The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-02-25
DIR DEER LODGE LETTER.

Old Tom"-JOe. Bush Moral
ICES The School house-The
College and the Sisters
Buildings-Almost
Fire - Stock In
Nevada Valley
Correspondence of the MINER;
DEER LODGE, NJ. T., Feb. ".
Through the courtesy of Or. Glas1,
the prison physician, and the Kind
ness of the assistant warden, Mr.
Witter, your correspondent had an
opportunity to-day to go through the
prison and see 1t in all its details.
There are confined within these
walls about lis men-nO women. In
passing from the outer gate and on
entering the yard, we come to what
is usually styled the Hog Pen." In
this are found twelve or fifteen men.
The building is a small log structure
with little ventilation. Yet. even
though it is crowded, iC seemed as
neat US could be expected. There
are several other such rude buildings
in which are kept short termed Dris-
Oners.
The new addition to the pri on Is
complete, but the officers have not
vet moved in. This building was
erected by Messrs. McDevett u Nc
Cornell, of Butte, and Is a great i'm
prOvement in appearance and work.
manship to the old wing. The pris-
oners, aside from an Inuian who has
the consumption, were all enjoying
good health, and the doctor, who Is
alwaysa welcome visitor among them,
Deing courteous and kind, had few
prescriptions to write. Mr.. George
Bell, who recently superseded Mr.. E.
G. Creel. as warden, vas absent to
Butte, hence his assistent warden,
Mr.. w. H. Witter was In charge and
did the honors. Pat. Gray, who Is
confined for shooting some one at
Glendale several years ago, IS likely
to get his pardon In a few days.
Time and close confinement begin to
tell upon the old gentleman, and
should he not be given his liberty,
the grave will soon claim him AS It's
own. HIS petition is the largest ever
presented a Governor, and the ques-
ton of his guilt taken into consldera-
ton, will secure for him a free and
full pardon as soon "a Governor
Carpenter has time to Ian the papers.
A man named Mention, also. is liable
to be set at liberty at an early day.
He is ~incarcerated for a similar offence
to that of Pat Gray. But alas! "Old
Tom,' as he is called, enlists the
sympathy of all. Fourteen years ago
he was sentenced by Judge Knowles
for life. He was full of vigor and
life at the time and had a happy
future before him. But in an un-
guarded moment he committed a
crime which could not be condoned,
and he was judiciously forced behind
the bars for his natural life time.
In passing through the PRISON the
great iron bars and stern demeancr
Of the guards bring onet to more fully
realize the solemnity of the occasion
and place. But when on every hand
is to be heard by even those Whose
lots were equally hard, Poor Tom :"
one is made to feel more keenly the
pengs Of prison life. Even the life
timer, who can only peer into the
dim vista of the future and see the
lonely little mound marking the spot
of his last resting place, can but heave
a sigh of regret when the name OF
"Poor Old Tom" is mentioned. He
asserts his innocence of intention
al wrong, however, and when
to-day in his enfeehled condition
would doubtless enact the same
bloody deed for which he is 1ncarce-
rated. It is evidently true he had d
fair and impartial hearing before his
honor Judge Knowles and in whose
ability and integrity as a judge all
have confidence; but it has come to
light that he was not tried by q Jury
Of his peers" as the law directs, but
"Poor Tom," feeling the deep dis-
grace to which he has been subjected
utters not a murmur of discomfort,
and apparently is satisfied with the
ack acknowledgements that his Lines
have been cast in unpleasant places"
and that a Greater Judge will, sooner
or later, be called upon to vindicate
his acts while in the flesh. Even
though the Good Book tells US that
be who ruleth over all things can
hear the fall of the sparrow, it is not
held as good law for a judge Of world
ly affairs to cOnsjg n a being to ever
lasting infamy and disgrace Ior TAX
ing off the head of a canary hird.
'Poor Tom,' whose sirname is eat
asks no pardon, being apparently
happy among his PRISON mates.
The legislature having passed a bill
authorizing the school trustees nf this
district to issue $4,000 in bonds
with which to complete the new
school house, We can soon hope to
see the building finished. 1t will he
one of the finest structures Of tie
kind in the Territory.
Prof. McMillen will soon com
mence the erection of a dormitory in
connection with the college. 1t will
be a large building and aid much
not only to the convenience Of the
college but the appearance Of the
town.
The sisters are having a double or
two story porch built across the
south end of the academy. MessrS.
Coombs & Adams have the contract
and are busily at work.
The other evening, after Klein
schmidt & Co. had closed their store,
- WA CcAiGiAAIS oa"dloL Hiit
used as a spittoon caught fire.
but was discovered from the side
walk by Nightwatchman Mcfarland
before the flames had gotten under
hesdway. The box was well hu ned
and under 1t a small hole il the
floor. A few minutes more aud the
whole inside of the grocery depart
ment would have been a sheet OF
fire.
The winter has not been hard Oil
stock In this section of the country.
Cattle and sheep are doing well. A
trip to Nevada Valley, 50 miles north
Of here, a short time ago with Mr..
=. d.. T. Beilenberg, your correspon-
dent found stock farlng sumptuously
Last seasons crop of calves averaged
about IS per cent. This is attributed
to the good and careful management
of the st,ckmen OF that country. A.
a rule, the bands are small and dur
Ing severe weather they are we'll