathing. The registered number slips are sent upstairs, where the +inmates’ clothing is kept in pigeon holes arranged along the walls of the +laundry, each pigeon hole being labeled with the prisoner’s register +number, and at the expiration of his bath is hastily sent downstairs and +placed on the small door leading to his stall. Each prisoner is given a +clean handkerchief and pair of socks. + +When the men are through bathing and the guard again stamps twice on the +floor with his cane they step out of the bathing booths, and at the signal +the march back to the shop begins. It requires about fifteen minutes to +bathe twenty‐eight men. + +Just in the rear of the tailor shop is a cobler, whose duties are to +repair the shoes of the inmates. All the shoes are bought, including the +discharged clothing worn by the inmates, when they are relieased from +prison. + + + + [Prisoners at Chapel Service on Sunday] + + Prisoners at Chapel Service on Sunday + + + [Bath Room] + + Bath Room + + +[Second Grade Dining Room, Accomodating 350 Prisoners, All of Whom are Fed + in 15 Minutes] + +Second Grade Dining Room, Accomodating 350 Prisoners, All of Whom are Fed + in 15 Minutes + + + + + THE PRISON CHAPEL + + +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 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 ROOM + + + +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: + + + +PRISONERS’ BILL OF FARE, WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 1907 + + + SUNDAY. + + 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. + + FRIDAY + + Breakfast: 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. + + + + + THE IMPLEMENT FACTORY + + +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 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 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 OFFICE + + +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 Mirror] + + Editor’s Room, Prison Mirror + + + [Composing Room, Prison Mirror] + + Composing Room, Prison Mirror + + + [Library] + + Library + + + [Warden’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 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!” + +“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 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 BINDERY + + +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 Bindery] + + The Bindery + + + [Manufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in Background] + + Manufacturing Tobacco for Prisoners, Steward Alexander in Background + + + [Sinbad’s Greenhouse] + + Sinbad’s Greenhouse + + + + + THE STEWARD’S OFFICE + + +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 WARD + + +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 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 Apartment] + + Matron’s Apartment + + + [Women Inmates Outing on Holiday] + + Women Inmates Outing on Holiday + + + [Female Department—Sewing Room] + + Female Department—Sewing Room + + + [Female Department—Women’s Cells] + + Female Department—Women’s Cells + + + + + THE GREENHOUSE + + +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 HOUSE + + +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 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 DEPARTMENT + + +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. + + + + + RULES GOVERNING DISCIPLINE. + + +Your attention is directed to the following rules. Only by observing and +obeying them can you make a good record as a prisoner and become eligible +for parole and the diminution of your sentence which the law allows: + + 1. Your first duty is strict obedience to all rules and regulations and + any orders of the officer under whose charge you may be placed. + 2. You must observe strict silence in all departments of the prison and + while marching through the yard. + 3. You must not speak to, give or receive from visitors anything except + by permission of the Warden or Deputy Warden. Gazing at visitors or + strangers passing through the prison is strictly forbidden. + 4. You are expected to apply yourself diligently at whatever labor you + are assigned, and, after reasonable teaching, to perform the same + amount of work as would be required from you as a citizen. + 5. At every signal to fall in for marching take your place in line + promptly. March with military step, attend to and promptly obey the + orders of your officer. + 6. You will be required to keep your person clean and your clothing + tidy and in good order. You must not make any alterations in your + clothing or cut your shoes; if they do not fit or need repairs + report the fact to your officer. You must not carry knives, tools of + any kind, pencil, paper or any material whatever from your shop to + your cell without permission in writing from the Warden or Deputy + Warden. Finding these things in your possession will be considered + proof that you have violated this rule. Tinkering or writing notes + to other convicts or carrying notes from one convict to another is + strictly forbidden. + 7. You are not allowed to have any money on your person or in your + possession, neither are you permitted to trade or purchase any + article whatever. All of your business must be done through the + Warden. + 8. You must approach an officer in a respectful manner. Always salute + him before speaking. You must confine your conversation with him + strictly to the business in hand. You must not address an officer on + matters outside the prison. Insolence in any form to an officer, + foreman, or even to a fellow convict will not be tolerated, + 9. On entering the cell house, office of the Board of Control, Warden + or Deputy Warden you must uncover unless your duties are such that + you have special permission to remain covered. + +[Audience Looking Down on Prisoners in Prison Park, Decoration Day, 1909] + + Audience Looking Down on Prisoners in Prison Park, Decoration Day, 1909 + + + [Prisoners in Prison Park, Decoration Day, 1909] + +Prisoners in Prison Park, Decoration Day, 1909. On holidays They Have the + Privilege of Talking. + + + + + PRIVILEGES + + +You are not compelled to attend service, but you are specially requested +to do so, believing that the moral support of religeous instruction is +necessary to all. + +You are required to bathe once a week in summer, once in two weeks in +winter, and oftener if considered necessary by the prison Physician unless +excused by him, the Warden or Warden. + +On entering the prison you will receive three (3) tickets entitling you to +the following privileges as long as you obey strictly all the rules of the +prison: + + First. One ration of tobacco each week. + Second. Permission to write under grade rules. + Third. Permission to see friends once in four weeks. + NEWSPAPERS. You are permitted to receive such weekly papers as the + Warden may approve. No daily papers or sensational publications of + any description will be admitted. + EXTRA LETTERS. Written permission must be obtained from the Warden + or Deputy Warden in case it becomes necessary to write special + letters. + MAIL MATTERS. Letters and papers of every description must be + examined at the office under the direction of the Warden before + being mailed or delivered. + + + + + SHOP RULES + + + 1. On entering the shop you will take off your coat, put on your apron + and get at your work promptly. If you have any cause for complaint, + whether from keeper, foreman or others you will be allowed to send + application for an interview through your officer at any time to the + Board of Control, Warden or Deputy Warden. + 2. Communications between prisoners is strictly prohibited and will not + be allowed at any time except by special permission of the officers + in charge, and then only when absolutely necessary. + 3. In talking with your foreman you are required to confine yourself + strictly to your shop duties. You will not be allowed to talk with + him upon matters pertaining to outside news. + 4. You will be required to approach your officer in a respectful + manner. Always salute him before addressing him and make your wants + known as briefly as possible. + 5. You will be required to give your individual attention to your work. + Gazing about at visitors passing through the shop or at other + prisoners will not be allowed. You must respectfully listen to and + faithfully carry out all instructions given you by your foreman + pertaining to your work. + 6. You will not be allowed to leave your place of work except by + permission of the officer in charge. + 7. You will not be allowed to brush against a fellow convict in + passing, to get in each other’s way or otherwise trespass upon the + rights of each other so as to provoke illfeeling. + 8. Careless or wilful injury of your work or tools will be promptly + reported. + 9. You must always salute an officer on entering or retiring from your + shop. You will not be permitted to leave shop or place of work under + any circumstances without first obtaining special permission of the + officer in charge. + 10. If you are sick or unable to work report the fact to your officer + and act as he may direct. If you desire to see the Physician give + your name to your officer immediately after entering the shop in the + morning. + 11. All trading or bartering of whatsoever kind between prisoners or + between citizens and prisoners is strictly prohibited. You will not + be allowed to give or receive any present or gift from a foreman or + citizen under any condition. + 12. If it becomes necesary to use a lead pencil about your work apply to + your officer, who will supply you. Pencil must invariably be + returned to the officer every evening. You will not be allowed to + cut off or appropriate any part of pencil. + + + + + DINING HALL RULES + + + 1. On entering the dining hall take your seat promptly—position + erect—arms folded, with eyes to the front until the signal is given + to commence eating. + 2. Strict silence must be observed during