The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-07
NORTHERN PRISON CHAPEL.
The New Building Dedicated Yester-
day-Governor Matthews Present.

The New Building Dedicated Yester-
day-Governor Matthews Present.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. May 5.-The new
chapel at the northern Indiana prison was
to-day dedicated with appropriate services.
Governor Matthews, directors Brodie. Yontz
and Burnhart, also the newly elected d.
rector, j. b. Rowell, were present TO as
sist in the exercises. The morning service
was opened at Gas with short address
by Warden French, after which the regu-
lar chapel services were conducted by the
chaplain. Rev. ". H. Sanders. who de-
livered an appropriate address. At the con-
clusion Of the sermon the Governor was
introduced by the warden and delivered
thirty minute address to the audience and
the convicts. Among other things the Gov
ernor spoke of the restriction the law
places upon the pardoning power and ex-
planned to the men that the exercise OF
executive ciemency was far from being
personal matter. and that IL II lay with
him entirely to go according TO his own
feelings of sympathy there were many men
who would be liberated before the sun
should rise upon another Sabbath morn
ing. but that he was amenable to the law
as much as the man I'm the most humble
walk OF life. and that II required great
Judgment and care In the exercise OF the
laws laws Of r INDIANA Which. he hoped. would
soon be changed so as TO set a limit OF
time upon a life sentence The Governors
At O'clock .. m. the Ames Union Band.
which had offered it's services for the oc-
casioh, and the. Michigan City Mandolin
Club were at the prison and entertained
the convicts and a large audience OF visit
ors and citizens for about two hours with
a very acceptable musical programme
Ia1fn md he rho Il
itself wila live I'm the hearts and minds OF
the citizens of this city and vicinity a
monument to the energy and enterprise OF
the efficient and gentlemanly warden. Mr..
]. w. French.
The new chapel occupies the entire second
floor of substantial brick and steel build
ing facing the east gate Of the prison. IL
is IA feet long by seventy feet wide and
siighty.two feet high to the top OF the ga
cupied by the dining room, measuring 69xl12
feet and having nine tables running length
wise of the room, capable OF seating about
nine hundred convicts- A stewards Office
twelve feet square occupies one corner OF
the building. and opening Off from this and
Immediately In the rear OF the dining room
is the kitchen and bakery. fitted with a
new oven and all the latest Improvements
for the preparation Of food. Built into
one end of the kitchen is commodious Ice
chest capable OF holding several tons OF
fresh meat, butter, eggs. etc.
The building faces east and has two sets
OF winding iron stairs leading from either
side to the ent tnce OF the chapel. large
airy room with steel ceiling about thirty
five feet high and having windows on
three sides. The room is furnished with
$50 folding opera chairs on the main floor.
besides large gallery seating 1876 and
rostrun capable or seating 800 persons.
The floor has an incline OF three feet nine
inches from door To rostrum and the aisies
and rostrum are neatly carpeted- The wall
paper and decorations are exceptionally
fine, the work having all been done by con-
yicts. The remainder OF the inside work
has all been done under the eth rieut eU~e--
vision or guard VIM. Fowler, who has has