The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-11-17

The STATE PRIsoS.-The editor of the
Plain Dealer has been through the peniten-
tiary at Fort Madison taking notes. We will
make use of some of them.
The officers of the institution are E. A.
Layton, Warden J. H. Reynolds, Deputy
Warden Rev. ]. P. Sanford, Chaplain; DR..
Edward Winery, Surgeon; and c. F. Wood,
Clerk. Besides these there are eleven
guards, one turnkey and one hospital steward
The number of convicts now in the prison is
ninety-one - two of them women The
number ofthese is rapidly increasing since the
close of the war, "a fact" says the Plain
Dealer, ''proving that a large proportion of
the depraved and reckless members of socie-
ty, were camp-followers in the wake of the
army-or that the existence of war, contri5u-
ted to the development of the bad passions of
men-the fruits of which now appear in the
records of our criminal jurisprudence"
The hygienic condition of the institution is
excellent. The cells are white. washed every
ten days, and everything about the prison is
kept in most complete order. There is not
case of sickness among the inmates, and
but one death has occurred in FIVE years.
The prisoners are fed on plain but whole
some food. The bill of fare is: for breakfast,
coffee, bread. meat and potatoes; for dinner,
bread, meat and vegetables; for supper,
bread and coffee.
There are las cells finished and IA more in
process of completion.
The library has recently been increased by
the addition of about one hundred volumes.
making the whole number some seven or
eight hundred, to which under regulations the
prisoners have access. Religious services are
held every Sunay morning.
The contractors, Hale, Davis l. Co.. are
says the Plain Dealer, the right men in the
right place, an opinion that we heartily en-
dorse. At present they are working sixty.
i've men. The average number since the
18th of February has been SIS. During this
time they have made and sold, chiefly aeri.
cultural implements, $50, 900 worth of work,
and have, perhaps, $4,000 worth, on hand.
They have also built the hospital and chapel,
now nearly completed, at a cost of $4,000;
and have added largely to the machinery,
necessary to the prosecution of their work.
Besides number Of convicts worked for
the State, under the immediate supervision of
the Warden, have performed large amount
OF work on the Wardents House, and ON the
walls Of the prison.
The Wsrden's house is nearly finished !:
large, substantial and convenient; at : cost
OF about $4,000. The hospital, dining room.
kitchen and chapel, with four additional cells
Tor hospital patients, all under one roof. il
approaching completion, at cost already
stated Of about $4,000. The diuine.room
will seat three or four hundred persons. The
hospital and kitchen are apparently well..r.
ranged, and admirably adapted to he pre.ent
and prospective wants of the institut;on
The chapel, which is over the dipipg.,oor
II large enough, We Judge, to seat comfor.hl,
four or five hundred persons. The entire cor.
OF TINS immense structure, which Is within the
appropriation BY the Legislature, (S,4.OOo,.
- marvel of economy and energy.
ln conclusion the Ploiw Den1er -. ss.l.
sAns nCd economy and wise regard to Il.
insssslee = u shae cAazacepsiss III the a..
- q eAe hnaneial administz.tion and sinc,
psoal discipline y . necessity ofseoc;ety. l.
II present stsss, We think that the rood peo.
pie Of Iowa may congratulsts thsm..iv..
that they have n institution 70 veil arr.p,,d
end - admiralty coadactsd, With reSsre.ee
not OILY to the 6asacial interests II the So.
but also p ths physical and moral welfare q
Mt unfbrtausts and criminal clAss of Ia
body politia, vbo hevs nsds theusslvu rnb
~ toiAD diedplinA
+ % wsst : ne Olosk, or nics Bo.re,