davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

1t will be observed that there is not an
original contribution in this issue of THE
MIRROR. Such thing never occurred be-
fore and we hope it never will again. The
cause of this condition of things is, the con-
tributiOns intended for this week were
handed in at such late hour that owing
to their length, no room could be given
them. We hope that contributors will here
after try to send in their articles week
previous to the time they expect to see them
in print, especially if they are lengthy ar
ticles. AS general thing we have not
urged the boys to write for the paper during
the hot weather and long working days, for
they needed their evenings and Sundays
for rest and attending to private cores
pondence. but now that the weather is be-
coming cool, we ask them to take up their
pens again. You should not depend on the
editor to keep up the good name of the pa
per, but should give your assistance. The
editor cannot always think of good things
to say, and say them in an interesting man.
ner. Take hold and see what you can pro-
duce. Rest assured that what you write
will not be consigned to the waste basket if
it has merit and is suitable for publication
in our paper. Writing paper may be had
by applying to the editor by word or by
note. Let the world hear from you.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21
j ustice.


One of the hardest things to deal out is
Justice. Peoples minds differ so much in
arriving at correct conclusion of what it
consists. Yet all acknowledge that every
one should have it, regardless of color or
position. 1t appears to us that the human
mind is. as yet, incapable of surmount-
ing its prejudices. No mind seems capable
OF dealing Justice to it's affinity. 1t rather
favOrS it's associates and, if so constituted,
grOvels before the man of wealth or posi-
ton. This is not alone confined to courts
of Justice but to the lowest specimen of
GENUS HOMO. Would it not be we'll to re-
member that LAWS are for the protection
Of the weak and unwary? The strong and
shrewd are capable of self defense and are
not easily caught by the amateur or profess
sional leeches who prey upon the inexperi-
enced. Cain thought he was not his BROTH
er's keeper and there are many who follow
the same text now. If their friends are de-
frauded they howl for Justice. If their
friends defraud they ridicule the efforts of
the defrauded and discourage the course of
Justice. For shame! The innocent need
never fear the hand of the law, therefore
when howl of indignation proceeds from
the accused and his friends it is not the
least prophetic sign of his completely.
We might almost say his guilt Let us en-
deavor. as good citizens. to throw our pref
udices to the dogs, and let Justice take her
course. Those who deserve punishment
should receive it. and the punishment
should in every case fit the crime. But you
say there are behind prison bars those who
are as innocent as newborn babe. True,
yet that is not the fault of the principle;
but rather of the demand made by public
oplnion'' the most deceiving of mistresses.
Were every case stripped of it's prejudices
and adjudicated on the merits of the evil
dence offered, few, indeed, would be the,in-
stances of unmerited punishment. If, per-
chance. an innocent person should still suf-
fer an injustice the state should remunerate
him to it's utmost. The one great STUN
blingblock that is always found in the path
of Justice is the gossip" He is ready to
fan any rumor into fame, credit any
fOible and swear as to the truth of any of
his former utterances. We repeat it, Let
Justice take her course.-Renville Star.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

In glanclng through voluminous report
OF the Prison Association of New York for
the year 1869, we were surprised to find
mat what we call ''our advanced ideas' on
prison reform. were old ideas thirty-one
years ago. In the documents contained in
this musty old report. we find discussed the
lndetermnate Sentence" the Good time
Law" Reformation the Supreme Aim of
Imprisonment" 1.-The Contract System
should be Abolished" ''The Classification
OF Prisoners" etc.. etc. Present day writ.
ers are discussing the same ideas, in pretty
much the same language and reach pretty
much the same conclusions. There is
nothing new under the sun, save the phono-
graph.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21
Who Judges?

