Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-11-05

IL 1874. september 18th, October 9TH RndOcto.
bar 10, 1870, all having reference to per geeted
system Of pTisOn construction, safe-dePoslt
building, burglar-prOOf vaults, and hre-proof
buildings. The system, as adopted by them
in tue construction OF prisons. admits IN It's
various com binations the building of cheap
aud secure lOck-ups for police stations, and
from thence through all The various grades OF
prisons TO the most elaborate penitenuaIy.
Their system of construction, as witnessed oy
u. being briefly as follows:
First-Ihe absence entirely % wrought-iron
IIyct- or bolts in the constructions; the use OF
cell widows consisting OF single iron cast
ing, having geometrlca! apeFIures or perloIa-
iron Innings to the cells, combined with
bulkheadings of wood, the method Of
combining the plates without the use OF rivets
or bolts, and the Including Of the cells, being
n method o commencing from the inside OF
the cells and finishing on the exterior.
Second-Their hollow wall system for the
prevention Of the puncturing of walls, by the
employment of a loose or mobile hlling OF
sand, gravel or other material III tns hollow
spaces between the walls, in the ceilings and
ii sors OF the cells; and also their ingenious
method Of constructing the same, and their
various systems OF lining the walls, being
brick or wooden wall with sand filling, iron
and wood, or all iron.
Third i'm combination with the above, the
alarm apparatus, which is so a tsched TO the
sand or mobile filling of the walls, that imme-
dlately punctuTe IS made in any OF the prls-
on walls by those in the prison or parties out
side,an alarm or warning is giVen,tnus cEeck-
ing instantly any attempt AZ escape. Ln HS
whole system is simple and being ma
and out OF reach OF the pGlSOuefS, cannot Do
inteIfered with. Again, the cutting into the
walls OF the cells by the prlsonersi the ming
pours into the cell, and continues to flow I'M
less the opening is closed, and this proves a
tell-tale, for the prisoner cannot dispose OF
the same and hence is frustrated in his at
FOurih-The system or hollow columns sup
porting n structure of cells, giving space Tor
exercise below; the hollow columns conceal
ing the water and sewer pipes, together with
the bascule gangway for cutting off the COM
muniCatiOn between the main building and
cells; the OblIQue doors, with the perforated
Jams and supplemental shutter, forming
perfect system for penitentiary buildings.
The above being the main features OF thelr
system, and after careful eXs m1neilon OF
the same and having witnessed the expert
ments 10 prevent escape, anu the alarm APP
paratus, we have no hesitation in saying that
the system is complete in AL It's details, ana
wOr. by OF the serious consideration of those
requiring prisons of any grade of construc-
ton or cost, combining, as IL does, in our Opin-
ion, economy with absolute security.
John League, mayor; G. l.. Anderson, sheriff
Shelby county; Ben K. Pullem, deputy sheriff
1nal court; J 4 Leath, chairman OF fire and
police commissioners; }. d. X DblnS, presl-
dent board of aldermen; z. r. Athy, chief OF
police; W. II. Moore, secretary board OF po-
city recorder; H. q. Dent, alderman NTH
ward; A. H. Douglass; II n. BurfJId, master
mechanic Memphis and Charleston railroad;
Miles MeriWelher, chief engineer Memphis
and Charleston railroad; Phil j. NATION;
Anthony Ross, formerly master mechanic
Memphis and Charleston railroad; James }.
Murphy, deputy sheriff. William j. Duval;
W. A. M'ClOy; Ii. NJ. Smith, contractor; u.
Reder, builder; Joseph Haines, contI actor;
George W. Miller, IRON nloulder; f.. Marshall,
livery stables; J. II. Wertbery, master me-
chanic; John NJ. ROurke, machintst; John
Cochran, councilman eighth ward, ana Others