The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-07-07
Liberty Day.

1t didn't rain after all. And the Fourth was a
truly glorious day. AS is usual on holidays the
prison was early astir and fdgety with expec.
tation. The morning meal disposed Of. we ar.
rayed ourselves in our very best toggery. put our
domicles to rights and then sat down to await the
opening of the days program. In the meantime
the feathered chorus without we're doing their
best to drive away the care and melancholy of
every day life. and the inspiring strains of the
"Bonny Blue Flag foated through the cellroom
from a passing band. Whether the band was
playing for us or not we enjoyed the music all
the same. At $3.50 we went to the chapel. The
hall had been put in patriotic dress-the alter.
organ and other parts of the room were made gay
with red, white and blue bunting. A number of
gentlemen were on the platform. The only ladies
present were Mrs. Gish and Mrs. Armstrong. our
choir's leader and organist. The celebration was
opened with 1.-The Star Spangled Banner"
Warden Wolfer. with few happy remarks.
introduced the orator of the day, Rev. Wallace
H. Butrick, pastor of the First Baptist church of
st. Paul. He was given hearty welcome. He
fatty contradicted the warden's assertion that he
was fine orator, by declaring that he had never
delivered grafton in his lfe that he was Just a
pla preacher and that this was the first time in
his life he had undertaken to make Fourth of
July speech. Nevertheless he did make an ora.
ton, and if it really his first, it was brilliant
beginning His pleasant appearance and happy
manner of expression caught the boys at once-he
seemed to know just what they wanted and how
they wanted it. 1t is the general wish that he
may make it convenient to come over again before
the present prison generation passes out. short
and inadequate summary of his address is given
on another page. The choir sang columbia is
the Gem of the Ocean, after which the Warden
thanked the speaker on behalf Of all present and
proposed vote of thanks which was carried by a
full show of 'hands up" Mr.. Butrick said that
all he asked was that the boys would allow him to
60 out and celebrate with them. By request of
the speaker everybody joined in singing Amer.
ica.'' After a closing prayer by Chaplain Albert
the meeting adjourned to the yard where Deputy
Lemon issued few orders and broke the bonds of
restraint. There a great shaking of hands,
and after little practice there was Gathering
of tongues Some one threw football into the
crowd. and if it had been a pie it would not have
caused more scrambling. small platform had
been erected against the west end of the cell
building for the accommodation of visitors Over
it was decoration of flags and ball of binding
twine (the Irvine was meant to represent a can
non ball, we supposed. The tower of the Solitary
was tastefully decorated with flags and bunting
in the midst of which was /" July4 " in white on a
blue ground. good sized audience had early Sc
cured seats on the high roadway and bluffs from
which they had fine view of the arena. Those
OF the boys who had brought out their pipes
smoked, and those who had not borrowed a Whit
or two here and there. Liquid refreshments we're
served at the same old stand-the never.failing,
ever;pure spring where the thirsty may drink
without money and without broken heads. Good.