the meal. Staring at + visitors, talking and laughing, fooling or gazing about the room is + strictly forbidden. + 3. Eating or drinking before or after the gong sounds, using vinegar in + your drinking water, or putting meat on the table is prohibited. + 4. Should you desire additional food make your wants known to the + waiters in the following manner: + + 1. If you want bread hold up your right hand. + 2. Coffee or water, hold up your cup. + 3. Meat, your fork. + 4. Soup, hold up your spoon. + 5. Vegetables, hold up your knife. + 6. If you desire to speak to an officer about food or service in + dining hall hold up your left hand. + + 5. Wasting food in any form will not be tolerated. You must not ask for + or allow waiter to place on your plate more food than you can eat. + When through with meal leave pieces of bread unmussed on left side + of plate. Crusts and small pieces of bread must not be left on your + plate. + 6. After finishing your meal place knife, fork and spoon on right side + of plate. Sit erect with arms folded. When the signal is given to + arise drop hands to your side. At the second signal of the gong + march out and to your respective places in line in a prompt, quiet + and orderly manner. + 7. In passing to and from the dining hall you must not gaze into cells + or loiter on the gallery. Walk erect with your eyes to the front. It + is strictly against the rules to carry out any of the dining hall + furnishings or to carry food to or from the dining hall at any time + except on Sundays and holidays, when you will be allowed to carry + lunch to your cell for the evening meal. + + + + + CHAPEL RULES + + + 1. On entering the chapel you will march erect with arms by your side, + keeping step with the music. + 2. You will take your seat promptly as designated by the officers in + charge and sit with arms folded during chapel service. + 3. The signal for rising and being seated will be the sound of the + Deputy Warden’s gavel. When this signal is given you will rise + promptly and remain standing until notified to be seated. You will + be allowed to drop arms to your side while standing. + 4. Strict attention must be given to the service. You must not gaze + about the room at visitors or at fellow convicts, but must sit erect + in your seat facing the speaker. + 5. Reading, spitting on the floor, shuffling of the feet or any other + unnecessary noise is strictly forbidden. + 6. Should you be taken sick during service, or if it becomes necessary + for you to retire, raise your right hand to the officer in charge, + who will excuse you if necessary. + 7. After service you will sit erect with arms folded, giving strict + attention to your officer until he gives the signal to rise, when + you will be required to rise promptly and march out of the chapel as + directed, keeping time with the music. + 8. In marching to and from the chapel you will be required to keep in + close order with face to the front and in as quiet and orderly a + manner as possible. + +Any wilful violation of these rules will be promptly reported, and +severely punished if necessary to enforce compliance. + + + + + GRADING RULES + + +The Board of Control by virtue of the authority and power conferred upon +them by Section 5 of an act of the Minnesota Legislature, entitled “An Act +to regulate the sentencing of prisoners convicted of felony and their +subsequent release on parole,” hereby establish three (3) grades of +prisoners to be known and designated as the First, Second and Third +Grades, together with a system of marks to be governed by the following +rules and regulations, which shall be in force and have effect from and +after the official notification of the passage of said Act is certified by +the Secretary of State under date of April 5th, 1893. + +All prisoners on arrival shall be entered in the Second Grade; they may +earn nine credit marks each month and shall be marked on conduct, work and +mental advancement. Promotion from the Second to the First Grade shall be +conditioned upon the earning of fifty (50) out of the possible fifty‐four +(54) credit marks, within six (6) consecutive months. The loss of more +than two (2) marks in any one month shall cause the prisoner so offending +to be reduced to the next lower grade. By a clear record of one (1) month, +and the earning of nine (9) credit marks shall entitle the prisoner to be +advanced to the next upper grade. + +Prisoners may lose their grades: + + First. By such violations of prison rules as shall necessarily + subject them to solitary confinement. + Second. For general disorderly conduct. + Third. For habitual laziness, untidiness or negligence. + + [decoration, p. 113] + + + + + LIBRARY RULES + + +In ordering books the following directions must be carefully adhered to: + +Write plainly upon a slip of paper your name and cell number. Underneath +place the numbers of fifteen or twenty books you prefer to read. Always +take your library book with you when moving from one cell to another. Bear +in mind that all books are charged to you and that you will be held +strictly responsible for their preservation and safe return. The catalogue +and all books charged to you must be accounted for on the day of your +parole or discharge from prison. You will not be allowed to have a library +book in your possession or in your cell except those that have been +regularly charged up and come to you through the regular channels. If you +find a stray book in your cell you must turn it over to the Librarian at +once. Failing to do this, in the event of finding a stray library book in +your cell will be the means of depriving you of all library privileges. + +You are accorded the utmost liberty in the selection of your reading +matter, but it is hoped and it will be expected by the management that the +library record will show that you have exercised due diligence and regard +for your own best interests in the selection of books. The Warden, +Chaplains, Teachers or other officers will gladly advise you concerning +the selection of proper reading matter. + +All library books, excepting books of reference, may be retained two +weeks. Books of reference may be held but one day. + + + + + RULES FOR EXCHANGING PAPERS + + +Any person wishing to exchange papers or periodicals with other prisoners +may do so by observing the following rules: + +Mark the numbers of the cells to which you wish to send the paper or +periodical plainly on the margin thereof and drop it in the exchange box +at the foot of the stairs as you go out with your bucket in the morning. + + [Solitary Confinement Cell, with Crank Cells Opposite] + + Solitary Confinement Cell, with Crank Cells Opposite + + + [Crank Cells and Keeper] + + Crank Cells and Keeper + + + [Solitary Confinement.] + + Solitary Confinement. The Severest Mode of Punishment at the Minnesota + State Prison. Door to Right is Closed at all Times. + + +After reading papers sent to you scratch your number out and replace +papers in the exchange box the following morning, but do not add any +numbers to the list nor erase any but your own. + +Weekly and semi‐weekly publications circulate ten days from the date of +their issue; monthly publications circulate the month of their issue. + +Writing on, drawing pictures on, or in any way defacing exchanges is +forbidden. Papers must be kept as clean as possible. + + + + + RESTORATION OF CITIZENSHIP. + + +A convict who shall pass the entire period of his imprisonment without a +violation of the rules and discipline, except such as the Warden or Board +of Control shall excuse, shall upon his discharge from prison be restored +to the rights and privileges forfeited by his conviction, and shall +receive from the Governor a certificate under the great seal of the state +as evidence of such restoration, to be issued upon presentation to the +Governor of a certificate of such conduct, which shall be furnished to +such convict by the Warden. + + + + + SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. + + +The mode of punishing infractions of the prison rules at the Stillwater +penitentiary consists of standing the prisoner on the inside of a cell +door; putting his hands through the bars, and handcuffed on the outside. +He is kept standing in this position ten hours during the day, and then +let down during the night; is allowed only a single slice of bread and a +cup of water each day while undergoing punishment. There are no beds in +these cells, nothing but a plank on which to sleep. + +As a rule, prisoners are only kept in these punishment cells from four to +six days, and it frequently occurs that he is released in one day, +providing he promises to obey the rules and will try to avoid getting into +trouble in the future. It is not the custom to subject the inmates of the +Stillwater penitentiary to this form of punishment for trivial offenses, +but it is applied to those prisoners who attempt to escape, who destroy +property, or who indulge in fights and who display a general negligence in +regard to their work. + +On entering the punishment cell the prisoner is searched thoroughly and +given a third‐grade uniform. After the punishment is over he is kept in +the third grade for thirty days, and by good conduct at the end of that +time he is admitted to the second grade. While in the third grade all his +privileges are cut off, such as permission to write letters, receiving +visits from friends, and tobacco and newspapers. + +Not very many prisoners are subjected to this form of punishment and it is +resorted to only when all other means of enforcing prison discipline +fails. + + + + + THE TWINE FACTORY + + +There is a twine factory in operation in the Minnesota State Prison having +a yearly capacity of nearly eighteen million pounds of binder twine. This +adjunct to the prison’s industries was inaugurated about eighteen years +ago, the author of the measure being the brilliant Ignatius Donnelly, +known as the Sage of