The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-15

did not rain, but about noon cleared off
beautifully.
About half-past eleven we left our tired
horses resting by the side of picturesque
brook ripping in shallow murmurs
over bed of almost solid gran
lite, and crossing over by means
of stones we found ourselves in front
of the guarded gates of the
BURNETT COUNTY PENITENTIARY,
l suppose it might be called.
A barbed wire fence enclosed perhaps
an acre or two of ground space just
large enough to contain the convicts' quar-
tiers, large L shaped building of white
washed plank, with grated windows; three
smaller buildings, which are the Offices of
the superintendent, guards, ETC., and a
yard to the left where number of con-
victs were at work cutting granite.
We were not admitted just at first, but
could see everything going on in the yard
distinctly. There was quietness about
the scene of activity which would have
been depressing but for the cheerful
metallic click of the hundreds of hammers
and chisels in the hands of the stone cut
tiers. The silence of the convicts at work
under the ever-watchful eye of the guard
is somewhat pathetic, in that it is so diff
ferent from the Jokes and songs and
laughter with which the ordinary labOrer
would Tighten his task. Fires burned I'M
der several great iron pots in the yard
near the prison, and several convict cooks
were dipping up meat from the boiling
vessels. and as fast as big tin pan was
filled it was carried in the house to the
dining room. AS we watched with inter-
ested eyes all that was going on, an engine
came in from Burnett and an Off
Ger brought in new recruit, a
sallow, ragged, sickly looking boy
of perhaps eighteen, with handouts on
and chain around one ankle, looking
altogether repulsive and miserable, and
in all probability hardened sinner, and
yet we could not help thrill of pity for
this zone more unfortunate" to be added
to that mass of wicked mankind. Cap
tain Smithers afterwards told us that he
was from Mason county, was in for five
years for being too fond of horse flesh
and that he had refused to take him as he
was not able to do hard work.
Promptly at twelve, in obedience, per
haps, to some signal unobserved by us,th'
abreast to the dining room door, WHERE
they formed in line two or three deeI
and waited for the men from the quar-
ries. We had good opportunity to OBJ
serve what
HARD LOOKING SET
they were, and any romantic idea we ma!
have formed of injured innocence ant
martyred victims were dispelled. Yer!
soon the gate just opposite the one a
which we we're standing was opened ant
several guards came in, each heavll,
armed, and following came the convict
marching in double file, with more guard
marching in the rear, and last came mai
leading by stout iron chains three hldeou
bloodthirsty looking dogs, stralnlng a
their chains and emitting deep ferc
growls, as though anxious to be after thel
prey. These were the blood-hOunds, NOR
dreaded, it is said, by the escaping prls
oner than all the kilograms and officer
of the law.
The prisoners from all quarters havln
now formed in front of the house, file
into the dining room, negroes and whit
men all together, and were lost to OF
view. There was large cistern near 6
hand, and we hoped to see them perforI
some additions before going to thei
meals, but were disappointed.
Captain Smithers, who has control c
the convicts, now came and invited us t
60 through and inspect the quarries
our satisfaction.
Passing through the yard and opposit
the gate, we went by the comfortable
looking residence of Captain Smither
and few steps further on we found GU
selves ascending
THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN,
that wonderful formation of solid roc
which, though not immense as mountain
go, is yet large enough perhaps, to SUI