Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-08-10
70 the Editor Of the Register.

To the Editor Of the Register.
The massive stone building in Mounds
vile contains within its walls men and
women from all portions Of West Vir-
gina and many other States. The cit
liens of Yves, Virginia are, naturally
enough. interested n the management
and the welfare of its inmates The
comfort of a son, a father, or some OH
er member of the old homestead back
IN our beautiful West Virginia hills
seems to be their utmos, wish. A
dark. cold celia half-s,arved condition
is the only though, they can form of
a prison. This, possibly, may be the
condition Of some prisons, but It does
not apply 10 the State Prison at
Moundsyille.
Much has been said Of its excellent
management and the humane system OF
discipline enforced After an mercer
atom of seven years within It's walls,
and having once more regained my
freedom. desire to reterate the good
things which have been said OF its adj
m :nistration. To recount in full the
privileges given the untor,unates would
require too much space, but some at
least should be mentioned in order that
the reader may judge, and l'know OF
no better way than TO take one week or
its routine of life. Abou, twenty MN
utes before seven the prisoners are
marched to the dining hall. Bread and
butter coffee. either rice or h0m.ny,
COMPRISE the usual breakfast The
bread. venture TO say, is as good as S
given in any penal institution in the
United States. There S no ration or
allowance made at the tables, but each
can help himself, as the food is served
N large dishes set upon the tables. NO
one can complain from the source OF not
eating enough After breakfast the
men repair by fours to their respective
n'aces of EMPLOYMENT The cCnven-
tional prison lock step has been done
away with by the present warden. The
marching is done in military order.
Twelve o'clock noon the whistle blows,
when after taking a wash, with good
soan they again fill the spacious din
ing hail for dinner. Monday dinner
consists of pork and beans, onions or
lettuce. corn or wheat bread Tuesday
dinner. soup, beef and bread. Weanes-
dav dinner. pork. O---s. 3i-sleS ana
bread. Thursday dinner, BEEF, dump
lings of the best, bread. etc. Friday,
cabbage and pork. corn and wheat
bread. Saturday dinner, beef and po-
tatoes. About three or four nights per
week cheese is served Frequently
roast potatoes and beets. As The var
Gus vegetables N the prison gardens
rinsn they are served. Tomatoes. rhu-
barb. radishes. green beans and apples
are served through the summer. Pepper
and salt. mustard and vinegar are al
WAYS on the tables. Generally Sunday
night beside the usual supper, ginger
bread is served. After supper the men
retire TO Their cells for the night.
There they are permitted 10 perform
on musical instruments or to occupy
their time by reading library books,
newspapers. or to study school books,
which are furnished. Those who are
no, employed go to school during the
dav. The school is an innovation OF
Warden Van Pelt's which has been n
strumencal IN teaching many
the three RS" (reading, ritin anC
'rthme.ic). Services are held eaci
SUNDAY IN the two chapels no one de
nomination having prepOnderance, a