Nininger. At that time the farmers of this state were +groaning under the iron heel of the trust, being compelled to pay eighteen +cents a pound for their twine, but today the prison is manufacturing twine +of superior quality and selling it to the farmers at an average price of +about seven cents per pound. + +In its infancy the twine plant was conducted on a very small scale, but +the present management has developed and added to its equipment until now +the factory supplies almost the entire demand of the state. There is +little opposition from labor unions against the employment of prison labor +in this industry, for there is but a small proportion of the product +manufactured in this state outside of the prison, and outside factories +are under the domination of the Cordage Trust. + +The successful operation of Minnesota’s twine plant has aroused the +keenest interest among prison officials in other states, and there are now +quite a number of similar factories operating in other penitentiaries. +Delegations of prison officials from other states are frequent visitors at +the Minnesota factory, inspecting the manufacture of twine, and they are +invariably enthusiastic over results attained. + +The twine factory is what is known to the trade as a “three‐system plant;” +that is, it contains three complete sets of each of the machines necessary +to convert the fibre into twine ready for shipment. The transformation is +effected principally by a series of combings. From the moment the rush‐ +plaited cover is removed and the bale is opened until the long strands of +fibre reach the spinning machines to be twisted into cord the material is +constantly undergoing combing. + +The binder twine fibre is unloaded from the cars inside the prison yard. +It is weighed and stored in the warehouse until it is used. Adjoining the +fibre warehouse is the opening room in which the bales are opened and +spread out, the kinks shaken out of the long strands by hand and the fibre +put through a machine called a “breaker.” The breaker subjects it to the +first course of raking, and in order to toughen the material and make it +more pliable distributes a limited amount of oil through it. After passing +through the first breaker, it is sent on to a second, where it is again +cleaned and straightened. Then it is removed from the opening room to the +next shop, where it is passed through first to a coarse then a fine +“spreader.” Like the breaker, the spreader is merely a steel comb on a +belt. + +After leaving the spreaders the fibre is in long, straight and fairly +clean strands, and one would think that it might at once be twisted into a +cord. But the combing process is not through yet, for in the next room it +is sent through first a coarse and then a fine “draw frame,” and then is +given what is technically known as a “third working” in a still finer one. +These draw frames not only comb the fibre, but they also regulate the +sliver—that is, they determine how many strands of hemp will go to make up +the finished twine. + +Next the fibre is run through a “finisher,” an almost human machine, which +regulates more precisely than the draw frames the size of the sliver, and +then it is ready for the spinning rooms. As it comes out of the spinner it +is wrapped on huge spools, which are piled on little carts and distributed +among the men operating the balling machines. These latter wrap the twine +into five‐pound balls, tagged and ready for baling. In the balling shop +the twine is weighed, tested and packed in 50‐pound bales, which are sent +to the twine warehouses and stored there, roof‐high, until the harvesting +commences. + +The output of the twine factory previous to 1903 amounted to about +5,000,000 pounds, but it turned out about 15,000,000 pounds last season, +and it is anticipated that this enormous increase will reach 18,000,000 in +the near future. About 225 prisoners are employed the year around in this +manufactury. Mr. E. C. Williams is the superintendent of the twine plant +and is an excellent man for the position, thoroughly understanding the +business. Under his capable management the factory is kept up to its +highest capacity and few breakdowns have been recorded. + + [Spinning Room In Twine Factory ] + + Spinning Room In Twine Factory + + + [Bailing and Sacking Room In Twine Factory ] + + Bailing and Sacking Room In Twine Factory + + + [Spinning Room In Twine Factory ] + + Spinning Room In Twine Factory + + + [Convicts Marching In to Dinner ] + + Convicts Marching In to Dinner + + + + + +REAL FACTS ABOUT THE NORTHFIELD, MINNESOTA, BANK ROBBERY. + + + Related by THOMAS COLEMAN YOUNGER.(1) + + +“In telling the story of the Northfield bank robbery and its frightful +results I have only to say that there is no heroism in outlawry, and that +the man who sows is sure to reap. After Lee surrendered I tried my best to +live at peace with the world and earn a livelihood. I’d been made a +guerrilla by a provocation that few men could have resisted. My father had +been cruelly murdered, my mother had been hounded to death, my entire +family had been tormented and all my relatives plundered and imprisoned.” + +“From the mass of rubbish that has been written about the guerrilla there +is little surprise that the popular conception of him should be a +fiendish, blood‐thirsty wretch.” + + [Cole Younger.] + + Cole Younger. In Prison Garb in Minnesota State Prison, Jan. 10, 1877 + (left). As he looked “going out”,July 14, 1901 (right). + + +“Yet he was in many cases, if not in most, a man who had been born to +better things and who was made what he was by such outrages as Osceola, +Palmyra and by a hundred raids in less famous but not less infamous, that +were made by Kansans into Missouri during the war.” + +“When the war ceased those of the guerrillas who were not hung or shot or +pursued by posses till they found the hand of man turned against them at +every step, settled down to become good citizens in the peaceful walks of +life, and the survivors of Quantrell’s band may be pardoned, in view of +the black paint that has been devoted to them, in calling attention to the +fact that of the members of Quantrell’s band who have since been intrusted +with public place, not one has ever betrayed his trust.” + +“As for myself and brothers I wish to emphasize that we made an honest +attempt to return to normal life at the close of the war, and had we been +permitted to do so the name of Younger would never have been connected +with the crimes that were committed in the period immediately following +the war.” + +“That my life was good or clean I do not assert. But such as it was, it +was forced upon me by conditions over which I had no control. Before final +judgment is passed upon the men of my kind who were with me in those days +I ask that the fact be considered that we were born in days when hatred +was the rule and reared among scenes of violence.” + +“But I have been accused of many crimes of which I have not been guilty, +and I am willing to take my oath that the crimes that were charged against +me in Missouri were not mine. Never in all my life had I anything to do +with any of the bank robberies in the state of Missouri which had been +charged against myself and brothers.” + +“In the fall of 1868 my brothers, Jim and Bob, went with me to Texas. The +next two or three years we spent in an honest life, my sister joining us +and keeping house for us at Syene, Dallas county. In 1870 and 1871 Jim was +deputy sheriff in Dallas county. He and Bob sang in the church choir. At +that time Bob, who was only 17, fell in love with one of the young ladies +in the village.” + +“I went down to Louisiana, and the story was that I killed five men and +shot five others because I had been robbed by a lot of crooked cattlemen. +There is just this much truth about this incident: There was a crooked +race, with me as the victim. After the race I fought a duel, but not over +the race.” + +“The duel was forced upon me by a man named Captain James White. He +circulated a scandalous tale about the young woman Bob was in love with. I +sent word to him that he would have to apologize or fight. After the race +I referred to White and I went to a neighboring plantation and fought it +out. At first shot his right arm was shattered at the shoulder. When he +thought he was dying he apologized and admitted that he had circulated the +story for the purpose of forcing a fight upon me.” + +“It was about this time that the Kansas City fair was robbed. This was +charged against the Younger brothers, although not one of us had anything +to do with it. Bob felt so keenly the notoriety that resulted from my duel +and from the stories of the Kansas City robbery that he left Dallas, and +later Jim and I followed him. About this time my brother John, was only 14 +years old when the war closed, was forced into a quarrel and murdered as +wantonly as a man was ever murdered in the history of the west.” + +“When I was on the Pacific slope Missouri adopted the famous Drake +constitution, which prohibited Confederate soldiers and sympathizers from +practicing any profession, preaching the gospel or doing many other things +under a penalty of a fine of not less than $500 or imprisonment for not +less than six months. One section of this constitution gave amnesty to +Union soldiers for all they had done after January 1, 1861, but held +Confederates responsible for what they had done either as citizens or +soldiers.” + +“The result of this was persecution for all men who were not friendly with +the carpet‐bag adminstration following the war, and there was no mercy +shown to any of them. After a few days of seeing my friends and old +comrades hounded and imprisoned I saw there was nothing left for me to do +but gather together with those that were left and do the best we could.” + +“In passing swiftly over the scenes of violence in which we took part, I +will take up the Northfield case by saying that we