The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-02-22


sey county court 1 began to think how
should be treated on my arrival at the state
prison. Here below you will find few
ideas that got into my pate. [ thought
that just as soon as was turned over to the
officials of this establishment. l would get
hit with good sized club by an officer,
| just merely to see if l was tough and could
stand it. l also thought that when an Off
Ger spoke to ''cOn' it would be very harsh
and short l was afraid to look at the Off
Ger who took me in charge from the deputy
sheriff. for fear he would put the crook of
his cain around my neck. as he carried one
of that style and shape. This officer whom
| [ have found out since is and was Deputy
Westby.
But here is how 1 was received. After
the proper papers had been handed over to
the deputy. he spoke very nicely to me and
said should follow him; so l did. On
entering the kitchen he kindly asked me if
1 had had supper. On being Informed that
l had not he ordered a nice lunch for me to
be sent to my cell later on. We then came
into the cell room. While walking along l
tried to look into every cell as we passed
by, but could only get glimpse at each
cell. Presently we landed where MIR. Hall,
night guard. holds out, and the deputy turned
me over to him, who says, follow me-"
did so. and he kindly locked me up in
cell and skipped out. In few minutes my
lunch was brought to me. and it was god
send, for l had lived on jail grub for nearly
six months. No doubt but what there are
some in here who too we'll know what Jail
grub is.
| After having got away with my lunch L
concluded to lay down and try to go to sleep,
as tet very tired. l was just getting into
doZe when there came three rings from
that internal gong Jumped up and looked
out of my cell door thinking the place was,
on fire. listened for while, and pres
entity everything became quiet again, so l.
laid down to sleep-tO dream of fires.
The following morning made sure the
place was Oh fire when | heard that gong
ringing at about fifty strokes a minute; but
l made up my mind if the COMPOUNDED
place was OH fire this time to ''let her 20
Gallagher" Pretty soon heard a rumbling
noise. and it was not long until pan with
some hash on it shot under my cell door, l
did not know where it came from, but l
supposed that it was some patented arrange
ment they had for getting the hash into the
cell. Presently huge boiler came moving
| along filled with hot coffee. The man that
was acting pilot asked me if | wanted any
coffee. l informed him that l would like
to have some. He says. well. get your
cup out here and get it," showed my coffee
cup to him and he filled it so full that when
l took hold of it had several burnt fingers.
After had succeeded in getting my coffee
into my cell l made an attempt to drink it,
and behold they had forgotten to put either
cream or sugar in it. On, well, l thought.
they did not know that l used sugar, and l
made up my mind not to make any kick
about it. that being the first time After
breakfast was over that gong started up
again, and the boys began to pop out of
their cells. l tried to see them ALL want
ed to sec how their clothes looked. at
about nine o'clock an officer came to MY
CELL unlocked the door and says, Follow
me-" / did SO. and landed around where
there is bath tub. [ was then told to take
everything out of my pockets, and did so.
cash and everything elSe-cash amounted to
29cts.. believe. | was then told to strip off
all my Clothes which | did. My measure
being taken l was told to take a bath. [
did so, and on coming out of the bath room
| was handed pair of Chnaman'S pants
for underclOtheS Then came the stripes.
see more coat. pair of pants four sizes
too small. After getting dressed 1 was
conducted to the barber shop, and ever since
l had anything to do with that barber | feel
sore at him. Here is what he did, cut my
locks so short that it will take years to get
them back to their pro.lr shape again.
He not only did that but he had the
nerve to give me close shave. Kelly inter-
feared in my behalf to try and get the bar
Der to spare my beard, but it was of no use.
After leaving that barber was taken in
charge by Mike, day cell room guard. He
locked me up in cell right close to where
his dr. =. and he did it as though he had
know nc for years. II.
p. -. l haven't seen them about sweet
ening my coffee yet