Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-08-28
INSIDE THE BASTILE.
A ReDOrtOriaI Glimpse d the Interior
of Utah's Noted Pen.
How the MOrmOns Feel Who Are Do
ing Their Six Months for q. c.
A French Socialist, a Thrice-COnvicted
Murderer, and Other Noted Cases.

Murderer. and Other Noted Cases.
1.-THE Palace on the Bench" is one OF
the principal points of interest about
Salt Lake. There exists an indescribable
something about the Penitentiary OF Utah
unlike that of any similar place in the
Union. 1t is not alone the isolated
grounds inclosed by high 'dobe walls that
make this place of confinement interest
ing or attractive to the curious, but just
now most varied and peculiar class OF
prisoners are sharing there one common
lot for nearly every crime known to the
calendar.
The Utah Penitentiary is situated about
four miles southeast of Salt Lake City,
and includes a quarter section of bench
land, thirty acres of which are now under
cultivation. This season the ''trusties"
and small squads of men under close
guard have raised a fine field of corn,
potatoes and vegetables, which are now
being harvested for the table. These
quarters were made very popular this
year by
MANY LEADING MEMBERS OF THE MORMON
CHURCH
Adopting them as home in preference
to every other alternative. Two DEMO
Graf reporters, possessing as strong de-
sire to look within as a prisoner has to
look without, concluded to improve re-
turn trip pass last evening to the inside
workings of the Territorial Bastile. 1t
was Just half past p. m, when Mr..
Curtiss, the turnkey, received the appli-
cation for admittance Carefully scan
ming it over he called to several assist
points under the watchword of eternal
vigilance" and the massive iron door
swung slowly round, then bolted frame
one was thrown aside, and the news
gatherers stepped within the arena.
The first impulse on entering is to look
into the peering eyes of the hundred
men confronting you. A visitor is gazed
upon with a great deal of curiosity, as
being a rare sight within the confines.
Directly facing the entrance, and about
thirty feet distant, is No. ! bunk house,
containing fifty-seven men. To the south,
and in line, is No. ., with hunks to ac-
commodate TWENTY-FIVE more, while at
the rear is the new sleeping apartment,
erected after the plan of the old ones.
These three buildings are arranged with
three tiers of double berths, each berth
being provided with mattrass, pillow,
and pair of double blankets, and extra
bedding when required. This construc-
ton leaves a large open square in the
centre of each house, where the boys are
allowed to enjoy portion of each even
ing
IN SONGS, DANCES, STORIES
And all sorts Of privileged amusements
between the hours of and 8 O'Clock. In
connection with these buildings is the
new bathroom and wash-house. This
needed addition to the limited accomoda-
tons belonging to the prison has just been
annexed by Marshal Ireland The bath
room contains two zinc-lined tubs, separ-
ated by curtains, a stove with large
reservoir for heating water, a table, chairs,
looking-glass, towels, soap and other
necessary articles. Adjoining this COM
partment is the wash room for face and
hands, which is provided with long
stationary benches, over which hang rows
of shining tin wash basins. Both
of these rooms are furnished with barrels,
which are kept filled with water from the
large well in the yard by each man put
ting back into the barrels the amount
used in bathing. About the yard are
scattered several small stands and a
number of benches and chairs, some of
which are the private property of the
prisoners.
After looking through the premises,
which are we'll cared for by Warden Dow
and assistants, under the supervision OF
U. S. Marshal Ireland, many Of the pris-
oners were bid good-day, and the
reporters strolled in among them in quest
of the ever-sought item
In the northwest corner OF the yard
is the ball ground, and here many of the
prisoners were amusing themselves at
"catch, and. other features of the game,
several showing themselves to be experts
on the diamond Others were squatted
around, conversing or. reading, and a
group to the right, forming small coterie
by themselves, proved to be the impris-
oned U. C.'s of the Mormon Church.
ANGUS CANNON, PRESIDENT OF THE SALT
LAKE STAKE,
Arrayed in summer clothing, was enjoy
ing his otilm cum Dig, and greeted the
newspapermen's GLOW d. do" in a cheer
full manner. In response to inquiries, he
stated that he and the others with him
had all gained weight, except Pratt, and
Pratt was such lengthy specimen of hui
mainly that it was hard to fill him up.
''Here we get good, substantial food,
and get fat" said he. 81 think we used
to have too many delicacies and live alto
gether too high on the outside"
GLOW do you pass the time, Mr.. Cam
nom"
ooh, reading, resting and playing
chess and croquet," he responded.
Before retiring, Cannon requested that
friends, and the DEMOCRAT herewith ex-
tends them.
BISHOP MUsSER
Appears fat and hearty, and ought to
have six months more for perpetrating
the old chestnut as to whether the re-
porters had brought their blankets along
with them. Mr.. Musser parades the
grounds with an air that says "the foe
mems chain cannot bring his proud soul
under"
RuDGER cLAwsoN,.
Who was unfortunate enough to jump
out of the marital frying pan into the fire,
does not appear quite as cheerful as his
Acknowledgements. The prospect of three
years in the hands of the Philistines is
not, perhaps, anything of a nature to
make man feel jovial or facetious; and,
moreover, it takes strong religious solace
to brace man up who is deserted in the
hour of his trial by the once-cherished
wife OF his bosom, especially when to this
is added the knowledge that she will
soon be the bride of another.