The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-07-10

bers did not even know their letters, most
of them could neither read nor write, and
four could not speak English. The foreign
element includes Russians. Spaniards,
Frenchmen, and one Turk. in all number
ing eighteen or twenty. besides considera-
BILE number of cOlOred men. In cOnse-
quence of the great diversity of ages, and
the varied capacities and conditions of the
men, either collective teaching or grading
was found to be impracticable; they were
therefore divided into groups of three or
four, each group being under the charge of
one teacher. each teacher adopting the sys-
tenn of teaching best suited to the capacity
of the pupils in his charge. The rapid
progress made by these illiterate bordered
on the marvellous. We might cite score
or more instances of extraordinary and un-
parelleled advancement from total illiteracy
to comparative fluency in reading and spell
ing, and thorough practical knowledge of
writing and arithmetic. Suffice it to say
that at this moment. there is not single
member of the class who cannot read at
sight intelligentIy. and the majority can
write and cipher fairly. The curriculum
of study in the junior classes is reading in
the 1st, I'd, Sd, and 4th Readers, writing
and arithmetic as far as fractions La the
advanced class, the studies embrace spell
ing from dictatiOn, reading 5th and 9th
Readers and History. writing in the upper
grades of copy books, and the enlarged
edition of Greenleaf's arithmetic. There is
also shorthand class comprising twenty
members (the majority of whom are quite
proficient, writing from 100 to $50 words
per minute). The progress made in the
advanced class has been as marked and
satisfactory as that of the junior division.
But to resume our history of the school.
|
ten weeks of it's operations were so marked
and encouraging that the prison commits
siOnerS and authorities saw the paramount
necessity of extending their operations and
enlarging the staff of teachers. Accord
ingly. they secured the services of gentle
man whose reputation and success as an
organizing master had deServedly become
household word throughout the state (Mr.
G. S. Turner), under whose skillful and ex-
perienced management. it has since become
one of the most successful and effective
agencies in the development of the moral
and intelligent faculties of the men that
could possibly be conceived. The staff of
teachers was increased to twenty-five, many
of whom are in attendance nightly, and de-
vote all their talents and energies. without
fee or reward of any kind, to the promo
tion of the best interests of their fellow
prisoners.
| 1t is contemplated and confidently hoped
shortly to extend the school curriculum so
as to include geography. grammar, compost
tiOn. the study of words and book keeping
The scholars are very orderly, quiet. and
gentlemanly in their department., arduOus
in their studies. and so honorable in their
bearing, that the stigma attached to the IT,
tie ''PrisOn schoOP'almost amounts to an in
justice.
| fxuift ftcfo, 6incr fhn o,,f oIo,,
ing on in the school from the admission of
new scholars. and the periodical departure
of the old scholars to take their places in
the busy scenes of the world outside these
walls, there is no dimnutiOn of interest in
the school work; on the contrary, both
scholars and teachers evince increased en-
ergy and determination as the time goes on;
and all they desire is an enlargement of the
sphere of action and increased facilities for
work. There is always long list of appli.
cants.before the principal, all of whom are
anxiously watching for any vacant desk.
and great is the disappointment among
those who fail to obtain it.
And now we would before closing, say
word or two about the working staff of
twenty-five teachers, who so nObly and gen.
erOusly sacrifice all their spare time. and
cheerfully give up attention to their own af
fairs for the purpose of comforting benefit
on their fellow prisoners. They are gentle
men in character and conduct, though
wearing the gray" and would favOrably
compare with any equal number of men in the
outside world. They volunteer their services
without the slightest idea of remuneration
or reward. either from their fellow prisoners
or from the prisen authorities. They enjoy
no additional privileges, but on the con-
trary, deprive themselves of those which
they enjoy in common with their fellow suf-
ferers, in order that they may impart to
those hitherto deprived of the advantages
OF good common school education, the