Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-10
MINNESOTA,S JAIL.BIRDS.


The Legislature Pays Visit to the Peni.
Tertiary The Younger Brothers Lion
ized-The Workshops and What was
Seen There.
Upon invitation of the authorities of
the State prison, both branches Of the
legislature paid visit to that institution
yesterday afternoon. Besides majority
Of the members Of the Senate and House,
together with the employees, goodly
number of private citizens and ladies
were invited, and made up a party of
something over three hundred, who took
special train at 2 O'Clock for Saltwater.
The train was unfortunate. In the first
place some meddlesome person set the
air brakes and brought the train to
standstill between stations. Then in
going up the heavy grades the driving
wheels of the engines persisted in slipping,
and but slow progress was made. As a
consequence Of these delays it was
O'Clock before the party reached the prison
gates. 1t required but few moments to
empty the cars and to crowd the corridors
of the prison with those curious to wit
ness some phases Of life behind the bars.
The entire prison, from the wards Of
flee to the utmost limits of the enclosure,
was turned over for more than an hour to
the visitors. The cells, the kitchen, the
hospital, and every nook and corner of
the main building was invaded. Every
thing was found to be scrupulously clean.
The cells were neat and the clothing suf-
ficient and clearly, though not of the
finest texture. Some of the prisoners had
decorated their narrow rooms with cheap
pictures, dried flowers and grasses, and
other articles of ornamentation. Many
Of them showed evidences of excellent
taste and some refinement.
The workshops were next invaded, and
precipitate rush made for the belt de-
partment, IN which the three Younger
brothers, Cole, James and Robert, were
confined. These noted robbers and murder
ers were at once surrounded by throng Of
men and women, who piled them with
questions, shook them by the hand, and
lionized them for the space of an hour.
People climbed upon boxes and ratings
for the purpose Of catching glimpse Of
the desperadoes, who, by the way, are not
ill-favored men, even in their uncouth
prison garb. They were the heroes of the
day and apparently enjoyed being made
much of by the visitors.
Among the other criminals who re-
ceived particular notice were Lauten-
schlager, sentenced from this city for
murder-a harmless, simple-looking fell
low; Mrs. Rapp, Lautenschlager's sister,
who loudly protested her innocence to
all who peeped through the bars of her
cell door; Mrs Wisler, who is sentenced
for numbering her husband in LIE Seuer
county.
All the departments Of the shops were
visited in detail by the members and their
guests, and the process of the manufac-
ture of threshing machines from the raw
material thoroughly inspected, after
which the visitors either rambled at will
about the grounds and buildings or took
stroll through the streets of the city.
While the main body Of the excursion
was in the prison Mr.. Sabin invited many
of the ladies Of the party and few Of the
members of the Senate and House to a
drive about the city, ending at his ele
CANT residence. Here an excellent cola.
ton had been prepared, to which the
guests, with sharpened appetites, did
ample justice. With this exception there
was nothing of special note connected
with the trip. Every one did
as he or she pleased-went hither
and thither without let or hindrance,
talked to the prisoners as to their treat
ment, fare and future hopes and projects.
1t must be said that all appeared to be in
the enjoyment of the best physical health,
and the unusual Eruption of visitors
caused them to assume their holiday
smiles The majority of them were far
more cheerful than could be expected
from persons in their peculiar positions.
The party started for St Paul at 6
o'clock, but again the train was subjected
to annoying delays, and it was O'Clock
before the depot was reached.
The visit on the whole was pleasant
one to those who had not Heretofore seen
the inside workings of penitentiary, and
will probably result in the accomplish
ment Of hepurpose that prompted it.
4po 6icho f In oh all