davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

THERE are many men in prison
who are married. Some Of those
have children. To such their i'm
prisonment brings an additional
grief in the forcible absence from
their loved ones and the thought
that while the State is taking their
work without compensation, those
dependent on their efforts for sus-
tenance and support may be suffer-
ing for the necessaries Of life.
There are many cases where the
wife applies to the courts for re-
lease from the bonds which tie her
to the convicted malefactor, and
such applications are always gran
ted without question. In such
cases the loss is probably not very
great on either side. But the
prisoner who is fortunate enough
to have a wife who still cleaves to
him, despite his downfall, possesses
in her jewel which should, and in
most cases probably will, go father
towards redeeming him from evil
ways than aught else on earth could
do. For constancy is indeed
jewel, and where it is unmerited,
as it is here, it is worthy of the
greatest appreciation. The re-
leased convict who find his wife
awaiting him at the prison gates,
ready to receive him to her faith
full heart and to share the infamy
which has been cast upon him, is
indeed lost to all sense of honor
and manhood, and a disgrace to
the human race, if he does not en-
deavor to repay her fidelity and
love by an honest endeavor to
make for her a home and give to
her the comforts and luxuries
which her constancy and self-sacri-
fee so richly deserve.
Few men who are in prison have
left their families in such circum-
stances financially as to make them
independent of public aid or priv
ate charity. Most frequently the
resources of relatives are taxed.
Imagine the unfortunate situation
of such a woman. Her position is
indeed even more deplorable than
that Of a prisoner without family
ties, especially if she have children
whose want she is unable to sup
ply. To the husband and father
who is imprisoned the thoughts
of his family being in distress must
ever be heavy burden. At the
same time the thought that afaith-
full and loving heart is always
awaiting his coming should cheer
him and ever confirm him in en-
deavors to so conduct himself that
he will merit the utmost allowance
for good conduct as well as the
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

THE MIRROR is weekly paper published
In the Minnesota State Prison. 1t was founded
In 1887 by the prisoners and is edited and man
aged by them. Its objects are to be home
newspaper; to encourage moral and intellectual
improvement among the prisoners; to acquaint
the public with the true STATUS of the prisoner;
to disseminate pathological information and to aid
in dispelling that prejudice which has ever been
the bar sinister to fallen mans self-redemptiOn.
The paper is entirely dependent on the public for
its financial support. If at any time there should
accrue surplus of funds, the money would be
expended in the interests of the prison library.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27
N 0 TIC E..

ALL PERSONS receiving copies of
THE MIRROR who are not Oh our
regular lists Will please consider
such as sample copies. If, after
reading. you conclude that THE
MIRROR Is worthy of patronage
send your name to this office for a
trial subscription at rates as pub.
lfshed above.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

with which the police courts in
our large cities monkey with the
rights of people, for there is no
doubt that every day things are
there done which would cause pub
lie and general indignation were
they known.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

StarvatlOn and vice an unknown
quantity.
The Associated Press dispatches
contain the following in regard to
the stay in Chicago Of President
Mckinley: while it is not gen.
orally known, several Unlocking
individuals who, it was suspected,
might have designs against the
President, have been confined in
the county-jail during his visit.
They will be released when he has
left"
The Associated Press (some-
times called the Western Union
Telegraph Co. controls the entire
daily press Of the country. Every
paper which takes the Associated
Press reports is bound by an iron
clad agreement not to give voice
to certain opinions. The above
quotation is a sample of what the
Associated Press is doing towards
getting the public used to the
principle of prevention, as prac-
ticed by the judicial powers of this
country today.
Judges issue injunctions upon
ex-parte testimony which are a
farce upon their face in that they
attempt to anticipate both the
crime and the law. This idea has
always been repugnant to the prin-
ciples Of English law. In SO far
as it is impossible to prove that
person intends to commit an un-
lawful or felonious act unless he
has actually threatened to commit
it. On the other hand the law
was made to punish crime, and he
who commits crime takes the con-
sequences. Now, if the courts be-
gin to issue fats against the COM
mission Of crime, there is manifest
ly no limit at which they must
stop. A reputable citizen may
find himself at his breakfast table
confronted with an injunction by
some court against committing
bigamy, arson, adultery and horse
theft, when as a matter of fact, if
a man should commit any of these
acts he would have incurred no adj
ditional penalty by the injunction.
And then, again, these fats of
justice take the shape of prohibits
against things which are in no
wise illegal, such as talking to
people or walking on the public
highway (see Hazelton) and in this
manner the liberties of the citizen
may be arbitrarily invaded by
practically irresponsible Judge.
To come to our initial quotation,
here is an example Of the police
assuming these judicial powers of
injunction by arrest, which 1 may
be excused for calling somewhat
extreme.
It is we'll for these police officials
that their victims do not know or
else are too cowardly to assert their
rights. For it seems very clear to
me that the police authorities in
such case as the above, where
men are locked up and kept in
durance simply because they do
not look we'll and the President
happens to be in town, are acting
in the capacity of k1dnapers, and
that their victims are justified by
law in using force, and if necessary,
kill any one illegally depriving
them of liberty.
It is evidently necessary that
some check be put on the license
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

