The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-04-03

know how things carried on here. and to prove
that the branch prisons just what the local
officials make them. For instance, let us draw
the contrast between this place as it is now and
what it was up to the year 1887. In those former
times the prisoners were half fed, half clothed and
worked beyond reason. without regard to human
suffering. When the days were long and hot the
men were sunburned for want of necessary cloth
ing. and in winter they we're frozen for want of
fire and raiment Then when the days toll was
over and the scanty supper of bread and
water was eaten the poor incarcerated men of
this place went to their respective COUGHS of filth
chintz and lice, not to Sleep but to lay and trem-
BILE in suspense, expecting every moment to be
called to the whipping stake. for it is fact that
those who lived near and the passer-by often
alarmed at the shrieks and yells of pain that came
from within the stockade walls and often man
was beaten with many stripes because he for want
of necessary food was not able to perform the
amount OF labor required by an unreasonable
foreman, and nine cases out of ten when the pris-
oner cuffed, cursed and snubbed by the fore
man at the works and dared to appeal to those
who were sworn to protect him. he only got ad-
dtional curses and lashes for his pains On sew
eral occasions we have been told that men who
fully whipped and forced to the works to be car
ried back dead. Yes many men died here in dis
grace, away from home. away from God, not a
natural DEATH but they died under the lash, as it
were, at the hands of tyrants. Kind reader, this
picture is not overdrawn, but if what we are told
by scores, both bound and free, be true, it might
be made much darker. But we would have the
public know that great change has taken place
in the last few years at this branch prison. Now
the prisoners have plenty to eat, plenty of cloth
ing and only a reasonable amount of work is re-
quired. Now. those who live near and the
passer-by can, after the days work is and
the prisoners have gone to their respective wings,
hear, instead of shrieks and groans, songs of
mirth songs of praise, prayers and Bible reading
Now we have Sabbath-schools (white and colored)
furnished with literature and corps of excellent
teachers. We also have singings, prayer meetings
and sermons besides the regular services held by
the State chaplain. Now the hospital is greatly
improved, and instead of heartess whisky bloat
at the head of that department. we now have a
firm resolute, conscientious and skilled phys
cian who takes as much interest in his patients
who wear the stripes, he would free man who
pays his doctor bill. Now we have Warden, who
fully complies with his official oath. by firmly pro-
tecting Justly Furnishing and resolutely holding,
the 26l prisoners under his charge. We hail with
gladness such changes as these. and loudly ap-
plaud the wisdom of Gov. Taylor in giving us the
right man for Superintendent of Prisons, and sim
cerely thank the Superintendent for giving us the
best Warden in the State, whose wisdom and
nobleness of heart has made such reformation
at this place. Now, if we be the means of
stopping any one in a wild career, or speak
word of advice time, will gladly do so in an
other letter, in case this one should be published,
for the penitentiary with all its determinations is
dreadful place. Respectfully
Maj Euiltus, a Prisoner.