The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-07-09

At the Minnesota State Prison.

At the Minnesota State Prison.
The festivities of Independence Day were
opened with exercises in the chapel. Promptly
at nine O'Clock we filed into the hall which was
gaily decorated with bunting and flags in honor
of the day After song by the prison choir and
prayer by Chaplain Albert, Warden Wofer an
nounced that the Reverend c. A. Cressy had
kindly volunteered his services for the day and |
would deliver patriotic address; contlnulhg'
the Warden said, that he had asked the reverend
gentleman about how much time ne would &C.
cupy and the latter had replied, About nall an
hour" which time he, the Warden, considered
just right, as he was we'll aware that the boys on
day like this at this season of the year pre-
ferred to spend the major portion OF the time
allotted in the park. Warden Wolfer also an
nounced that we had with us MIR. H. DanfOrth
Dickinson, of Minneapolis, the we'll known
dramatic reader and elOcutiOnist. The Rever-
end Mr.. Cressy in his Introductory remarks
stated that when the Warden had asked him to
deliver the address he had Immediately thought
about suitable subject, and repaired to his
library to look among his writings and papers
for an Grafton, but had found, to his dlsmay, he
had addresses suitable to every occasion except
the single one of Fourth of July. So he had
come to us unprepared with any formal address
but would endeavOr to entertain us with what
he termed "a medley" or, in other words, sin
tellectual hash. After relating several very
witty anecdotes, regarding that despised article
of food, "hash," which brought down the house,
the reverend gentleman delivered grand and
eloquent address of twenty-five minutes dura-
ton which was listened to with rapt attention
and frequently interrupted by vigorous applause.
He called the attention of his hearers to the
fact that the day was memorable above all other
days in American history. The nation had been
founded by religious people and he showed what
a debt liberty owed to religion. The speaker as
serted that Americans were not only liberty
loving people, but also people determined that
the nation should always exist as single undl-
vided one, knowing no north no south, no east,
no west, as had been proved by one OF the
greatest wars recorded in history. Further
more, they were resolved that life and property
should enjoy the full protection of the law. The
orator concluded his address with an eloquent
peroration to the stars and stripes, the flag uni
versally recognized as the emblem of freedom
| and equality.
Mr.. H. Danforth Dickinson's several recita-
lions created a great deal of laughter and the
enthusiastic applause accorded him testified to
gram was as follows:
"Amerlca". ........ ............ ...Tllson CHoli
PRAYER 80. ....... Chaplain Albert
| Song.
"Star Spangled Banner"..... $500. Prison Choir
| Song.
Hail Columbia. Prison CholI
Recitation.
1.-The Dandy Fifth" H. Danforth Dickinson
Recitation.
''The Morning Nap'.... H. Danforth Dickinson
Recitation.
1.-The Hindoos Paradise. ..................,...
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS H. DanfOrth Dickinson
'God Uphold Thee. Prison Choil
Recitation.
"A Memory of School Days. ..........,.."...
H. DanfOrth Dickinson
AT the conclusion of the exercises in TIT
chapel two hours were spent in the park where
everybody amused themselves according to the
individual inclination. The sending up OF ;
small, gaily striped balloon caused quite ripple
of excitement and considerable yelling; as j
sailed up and away it was watched by many pal
of eyes until it was mere speck in the sky. A
12:3OP. M. the whistle announced that Dime
was ready, everybody fell promptly in line ant
marched to the dining-rOOms and partOok OF
sumptuous dinner. The bill of fare being
Roast Veal Dressing
Mashed Potatoes
Green Peas Onions Lettuce
Apple Pie Cheese
; Coffee with Milk and Sugar
Cigars.
The afternoon was quietly passed in the cells
lemonade being served at P NJ, and thus ende
Independence Day at the prison.
Three new bOarders arrived on the 3rd just i
time to celebrate the Fourth with us. Edwar
Lee, St. Louis county, sentenced to serve teri
of two years. for grand larceny in the secoD
degree. James E. Duncan and Charles P. Wa