sympathy and commentator Of
the officers of the prison, which,
I feel assured, under such circum-
stances will be freely and unstint-
ingly given.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

you Will SOON nave dC lcdSC d SUPERFICIAL
interest in it."
x*x
The editor of the Austin Herald one
of the leading papers of southern Min
nesota, finds time right in the middle
of this hot campaign to pay The MIR
ROR man the following compliment.
The humorist of the Prison Mirror
should send his scintillations to one of
the comic papers and get paid for them.
He would have good bank account.
when he gets out.
The climate at Washington is quite,
unhealthy, malarions, and generally
bad for the constitution. Even the.
constitution of the United States is be.
ginning to feel the effects.
x*x
The principal place in the capital of
Holland is the Damplatz. 1t is also
the principal place in Saltwater.
~
A LADY" in Orestes, Ind, whose hus-
band has been arrested, invited the
neighbors to witness her contempt for
him, to which she gave expression by
burning him in ef1igy. The husband
claims that he prefers that style of
roasting" to her usual method.
***
A horse walked into a.cigar store in
Baltimore the other day. They prob.
ably sold Dead Shot tobacco there.
Horses think great deal of vegetables
you know.
Xxx
A St. Paul editor claims to be real
writer because he has been sued for
criminal libel.
Xxx
The st. Paul Dispatch came out Sat-
urday with scare head "The Swedes
are too smart" l asked Tom. F.
about that. Tom. is what you would
call a "con." He answered: "Why,
them Swedes are the easiest guys in
the world"
A Texas editor announces that he
has accepted two beautiful specimens of
Crotalus Americans on subscription,
which he keeps in his sanctum, and
adds, as an afterthought: "Gentlemen
who come to see the editor with hostile
intent had better bring their rattlesnake-
antidote along"
Xxx
Two officers summoned to appear
before the war investigating commits
sion met unexpectedly in Washington
the other day.
"Hillo, Bill" said one "What are you
doing in town."
ooh, just lying around" was the
answer
$50 am l."
~
The temperance press is sometimes
inconsistent. 1 notice that the New
FORK Voice favors making Dewey a
full admiral.
Xxx
Some southern states pride them
selves on their Dink Bottses, Gum
Coateses, Abe Slupskys, etc. But
Minnesota can raise the whole lot about
two blue stacks. Wehave Jeppa Skoog.
They made Mckinley doctor of laws.
down in Illinois the other day. Why
don't somebody import doctor of laws
into Minnesota to make an effort to.
repair that conglomeration of juridical
freaks and abortions which is at pres
ent parading under the title of statutes
of the State of Minnesota?"
x*x
And now it is claimed that they are.
going to erect statue to George Wash
ington in London. Well, maybe that
will come cheaper in the long run than
taking salts.
*
A lady editress in Colorado refers to
her husband as "our wOrser one third ."
One of my exchanges, in referring to
Senator Plat, says he "stole the leisure
to acquire a fortune" This is a fine
example of verbs transposed.
~
A horrible suspicion is gaining
ground that the keystone of the Key
stone state has been put in wrong end
M He is liable to fall ont His mama
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

stances will be freely and unstint-
ingly given.
IT IS frequently the custom Lere
in America to talk about the prison
system of Russia in a derogatory
manner, as being uncivilized and
barbarous. While nothing is said
about some of our own States,
whose penitentiaries and penal
systems are still conducted on
such principles that they would
bring the blush of shame to the
face of civilized Russian, if they
were practiced in his country.
It is only necessary to call at
tention to some of the Southern
States where the convicts are at
stated periods huddled together
in the public squares of some
town, shackled, and there sold to
the highest private bidder for the
term of their sentence. That the
large majority of these convicts
are negroes does not alter the case.
The fact remains that frequently
at these auctions white women are
so put up and offered for sale.
The Southerners may boast Of
their chivalry, and it may be there
or therabouts, but in my opinion
the man or men who will lend their
aid or sanction to the selling of a
white woman, I care not who or
what she may be, are dastards, un-
worthy of the name of men.
To go back to Russia. In let
ter recently received here from
Mr.. Fl. j. Leino, superintendent
of the prison for the government
Of Wasa in Finland, I learn that
prison reform in Russia is even in
advance of the foremost in the
United States in some respects,
for while our foremost prison men
are advocating the permanent i'm
prisonment of habitual criminals,
the Russians have adopted the pa
role system for life prisoners.
The following is synopsis Of
the letter in question:
All who are sentenced for three
years or more, may by good con-
duct and the consent Of the prison
board have their term Of imprison-
ment shortened one-fourth.
Life prisoners may be released
on parole after serving 10 years
on stipulation that they must live
at their birthplace, show their pass
ports periodically to the proper
off cials of the district, be constant
and faithful in the performance Of
their duties to their employer,
and lead upright and unblemished
lives. If any Of these conditions
are broken they may be taken back
to prison.
Convicts having longer sentence
can also be released conditionally.
Itmay also be in order to mention
in this connection that life SEN
tence is not imposed except for
deliberate murder Of near relatives
and a murder done in the heat of
anger is not considered deliberate
(irst degree).
While corporal punishment is
being abolished in Russia. the
warden of a Western prison is de-
voting his ingenuity to inventing
a spanking machine-presumably
for the saving of labor in the pri-
son over which he has control.
Comparisons are odious.
A HANDFUL of thinkers and
workers have banded themselves
together for the purpose of contrib
uting their labors, mental and
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