had decided to find a +good bank, make a big haul, get away with the money, leave the country and +start life anew in some foreign land.” + + [Convicts entering train at Stillwater bound for new prison.] + + Convicts entering train at Stillwater bound for new prison. + + + [Warden Wolfer chaperoning convicts to their new “home”] + + Warden Wolfer chaperoning convicts to their new “home” + + +“We were told that General Benjamin F. Butler had a big lot of money in +the First National bank at Northfield, and that A. A. Ames, son‐in‐law of +Butler, who had been carpet‐bag governor of Mississippi after the war, had +a lot there also. We were not very friendly to Butler because of his +treatment of Southerners during the war, and accordingly decided to make a +raid on the Northfield bank.” + +“My brothers, Jim and Bob, Clell Miller, Bill Chadwell and three men named +Pitts, Woods and Howard, were those who decided to take up the expedition. +This was in the middle of August, and we spent a week in Minneapolis +picking up what information we could about Northfield and the bank and +playing poker. Then we passed another week in St. Paul, also looking for +information as to the amount of money and the precautions taken in the +bank to take care of it.” + +“Chadwell, Pitts, Bob and myself procured horses at St. Peter, where we +stayed long enough to break them and to train them for the hard riding to +which we knew they would be submitted later on. It was at St. Peter that I +made the acquaintance of a little girl who afterwards was one of the most +earnest workers for our parole.” + +“A little tot then, she said she could ride a horse, too, and reaching +down, I lifted her up before me, and we rode up and down. I asked her her +name and she said it was ‘Horace Greeley Perry,’ and I replied:” + +“ ‘No wonder you’re such a little tot with such a great name.’ ” + +“ ‘I won’t always be little,’ she replied. ‘I’m going to be a great big +girl and be a newspaper man like papa.’ ” + +“Will you still be my sweetheart then, and be my friend?” I asked her, and +she declared she would, a promise I was to remind her of years later under +circumstances of which I did not dream then. + +“Many years afterward with a party of visitors to the prison came a girl, +perhaps 16, who registered in full, ‘Horace Greeley Perry.’ ” + +“I knew there could not be two women with such a name in the world, and I +reminded her of her promise, a promise which she did not remember, +although she had been told how she had made friends with the bold, bad man +who afterwards robbed the bank at Northfield.” + +“Very soon afterward, at the age of 18, I believe, she became, as she had +dreamed, in childhood, ‘a newspaper man’, editing the St. Peter Journal, +and to the hour of my pardon she was one of the most indefatigable workers +for us.” + +“A few years ago failing health compelled her removal from Minnesota to +Idaho, and Minnesota lost one of the brightest newspaper writers and +staunchest friends that a man ever knew. Jim and I had a host of advocates +during the latter years of our imprisonment, but none exceeded in devotion +the young woman, who as a little tot, had ridden unknowingly with the +bandit who was soon to be exiled for life from all his kin and friends.” + +“Preliminary work on the Northfield robbery was got down to during the +last week of August 1876, and while Pitts and I were waiting for Bob and +Chadwell, who had gone up there to look over the ground, we scouted all +over the country thereabouts and around Madelia in order to get ourselves +familiar with the lay of the land. When the two boys joined us we divided +into two parties and started for Northfield along different routes.” + +“On Monday night, September 4, the party I was with reached Le Sueur +Center, where we had trouble finding places to sleep, as court was in +session. Tuesday night we put in at Cordova, and Wednesday we were in +Millersburg. At the same time Bob and his crowd rounded up in Cannon City, +which was south of Northfield.” + +“On Thursday morning, September 7, we all came together on the Cannon +river, on the outskirts of Northfield. That afternoon I took a look at the +bank, and in camp at dinner I told the gang that no matter what came off +we mustn’t shoot anybody. While I was making this point as strong as I +could one of the crowd asked what we should do if they began shooting at +us. Bob at once said that if I was so particular about not having any +shooting the best thing for me to do was to stay outside and take my +chances.” + + [Convicts entering new prison] + + Convicts entering new prison + + + [Convicts detraining at their new “home.”] + + Convicts detraining at their new “home.” + + +“Well, at last the time came. Bob, Pitts and Howard started for town +ahead, the scheme being that they should round up in the town square and +not go into the bank until the rest of the party joined them. It was fixed +that Miller and I should go on guard right at the bank, while the rest of +the gang was to wait at the bridge and listen for a pistol shot signal in +case they were wanted for help. We had it schemed out that as there were +no saddle horses around anywhere we could get off with a flying start and +get away before they could stop us, wrecking the telegraph office if +necessary to prevent any alarm being sent out by wire.” + +“Whisky spoiled the whole plan. Between the time they left camp and +reached the bridge the men who went ahead got away with a quart of +whisky—the first time I had ever known Bob to drink, and as a matter of +fact, I didn’t know he had done so then until the day and its terrible +events were over. The blunder was that when these three men saw us coming, +instead of waiting for us to get up with them they slammed right on into +the bank regardless, leaving the door open in their excitement.” + +“I was out in the street, pretending I was having trouble with my saddle. +Meantime I had told Miller to close up the bank door. A man named Allen, +who kept a store near by, was then trying to get into the bank, but Miller +foolishly shouted at him and told him to get away. Allen at once became +excited and saw that something was wrong, and ran off up the street +shouting to every one to get his gun, as the bank was being robbed.” + +“A Dr. Wheeler, who saw that something was happening out of the ordinary, +began to yell ‘Robbery!’ Then I saw we were in for it, and would need all +the help we could get. I first called to Miller to come inside and get out +of harm’s way and then I fired a signal to the three men at the bridge for +them to come up and help us, as we had been trapped.” + +“Chadwell, Woods and Jim came galloping up, and at the same moment that +they arrived I heard a shot fired inside the bank. The three boys were +firing their guns as they rode along, shouting to everybody they saw to +get out of the way and get indoors, but I am quite sure they never killed +anybody. My theory always has been that the man Gustafson, who was shot +down in the street, was struck by a glancing shot from some of the +citizen’s rifles, as they were out blazing away at this time.” + +“Miller was then shot by a man named Stacy and his face filled full of +bird shot. A man named Manning killed Pitts’ horse, and, as a matter of +fact, the street was full of flying lead, coming from every direction. It +wasn’t long before I was wounded in the thigh by Manning, and the next +instant he shot Chadwell through the heart.” + +“Dr. Wheeler, from an upper floor of a hotel, got a bead on Miller and +brought him down, so that he soon lay dying in the middle of the street. +Every time I saw a man pointing a gun at me I dropped off my horse and +tried to drive the shooter under cover, but there were so many of them, +and I couldn’t see in every direction, so I soon found out that, wounded +as I was, I was helpless. Meanwhile there was a tragedy going on inside +the bank.” + + [Reproduction of finger print system in vogue at the Minnesota state + prison] + +Reproduction of finger print system in vogue at the Minnesota state prison + + + [Reproduction of record from files of Minnesota State Prison, showing + record of former inmate.] + + Reproduction of record from files of Minnesota State Prison, showing + record of former inmate. + + +“Bob came out in a hurry and started down the street toward Manning, who +ran into a store, hoping he would get a shot at Bob from under cover. Bob +ran on, but didn’t notice Dr. Wheeler, who was upstairs in the hotel, +behind him, and Wheeler’s third shot smashed Bob’s right arm. Bob switched +his gun to his left and got on Miller’s horse, thinking that Miller was +dead. By this time Howard and Pitts had got out of the bank, and I told +them that Miller was still alive and we’d have to save him. I told Pitts +to put Miller on my horse, but when we lifted him I saw he was dead, so I +told Pitts that I would hold off the crowd while he got away, as his horse +had been killed. While Pitts ran, less than ten yards, I stood stood with +my pistol pointed at anyone who showed his head, and then I galloped off +and overtook him and took him up behind me.” + +“Pitts then confessed to me about the drinking, and said they had made an +awful mess of it inside the bank. It had been arranged that they should +hold up Joseph L. Heywood, the acting cashier, at his window, and after +roping him get to the safe without any trouble. Instead of that, these +three drink‐crazed lunatics leaped over the rail and scared Heywood so +badly that he immediately got on the defensive, and in a minute the alarm +was out and it was all over.” + +“It seems that one of the robbers had waved his revolver at Heywood the +minute he entered the bank and asked him if he was the cashier. Heywood +had said he wasn’t, and then the same question was put to the other two +men who were in the bank. Each of the three said he was not the cashier, +but the robber turned to Heywood, who was sitting at the cashier’s desk, +and said:” + +“ ‘You’re the cashier; open that safe d—n quick or I’ll blow your head +off.’ ” + +“Heywood jumped back and Pitts ran to the vault and got inside. Heywood +then tried to shut him in, and was seized by the robbers, who told him to +open the safe at once or he would not live another minute. Heywood told +him there was a time lock on it that positively couldn’t be opened, +whereupon Howard pulled a knife and tried to cut Heywood’s throat, the +cashier having been thrown to the ground in the scuffle that had taken +place. Incidentally, Pitts told me afterwards that Howard fired a pistol +near Heywood’s head, but only with the intention of frightening him.” + +“A. E. Bunker, the teller, by this time had tried to get hold of a pistol +that was near where he was, but Pitts got the gun first, and it was found +on him after he was killed, and consequently furnished just that much good +evidence that we were the men at Northfield.” + +“The boys saw by this time that the safe could not be reached, so they +asked Bunker about the money that was outside. Bunker pointed to a little +tray full of small coins, and while Bob was putting them away in a sack +Bunker made a dash through a rear window. Pitts fired at him twice, the +bullet going through his right shoulder.” + + [Group showing St. Paul police department, J.J. Connor, Chief.] + + Group showing St. Paul police department, J.J. Connor, Chief. + + + [Group showing St. Paul police department, J.J. Connor, Chief.] + + Group showing St. Paul police department, J.J. Connor, Chief. + + +“By this time the men in the bank had heard the commotion and firing +outside and started to leave. Heywood, who had been on the floor, +unfortunately rose at this instant, and Pitts, still under the influence +of liquor, shot him through the head and killed him.” + +“Meantime we who had escaped slaughter in the terrible bombardment we had +faced were trying to make our way to some safe place. Not far from +Northfield we met a farmer, who lent us a horse for Pitts to ride, and we +got past Dundas ahead of the news of the raid on the bank. We were also +beating it at Millersburg, but at Shieldsville we ran into a squad of men +who knew what had happened and were after us. These men had, foolishly for +themselves, left their guns outside a house, and we didn’t let them get +hold of them until we had a good start, but they overtook us about four +miles away and shots were exchanged without any trouble resulting.” + +“Soon there were a thousand men on our trail and about $5,000 in rewards +for our capture. We tramped and camped and rode and watched in a strange +country and among the lakes. We didn’t know the trails and were afraid to +try the fords and bridges, knowing that our hunters would be sure to keep +their eyes on these places. Saturday morning we abandoned our horses and +decided to keep up the fight afoot. We tramped all night and put in Sunday +near Marysburg. Bob’s elbow by this time was in pretty bad shape and we +had to go slow. Finally, on Monday night and Tuesday we couldn’t go +anywhere, so we passed the time in a deserted house near Mankato. A man +named Dunning found us there and we took him prisoner. On the theory that +the dead are silent, some of the men wanted to kill him, but I wouldn’t +stand for that, so we made him swear by all that was holy that he wouldn’t +tell that he had seen us until we got away. Then we turned him loose. He +lost no time in getting into Mankato and giving the alarm, and in a few +minutes another posse was after us.” + +“That night Howard and Wood decided that they wouldn’t hold back any +longer and that we were losing valuable time because of Bob’s wound, so +they left us and went on west. They stole two horses very soon, and this +helped us as well as them, for the posse followed the trail of the stolen +horses, not knowing that we had divided.” + +“On Thursday morning, September 21, just two weeks after the raid, the end +came. A party of forty men soon surrounded us and opened fire. We were cut +off from our horses and our case was hopeless. We were on the open prairie +and not ready for our last flight against such odds, we fell back into the +Watonwan river bottoms and hid in some bushes.” + +“When the iron doors shut behind us at the Stillwater prison we all +submitted to the prison discipline with the same unquestioning obedience +that I had exacted during my military service. The result was that we +gained friends both in prison and outside. We had been in prison a little +over seven years, when, on January 25, 1884, the main building was +destroyed by fire at night. George F. Dodd was then connected with the +prison, while his wife was matron. There was danger of a panic and a +terrible disaster. Dodd released Jim and Bob and myself. To me he gave a +revolver. Jim had an axe handle and Bob a small iron bar. We stood guard +over the women prisoners, marched them from the danger of the fire, and +the prison authorities were kind enough to say that had it not been for us +there must have been a tremendous loss of life.” + + [Head Officials, Minneapolis, Minnesota Police Department.] + + Head Officials, Minneapolis, Minnesota Police Department. 1. Capt. H.L. + Getchell, 5th Precinct. 2. Capt. P.J. Quealey, 2nd Precinct. 3. Capt. + Michael Mealey, Asst. Supt. Hdqrtrs. 4. Capt. Frank T. Corriston, + Superintendant. 5. Capt. Nicholas Smith, Capt. of Detectives. 6. Capt. + Geo. Reviere, Night Capt. Hdqtrs. 7. Capt. Frank Ferm, 3rd Precinct. 8. + Capt. Geo. Sinclair, 4th Precinct. + + +“I can say without fear of contradiction that had it been in our minds to +do so we could have escaped from the prison that night, but we had +determined to pay the penalty that had been exacted, and if we were ever +to return to liberty it would be with the consent and approval of the +authorities and the public. A little later Jim was put in charge of the +mail and library of the prison, while I was made head nurse in the +hospital, where I remained until the day we were paroled.” + +“As the years went by the popular feeling against us not only subsided, +but our absolute obedience to the minutest detail of the prison discipline +won us the consideration, and I might even say, the esteem of the prison +officials. In the meantime it had been a life sentence for Bob, he having +died of consumption September 16, 1889.” + +“Jim and I went out into the world July 14, 1901, after serving a few +months less than twenty‐five years. Each of us immediately found work, and +life again took on its normal hues. Poor Jim, however, was subject to +periodical spells of deep depression. The bullet that shattered his upper +jaw in our last fight in Madelia imbedded itself near the brain and was +not removed until long after we were in the prison at Stillwater. That +bullet was the cause of his occasional gloominess. After our relase from +prison Jim’s health continued precarious. He finally gave up the fight, +and on October 19, 1902, took his own life in a hotel in Minnesota.” + +“I am not exactly a dead man, but I have been shot twenty‐eight times and +am now carrying in my body fourteen bullets that physicians have been +unable to extract. Twelve of these wounds I received while wearing the +gray, and I have ever been proud of them, and it has been one of my +keenest regrets that I did not receive the rest of them during the war +with Spain.” + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + +The following is an authentic copy of Younger’s commitment papers. + + + + +THOMAS COLEMAN YOUNGER. + + + RICE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT. + + +Crime Murder 1" deg. +Term Life. Sentenced Nov. 20th, + 1876. +Nativity Missouri. +Age 32 years. +Height 5’—11¼" +Hair Very light brown, very + curly, thin, and bald on + crown of head. +Eyes Blue (light). +Complexion Fair, inclined to be + florid. +Occupation None. +Marks Two moles on back—Scar on + left shoulder and small + scar on left hip caused + by gunshot. + +Can read and write—uses tobacco—single—temperate. + + + + ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ + + + RECORD + + +Removed to Washington County Jail, Jan. 26, 1884. + +Paroled July 14, 1901. + +Pardoned Feb. 4, 1903, on condition that he leave State of Minnesota and +that he never exhibit himself in public in any way. + + + + + +THE STATE BOARD OF PARDONS + + +The members of the State Board of Pardons, next to the weather man, are +the most severely criticised in the state of Minnesota, and unjustly so. +In the exercise of the authority conferred upon them the Minnesota State +Board of Pardons is the most conservative in the United States. +Notwithstanding the fact that they grant about seventy‐five per cent less +pardons than similar bodies in other states, the press, in many instances, +holds that it is too liberal in its disposition of mercy. + +The true function of the Pardon Board has often been exemplified by the +daily press of the twin cities, and they appear to be unanimous in the +belief that where the interest of humanity or reform can be benefited it +is proper for the board to lighten a penalty or grant an outright rpardon. + +Jesus of Nazareth enunciated the wise doctrine that “if you wish to be +forgiven, you must forgive others,” and this apothegm is the alpha and +omega of the Christian religion to day. “Go and sin no more” is often the +basic principal of true reformation. + + [Pardon Board of the State of Minnesota] + + Pardon Board of the State of Minnesota + + + [Governor’s private office in State Capitol, St. Paul, Minn.] + +Governor’s private office in State Capitol, St. Paul, Minn. Pardon Board + hold their meetings here. + + + [Governor’s reception room, State Capitol, St. Paul, Minn.] + + Governor’s reception room, State Capitol, St. Paul, Minn. + + +The laws of man ever since the days of Moses, Confucius, Lycurgus, Solon +and Christ are intended to be just and impartial to all men; but no law +yet created by our wise jurists and statesmen can eradicate from the +individual the brand of Cain placed upon him by society,—that of an ex‐ +convict. The Pardon Board can enlarge a man’s liberty by making him a free +citizen and a tax‐payer, but it cannot free his conscience from the stigma +of disgrace that clings to him until the portals of eternity open to +receive him. We believe that the pardoning power, judicially applied, is +the greatest aid to true reformation yet discovered. + +The Minnesota State Board of Pardons consists of the Governor, Chief +Justice of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General. Its meetings are +held quarterly in the state capitol building, and they meet on the second +Monday in January, April, July and October. + +The law governing the granting of pardons is as follows: “Such board may +grant an absolute or a conditional pardon, but every conditional pardon +shall state the terms and conditions on which it was granted. A reprieve +in a case where capital punishment has been imposed may be granted by any +member of the board, but for such time only as may be reasonably necessary +to secure a meeting for the consideration of an application for pardon or +commutation of sentence. Every pardon or communication of sentence shall +be in writing and shall have no force or effect unless granted by a +unanimous vote of the board duly convened.” + +A convict in the prison Mirror writes as follows: + +“Exercising clemency toward convicted persons is a subject that arouses +many editorial writers. These newspaper men are creators of public +opinion, and it would seem possible for them to calmly, impartially +consider the subject instead of disseminating personal ideas immature in +reasoning and founded on the erroneous conception that every person in +prison has received a fair, impartial trial and that the sentences must be +warranted upon the trial court’s proceedings. In fact, the majority of +editorial writers should refrain from casting reflections upon the pardon +power because it seems too lenient or applaud it for refusing leniency +toward prisoners. Their attitude shows plainly a lack of discernable +ability. Few prisoners appeal to the pardon power of a state for clemency. +Clemency is a term used for pity. Prisoners, as a rule, detest being +considered seekers after pity. This is the concealed idea of many +editorials, and thereby erroneous. The prisoner appeals to the pardon +power because it is a lawfully created power to entertain his appeal, +which is based upon his opinions concerning the justice of a sentence as +opposed to the injustice of the trial court’s imposed sentence. The +appellant is not after pity, but expects justice. He has a right to the +benefits of the law, and has a right, not only to ask for, but to demand +justice. And no class of persons should exploit these facts more than +editorial writers. Today they are greatly responsible for the necessity of +wives, children and mothers practically begging for pity for some loved +one in prison. We need Websters to interpret the law and demand justice +for clients—not wives, mothers and friends to beg for pity.” + + + + + +PATHETIC INCIDENTS AT MEETINGS OF PARDON BOARD. + + +“My little girl Virginia, only four years old, has been praying to Santa +Claus every night for the past week, instead of to God. She has asked +Santa every night to give her her papa for Christmas.” + +“It seems all a dream, and I am afraid that I will awake to find it isn’t +true. But I felt all day that the pardon would come. I don’t know why it +was, but I caught myself singing this morning as I went about the house. +It is the happiest day of my life. It will be the happiest Christmas that +my family has ever spent.” + +“Fred doesn’t know that the pardon board meets today. He expects that it +will meet Thursday. I am going to take the pardon with me to the prison, +present it to Warden Wolfer and take my husband home with me.” + +It is a young woman, the wife of a chief of police convicted of grafting, +pleading before the pardon board for his release. She has worked a year +securing evidence. It is just two days before Christmas and the board is +called for a special session. The governor, the chief justice of the +supreme court and the attorney general, who constitute the pardon board, +hear her case with tears in their eyes. Attorneys and others plead for him +also. Then the board goes into session. They decide that seventeen months +in prison has served the ends of justice. They summon the young wife. + +“Your husband has been granted a full pardon,” announces one of the +members. + +“May he come home with me now?” she asks, faltering, then she swoons. Soon +she recovers. The pardon is signed. She takes it with her to Stillwater, +presents it to the warden and a moment later husband and wife are in each +other’s arms. Merry Christmas it was for them. + +“He’s all I’ve got, judge. I’ll take him anywhere, or I’ll keep him right +at home in Minneapolis, if you will only let him out. I want to take care +of him, for he’ll die if he stays there.” Tears drop from the mother of a +youth of twenty‐two who has been sent to prison for twelve years for +larceny. “I’ve saved $250 in the last five years, and me doing day work,” +she says proudly. Her son is suffering from tuberculosis. The board +believes that it is better for him to be under such a mother’s care than +die in the prison and he is released. + +Nowhere else, unless it be at a hospital, must one gaze at such a +seemingly unending sad procession of pain‐torn hearts, the anguished souls +of mothers, fathers, sisters, sweethearts and wives, than at the meeting +of the pardon board every three months. Nowhere else are the grinding +knives of the law more apparent. Few are as fortunate as the two cited +above. Of the two or three dozen cases at each meeting, seldom are more +than two or three persons shown any mercy. + +Here is the case of a murderer sentenced to hang. An attorney pleads for +him; points out that the evidence was doubtful, says that the spirit of +vengeance guided the jury. But the board has the evidence before it. “It +clearly shows that the crime was premeditated,” remarks one member. There +is no hope. + +A sweet faced girl who has journeyed all the way from Seattle to take her +brother back with her, finds that the law could not pardon an offender +because his sister believes in him and loves him. The board must be shown +that the punishment was too severe for the crime or that life at home will +serve better to make the offender a useful citizen than doing penance at +the prison. + +To an aged father and mother of a boy serving a thirty‐month sentence for +stealing $56 worth of grain, the sad news is meted out that their son must +serve out his sentence. They had trusted with the blind faith that the +board would release him because they needed him. “The farm is running down +and Charlie ought to be home to help care for things. He had always been a +good boy,” they said. + +Scathing lectures are often given those asking pardon for the undeserving, +by the members of the board. “Do you think fifteen months is too much for +a man who shot his wife? It was not his fault she did not die,” the chief +justice recently told some friends of a man who had hunted up and shot a +wife who had left him. “If my sister were outraged by a man, shooting +would be none too good for him,” the governor recently told a smooth‐ +tongued attorney who was making a plea for a man serving a long sentence +for a heinous crime. + +So it goes. There is mercy for a few; there is the stern and unrelenting +law tor the many. + + [decoration, smoking gun] + + + + + +PRESS NOTICES. + + + + + MORE LIGHT. + + +Mr. Heilbron’s book on Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison should +obtain a wide circulation. The world outside regards the world inside much +as it would regard another planet, and is curious accordingly. As a +general rule, the “heroes” of this work of art are saying nothing and +spinning twine and when they get back to Civilization they keep up the +habit. While apt to examine books of this kind in a decidedly critical +light, the heroes aforesaid will find in this one no misstatements of fact +and no flights of fancy. The illustrations too are excellent, the one of +No. 1055’s back being a speaking likeness. Another first‐class picture is +the one which reproduces the magnificent polish on Mr. Nelson’s counter in +the tailor shop. The bindery, too, that smoothly running one‐man +department, has quite a palatial appearance. The “chiel amang us takin’” +flashlights is to be congratulated. It may be doubted whether a copy of +this little book will hereafter be found in every home in the state, but +it would not do any harm. Maybe when Horace was hesitating about signing +papa’s name in papa’s checkbook, the family copy would strike his eye and +induce him to—go ahead?— + + (Prison Mirror, July 29, 1909.) + + + + +A NOVEL VOLUME. + + +“Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison” Published by Mr. W. C. +Heilbron of St. Paul. + +“Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison,” of which Mr. W. C. Heilbron, +assistant public examiner, St. Paul, is the author and publisher, is a +neat volume, replete with halftone illustrations of scenes, views and +incidents of this institution, occupying 134 pages of text, including +pictures. + +The frontispiece is a remarkably good likeness of Hon. Henry Wolfer, the +warden, under whose guidance during the past eighteen years the Minnesota +State Prison has made its remarkable penological and financial success. + +To one unacquainted with the modus operandi of dealing with prisoners in a +penitentiary, “Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison” affords an +accurate and sustained story from start to finish. In this book is given a +detailed description of the reception of the prisoner, the manner in which +he is handled, clothed, fed, assigned to duty and governed by the resident +officials, with excellent sidelights upon the situation. + +The illustrations are numerous and give interior views of buildings, +shops, departments and hospital, together with interesting scenes of +parades, drills and other matters of moment to the reader. + +Citizens—even those who have visited penal institutions—obtain but a very +scant conception of the method and manner in which they are conducted by a +casual observance upon the occasion of a visit. “Convict Life at the +Minnesota State Prison,” however, is written so that all may gain a proper +conception by reading it, and the illustrations materially aid in that +respect. This book will be the means of doing a great deal of good in +removing false notions regarding inmates and it ought to enjoy a large +sale.