, 1878-09-19
FORT LEAvENWoRTA, KANSAS.
THE MILITARY PRISON.
From our lady correspondent.l

FoRr I.EAvENwoRrH, Aug, l, rs.
A much longer period has elapsed
than intended since my letter, in
which | wrote about Leavenworth
but the "golden hours on angels
wings" have flown by so quickly that
mcnth has gone, ere | can realize
that it has begun.
A short time ago a party Of US pro,
ceeded to the military prison here
for the purpose of going over it and
examining the various branches OF
industry which are carried on within
its walls.
To reach the prison from the west
end, we had an agreeable walk Of
half mile, past the soldiers bar
racks and the officers quarters on
one side, and the parade ground on
the other, which, in spite of the
lateness of the season looks as beau
tiful and green as when | last wrote,
two months ago.
The department Of the prison con.
siss of six large buildings, four OF
them built of limestone obtained
from stone quarry a short distance
of, which is worked by the prisoners
These buildings are surrounded by a
solid high wall o: masonry ranging
from fifteen to twenty feet in height
and enclosing an area Of about four
acres. This area is at present in a
rough uneven condition, but evident
ly it is to be levelled and laid off il
green grass, with beds of flowers
fountains, and walks diversifying it
After entering through broad arch
way, the gate of which is throwt
wide open in the daytime, and guard
ed by grim looking sentinel armed
with double barreled shot gun, W.
turned to our right, and ascending ;
flight of stairs, came to long corri
dor, from off Of which were the of
fees of tue Governor and other Of
hcers connected with the prison
These offices are commodious, alrN
apartments kept, as indeed every
thing about the prison is kept, in thu
most scrupulous order. From th'
windows of the corridor we obtained
an enchanting view of the broat
Missouri, bordered on either banl
with dense foliage Of many shade
of green, and spanned by strong
elegant bridge which almost rival
that at st. Louis. Upon stating ou
purpose to Mr.. Clagin, the adjutan
of the prison, he in the most courte
Gus terms said he would be only toe
happy to escort us through the build
ings of the prison, and accordingl!
led the way to large three STORED
building in the left side of the cour
yard, in the lower story of which was
avery large kitchen provided with,
think, dozen immense boilers heat
ed by steam. In some of them water
was boiling and Kissing, in others
potatoes, string beans, and a variety
Of vegetables, and soup were work
ing, from the last came forth a most
savory odor, reminding us that the
hour for dining was rapidly approach
ing.
Next to the kitchen is the guard
dining room, and above these two
rooms in the second story is the din
ing room of the prisoners. The
third story contains the sleeping
apartments or rather one Of the dor
mitories occupied by the prisoners
Facing this building, on the right
side of the court, is another one quite
similar in every respect. The two
upper stories are dormitories filled
with neat little bedsteads, and light
ed with plenty of windows, through
which the fresh air, and bright cheer
ing beams of the sun entered freely,
on the ground floor, one room was
used to pack the chairs made in the
prison, another room was occupied