OF exchanges for sending pic.
lures along the past week or two. I
have asked the Deputy Warden If he
could use them in connection with the
Bertillion system for the Identification
of criminals.
The cartoonists of one of the Twin
City dailies had happy inspiration
last week in picturing large gun load.
ed with mud going off at the breech.
The gun was named too. They mostly
60 off that way.
Here is another reformer broke loose,
1 guess:
"There is no use walking the floor
with a felOn. Wrap a cloth close.
~ around him, leaving the end open.
Pour gunpowder in the end and shake
it down until the felon is covered, then
keep it wet with camphor. In two
hours the pain will be relieved and a
perfect cure follow"
Hully gee! Which end?
~
II would join the church if there
wasn't so many hypocrites in it, said
Brown.
"That needn't keep you out" replied
Jones. "There's always room at the
top, you know"
Xxx
Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle little sausage,
How wonder what you are;
And strongly hope it is no cows age
Since the days when you wore hair.
That wouldn't make dog laugh.
Xxx
A Western editor says: cit is with
considerable satisfaction we note that
revival meeting draws larger crowd
in this town than a political blow out,
and d--n sight more respectable
crowd, too.
Ky
At Bozeman, Mont, they say that
when man fills up on pulque more
than twice week, he has boozemania.
scope, because your picture is in the
rogue's gallery.
*
"The Liars is the name of a play
now on the road. 1t would not make
a success in Minnesota at this time, as
the papers are mostly all getting out
"political editions" which can be had
for a song.
Ky
There was report out this week
that Ii Hung Chang has eloped with
the Dowager empress of China. But it
proved to be another Ii.
It is claimed that when an editor gets
into the eek" habit, he is most likely
afflicted with moral strabismus. X,
you know.
x**
The daily papers proudly announce
that the fellow OFT was hanged at
Granite Falls the other day without
a hitch" And 1 thought all the time
that a hitch was essential.
1t is said that Secretary Alger is de
sirous of having the study of apollo
getics added to the West Point curric-
ulum.
am in receipt of poem which is
afflicted with elephantiasis. 1t rhymed
prison with his'n, and Jail with sheol.
It has been sent to the hospital.
x*x
like to own the town-but he never
thinks of the taxes he would have to
pay.
~
"What is that Notwithstanding
thud-like sound / hear?" asked the |
stranger. els someone practicing on
the kettle drum ?"
90 no, the skating-rink has been re-
vived," was the answer.
~
College President-"Just as you love
q girl for the money you have spent |
upon her, so you will be interested in |
football on account Of the cuticle you
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27

have contributed to it. Contribute,
get pasted with sticking plaster and
you will soon have at least a superficial
interest in it,"
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27
HITS AND STRIKES.

Florida papers complain that the
alligator is in danger Of becoming ex.
tinct on account of the perniclous &C.
tivity of hunters, and advocate closed
season. They claim that one of the
most open and expensive feature of the
Florida landscape would cease to exist
if the alligator were eliminated.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30
UTAH CAVALRY BREAKS
CAMP AT WAW0NA
Volunteer Troop Concludes the LaboT
of Guarding the Yosemite
Park

