Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1883-07-20
VISIT TO SAN QUENTIN.

! trip to the famous prison OF Callt0r-
Tia, embarking on the steamer San
Raphael. We were soon steaming 4
across the bay, and after passing Goat
and Angel Islands, we landed at the
little wharf at San Quentin. The
prison was about half mile distant,
and so we had to mount "shanks'
mare" and hoof it. After passing
the little village Of San Quen.
tin, we encountered massive wall Of
stone with great gate which,
fortunately, was open, and so we en-
tered, but not into the prison. Hero
was great coalyard, fanked by a
steep hill on the right and the bay on
the left. The prison officials dwell in
very picturesque cottages perched ON
top of the hill; while on the other side
were situated sterehouses and COM
missary departments, where the most
intelligent convicts are employed as
clerks. Prisoners dressed III that dis
NAL gray stripe, were to be seen at
work in gardens and other employ
ments around the dwelling houses Of
the officials. We were informed by
the warden that it would be some time
before we could enter the prison, and
SO we climbed mp the hill to where a
battery was situated. This was COM
posed of two brass pieces, two Cat
ling guns and number of small arms.
One Of the cannon was used in the
Mexican war. Guards are on duty
here from sunrise to sunset, equipped
with field glasses, 50 as to detect an
instruction in an instant. Other bat.
teries are situated on surrounding hills
while mounted guards patrol all the
avenues. As we stood here taking in
the glorious view. the great prison
bell slowly tolled, and obedience to it,
we saw the convicts march up from
the brick yards, which are outside Of
the walls, with that slow, dismal ster
so common in prison, and enter the
gloomy walls. After marching to the
library ond obtaining reading matter
they repaired to their cells to await
the locking up gang, as it is called
This is composed of six men, all ICONS.
and each has some special duty to per
, form. Never will l forget that terrible
cracking sound as those heavy doors
5 closed and those massive bolts sho
into place, and | could not help pity
/, ing the poor wretches behind them
A keeper followed the gang and exam
ined every lock. Then we wore al
S lowed to enter, and were escorted b
Q the Captain of the yard over the Who'll
of the immense institution. To at
n tempt description under present Cir
3 cumstances, would be impossible, 70
r there is so much to attract ones after
S ton, Every branch of trade is rel
: resented; there are carpenter shops
q and tan yards, and wagon shops an
l. toundrys, and everything you can thin
5, of. Here is the hespita! where tn
q sick are cared for, and where tn
sharpers are playing sick in order
=, get better food; and there is the coo
shop, where a great caldron of bean
amounting to several hundred pound
= is cooking for their breakfast, and the
comes the bakery, where loaves
n bread, five feet long, is piled up Iii
in cord wood. We tasted the bread al
p found it very palatable. 1t takes 4,2'
pounds of -four a day to feed this a
my of prisoners. Adjoining is I
to dining room, fitted up with lay de
Ill tables and wooden benches. Ea'
Us man is furnished with a tin plate, ii
"a cup and a spoon; no knives and for
a la Ia IN = In z