, 1863-01-24
Gt)ita9o qribn'1t:
cArrfpnAv IANTARy oA 1879
Vfelt Of the Legislature Yesterday.


For the first time in my life am within the
walls Of penitcntia1J. 4 party Of near $50
ladies and gentlemen. composed Of members
Of the Legislature and citizens Of various
paris Of the State, their wives and daughters,
visited the penitentiasy upon the Invitation Of
Samuel E. Casey, Esq, Warden. They arc
now examining various portions Of the build
ing, eating, drinking, chatting, &c, &c, and
appear, Notwithstanding the gloomy weather,
to be enjoying themselves very highly. The
trip from Springfield ria the Great Western,
Illinois Central aud Joliet Cut Of Railroads,
vas very pleasant and unaccompanied~ a
single accident. We left Springfield at about
halfpast eight last night, and reached here
about eight this morning. Immediately upon
our arrival the party sat down to scry snb
stantial breakfast, which was done ample JUS
tice TO after the long ride.
Af,cr breakfast tbs committees Of the Leg
islature visited the various portions of the
prison. The following arc the committees:
Sende- -Messrs. Lindsay, Chairman; Berry,
Gregg, Mason, Bushnell, Pickett, Allen, Mack
and Worcester.
House-Messrs. Boyer, Chairman; Gibson,
Nikc, Ecls, Chapman, Church, Smith and
Fuller.
understand ihc committees were highly
pleased with all they saw. To give some idea
of tho extent Of the prison, would remark
that the sewerage already laid down has cost
$4,000. ...
THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS.
The following is 4 hasty sketch Of the build
fnu AE IT. 1TuE unnecessarily hurried II Drnnnrt.f
your renders must necessarily excuse any i'm
perfection6 that may be found therein:
The whole area belonging to The State is
~ l910o acres. The whole area within the
feet high and feet thick Cells for separate
system, first story, 7x17, and 1G feet high;
those in second story, 7x14 feet, and Y feet
high. All other cells, 4x1 feet, and 1set
high. Each cell has distinct Tentlnnns
in M each cell Iii partitions, aoorsand ceilings
~ rolls are formed each Of 4 solid, entire
stone. inches thick. All buildings are
warned b5 steam. The kitchen, wash rooms
and hospital arc furnished with steam fixtures
the buildings and grounds are supplied with
4 railroad track connects the State quarry
with tho Joliet and Chicago railroad and ILL.,
nois and Michigan Canal.
The front faces the South In the centre
tanning Offices, bedrooms, &C., and tlanked
with towers. Running east and west arc the
cast and west wings. The cast wing, being
for females contains 400 cells, four tiers high
= and the wcst contains 500 cells, FIVE tiers
high
Of the yard, inside the walls, are thirteen
workshops, large and small
Running back from the Warden's dwelling,
but uneonnected with it, are large buildings
containing dining room, kitchen, bake-room,
wash room, and prison for separate system.
East of this building are the engine-room,
females workshop, airing courtyard for f.
males, private yard, &c
Between the workshops aud the main wall,
all around the prison, Is wide carriage drive.
The rnilruad track, to and from the quarry,
runs directly cast and west through the yard.
Tie Warden's house is four stories high and
basement, and is ycfy fine castelfated build
ing. ALI the main walls of the Penitcntiary
are Of stone, and castcnated.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT FOB 1862.
The most interesting parts of the forth.
coming report Of the Commissioners arc as
follows:
The annual report Of the Commissioners for
1862, represents the appropriations for the
new Penftcntiary as f0llows: .
At the session Of 1851. 75,00o0l
Alton property sold for......-- ..-...-- $50 g0t
At the session Of 1s59.- 00,0oo.01
At the session OF 1sGl. ..--....... 70 093. y
Same time contractors draft. 2l0.st
ss4o. .sss 81
OF which there hss been ex-
pended mp to the present
time as follows:
Alton uproperty-....-.-...--..$G GA000.D
Contractors drafts s9,2l0.45
---ss5e5 ,o51 $