An editorial in the paper from which we
clip the following item says the police did
right; and still we marvel because crime and
criminals are on the increase.
Jack Williams who. during two years
service as the guard at Atlantic City, saved
not less than hundred unwary bathers
from drowning, was recently recognized as
an old thief, who had served his time in the
penitentiary as John Latts. Williams ad-
mitted his identity. but pleaded that he had
for three years led an honest life and cut all
his old criminal associates. This defense
did not serve his turn, and he had to leave
the city at once. His gallant work for two
years counted for nothing against the fact
that he had once been felOn. His medal
won by heroic service counted for nothing
against his old brand as convict. His
friends came forward and testified that the
ex convict had been a faithful custodian of
large sums of money and valuables, left in
the office OF the bathing pavilion. Men
whose life he had saved pleaded in vain for
Jack Williams, the hero, because to the po-
lice he was nothing but John Latts. once a
felon and therefore always felon."
BY what right, human or Divine is the
one who has committed an offense, punish
able by law, and who is trying to atone for
it by leading an honest life, branded as
dangerous person that must be Stunned and
shut out from everything that is good?
If convict has reformed, and persists in
his honesty, he is entitled to respect and
credit from all who claim responsibility.
Jack Williams has done nothing so bad as
the prominent men did who owned the town
of Spring Valley. when they robbed the
miners and reduced them and their families
to starvation. Yet we hear nothing of it
being fright" to drive them from their
homes. Adulation and admiration are
bestowed upon the millionaire thief, even
though he be fiend in human form. While
the reformed convict. who may have become
a thief from want, or to save his family
from starvation. and who might make good
citizen, is ostracized and given no chance to
live save by stealing.
We read much in these times of universal
disasters, of the mercilessness of nature. If
there is no mercy in man there cannot be
mercy in nature, for whatever is external in
nature is an exact representation, a perfect
reflection of what is internal in man; and
the mercilessness in nature will continue to
increase with that in man, until he is so
thoroughly chastised that he will learn
through agonizing suffering not to be mer-
ciless.-The Universal Republic.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21
BATTLE.HOLLOW.

A reporter for the NORTH visited this
institution recently. and from the following,
prologue to a lengthy communication,
he seems to have been deeply impressed by
what he saw:
AS precautionary measure, probably.
the Minnesota state prison at Saltwater,
was located at the bottom of a ravine.
From some bloody encounter in the days
when the Redskins possessed these parts,
the place was called battle hollow: now it is
the scene of peaceable pursuits, the buzz of
the saw, the clangor of heavy hammers and
the clock-like tick of machinery reverber-
ating through the building. But the hum
of human voices; the ripples of laughter;
the smiles at the thought of wife and chill
dren and well-earned rest at cosy firesides,
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

The st. Paul Saturday Evening News
speaks of the streets of city as ''school
of crime" from which the newsboy and the
bOotblack graduate as criminals. and says:
The sole argument in favor of the street
gamin is not of sufficient weight to excuse
the system for one moment. Little boys
should not be allowed to earn their own liv-
ing. If they have no parents there should
be public home for them where they
should be so reared as to become useful men
when grown. It is criminal to allow small
boy to earn his living. He has no time for
that. His time is all needed in which to lay
the foundation for an honest and useful life,
and if he is deprived of those who should
sustain him while so doing, the public
should take the place of the natural father
through properly constructed and conducted
institutions for the purpose. So shall crime
be checked through the suppression of one
of the most prolific causes of crime.
We will say In addition to the foregoing
that it costs the state more to prosecute and
punish the boy for one penal offense when
he becomes criminal. than it would have
cost to clothe, feed and educate him for five
years. And besides when the boy is once
properly reared he becomes producer, but
if allowed to grow up criminal he becomes
a burden of expense to the community
whether he is in prison or out.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21
TO THE PUBLIC.

lished in the Minnesota state prison. All matter
published in its columns is contributed by the
inmates. except that properly credited. Its sup
port must come from the outside as every inmate
is given a paper without cost. 1t is published in
the interest of the prison library and after paying
for the printing outfit, contributed $3.50 to the
library fund the first year. Its objects are to en-
courage individual intellectual effort, provide a
healthy journal for the inmates of this and other
prisons. and. above ALL to acquaint the outside
world with the needs of the prison by rejecting
its inner life and thus aid the cause of moral ad
vsncement and prison reform.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

The PRISON MIRROR, published by the
inmates of the Saltwater. Mimi. penitenti-
airy, has just closed its third year. If THE
MIRROR could 20 into every family in the
northwest. we believe its influence would
show in the morals of the rising generation.
The articles are we'll written, and by men
who write from sad experience. Turner
County, OAK, Herald.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

To its many other excellent features The
Summary, published at the Elmira, N. Y,
Reformatory, has been added that of zinc
etchings. The last two numbers contain
views of the Reformatory; the first of the
new extension. and the second of the main
engine room. So far as our knowledge
goes the specimens shown are first class.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

