Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-03-23

ana TO Glelr places, where they stood 81
lently and almost motionless for the signal
to sit down. The whites were TO them
selves, and the negroes, forming much the
larger part OF the mpany, occupied an
other portion Of the hall. This detach~
ment consisted Of the unemployed convicts,
and numbered about 500. For hungry,
hearty looking set Of men 1.-THE sexes are
carefully kept apart, Inever saw a quleter
and more orderly. all having gotten IN
and stood by their seats, Capt. Strother
struck his bell, and
THE FIVE HUNDRED SAT- DOWN
and commenced eating their homely but
well cooked food with evident relish, not
word being spoken by anyone in the room,
though the walters were active and atten-
tive, and when after ten Or fifteen minutes
Capt. 5. struck the platform with his stick,
and u hundred pans were raised for more,
their wants were promptly attended to.
The experienced assistant, with well calcu-
lated economy, only places at each seat a
sufficient quantity to satisfy The smallest
eaters, amt then gives the heartier ones an
opportunity to be helped a second time.
BY this innova ioh of his on an old plan,
three bushels of meal Il day and d proper
tionate amount Of meat and vegetables is
saved, which is big item in the years ex-
penSe.
Before the first company are done, sew
eral hundred more from the workshops file
III with the same good order, and with even
better appetiteS than the others. Through
all
THE DISCIPLINE rs PERFECT.
Any infringement of rules subjects the Of
lander to solitary confinement, scant fare
Il curialment Of the few valued privileges
OF the whipping post, and the system OF
espionage is SO perfect that an offender
rarely escapes detection. Trusted de@ec
tives, unhnOWn to any except the officials
being convicts themselves, and bought
over by kindness OF hope Of reward are
ever oD the watch, and an attempt to eS
cape Is very seldom successful. just the
other day rope made from bits of thread
purloined at l. teTvals from the shoe shop
with all iron hook attached to throw over
tthe wall, was discovered by one Of these
'spies, and tile offender brought to punish
ment
The prisoners are all closely shaver, ex-
cept an occasional young beard, which, |
WAS informed, ind Gated the Wearer had
nearly served his time. Six weeks before
the expiration of ones sentence, he may
turn out his beard, and few decline the
privilege.
Before leaving the dining room, will
give you
THE BILL OF FARE:
Breakfast-one day, salt fish, coffee, corn
bread; next day, bacon, coffee, corn bread:
third day, molasses. coffee, corn bread.
Dinner-beef Or bacon, vegetables, corrl
bread. Supper-coffee, and slice Of loaf
bread.
Leaving the dining room. with an ap-
petite whetted by fatigue, and the smell Of
beef hash and ''inguns," we are asked
into the stew; rtl's room, and invited to try
prison fare. Our party readily accepted
the invitation, and taking our seats at 9
Well-filled table, we partook as heartily o!
our first penitentiary dinner as we coulG
| have done Of Ford's choicer, but no more
abundant viands, and with much more
distinguished attendance. The chief cook
and head waiter was
I.UCIEN BEARD, THE NOTORIOUS HORSE
THIEF,
who was as attentive and polite as though
he were earning his So q day.
Beard is o handsome fellow with pleas
ant. face, and good manners. and his keep
trs say 4 valuable assistant, who rules
his underlings with much frmness and Ell
fciency. They say he is as good in The
kitchen and dining room as he ever was ii
his neghbors stable at midnight, and ha:
as ready all appreciation Of d good steal
as q fine horse. Handing me my hat witt
the manners of FreMchman, he politely
bowed me out Of his ,}ominions, and will
sigh for what ruin crime will work, many
thanks for the attention OF the gentleman
ly officials of cur State prison, and u higi
estimate Of the system, order and discipline
which prevail under the present eXcellen
| management, with its many difficult les ant
hardships, your correspondent left Col
SWAIN to his cumbrous charge, glad tia
the Commonwealth has as capable an Of
ficer, and glad not to be in his shoes.
T. &. M.