West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1894-02-22

regulation style and do not fit MS
neatly AS do some of the suits made
by our merchant tailors, but are
warm and comfortable. The cook.
ing is done by the convicts, and the
food Is well cooked and wholesome.
The prisoners who work in the
shops, when meal time comes march
TO the place IN the yard, where they
wash, each man having his own
towel, then they march TO the
dining room, each section to it's
own particular table. and at the
sound Of IA bell all commence eating.
After supper they march to their
cells, which are III two tiers, one
above the other. After all have
entered their cells lever is drawn
back, which locks all the doors in
that particular section. After this
a guard goes along and calls each
mans number, and after the pris-
oner answers to his number, the
guard again locks his door with a
key. The discipline Is rigid, at the
same time 1t Is not hard to follow
the rules If SO inclined. The guards
do not carry reyolvers, but sup
pose there are plenty of fire arms
handy in case they should be need
ed. The guards carry mace SINH
lar to that carried by the police IN
our cities. There is an ugly looking
gattling gun mounted on aplatform
in the building. which, if cranked
little while, would clean the in
stitution of human life.
At best, however, it is a terrible
place to spend the best years OF
mans life, and should teach the
youths Of our State that they should
respect Tie laws under which we
live, so that none Of their number
should ever be added to the long
list OF those who are dragging out
an existence within the walls of our
State PenItentiary. The off. ers Of
the Institution are all attentive to
their business, gentlemanly in their
department. toward strangers, and,
on the whole. think that the in
stitution is ably managed.
Perhaps one unacquaintcd with
the routine work incumbent upon
the officers OF the institution would
no doubt say. well those fellows are
enjoying soft snap, not so, how.
ever, when VIC take into considera-
ton the fact that twenty three men
takes care of the entire institution,
it means something more than clnlds
play. No, those men are held right
down TO business, while their work
may not be extremely laborious,
yet, one can read in their every
countenance chat they feel the re
sponsibllity that rest upon them,
and if they are not well paid for
their services they should be, our
State cannot afford to act the mi,er
with its officers, especially those
who carry upon their shoulders the
responsibility that those men do.
The articles manufactured IN this
institution are all hand work and
full stock, your correspondent has
some samples from the whip de-
partment, which are made entirely
by hand and from the best stock,
and they are handles.
BY the courtesy of the warden
Mr.. Van Pelt | was permitted to
see and converse with Mr.. Lakel,
from this county, IN appartm ent
for that purpose. Having had but
little acquaintance with him prior
to the unfortunate occurrence that
shut him within the walls. could
not with any degree of accuracy com.
pare his present condition as to ap-
pearAncc and health with what il
was at the Commencement of his
term, but will say that ne is at this
time rather thin in flesh, but seems
to have retained his powers of rca-
son fully. lie talked freely and
inteligently. In way Of CONVERSE
ton said. "Mr. Lakcl, owing 10
the expiration of your sentence be-
ing so near ut hand, | suppose that
you are feeling quito cheerfdl?"
lie remarked that at was not the
history of Prison life to feel that
way" said he con the contrary the
nearer the time approaches that
we are to be liberated as rule the
more respondent we feel, so near
and yet SO far. So hard to realize
that VIC will live the remaining time
out though it may be short" Be.
I iuff ohuf ont frup, f6o .,~.fI =. IL.