The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-07-09
HOW WE CELEBRAT
Pleasant Day, Grand Grafton. Patriotic
Songs, Good Play. Fine Dinner,
CiUarS. I.onpnnaAo. Pest.

Songs, Good Play, Fine Dinner,
Cigars, Lemonade, Rest.
The Fourth of July never fell upon more beau.
tiful day, nor never was greeted by more appre-
ciative body of celebrators than it found in the
community dwelling within these four walls.
Everybody was astir soon after the clang of the
matin bell, and it was not long until the routine
duties of the morning were completed and every.
body was ready to begin celebrating About half.
past eight O'Clock the bars were thrown and we
took line Of march for the chapel. AS entered
the hall our eyes were greeted with our country
emblems on all sides. The hall was never so pro.
fusely and handsomely decorated on any other
festive occasion. The front and rear of the hall
were aim ost hidden in bunting flags adorned the
walls, the row of pillars down the center we're
wrapped in red. white and blue and the doors
were canopied with the star.spangled banner.
Only few visitors were present. Seated on the
platform Mr.. and Mrs. John Stevenson. of st.
Cloud, Rev. John Conway. editor of the North
western Chronicle, of st. Paul, Warden and Mrs.
Garvn and Rev J. H. Albert.
The warden acted as master of ceremonies.
Mrs. Armstrong presided at the organ. and Mrs.
Gish assisted the choir in rendering the National
airs. The celebration was opened by the singing
of Now the Roll of the Lively Drum" Chaplain
Albert then invoked the blessings of God in prayer.
After the singing of columbia. the Gem of the
Ocean, :" the warden introduced Rev. John Conway.
the orator the day. We will not offend the rever-
end editors good taste by publishing badly mutt
lated report of his address. He paid the highest
tributes to our country and its standing among
the nations of the world, and said that ever
since that old bell was broken at Philadelphia in
ringing out independence she has been the model
and guide to the downtrodden of all nations seek
ing liberty. His concluding words were that the
United States rich in all things but richest
of all in her liberties. The speaker was greeted
with applause from beginning to closing by the ap.
preciative audience. The chapel exercises ended
with the singing of 1.-The Star-spangled Banner"
The warden then announced the program for the
remainder of our allotted hours of celebrating
We we're to march from the chapel to the yard
west of the cell building where we were to be at
liberty to spend the time in our own way within
certain bounds. In order to get out exped-
tiously possible one-hah of the men marched
out by the side door and the other through the
cellroom. Arriving at the parade ground we
formed in body before platform from which
the warden addressed to us few words of in
struction and then ordered-"Break ranks" and
we broke with whoop. There was general
all round hand shaking and "howdying for a
few minutes, then some one kicked up a football
and the fun began. That football never got
moments rest from the first kick until the whistle
| blew for dinner and consequently several OF the
most active kickers were nursing lame legs the
next day. row of seats had been placed along
the shady side of the cell building and the wall to
which the boys took to most kindly not because
they tired but that they might concentrate
all their energy in their tongues and jaws. There
was good deal Of drinking but it was OF that
liquid that flows free from natures still. 1t
one of the jokes OF the day for one to ask his
friends to come up and have something" The
surrounding bluffs were dotted here and there
with groups of sightseers who could look down
with envy upon happy souls in the arena. There
was not much inclination to indulge in games.
but there were few foot and wheelbarrOw
races. and some jumping was DONE Father Con.
way. Editor Costello, of the St. Paul Dispatch,
and Mr.. Stevenson. were with us most of the time.
About half past twelve O'Clock the whistle blew
and the boys said "Oh shaw" Our much enjoyed
liberty at end. We formed in body be-
fore the platform and the warden thanked us for
the decorous manner in which we had deported
ourselves and then announced dinner at Steward
Benner's hostelry. The dinner frst-class in
quality and quantity. This was the bill of fare:
Roast veal, green peas brown gravy and dressing,
onions, radishes. lettuce and pickles, rolls, cake
and coffee. Cigars were passed around just after
dinner, each man receiving three. About three
O'Clock the lemonade came around to complete
the festivities.
The officers and guards Jared sumptuously at
dinner, after which they went forth to mingle
with friends beyond the walls. There was not an
occurrence to mar our reputation as law-abd-
ing community. We had an enjoyable time and
we beg that all those who contributed to our en-.
joyment in any way will accept our thanks.