St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-23
Il Visit TO the Prison.

Yesterday Warden Reed, of the state
prison, took your reporter on a visit through
the part of the prison which was destroyed by
fire last winter, and which has been rebuilt.
The several departments will be occupied to-
day or tomorrow, and as good look could
not be got then, we were taken through to-
day. The prison is now in much better
condition than it ever was, and the manner
in which it is laid out, every advantage has
been taken of the most modern improve
ments. Light, heat and ventilation have
been attended TO.
From the main entrance we ascend flight
of stairs to the second floor, and on the left
at the top We find large general room, and
on the opposite side the matron's parlor
and bedroom, both large rooms. We next
pass through grated door into the female
ward, in which is found fifteen cells, made
of iron. They are of sufficient size
to contain an iron bedstead, on which
was a good mattress. The cells are about
s by feet. There is also large work room,
with bath rooms, and the ventilation in this
corridor cannot be surpassed.
We next ascend to the third floor, and on
both sides of the hall we find the sleeping
rooms of the guards, which are large and
airy. There are ten rooms and bath rooms
On the second floor, in the rear of the
female wards, we find the hospital. This is
fitted up with every convenience At one
side are three cells, which will be used in
case any of the inmates become insane. In
the main ward of the hospital we find ten
cots, but there are only a couple OF patients
under Steward Hall The large windows
give plenty of light and air, and the differ
ept plans taken to keep the room at an even
temperature is all that could be desired. OFF
the wards are the offices and laboratory, the
latter having full supply Of medicine
On the third floor, over the women's ward
and the hospital, We find the chapel. 1t is a
room S0X40 feet, and has seating capac-
ity for 500 persons. The seats
are of the bench form with
backs, and are so arranged that the hearers
all face the speaker directly. 1t is painted of
a light color, the iron ceiling being of a del
icate tint. 1t is well ventilated, and the
large windows on both sides give plenty of
light. There will be service there every Sun
day at 9 a. IN.
We then descended to the lower floor,
where we found the grand dining room and
pantries. We also see in the kitchen an i'm
mense range being put in by Mr.. Sawyer.
Some idea of its size may be had when it is
learned there are two rows of lids each con-
tanning six openings. To the north of this
is the pantry, where the food is dished up
for the prisoners. There is an opening
through which the food is passed from tie
Kitchen, as well as an elevator to get what is
required to be cooked from the basement
The basement contains almost everything.
Here we saw the great ovens required for
baking, the place where the vegetables are
prepared, the wash room, where a revolving
knife cuts whatever is in the hoppen to pieces
We also see the great store of potatoes, on
ions, cabbages, and other roots and vegeta-
bles required for the warden's many board
ers. There is now in stock 1 900 bushels of
potatoes, 200 bushels of onions, and other
vegetables in proportion. The laundry is
well supplied with steam boilers. Everything
about the prison is being put in ship shape.
and the frame dining room which has been
used by the guards, was being taken down.