Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1871-08-31
A Visit to the Prisoners.
From tho Paris (Aug. ~ Correspondent Of

From tho Paris (Aug. ~ Correspondent o
LonLun Times.
There st.uAs in the Rue DIES Cnantivr:
at Versailles large ,hree-st"rlco
granary, SURF rounded by a walled-il
court, the entrance to which is guarded
by sentries. In this building are ludg
ed upward Of 400 women and chill.
dren who were arrested during the late
events in Paris. The women were for
the most part Of the very lowest type,
with brazen features, slatternly attire,
and uukcmpt hair, evidently not the
result Of imprisonment or hardship, but
a normal condition. On the left as VIC
enter there was corner set apart for
visits, where Il few women Of Il better
class were receiving some Of their
friends and under canvas screens
erected against the walls had been cx-
tcmporizcd range Of kitchens, where
cooking was going forward actively.
The prison rations c. insist OF bread, soup
and vegetables with meat occasionally !;
but beside this cart comes to the pris-
on door every morning with al sorts Of
provender, and they are allowed to buy
as much as they can afford The result
is that some Of the more enterprising
and speculative have established sort
Of restaurant. where tolerable array
Of dishes was exposed upon bank Of
earth levelcd for the purpose.
Altogether, the courtyard looked like
a gypsy encampment, and the very
Bohemian aspect of its female popula-
ton was quite in keeping with it. !
observed very few occupied in sewing
or industry Of any kind. They were
baskiny in groups in the sun, talking
and laughing loudly, or strolling about
linked together, and apparently without
care in the word ,~-~tSSume were wash
ing their own and their childrcn'S
clothes, the latter running about halt
dressed till the process was concluded.
These yamtns have proved more
desperate and incorrigible than their
elders, and it is possible they may: with
that preternatural acutcness which
charactcrizes the Juvenile Arabs Of the
street, have contributed their share to
the incendiaries, and even to the resis
lance behind barbados. Those below
10 years old are not liable to trial, but,
even if they were, it is not probable
that they would be punished. Except
ing in very aggravated cases among the
older boys, those who have no homes,
where there is a prospect Of their re
formation, will be sent to schools OF
agriculture in the country. | was told
by Lieut.. Marceau, who has charge Of
the establishment, shat the conduct OF
the women was often riotous and dis
orderly, and were it not for the exercise
of a strict discipline would lead to out
breaks. In court at the back a bath
ing house has been erected, with tubs
and a plentiful supply of water. AS
cenling to tho first story, [ found my
self in a vast hall supported by iron
columns. all round which were ranged
upon the floor straw palliasses. This
room was we'll lighted and ventilated
the floor perfectly clean, and the wo
men were lying on their beds or sitting
upon them, working or chatting. Ono
da1 keyed, fery-looking young woman
with jet-black hair and an almost olive
complexion, was writing. She was a
yivanliere of Ia Cccilia's, aud had shot
an officer and fought furiousIy behind a
barracuda. A friend who was with n't
saw her captured and brought into tho
Preyote on the night of the 231 OF
May. Part Of this room was screened
off for the children, who were similarly
accommodated. The floor above was
arranged in like manner, but the high
est of all was not used rs dormltory
but partitioncd off into Offices, in which
the examinations we're carried on, while
am altar showed that on Sundays it did
duty as church. Here l. met two
Sisters of Mercy, who told me that they
observed IL marked improvement in the
women from day to day that now the
greater number Of them attended mas:
and behaved revcrcntly, while then
lnnouape was less coarse and violent.