The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-31
Our Sing Sing Correspondence.

Crotom File TVorks-7he State PRISON and its
Managemsnt-Ih Number of Comvrcts-Ihe
Pwwishmsnt-Ihs Hudson River Rathroad--1he
Telegraph IVTes-Ihs Err Postmaster.
The prevailing epidemic that broke out here
week ago to-day, has somewhat startled the peo-
pie who reside on the lower dock, where it first
made its appearance, and has since been confined
to that portion of the village; and, as said before
the only cause of its spreading rapidly, is attri
buted to the using of the water from well on the
dock (which was apparently stagnant, and of course
impure. The authorities should take immediate
measures to have this well closed up, but as yet
they have done nothing to prevent the use of
this water. Although l apprehend none of the
citizens will use any more of 1t, yet strangers
might drink it without knowing anything of its
impurities. The population of Sing Sing is about
$780, the greater portion of whom reside on the
hill, where no cases have been known. The num-
Der of inhabitants in that section of the village
where all the cases and deaths have occurred, will
not exceed $50; and the whole number of cases,
up to this morning, is twenty-four, and fifteen of
them have proved fatal, which still leaves nine
cases, who are all getting better, and will probably
recover in a few days. No further danger is now
apprt hended.
During two or three days after the first death by
the cholera, the merchants and families residing
upon the lower dock became so much alarmed, that
they closed their stores, shut up their houses, and
put tor the country to escape the dreadful scourge
that was sweeping of their neighbers all around
them Among the number who fled to the interior
of this county, was W,llet Acker, grocer from
the dock, and Mrs. Manghan, who were both
seIzed with the epidemic after their departure
from the village, and ia few hours they both ex-
pred. Thus, they left their homes to escape the
horrible disease that surrounded them, but, alas !!
they were soon hurried to their graves. For three
days past, the steamboat landing has presented a
ms aranc IL hOl ri of
of the dock, has been entirely suspended. How
ever, it is expected that the cholera will all dsap-
pear by the middle of next week, When the mer-
chants will resume their business again.
! yesterday visited one of the most extensive
manufactures of its kind in the United States,
which is known as the Croton File Works"
This factory was established some three years
since, by John RUSSELL Esq who is the sole owner,
and is now considered one of our most enterprislng
men in the manufacturing business. He is a man
with noble heart, and from the good feeling he
exhibits toward his operatives, has won for hum the
estee of all who know him. The various shops,
machinery, etc, that are connected with these file
works, are all situated on the bank of an immense
stream Of water, and within few feet of the great
arch Of the Croton Aqueduct, Will now glance
at the different shops where millions Of taper files
manufactured In the course OF year. The
first one Is where file is commenced TO be made,
which is termed the " forging shop;" thus has eight
forges, with four to SIX men at each. The next Is
called the "anneang shop" where they an
Deaed and taken 10 another one TO be ground !;
here there are eleven run of stone, all turned at
the same time by steam power; thence they are
sent to the "cuttDg shops" where they are first
nicked on the edges, and then passed over to
others to cut them on the sides this part OF the
work is all done by females of different ages.
They are then stamped by boys, and afterwards
sent TO the " hardening shop" 10 be hardened ;
after this they tried to the hardness, or ra-
iher TO pass inspection from those employed TO see
il they aye all hard and good; then they are finished
of and cleaned, when they are ready TO be done
IL IL lrsI tI.
various labors are at an end, they are shipped IN
large quantities TO the city OF New York, where
Mr.. Russell has an agent, who attends to the sale
OF them. The number employed at this extensive
file cutting establishment Is from one TO two
hundred males and females, who have constant
work the year round. There are upwards OF Y, 900
Of these files made here In week, and In cutting
them il is estimated that boy makes 81, 40
sta okes in day. The buildings cover IRON two
To three acres Of ground, and cost near $4,000
This vast and complicated establishment Is carried
OH by both steam and water power, and is not only
a great credit to the village, but Is the means OF
giving steady employ to many OF the villagers,
who would, without 1t, become burhen 70 the
place, and finally an expense To The county. There
are great many copies of the Nec YORK Herald
taken daily by the employees OF this establishments
and in passing through the various shops noticed
the He,oM "a number of times, lying near many OF
the woIkmen
In Waiting the State Prison, did not have the
pleasure of seeing the agent or warden, ~ they
were both absent, but was politely shown all
through the male prison by the architect, Mr. Lent,
(who has been connected with this institution for
nearly quarter vt a century, The convcts are
remarkably healthy, and the cells, halls shops,
Nc, are all in an excellent and clean condition.
Lime is profusely used IN every nook and corner
Of the prisons, both male and female white.
washers, and the Croton water, (Which IL carried
fnm the aqueduct TO all parts OF both prsons,) are
in operation nearly all the time, which KEEPS the
prisons sweet and clean. The management OF the
Sing Sing State Prison is said 10 have been bad
while under the control OF locofoco admins
lriiun. but whether II rs altered much since the
wings have come into power | am unable 10 say,
a. unde rstand that suits for heavy amounts are
now at issue with the State and different lndivl-
dusls ! also learned that resident OF the village
has account Of 81, 500 against the prison, which
has been standing some two years, but those now
IN power of hts Institution say that all those debts
end quits were brought about through the mIsma-
nsgtment of their predecessors. The female prl-
ION is conducted in an excellent manner by its
worthy matron, the amlabe and accomplished
Mrs. Dewey.
The number Of convlcts now confined at these
pnsons is, males COL, females ~ and out OF these
73a human beings, IN two buildings, there are but
about 80 OF them IN the hospitals, and very lew
deaths have occurred lately.
Years ago the punishment which was used here
was the cat, but now they shower the ugly and I'M
ruy ones instead Of whipping them. While at the
lower end Of the prison, yesterday, saw the ope.
ration p. rformed: II appeared that an Airlcln had
been talking IN his room, which - against the rules,
the shower bath. After he was fastened down. the
cord was pulled and torrents ct water poured GA
top of his head. After he had been showrred about
three minutes, he gave deaiening yell, and the
keeper let up on him, and ne promised not to talk
again, and was taken out.
The laying of the track on this section OF the
! Hudson River Railroad IS rapidly progressing,
| aud IL is expected the trains will commence run-
| ming to Pe,kskiIl IN few weeks.
There are two telegraph lines pass through this
village from New York, but no office here. This
is certainly a strange idea, that or the Other
companies do not establish one. as II ~ importfni
| they should do 20 where there Is State Prison,
Railroad, and 2, 500 inhabitants IL would certain
| " paw have zen informed that citizens Of Sing
sing intend TO have public meeting soon in rela-
| ton TO this question.
| MANY of The people Of Westminster county APP
near 10 think that ssOld Zacl" missed the figure
| when he removed Mr.. George +. Stanton, the la,e
| Postmaster &c this place, az he was always lead
| ing Wing Of the county, and was appointed under
| General Harrison since which time he has kept
the Office to the satisfaction of the citizens OF sing