The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-12-27
CHRISTMAS AT THE PRISON.


and keys awOke the inmates, each sprang from
a couch where dreams of by-gone, happy days
had soothed them during the night. No smiling
face greeted them with the CHEEKY, II wish you
q merry Christmas" but each man realized that.
even on day when the whole civilized world
reioices in cOmmemmOratiOn of the glad tld1Dgs
that upon this day, nearly two thousand years
ago, Saviour was born to mankind, now, as
then, 1.-THE way of the transgressor Is hard" II
Yet even in the misery and degradation sur n
rounding their sad fate the spirit of that Saviour
has made some little joy and pleasure possible, p
as 1t was through the divine inspiration OF God b
that Christian men have permitted some little
pleasure to enter the convicts home, by provid- e
ing some little entertainment for them; by
relaxation of the severe discipline under which
they live and by catering to the inner man with I
a few of the delicacies that go to make man
cheerful and contented with the world. light
breakfast was served an hour later than usual
when all repaired to their cells. where the prison
keeper delivered to each occupant the material
| to write to friends. At $3.50 a. m. the chapel
| doors we're thrown open, and in a few minutes
every seat was occupied. The chapel had been
| tastefully decorated with evergreen, and looked
as cheerful as possible, and while 1t brought TO
many recolections of the happy hours they had
spent in the past assisting in the decoration OF
the church at home. or in getting ready the
Christmas tree it nevertheless cheered the soul,
and inspired the heart and mind with resou-
lions to so live in the future that they would be
worthy of participation in these festivities IN
freedom. surrounded by friends.
At 9:45 Warden WOlfer entered the chapel
accompanied by Mrs. Wofer, Miss Gerte and
Master Frank Wolfer. Miss Grace Simonton,
Hon. F. w. Temple of the board of managers and
| Mr. A ril
Mr.. and Mrs Cathie, N. E. Nelson, of the Still
water Journal, Mr.. A. L. Chambers, of Still
water; and the following gentlemen comprising
the Saltwater Mandolin Club: Messrs. Frank
Judd. Gene Searles, Geo. Graham. Herbert E.
. Graham, William Wing, A. F. Wing, and BenJa-
, min Hanks The prison choir under the d.
. rectiOn of Mrs. Gish, as prelude sang, "Peace
9 Good Will to Man, the chaplain follow
- ing with short but fervent prayer. lnvoK-
o ing Gods blessing on all present, and praying
that the spirit of Him. in commemoraton OF
. whose birth these services were to be held,
:, might guide each one. and make the occasion
one of pleasure and joy; peace, apa good Will
to man.
A The warden in his Introductory remarks, SAID:
e That up to about two weeks ago, he expected
h Mayor Eustis of Minneapolis. would be present
- to sneak to the inmates. but that business of
10 mayor to be present He had therefore, the ex-
~ treme pleasure of introducing to the inmates,
>, Mrs. Cathe the noted ecocutiOnst of Min
- neapolis. who would entertain them with selec-
~ lions. and he felt assured they would not be
dicappointed; that the Saltwater Mandolin CLUB
needed no introduction as the majority OF the
H. inmates had the pleasure of listening TO them IL
vs. the past To say the warden's prediction, tha
lly there would be no disappointment, was correct
nd would be putting it mildly; everyone were slmpl!
nv carried away with the following excellen
ID. program:
ho Music saltwater Mandolin Clul
,oo First. Selection
to An Appeal-She wanted divorce. Mrs. Cathle
ed Second Selection.
The School MatrOns Counting. .... Mrs. Catm
Third Selection.
led Como" by Joquin Miller. ......... Mrs. Cathl
ks Fourth Selection
ain $50 was l" .................. Mrs. Cathl
an. Music saltwater Mandolin Gu
T. Fifth Selection.
ill Selling a feler-JOsuah Allen, The Sewing nj;
ZEE, chine Agent. MIS-. CatIhl
ILL., Sixth Selection.
F. Luke By Brett Harte. ....... Mrs. Cath
d. Seventh Selection.
A. Aunt Jemima's Courtship.. .... Mrs. u
Ne Eight Selection.
eo Mncio ......,......M Mandolin Gu
T. The warder here introduced Mr.. Will VIM
ers, who accomps MED by his guitar. sang, "I'' Vi
[att Came Back 1t was the old prOverblal r5or
set in ,ulsic "a cat has ninety and nine YES
Mr. Wing Gin his sOng) tried stones, the en-
locomotive bulldogs and dynamite, eve Itr
TO foreign lands, but the Cat Came B. {.
Jun W a,,,sino ueu suno and ,icitt
The was Jaw ~ 100, ro,,,ondod to INV Mr. Wi,
do
.oln lin Club Joined in singing "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-a
ion' which completed one of the most interestil
VIC entertainments ever held in the chapel.
q, 'no Warden Wolfer in a very happy vein. in [
ny half of the inmates, thanked Mrs. Cathie, al
WV the members of the Mandolin Club, for tht
., excellent program; and assured them thaC tne
=, -. would be warm reception rendered the
- ~ should they ever visit the prison again, and
Ans vited them to remain during the days emit
.i -, =, program The inmates appreciated the remar
'' by applauding him with good will
He then thanked the inmates for their unpr
ing edented good conduct during the year just abe
to close. He appreciated their endeavOrS TO
~, a. conduct themselves that it became pleasl
The o0A0'0' . H., +h roson+ nossih,o
ated w iii'NO ..;e;o ~ r.nt +boSo n,
has "''' p"- -, :to 90 o,oor,v manifest
"no his desire to be worthy of them and to all thu
us. ms 'eo~.oto,y for6oted their GOOD O.
our ~ 49,, ~, ou,d roStoro them
for s;s,,';ss tbon and thew MIGHT rem
gnif "oA" ho,, whore thew could 81,
g be- W WY - - - ~, , o+,or &c no did A Me-
ioh,. Christmas.
l"h After Acting Deputy C'3nnon called "brt
ming 80 ,, ,. 30. ,'., md Sb.lino in r
, and i"nN' '.oio 1900. +ho,, +horo von1d no 9
Gods 'i-op 49, ~ I+ioo, r.+borinr in
ened o'ip -Aooe W +,uo +ho ossortion tbot
n by NO '. - o+ +oro+bor in 60 Sma
ut of ivy y. o' ~, 1870 to,,ina h.nd- +uistino
OF al 'p -, 4,..,h ,oro oontor+ions W
- ' less noise or FUSS on EARTH and we wonder