The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-01-23
THE PRISON AS 1T Is TODAY.

THE PRISON AS 1T IS TODAY.
A Visit to the Portion of the State En-
closure Partly Controlled by the Min
nesOta Thresher Manufacturing Co.
Once inside the walls of the "Silent City, the
sight that meets the visitor represents thriving
manufacturing town of the Belamyite order. All
the inhabitants are dustrious; saloons are
noticeable; coteres of idlers hang around the
resident or business portion of the town discuss
ing the latest bit of scandal If anarchy has a
footing here it is extremely dormant. with no sign
of possible awakening. This may truly be termed
model community. whose watchword is Industry.
Three thoroughfares running east and west, and
two running Forth and south form the arteries of
commerce in connection with the manufacturing
industries here. The Minnesota Thresher Man
ufacturing Co. occupy nearly all the buildings in
the manufacture of threshers farm engines,
horse powers and saw mills. They occupy nine
teen acres of floor room in shops and employ
1888 men at present in their shops alone. The
number of men is considerably increased during
the summer season. The manufacturing depart
ment includes thirteen sep arate shops. each shop
being in charge of foreman. and the entire de-
partments under the supervision of a super
|
MACHINE SHOP
This shop occupies three-stOry building, and
is in charge of ]. N. Bronson, head foreman, and
two assistant foremen-One for each floor. Thirty
nine citizens and fortytwo convicts employed
in turning out and finishing the eight nine hun
dred separate pieces of steel and wrought iron
used in building the different machines made.
Among the convicts there are several first class
| I
employed in subordinate positions.
FOUNDRY.
In this department thirty.nine citizens and
twenty mine convicts employed. The convicts
here are all unacquainted with the work there be-
ing but one molder among them the balance are
employed at laboring work and e-making Sid
ney Mason is the foreman in charge of this branch
of the work. The scene in the foundry when cast
ing commences gives one a very fair idea of a pos
sible winter resort in the misty hereafter. As
casting usually commences late in the afternoon
the fire-vomting vulcans serve the double pur.
pose of lighting the apartment and furnishing the
molten metal. The grimy figures fitting hither
and thither with ladies brimful of lurid metal
are not unlike the proverbial imps with fiery tongs
Fastening to supply the impatient residents of
sheol with fuel.
BLACKSMITH SHOP.
This shop employs twenty-one citizens and
twenty-three convicts c. w. Emerson is the fore
man in charge. The work here is nearly all done
by hand, there being only four machines, used for
bending and cutting iron and doing other work
that could not be done by hand. The principal
work is the making of iron forgings for engines
and horse-powers, and the dressing of tools used
in all departments Among the convicts employed
h,,ko xl>o
balance are employed as helpers to the journey.
men. The work in this depa rtment is not con-
sidered SNAP" it consists in welding ac-
tive sedge-hammer IL day. In this shop and in
the foundry the most able-bodied men always
found.
BOLT SHOP.
The destinies of this shop are presided over by
Foreman Geo. Whistler. Three citizens and seven
| convicts form the quota of those at present en-
gagged in turning out the necessary bolts and nuts
for the implements made here, ard iron spokes
for the wheels of engines. One hundred and
twenty-five tons of iron are used every year in the
manufacture of bolts and spokes The nuts are
purchased in half finished state and are
threaded here ready for use. The work in this
department is done mostly by aid of machinery.
SHEET-IRON SHOP.
j. +. Sullivan is foreman or this Drancn or man
ufacture Mr.. Sullivan has been in the employ of
the company for many years. and has bitter as
well as pleasant recollections of his connection
here. In 1885 he lost his right arm by having it
caught in the shafting and it was many months
before he could return to his duties. Citizens
only are employed here. and they range in number
from three to ten at different parts of the working
season. The principal work is the manufacture
of smokestacks and ashpans for engines and sheet.