At called meeting OF the Board of Man.
ayers held on the Goth inst. it was decided
to purchase one system of machinery for
manufacturing binding Irvine in this prison.
The Board will make arrangements for the
purchase of the machinery at their next
regular meeting. which will be Sept. L.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

The Chautauqua Assembly Herald says:
1.-THE daily sessions of the Class of 1913.
held in the library room of the c. l.. S. c..
building. are highly enjoyable. Plans have
been arranged for system of correspond
ence with the prison circles of the Glass;
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

An Iowa girl who ''disgraced her family
by clipping with farm hand" wasn't heard
of again for several years. when she came
back with her husband. who paid big
mortgage on the old mans farm.-Texas
Siftings
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

THE PRISON MIRROR. of Saltwater,
Mimi. enters upon it's fourth year of exist
ence this week. The bright newsy sheet
has the best wishes Of The Diamond Drill.
[Crystal Falls, Mich.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

The rival dailies. the Gazette and the Call,
never miss an opportunity to impress the
public with the Internal respect they have
for each other.
The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-08-21

A millionaire says it is easy enough to be
a great man: keep your mouth shut and
when you see dollar grab it.-German-
town Independent.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11

scored their successes want 90 be immOr-
tal is beyond comprehension Most OF
them inslst upon being inganues 10 the
bitter end, and resent the offer of an en-
gagement 10 play old woman, ln the IN
side OfiiGe / observed the "man of mystery
who haunts all of the agencies, lle cams
In solemnly, whispered a few words 70 an
acquaintance about a company forming
quietly HDon't give IL away, he ooAtin'
ued, "halarles arc sure, and good parti"
then no went out like a c0nsplrator, and
his oredulous listener arose and made q
hasty exit In search ofthe hidden bonanza,
Then there entered the most lnystlfylng
soubrette That over laid eyes upon, Her
intimate friends fail 20 recognize her from
day 20 day This stats Of mistaken
identity II brought about by her pen0hant
for changing her headgpar flr, chameleon
like, she appears IN wig Of different color
whenever she pleaaea, rhe h Miss Benny
Raymond, who had brain fever u year ago,
aud was Obliged 20 have her hair cropped,
Now she has taken 70 wigs, aud her stock
Of these Is vast and lndlHputable She Is
clever, aud has u brogue on tho stage you
could cut with u knife,
lperceiye from nay "oolgn Of yantage'
an aGt0r who u on the Qpwaye Of popular
favor
Iwonder II ho ever thinks Of tho hotel
proprietor % whom hH gave an old prop
erty plot 10 security for accumulated b1ardi
lie came 20 tho hotel aud deposited tho
precious document with the announcement
that II was tho M3, OF the play "Dtaoon
Brodle'l and worth 5000 After the depart
IRE Of his guest the landlord examined tho
paper, which he had kept until then IN tho
safe, Nothing was ever done IN tho mat
ter, for the landlord pooketed his loss In
silence, which lao has ever since preserved,
being now Gsld, That was two years ago,
suppose II has ssllppod the aotor's memory
ere this,
you 500 that little woman Ia tho tailor
made dress and who walks with nervous,
quick atepg That Is llel0lse Al Fait
There n something metallic In her eyes
and voice, aud also In her poeketbook,
which II well tllled since she played ohlld'a
parts Ia 'Frlaoo-so long ago, She has q
fatal prediction for changing her mind
aftor engaging company, aud wonder II
even now she won't cancel her dates aud
decide 10 go abroad ut tho last minute, |
do not fancy her husband will Interfere
with her plans this season ~ he did the
last They aro all passing, these stars
and lesser lights beneath my wlndow-all
with the unmlstakable insignia OF Thes
plans, that recognize by the silent lntu'
itlon OF felloworaft,
MARIE PETRAysEY,
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11

