The morning comet. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1856-1856, 1856-10-08
THE LOUISIANA PENITENTIARY

In the Phonir Ledger, we find the
following article in reference to the
Penitentiary:
On a recent visit to Baton Rouge,
we had the pleasure of being shown
through the Peniteutiary, by his Ex-
cellency, Gov. Wickliffe, and we thore
took occasion to examine the building
recently erected and completed under
his supervision, to supply the place of
the Factory and Workshop destroyed
by fire on the End Of June last.
The mair building which forms the
east side of the court Of the prison,
and intended for the cotton factory, is
2S6 feet long by 43 feet wide, and is
three stories high-each story being
twelve aud half feet from floor to
ceiling, and is without cross walls from
one end to the other-the rooms are
thus left open in order that the warden
charged with the superintendent of
each department may have at glance
the machinery and operatives under
his eye.
The Engine Building, situated in
front of the centre of the factory, and
separated from it by an alley 10 feet
wide, is 90 feet long by A in width,
and two stories high. The first story
will contain the engines intended to
drive all the working machinery of
the prison, not only the cotton and
wooden factory but also the machine
shop, foundry, bagging and rope works.
corn mill, &c. The second story will
be used for the wrap-slzing department
Of the cotton factory.
There is also in course Of construc-
ton building situated from the fac
tory designed to contain the piclSery
the machinery attached to which,
from its rapid motion and violent fric-
ton is liable to fire the building when
ever it is in operation, and was the
cause of the fire which recently de-
stroyed the old factory. The build
ing now being erected will be fire.
proof, covered with iron and with iron
shutters for the doors and windows,
SO that should the pickery again take
fire, it may be closed up and allowed
to burn out its contents without en-
dangeriug the adjacent buildings.
The factory building will furnish
ample room for 200 looms with all the
machinery to work them. All the
above mentioned buildings are of brick
and covered with slate, and have been
erected in the most substantial and
workmanlike manner, and OF the very
best materials-great care being had
to strength end durability. The la
Dor in erecting them has been almost
entirely performed by the convicts, a
few mechanics only being employed
to superintend and direct the work
The brick used were all made in the
prison. The chief outlay in the cree,
ton Of the building has been for lum
Der, lime, slate and iron.
Niles & Co., Of Cincinnati have
been contracted with, for two engines
on cast iron bed plates, each engine Is
inch cylinder, S feet stroke, coupled
: together at right englcs by wrough
iron shaft doubled hued boilers
42 inches diameter 30 feet long, with
doctor" of sufficient capacity tc
supply the boiers-the whole to bt
furnished in the best and most sub
stantial manner and of the best ma
terial-and, by the conditions Of thu
contract, to be delivered and put up
perfect and complete, by the 9Th day
of October next. Contracts have alst
been made in Taunton, Massachusetts,
for 100 looms, and all of the machin
cry necessary to employ the same thu
whole to be of the best description
! with all of the latest improvement
, furnished in the best manner-one
half to be delivered on ship-board a
E Boston by or before the LIST of Octobe
next, and the balance by or before tn
the 1st Of January next. A part o
which has already been received
We understand that previous to tn
fire the factory contained and WORKED
60 looms f.; it is believed, considerin
the improvements in machinery, tina
the 100 looms now contracted fol
will be capable of turning out abou
double the quantity of work that tn
60 looms had previously done. w
t also understand that the new buildin