The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-04-09
SUNDAY AT WAUPUN.
A Convict Writes of a Sundays Expert
enee IN the Penitentlary.

A Convict Writes of Sundays Expert
ence IN the Penitent1ary.
The following extract is from letter
written by a well known convict at
Waupun and graphically describes the
routine of a Sunday at the States
prison:
After the usual formalities incident
to our morning repast, we were march
ed to the chapel; upon our arrival there
we found ourselves in the presence of a
number of ladies and gentlemen who
had been invited in by our worthy
chaplain, Rev. W. G.. Bancroft, who
came forward saying, These ladies
and gentlemen are members of the
Methodist choir in the city and have
come here to entertain you on this day.
The choir will now open the services
with an anthem, after which the chap
lain read the Tooth and 103d Psalms,
following with an effectual prayer.
Chaplain Bancroft then announced that
!" Uncle" Robert West by special re-
quest from the citizens, will repeat his
solo, "Twenty Six Years Behind the
Bars. ;, and Notwithstanding the fact it
had been sung for the first time the
previous Sabbath, at which time Mr..
West won the hearts of all his hearers.
Nevertheless when he left his seat in
the audience he was greeted with loud
applause from the inmates and as he
the chaplain said, q You may
show your appreciation toward Uncle
Robert by buying his songs, which will
be in my charge and for sale by me. /"
At this juncture Mr.. Kenneth (who
like Mr.. West is serving life sentence)
began to play for his venerable COM
panion, who sung in his usual good
taste and pleasing manner. This num-
Der was followed by an appropriate
recitation entitled, "Never Despair, !"
given by another lifer, G. 81. Colgrove.
The choir sung another anthem, " Jesus
Lover of My Soul" They were fol-
lowed by Mr.. Colgro7e in an address,
" Why Should This Nation Give
Thanks Unto God 2" In this number
Mr.. Colgrove excelled, showing his
great ability and power Jas speaker,
as we'll as his marvellous powers of en-
durance.
After the closing of this powerful ad-
dress, Mr.. Packard, the leader OF the
Methodist choir, came forward, and in
a few appropriate remarks said they
would sing a negro melody before the
closing number. /" Arise and Shine"
was rendered in highly pleasing man
ner, and in this as in all the pieces by
the choir, Mr.. Packard's sweet tenor
voice was heard to good advantage.
We now desire to say something in
regard to the management of the in
stitution, and in doing SO we feel it our
duJy to begin at the top round OF the
ladder, therefore we will first say a few
words concerning our governor. Nearly
two years have elapsed since VIM. ii.
Upham succeeded to the highest posi-
tioE given to man within Wisconsin's
broad domain. 1t is with pleasure that
we are able to say he has proved him
self worthy the position he fills.
In selecting the members of the State
Board of Control, we are pleased to
know that he exercised great wisdom.
Our present warden, Hon. j. j. Rob-
erts, entered upon his duties last July.
His first act was to ascertain what the
laws of the state required of him, and
he next considered the higher divine
law in the case and his orders were:
"No officer or employee connected
with this institution shall be allowed to
use Intoxicating liquors within the
prison walls, neither shall there be
used any profane language.
Thus 1t has become fully known that
law and order must prevail, and thus
we recognize in Warden Roberts man
who is not only loyal to the State of
Wisconsin, but more, that he is loyal
subject of the King Of Kings who rul-
eth over the universe.
Mr.. Roberts is seconded ID the man
agement of the prison by Major j. b.
Vosburg, of Kenosha county, who is
exceedingly kind in dealing with hui
mainly. We have profouGd respect for
our deputy warden, who, we are thank
full to say can command obedience and
yet win the admiration and respect of
the men with whom he has to deal. AS
there are about thirty keepers we can
not speak of each one individually, but
collectively we can say that we have a
fine set of officials.