The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-16

, MIA L 10, 1907.
these same tines and blades, and in all steam
power and convict labor go hand in hand
In each room there is a "keeper," who sits
upon high chair overlooking the room, and
every convict is conscious of being closely
watched. No conversation is allowed nor
must any man look up from his work, yet
when visitors pass through the rooms furtive
glances are thrown at them. 1t being near
noon, we saw several convicts who had fin
ished their allotted portions of work for the
half day, sitting idly at their benches, not be-
ing allowed to leave them till noon. Others
were at work on their afternoons "stint,
that they would finish by three o'clock, and
then have long rest. In one of the paint
rooms saw convict, having spare hour,
busily engaged in painting boquet of flow
ers upon glass. The design and execution
were exquisitely beautiful. He would prob
ably sell it when finished. Some of the pris-
oners by working spare hours manage to lay
up two or three hundred dollars during their
term.
The female department is under the con-
troll of a matron. There are but few women
IN the prison now, and one infant which was
born there-its parents both convicts. Such
beastly, stupid, sensual face as the mother
had | hope never to see again.
y sight to witness is the marching of the
prisoners to dinner. At the first stroke of
the prison bell all hands drop their work
wash their hands and faces, and comb their
hair. Eight minutes later the bell sounds
again, wien the convicts in each shop form
in sngl file in front of their respective shops,
each man close up to his "tile leader" with
his hands upon his breast. At the word of
command they step off for the dining rooms,
each company, with black and white stripes
running around their legs, looking like a
monstrous thousand legged worm," evil,
venomous, snaky; and as they near you,
such collection as there is of villainous
looking faces Cunning, brutal, oily, brazen
looking faces, and as they pass you, one will
mallciously stick out his tongue at you, an
other will scowl, third will sneer, while
some will not notice you, seeming too miser-
able to notice anything. But no one dares
turn his head, for the eagle eye of his keeper
would notice it, and punishment would fol-
low. At last all are seated at the tables, the
deputy of the prison ascends his high chair,
strikes the triangle, and every cap is taken
off: strikes it again, and all fall to eating
Each mans rations were all on one tin plate,
and consisted of about half pound of corn
ed beef,a large tablespoonful of baked beans,
ditto of mashed potatoes, salt, chunk of
bread. and a pint basin of water.
The following Sabbath attended the re-
ligious services in the prison chapel. At ten
O'Clock a. NJ. visitors are freely admitted to
attel! services, and are Immediately ushered
into the chapel, a low, poorly lighted, dismal
looking hail. seated with rough benches. The
convicts are marched into their places in sin
gle file. Some Of them you could imagine
had been imprisoned for murder, so villain
Gus did they look; others, cunning looking
fellows, looked as though they might have
been skillful thieves and pickpockets caught
IN the act of drawing "the queer" Some
brutal looking negroes were there, and some
of gray hairs, old in crime; some with the
marks of disease upon them, some greasy,
obese, old toadys, no doubt there for receiv-
ins stolen property, and some there were
with simple countenances, whom | could not
help thinking had been more sinned against
than sinning,-found in bad company-im-
prisoned, perhaps, for some sharp villains
crime.
\ plain, practical discourse was preached
to this body of concentrated crime, from :he
text ale that ruleth his own spirit is better
than he who taketh city"-if l word it
right. Singing was omitted. At PRAYER
many bowed their heads. while more did
not. About the room were the keepers, seat
ed in their high chairs, and everything tend
ed to cast gloom over the spirit.
1t is sad sight, this forced religious wor-
ship inside of gloomy prison walls, under the
watchful eye of vigilant keepers, and would
not care often to see it. But l am getting
prosy, and must close. MIS-.