—(Prison Mirror, July 22, 1909.) + + + + +EDITORIAL. + + +On the first page of this issue of The Mirror will be found a brief review +of the volume entitled “Convict Life at the Minnesota State Prison.” Until +recently the publication of matter of that character has been tabooed by +managers of penal institutions. However, there is no harm in such +publicity. Conditions are constantly improving and penologists recognize +that fact. Corporal punishment and the lockstep have been abolished in +many prisons. + +The problem confronting wardens is not “how to punish prisoners,” but +rather how to reform them and restore them to society as good citizens. + +The Minnesota State Prison is referred to as a model, and, while the +buildings now occupied are old and antiquated, unfit for prison purposes +and manufacturing, nevertheless the morale of the inmates is of a high +grade and credit is due to those who have brought this condition about. As +the author, Mr. W. C. Heilbron, truly states, the first two months of +incarceration for the average prisoners provide punishment enough to last +a lifetime. Of course this does not apply to all inmates, but it is +certainly true of many of them. + +It is neither the purpose nor the province of The Mirror to laud any one +in particular regarding the management of the Minnesota State Prison. The +facts speak more eloquently than all the eulogies that could be uttered. +The Mirror, however, desires to direct the attention of the public to the +fact that no harm is done by the publication of such a volume as “Convict +Life at the Minnesota State Prison,” and much good may result from its +compilation and circulation. + +There have been prisons and dungeons since the earliest days of recorded +history and no doubt such institutions will be in vogue until the end of +the universe. Great advancement has been made in the treatment of those +who have been so unfortunate as to be segregated from society in general +and the publication of facts instead of fancy will be the means of +clarifying the atmosphere considerably as to what is just and humane and +of the greatest earthly benefit to men and women who have, either through +ignorance, accident, design or viciousness, fallen from grace and become +the wards of the commonwealth in a prison or penitentiary. + +To the end that the public may be fully and reliably informed of the facts +in relation to prison life the volume mentioned must prove to be of great +value to all those who peruse its pages with an open mind and a generous +heart—(Prison Mirror, July 22, 1909.) + + [decoration, twine ball] + + + + + [Minnesota State Fair advertisement] + [Minnesota’s New $2,250,000 State Prison Now in Course of Construction] + + Minnesota’s New $2,250,000 State Prison Now in Course of Construction + + + + + + + 1 Editor’s Note.—In the preface we stated that the names of former + inmates of the Minnesota State Prison with sensational reputations + would not appear in this book. However, there has been such an + arbitrary demand from the general public, that we have concluded to + insert the version of an exploit by one of the early inmates of the + institution. Page 49 shows hospital cell occupied by Cole Younger + during the 25 years of his incarceration. This is the first time + this story has been published in book form. It is surmised the names + Howard and Woods indicate Jesse and Frank James respectively. + + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONVICT LIFE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE PRISON, STILLWATER, MINNESOTA*** + + + +CREDITS + + +February 8, 2015 + + Project Gutenberg edition 10 + Martin Schub + + + +A WORD FROM PROJECT GUTENBERG + + +This file should be named 48208‐0.txt or 48208‐0.zip. + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + + + http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/8/2/0/48208/ + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one — the old editions will be +renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law +means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the +Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States +without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect +the Project Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a +registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the ebooks, +unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything for +copies of this ebook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use +this ebook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, +reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and +given away — you may do practically _anything_ in the United States with +ebooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to +the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. + + + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE + + +_Please read this before you distribute or use this work._ + +To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or +any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), +you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ +License (available with this file or online at +http://www.gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. + + +General Terms of Use & Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works + + +1.A. + + +By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, +you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the +terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) +agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this +agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of +Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee +for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work +and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may +obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set +forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + + +1.B. + + +“Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or +associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be +bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can +do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying +with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are +a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you +follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to +Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. + + +1.C. + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or +PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual +work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works +based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are +removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ +mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing +Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement +for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can +easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the +same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you +share it without charge with others. + + +1.D. + + +The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you +can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant +state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of +your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before +downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating +derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. +The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of +any work in any country outside the United States. + + +1.E. + + +Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + + +1.E.1. + + +The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access +to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever +any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase +“Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” +is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or +distributed: + + + This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States + and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no + restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re‐use + it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with + this ebook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org. If you are not + located in the United States, you’ll have to check the laws of the + country where you are located before using this ebook. + + +1.E.2. + + +If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts +not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating +that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can +be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying +any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a +work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on +the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project +Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + + +1.E.3. + + +If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the +permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply +with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed +by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project +Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the +copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + + +1.E.4. + + +Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License +terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any +other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. + + +1.E.5. + + +Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic +work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying +the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate +access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License. + + +1.E.6. + + +You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, +marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word +processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted +on the official Project Gutenberg™ web site (http://www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. +Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as +specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + + +1.E.7. + + +Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, +copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply +with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + + +1.E.8. + + +You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or +distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that + + – You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to + the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to + donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg + Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 + days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally + required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments + should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg + Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, + “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary + Archive Foundation.” + + – You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e‐mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. + You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the + works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and + all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works. + + – You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of + any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of + receipt of the work. + + – You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. + + +1.E.9. + + +If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic +work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this +agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from both the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The Project Gutenberg Trademark +LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation +as set forth in Section 3 below. + + +1.F. + + +1.F.1. + + +Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to +identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not +protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, +and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such +as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, +transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property +infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer +virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + + +1.F.2. + + +LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES — Except for the “Right of +Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ +trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ +electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for +damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE +NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH +OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE +FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT +WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, +PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY +OF SUCH DAMAGE. + + +1.F.3. + + +LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND — If you discover a defect in this +electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund +of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to +the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a +physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. +The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect +to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the +work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose +to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in +lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a +refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. + + +1.F.4. + + +Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in +paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ’AS‐IS,’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + + +1.F.5. + + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the +exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or +limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state +applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make +the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state +law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement +shall not void the remaining provisions. + + +1.F.6. + + +INDEMNITY — You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark +owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of +Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and +any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution +of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs +and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from +any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of +this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or +additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect +you cause. + + +Section 2. + + + Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ + + +Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic +works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including +obsolete, old, middle‐aged and new computers. It exists because of the +efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks +of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance +they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring +that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for +generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for +Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations +can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation web page at +http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. + + + Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of +Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. +The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64‐6221541. +Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. Contributions to the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full +extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the +mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its volunteers +and employees are scattered throughout numerous locations. Its business +office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) +596‐1887, email business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date +contact information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://www.pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + + + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. + + + Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive + Foundation + + +Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread +public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the +number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed +in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment +including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are +particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. +Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable +effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these +requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not +received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or +determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit +http://www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have +not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against +accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us +with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any +statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the +United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation methods +and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including +checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please +visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. + + + General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. + + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with +anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ +eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, +all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep +ebooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each ebook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the ebook’s ebook +number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, compressed +(zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected _editions_ of our ebooks replace the old file and take over the +old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new ebooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + + http://www.gutenberg.org + + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how +to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, +how to help produce our new ebooks, and how to subscribe to our email +newsletter to hear about new ebooks. + + + + + + +***FINIS***
\ No newline at end of file |