A French grenaderi In q war with tho
Auatrlnna, was put IN charge Of small
fort commanding a narrow gorge, up
which only two Of tho enemy could climb
az u time, When the defenders Of the fort
heard that the enemy were near, being few
Ia number they deserted aud left the brave
grenadler alone, But he felt that ho could
not give up the place without u struggle,
40 ho barred tho doors, RAISED the draw
bridge aud loaded all the muakets left be-
hind by his comrades.
Early IN the morning, with great labor,
tho enemy brought up u gun from the val.
10y aud laid II on the fort, But the gron,
adler made such good use of his loaded
muakeiA that the men In charge Of the gun
could not hold their position, and were
compelled 10 retire, and lao kept thom thus
NJ bay all day long,
AZ evening the herald came again 10 do
mnnd the surrender of the fort or the CUR,
rlson should bo starved out, The grona'
dlor Akod Tor night for consideration,
aud IN the morning expressed the willing
noiH Of the garrison 10 surrender " they
might "go out with all the hOnom Of war -
This, after some dcmur, was agreed 20, aud
presently the Austrian army below saw n
single soldier descending the height with
whole shcat of muskcta on hIa shoulder,
with which ho marched through thclrlines
and then throw them down
"Whoro IL the gaTIsonS" asked the Aus
trlAn commander nstonshed,
81 am the garrison" replied the brave
man, and they were No delighted with his
plucky resistance that tho troops mlued
him and called him The "fimt Gronudic'
Of France"
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11

For shoes there Ia soft kind Of leather
called "vclyot calf, which comes In a
number Of shades.
New riding boots there are, the foot part
mado In putcnt leather, and the uppcrn
and leg In n soft kind OF morocco, which Ia
very cool aud flexible
Chains OF oil sizes and kinds prevail In
bracelets. The different parts OF the links
are treated differently Ono will be- gold,
another platinum; ono plain, tho other
chased IN the center gems arc sunk, or
there will be u line Of rubi@ and diamonds
alternating
Long perforated cylinders Of silver ae
called perfumers rhcy are intended 10
bc fitted with cotton which hOs been sat'
urated with perfume and laid In draworA
Gold thimblcs are covered with minute
daisies In relief Instead Of being penetrated
with the usual needle holes,
The stays madc for tho hot weather and
travelling nrc Of very soft coutll, and arc
made long, cuirnsse form, 20 enable tho
tight sklrts 10 No well over tho hips
Spots aro 10 be much worn In the future,
and they hive nothing TO complain Of In
the matter Of patronage now. Blue foua
lards and mauvo cottons, with white spots
az lnrge Gs pens, are very popular
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11
A am nn,,n cnmnn.lllnn.

ItwOs q l3.yoar-old London lad who wrote
tho following composition ON Flowers"
"Now, In the country the flowers grow
wild In the fields, though not so close TO-
gothcr, and not In skwaros and rounds,
And nobody believes Il tll they 20 In the
train; but certainly boys and girls can run
amongst them, and pull up M many ~
thoy Hike, and M their arms and baskets,
and bring them homo to there fathers and
mothers And tho teacher said that II we
could only go the next day there would bc
Just as many flowers ngain, Some boys
would not believe what tho tonCher said,
but believe that 10 IN true, for believe
that God can easy do miracles, because
believe that the flowers are not stuck In by
mon or policemen after II IL dark, else what
about taking 80 much pulling outS When
am man shall 20 tho next day !
should 30 like 10 live In house In the mid.
die OF tho fields, 80 that could always SEQ
them flowers all round me, and the trains
going by on them green banks, Perhaps
when Am man shall try 20 find house
thoro, and kind woman In the inside OF
ith
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11
Tho New Glmrd dun,

In tho new GlGard gun the projecting
power Is lQucnod gas, which Is stored IN
steel cylinder attached % tho undcrsldo Of
tho glin barrel, This cylinder IA described
by The Royuc Iudustriollo, contains enough
liquid for i5O shots aud Ia easily dctach-
able.
The hammer drives back tho piston and
closes tho chamber against the pressure Of
the qua and Of spring, 80 that little Of
the liqucflod gas may escape, Tho Instant
tho auid passes ont tho chamber closes,
Tho ball ON which the escaping gas acts Is
conicnl
The firing of the GlfIurd gun causes no
heating Of the air or Of tho mechanism,
aud makes q noiso littlo louder than tho
popping Of n champagne cork, The gun ls
very light
NJ. GllIard, che inventor Of the gun, has
long been IA famous man In France lie Is
bost known Hs tho inventor Of tho Glnard
Injector, although his other Inventions aro
numerous and ingenious
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11
Tho Sue, Cnnnl by Elootrlo Llaht.

