The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1897-07-08
INDEPENDENCE DAY
is Fifty CELEBRATED WITHIN
OUR CONFINES.
UNMUZZLED TONGUES
Buzz GaiIy i'm Honor Of the
Buzz GaiIy i'm Honor Of the
Day We Celebrate.
PRISON LETHARGY
Is Forgotten for Time as We Joyously
Mingle Together.

gone. Another red-letter day in the
monotony of prison life will be long
remembered as one of our most pleas
urable holidays. A bright rift has
been made in the cloud of gloom DER
hanging our secluded life that will not
soon be forgotten. Pleasures antic-
ipated for month previous have been
fully realized. The day was perfect
insomuch as it was slightly cooler than
the ones just preceding it.
At nine o'clock sharp we were mus
tered into the chapel hall to be enter
tanned by musical program and pa
triotic address. Warden Wolfer acted
as master of ceremonies.
The chapel program opened with a
lively song from the prison choir. We
were then treated to some high class
orchestral music by trio of young
ladies from the elite of St. Paul society,"
They were Miss Ray Lamprey, violin
list; Miss Frances Tarbox, pianist, and
Miss Florence Lamprey, banjoist. An
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full music furnished by these young Ia.
dies on account of their youth and the
confidence with which they handled
the instruments. Classical compost
tions, marches, medleys and fantasies
including snatches from the popular
songs of the day were rendered with
the ease and grace of master hands.
These young ladies though possessing
musical ability far above the average
professionals do not lay claim to that
title in it's literal acceptation as they
play purely for love of music and the
entertainment of their friends at pri-
vate social gatherings. Miss Ray Lam
prey is certainly an accomplished vio-
linist; she is complete master of the
bow and handles it only as the true
artist can. Miss Frances Tarbox and
Miss Florence Lamprey, as pianist and
banjoist respectively also showed true
musical ability in the various rendi-
lions. Six good selections were given,
each of which was loudly applauded.
The inmates, though as rule anxious
to get out into the park on holidays
would gladly have remained to hear
more of such music. And in saying
this we are voicing the highest compli-
ment that imprisoned men could pos
sibly pay to any entertainer as the
privilege of getting out together in the
park is dear to the heart of every man
here.
The Warden then introduced Attor-
ney L. A. Straight of st. Paul as the
orator of the day. The gentleman
spoke forcefully of the significance of
the day as viewed from different stand
points. He also related some bright
anecdotes pertaining to the cosmopol-
itan side of American life which were
we'll received by his audience.
At the close of the address Warden
Wolfer informed us that the usual hol-
iday privileges would be extended, in
timating also that we would be RECALLED
with simOn.pure havanas and lemon
ade with very slight stick in it," and
have the pleasure of listening to one
of the best musical organizations in
the state-the Third Regiment Band
of Fort Smelling. These and a few
other remarks he made were of the
most interest to the boys as they so ex
pressed by rounds of hearty applause.
In the park as we were released was
picture the painting of which would
immOrtaliZe an artist. The stately
gray and the modest check of the Sec
ond grade broke the mOnOtOnOus same
ness of garb. The occasional view of
the unfortunate stripes recalled the
vicissitudes of prison life as caused by
individual misbehavior. The presence
of large number of citizens in the
park gave cosmopolitan aspect to
our outing. The ladies were provided
with seats in shady hooks where they
could watch all proceedings while they
discussed the latest fashions in sum-
mer coiffures and shirt waists. The
gentlemen of the party mingled freely
with the prisoners and were at liberty
to speak to any of us. Shortly after
II o'clock the playing of lively march
was heard. The main gates were
thrown open and the famous Third
Regiment Band of Fort Smelling,
headed by the stately military figure
of Drum Major McGuffin, marched up
our main highway to the temporary
band stand amid the vociferous cheer