Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1881-12-30
THE STATE PRISON.

Sunday Observations Am ong the Tnfor
= tun2tes
S The Nevada State Prison on a Sun
day afternoon presents a decidedly in
teresting and absorbing study for the
student Of peculiar and undesirable
phase Of human nature. On that occa-
sion all the prisoners are turned lovse
in large asphaltum-paved corral, util-
lied as an eating room, where for sew
eral hours they are granted the priv
lege Of interchanging ideas; being re-
stricted, however, from criticising or
dwelling upon the remotest detail bear
ing upon the prison management, con-
struction or discipline. At no other
time, though, during the seven days Of
the dreary, mOnotOnous week are the
convicts allowed to exchange a word
with each other, unless it is in their
| cells after day of drudgery is conciud-
ed. In these cells generally two or
three unfortunates are confined, where
they are allowed to converse with each
other, in an undertone, until S O'Clock
in the evening, after which a grave
like silence must be observed, under
penalty of the severest punishment.
The Sunday afternoon reunion in the
eating room, of the various grades Of
criminals, is at once a pitfu! az we'll as
repugnant sight. Every stage of crime,
from the slayer Of his fellow man, act
by an uncomfortable temper, to the red
handed murderer who kills for gain,
can be seen in that vaulted room, from
which tomb-like odor greets the nos
trils of the visitor peering through the
massive iron grated door. The prison.
ers, during their few hours of compare
tive liberty, engage in every conceiv-
able mode of amusing themselves !;
some bring musical instruments into
the room, which in no single ease are
in a manner approximate |
ing even the lowest degree of art
others engage in the manufacture of |
fancy articles, calculated to realize them |
sufficient funds for the purchase of to-
bacco and other articles of luxury not |
included in the regular list of prison
supplies; and then again, another class
Of convicts occupy these few hours
writing letters to relatives and friends,
reading, and in some instances, solid
and profitable study. These men do
not, on this occasion, associate with
each other in free and easy manner,
IS one would naturally suppose. There
ire as many social grades within the
eur walls of that room as one can find
n small town. The hish-tone en-
'ezzler, who in his capacity of conf
lential clerk and supposed friend,
obbed his employer, looks down upon
he unsuccessful burglar with the proud
st disdain; the stage robber who is
81 wing his tCIih Will SCdlSCly |
ecognize salutation from a first
ermer Of the same rank; the assassin
Who killed a whole family for plumber
nd then set the house afire to hide his
rime, regards the homicide, who per
laps Stayed his antagonist in the heat
f passion, with the most supreme con-
empt. The differs" thcse sentenced
or life) are the aristocrats of the room
hey are treated with the profoundest
aspect by their fellow conviets. OF
curse there are few who are not nat
raj criminals ; men who are placed in :
heir unfortunate positions by queer
of circumstances but
hey can frequently be picked out by a !,
lose student of human nature. A visit :
0 the prison on Sunday afternoon will I,
furnish food for several weeks
f thought to a reflective mind.
An Aged Couple Murdered,