Judging by statistics given In Engineer.
Ing, tho number Of vessels passing through
the Sucz canal at night by means OF cleo
trio light Is rapidly increasing, Tho rcgula.
tlons for tho use Of the electric light went
Into operation March, 1887, prior to which
date tho privilege Of travelling by night
with electric light had been restricted 10
vessels carrying the mails, Since thon all
ships which conform 10 the regulations arc
allowed to proceed by night, In 1880 tho
number Of vessels using electric light was
e,4l5 The average time Of transit has been
considerably shortened, In 1880 II was 10
hours; In 1887, 80 hours IS minutcs In 1888,
81 hours 10 minutes, and lp 1880 II had been
reduced 10 20 hours 20 minutes The aver
age tlmo for vessels using the electric
light In 1850 WINS 29N hours Tho shortest
time taken by n steamer In tho transit OF
the canal In 1889 was l4A hours, which IL
ton minutes loss than tho fastest time on
record previously.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1890-09-11

AhhhAHN WIN NNA NAHA ANHN
fair, lie II wearing awhile flannel suit at
present that he aportcd In the "skIn the
cat company laat spring, How he man.
agea 10 keep up his swell appearance |
don't know, bnt no does. llo IN yerging
on thu flitiea, and II trne "mado up"
All his best acting 10 done OIL the stage
aud no Ia on hla way now 10 the nearest
saloon, whore he viii walt for some one 20
a6t up the drinks while ho relates his for
mer aucccasea Eor ho " one 0f the many
"haa bcenan lIo has played with Booth
and Barrett, not 10 mention Modieska,
Fanny Davenport and other stars Of the
nrat magnitude. lie can toll you how no
"oAught the house. In the third not aud
received triple encore In the last lie has
hobnobbod with senator's, ox'prcsldontA
aud dlgnitarlcs Of every station, and lac
viii wind up his recital by tho request OF
a little loan Temporary Of coupe), Some
times ho gotA IL, but moro often he Is
Obliged 10 swallow his disappointment
with the third pony Of brandy,
There goes "walklng Juvenile who
has been Ia the profession NIX years, ilois
got up regardless, aud every article OF his
toilet harmonlzos, from his luHl nooktlo
~ his suroinglo. llo has been woll schoolod
aA walking gentleman, having had innu'
mcrabo experiences In walking home from
Kaamnzooto 10 Baltimore, lle will toll you
ho has bc0n summerng NJ Long Branch,
but. ontro nous, ho hus acquired that coat
Of tan In Madison Square park, where !
have aoon him amoijng hls matutlnal Gig.
arctic for the past three months, llc is
solid with his lnndlaay, and whom he goes
on tho road will sond her hlB back board
In weekly lnstall'ncnN
The average theatrical landlndy plays n
waiting game, and tometlmo1 gcA loft,
though not often.
Ali that lIl;lo pouhvtie IN the lace
dress. | know her we'll She played
enngga IN tho "Nlllg % Clare lnbt season,
md N now on the clerl % catch an equally
good thing In tho way ~ another city on
gagement Her animated face Is n trlllc
cnroworn for tho season Va pretty well ON
and nothing definite decided, Now she has
como 10 n sudden stop, and is talking with
plump and vlyaolous Ray Rlmpleton, the
perennial burlcaquor, who has oaptlyated
our forofathcra, aud stll displays her
ample proportions for tho deloctatlon OF
tnu uuuVhi
In this shifting Kaleidoscope Of faces you
may recognize Roaring Dick, " who plays
tho awaggor part In u border drama. llo
wcama "sombrcro,n and NJ he walks sways
from sIdo 20 side In tho ondoayor TO DO
"tough.n That In his little hobby, but In
reality ho ~ very mild indeed
Now there approaches Mrs. Festive
Lardcr, tho ncwly divorced debutantc
with slow and monsurcd society step,
sho 10 thoroughbred, Society said she
must go-and so she did--upon the stage
Whom woman passes through che divorce
courts with flying colorS she straightway
strikes galt for the tomplo Of Thespa,
which sho frequently converts into buff
fot Of mixed drinks, whore tho patron Is
puzzled In distinguishing champagne from
ginger pop, but the discreet. manager nd.
yortsos her scandals and everything goes.