The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-12-06
THANKSGIVING at The Prison.

bile at the prison, the sky and atmosphere c
lavng every appearance of snow. 1t was day
O dampen the spirits of a free man, who could s
20 and come as his inclinatiOns led him, and {
many of the inmates felt an unusual depression
,reep over them. as they had looked forward to
IN enjoyable day. Before noon, however, every
nan was in his happiest vein, for they we're
yiven a treat seldom oqualled in penal institu-
;on About $50 the bell sounded to prepare for
chapel, and in a few minutes the 500 inmates
we're seated, and it taxed the capacity of the
chapel to the utmost. many having to occupy the
aisles and the compartment usually assigned to
visitors. AS soon as the inmates were seated,
Warden WOlfer escorted to the stage about so
ladies' and gentlemen, among whom were:
Senator O'Brien, of the Board OF Managers;
the Rev. c. D. Wilcox. orator of the day;
Mrs. Warden Wolfer and members of family;
Chief of Police Smith, saltwater Mrs. Cause,
Society of prevention of Cruelty to
Animals; Rev. j. II. Albert. chaplain, and Rev.
C. E. Cressey, of Saltwater: Messrs. E. P. Brown
ing, A. G. Marshall. j. M. Root, and F. H. Forbes
comprising the Masonic Quartet; Mr.. James |
Mcintosh, of Mcintosh & Co., jObberS and deal |
ers in Teas, etc.. of Minneapolis, and Mesdames E.
P. Browning James Mcintosh j. M. Root, A. |
Clark, A. G. Marshall. F H. Forbes. Mrs. LenOx
and Miss Bushnell; Ex-deputy Warden Westby, |
N. E. Nelson. of the Washington county Journal.
Mr.. E. A. O'Brien, clerk of the prison; Dr. E.
Sidney Boleyn hospital steward; Mrs. Conklin.
Mr. and Mrs. Trebel. of the saltwater Mercan-
tile Co.; Mrs. COhein and sister, Mrs. Proctor
and lady friend, of saltwater; Sheriff Billings
and deputy of Fergus Falls, Mr.. and Mrs.
Haight, of Minneapolis; Miss Alice Cressey, of
Hamline University.
The warden announced that the speaker, Rev.
C. d. Wilcox would be somewhat late, and that
the quartette would keep the boys in humor by
rendering few selections. LET the Lower
Lights be Burning. the first selection, was
effectively rendered. and at its close the speaker
entered the chapel. Rev. c. E. Cressey. led in
PRAYER; very feelingy referring to the occasion,
and evOking Gods blessing on all present. The
quartette sang, "Rock of Ages" and 1.-The
Bridge" The warden in presenting the speaker
said ITO many of you an introduction to the
Rev. c. D. Wilcox, is unnecessary, having heard
him upon similar occasions in the past, and
know that the subject which he will present to
you today will be instructive and entertaining"
and the warden was right. The reverend gentle
mans discourse was upon 1.-THE true man." and
was highly interesting; the many wittlcisms. and
humorous comparisons, in his description of
continual roar of laughter. and the applause at
some exceptionally witty point, or, when chang
ing the vein. he pictured mans possibilities. was
very hearty and a convincing argument that not
one of the inmates was disappointed in the
speaker; they looked for amusement, they looked
for something good, and they received both.
At the close of the address the quartette sang
"Star of Hope" and fancied the boys would let
them off with this but here they were mistaken
they were unaware. perhaps, that occasions of
this nature are few and far between with us,
and with the exception of few days in the year
we do all our laughing down in our boots; one
thing is certain. we do not open our mouths and
laugh all over. The quartette almost anticipa
ting the desire for something lively, followed
with the Banana Man." This song. rendered
in the pure Italian vernacular, and with voices
in perfect harmony. was cOmical in the extreme
and would knock a laugh out of sphinx. Mr.
Browning has fortune in that song If he would
turn his attention to the footlights. Everyone
thought the laugh was over for the day. but the!
were convulsed when the quartette sang tom thu
Pipers Son. who stole the "POrker." and simpl!
had to hold their sides. when Mr. Forbes threw
, the Cow over the wall That's ALL" "Saue
Kraut' was also highly amusing. and the "BO!
with the Tack" reminded us so fOrcibly of Ou
, own bOyhOod days that we svmpathized will
the teacher who failed to see the point. W.
know of several who have felt it. We have ais
felt the rod after the teacher had assumed hi
5 dignity, and smOOthed out the wrinkles in OIL
pantaloOns. Zip Coon wound up the enter
tainment in the chapel. which was one of tn
most enjoyable in years; every inmate leavin
the chapel with smile on his face. and feelin
of thankfulness in his heart toward those VIII
had with so much kindness temporarily crushe
, out the gloom that usually fills it.
The warden in giving us the privilege of tn
y large paint shop, where we might mingle
a couple of hours in general hand shaking an
: social converse, announced that the gentleme
comprising the quartette. would remain with u!
!. and take part in our pleasure; and as they ha
an unlimited number of songs we might call o
o them. 1t struck favorable response, and
6 goes without saying that they we're LIBERAL
demanded; and in the recreation room as we'll a
! in the chapel they did their utmost to make tn
o day memorable one; they scattered here an
there among the 500 men in that large room Ell
tering into kindly conversation with some; tai
r ing part in the plantation melodies and dances
e our colored brethren. and apparently leavin
e nothing undone to make the day as enjoyable q
= possible to each one they came in contact will
g AS an evidence that they did so. here is whs
e one of the inmates says who has been hel
e several years, and is considered somewhat of
r cynic: This is one of the pleasantest days
:: have ever experienced here" coming from tn
s source. this speaks volumes. We speak fc
u every inmate when we say, we thank you gentl
d men for your entertainment, and we doubl
r thank the officials for making it possible for
J. to forget for brief hour our position; and. SUI
It rounding us with men who can forget for thu
/. brief hour that we are Ostracised humanity
It give us the hearty cheer and hand of brOtherl
e fellowship, and as SINBAD says: Create a
II oasis in the desert of our lives"
s At o'clock the whistle sounded and ever
= man stepped into the ranks, and again the di
# cipline for which Saltwater is noted, was oil
It served. In few minutes all were seated in tn