M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-11-24
The Ohio PcnitenIinry.

COlnmOuS, Is one OF Tue greatest IN
dustrial institutions of the country
The editor Of the Columbus Gazette
has collected the following facts aud
figures Of the present condition and
operations Of this institutions:
Tho new addition to tho Ohio Pen.
itcntiary, provided for by the $751;
900 appropriation of last winter, is
nearly completed, and the Directors
and Warden are deserving Of the
greatest credit for the vigor and en-.
rrgy displayed in the prosecution Of,
the work.
The walls, built since the first of
June, are about two thousand feet in
length, twenty-five feet high, three
feet thick at the bottom, and eighteen
inches at the top, covered with a free
stone coping three feet wide. Neat
and comfortable guard houses are
built on the top OF the walls, for the
accommodation Of the watchnen in
charge of the prisoners. From 1000
10 5000 perch Of stone was taken
from the State quarres for the en-.
largemcnt, and delivered upon the
ground; the quarrying aud hauling
being contracted for ct the rate Of 81
BAT per perch.
About seven acres have been ad-
dcd to the prison grounds by the new
enlargement, the entire enclosure now
comprising about twelve acres.
During the summer, from fifty to
seventy-fve convicts were necessarily
employed outside OF tho walls; yet
such was the constant care and vigi.
lance of the officers, that not a single
prisoner escaped. Two Of them, at
one time, made the attempt, but few
well. directed bullets from the muskets
of the guards, frustrated their design.
The wounded men were taken to the
hos spital, and properly cared for.
A new prison, seperate and apart
from the main building, has been
erected within the walls, exclusively
for females, thirty by tity.nine feet,
three stories high, the roof covered
with galvanized iron. In the lower
story is a matron's room, dining room,
kitchen, wash rooms, and eight cells.
In the second story there are fifteen
cells Of the usual size, and four large
ones, intended to be used in case OF
sickness. A large room in this story
is fitting up, in which the women
will be employed in making their Own
clothing. and shirts Tor the male pris.
Dners. The third story is devoted ex-
clusively to cells, Of which there are
about thirty. Gas lights are provided
in every cell, and the whole building
has been constructed with an eye to
ventilation, comfort and cleanliness,
The Legislature Of last winter pro-
vided for an extension Of fifty feet to
the main cell hall, which furnishes
additional room for only eighty pris-
oners, leaving seventy Of the present
number OF inmates yet unprovided for
About one hundred and fifty convictS
have been kept all summer in the
chapel, in the hospita! room, and in
the shops, during the nights, tor want
of cell room; and to the excellent dis
cipline maintained by the officers, is
alone to be attributed the fact that not
a single case Of mntiny, or attempt to
escare, has occurred inside the walls.
Under the present arrangement.
the main range of cells can be extern
ded so as to provide for the security Of
three hundred more prisoners, which
will make room tor us great number
as should be kept under the care and
supervision of any one Warden.
There are at this time $50 convicts,
30 guards, and with contractors, fore.
men, and teamsters, the number will
reach nearly a thousand men connect.
ed with this Institution. The health
of the prisoners has been and contin-
ues remarkable. For a long time, du.
ring the summer, not single bed was
occupied. During the year, only six
deaths have occurred, and two ofthesa
from old age.
The Oommissary Department Of the
prison alone is no small charge =
The quantity Of provision consumed
in week, is estimated at 65 barrels
of sirted -four, 1000 pounds Of beef
half corned and half fresh. 70 bushels
of potatoes, aud the usual proportion
of cabbage, turnips and other vogeta,
bles the season. About 175 pounds
of coffee, mixed with an equal quaint.
ty of barley, is ground every week for
their use.
The contractors pay for the labor OF
the men about 40 cents a day, on an
average; the State furn ishing shop
room, guards, and everything except
steam power, and materials required
for the manufactured articles.
Messrs. Hall, Brown & Co.. have
$50 men employed in manufacturing
agricultural implements; Hall, Ayres
& Co., Is men at axe handles, spokes,