Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-31
ST. PAUL WORKH OCSE.

BY an act Of the legislature, approved
on the 10Th day Of February, 1881. the
common council of the city of St. Paul
was authorized and empowered to estab-
lish, erect and maintain work house for
the confinement and punishment of pris-
oners sentenced thereto by the municipal
court of the city of st. Paul, or the district
court OF tie Second judicial district. Ram
sey county. The institution vas to be
placed in the hands of five directors, ap-
pointed by the mayor with the con-
sent Of the common council.
The board was authorized to
purchase real estate for the institution at a
cost of not over $4,000, to erect suitable
buildings, to manage the business general
and to select superintendent. Under the
law the city of st. Paul was authorized to
expend $4,000 for buildings.
Under the provision of this act Peter
Berkey, r. W. Johnson, J. G. Richardson,
Mark Costello. and Lewis Engle were ap-
pointed the first board of directors. Sub
sequently Mr.. Berkey, Gen. johnson and
Mr.. Richardson resigned and their places
we're filed by j ohm J. Watson, G.W.Lamson,
and A. S. Elfelt. In order to save all the
money possible for the institution the
board induced the city to allow 40 acres
to be set off for the institution in what is
known as Lake Como park, and soon
after contract was entered into with
Mr.. Rardon far the erection of building
for S23.SG0. The board becoming more
interested in the work sent committee
consisting of Mr. Watson and Mr.. Elfelt
to Detroit to examine into the workings
of a similar institution in that city. These
gentlemen visited Detroit and in due time
made their report which was published a
few weeks ago in these columns. In Au-
gust last Mr.. Fitzgerald, the assistant su-
perintendent of the Detroit workhouse, was
elected superintendent of the st. Paul in
stitution. and ct the same time Mr.. F. A..
REM was elected secretary. As, however,
the building was not ready for occupancy
at thattime. neither Of these entered upon
their duties. On the 9Th of December last
Mr.. REM assumed the duties of secretary
and general superintendent, and Mr.. John
Jessrang was elected iaiier.
The present building was erected with
reference to future extensions and en-
largements. and tie board will from time
to time 60 to the legislature for moderate
appropriations of money with which to
complete the institution. These applications
will be made for such small sums and so
gradually that the taxpayers will not feel
it to be much Of burden. The present
structure is 5Ox1OO and three stories in
height. of cream colored brick. Two
stories Of the front of depth
of thirty feet is devoted to offices and resi-
dence appointments for the superintendent
and assistants, there being eight large and
cheerful rooms on the two floors, divided
by a wide hall leading back to the Jail.
There is also fine basement under this
portion of the building.
The Jail is 5Ox7O feet and two stories
in height. The cells, of which there are
thirty, each to accommodate two persons,
are located in the center Of this space, be-
ing from eight to twelve feet distant from
the outside walls. They are of wrought
iron, three stories in height, with five cells
On each side, the upper rows being reached
by iron stairs conducting to iron plat
forms, upon which the doors open. Tn, 8
doors are fastened by individual locks and
bolts, and also by combination bolts and
locks, by which each tier of five cells is
fastened at the same time, so that a pris-
oner once inside has a mighty poor show
for escape. The floor of the jail is made
of great blocks Of fat stone laid upon the
earth, emitting off all hope Of
digging out underneath the
building. The windows are protected by
iron bars, built into the solid wall. Water
is forced into e large tank located in the
rear END of the third story, from whence it
is distributed to all parts of the building.
The entire third floor is set apart for a
work room, to which an iron stairway leads
from the jail. The uses to which this por-
ton of the building will be devoted is a
problem yet to be decided by the directors.
1t is now expected the building will be
ready for occupancy in the next two or
three weeks.