WAWONA, Oct. 29.-Troop 4, Utah Vol-
unteer Cavalry, in command Of Captain
Joseph E. Game, which has been in camp
here for the past two month. left here
this morning for the Preside via MERGED
and San Jose. They expect to arrive at
the Presidio in about ten days. At Mer-
ced the troop will be joined by part or
the company which has been guarding
Sequoia Park, under the command OF
Lieutenant 8. N. Kimball.
The troop has done excellent work IN
Yosemite Park this year by arresting
many herders Of sheep in the park Yes
terday the troop went to Mariposa Big
Trees where a large sequoia was named
Utah by Captain Game.
A large United States survey partys
under the supervision of Special Agent
J. w Seevely, which has been in Yosem-
tie Park for the past two weeks. is
expected to return in few days. The
falls in the Yosemite have been much in
creased in size by the recent rains, and
the valley is looking beautiful, clothed
in its fall garb Of colored leaves and
ferns
Lord Muncaster will arrive here to-mor~
row night en- route to the Yosemite. Much
Improvement has been done in the Yo-
semitic during the past summer In the
way of repairing roads and trails and
constructing bridges. Travel to the val
lev has not been up to the standard this
year, owing TO the war.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30

ture; "ordinaries," sociables, where rid
ers sit side by side, and also an old-time
velocipede, ridden by Frank Carroll. G.
J. Tuska showed a model Of the Oregon.
A motley crew of Indians. Topsy and
Uncle Tom; princes, Honolulu girls, CO.
lumbia and Uncle Sam in their variety
all went to make up a striking display
for the wheelmen.
One wheelman was disguised as an I'M
dertaker, and placard on coffin on his
wheel ran: "a great undertaking to pave
Market street"
Mrs. and Miss Anthony made a pleasing
appearance in fancy bicycle costumes of
pure white, set off with trimmings of
gold. Stanley c. Scovern and wife made
a hit as Columbia and Uncle Sam. Their
tandem was deliberately decorated by a
canopy of national colors fringed with
lanterns.
The Golden Gate Park Driving Club
members made a strong display with
their pneumatic-tired buggies and well
groomed horses. There were up-to-date
coaches and those of the olden time. The
display of delivery wagons was large
and a representative one.
Some Of the loaded trucks, notably that
of the Tubbs Cordage Company, were of
the highest class. There were vaqueros
and ladies among those on horseback.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30

feature in the parade. Thomas G. Spill
lane, Hunter Harrison, William Mackey,
Thomas Cronin Mehrin and Captain w.
L. Loos had the arrangements in charge.
They were assisted by Leader John A.
Hammersmith, President ]. w. Mullen,
and had the cooperation Of the members
at large.
The Acme Club Wheelmen Of Oakland,
under Captain Agnew, and the Encfnal
Cyclers, Captnin NJ. G. Curtis, were the
principal out-of-town clubs represented.
The Encinals were all dressed alike, and
presented a uniform appearance. Inc
AGNES had float with q little girl as the
central figure.
The California Cycling Club. under the
captaincy of r. A. Coulter, assisted by
Lieutenant Birdsall and Thomas White,
had forty men in line. The San Francisco
Road Club and the Imperials also helped
to swell the ranks of organized wheel
men.
There were many novelties in the eye
ling division that were lost sight of in the
small space to which they were restricted.
Among these features was troop OF
Rough Riders, under the command OF
''Trilby'' Fowler, trick rider. They had
practiced q number of fancy evolutions.
but were not aU.e to show them. There
was a motor cycle, the vehicle of the fu-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30

TIME cycling fraternity and the horse
men met on common ground last
night to give expression to their JOY
that the city's main artery of travel
has a modern pavement for at least
portion of it's broad surface.
The parade as a spectacular affair was
failure, owing to the inability of the police
to handle the throug of people who came
from far and near. AS demonstration
showing the interest of the people at large
in the important matter of good streets,
if was a success far beyond the anticipa-
tons of its promoters. The efforts of the
wheelmen were seconded by the horse
men. represented by those who use horses
both for pleasure and for utility. The
highest development in each class was
shown by Walter Morosco's coach, drawn
by eight black horses, and by some Of the
splendid draying teams of sturdy Clydes-
dales.
Mayor Phelan, as Chief Executive of
the city, held the place of honor at the
head of the procession. He was accom-
panied by Colonel w. P. Sullivan.
Charles L. Patton was the guest Of
honor on Walter Morosco's coach, which
was filed with the owners friends.
The man to whom the wheelmen attrib
ute the repaving of Market street. Law
renee Devany, was the guest of Secre-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30

tary James NJ. Hamilton Of the Cycle
Board of Trade and rode in an open
barouche.
The Olympic Club Wheelmen swept all
before them in the magnificence of their
display. Eighty members paraded under
Captain w. l.. Loos. They were all
mounted on white wheels, and wore the
well-known flying 30" on their white
Jersey shirts. To add to the beauty Of
their display they had two floats, de-
signed by A. 3. Corbett. The most am
bilious of these was Eureka. the coat Of
arms of California. California was i'm
personated by a little child. Miss Viola
Blesser She was clothed in the we'll
known gown affected by the lady on the
great seal of the State. The tableau was
mounted on two bicycles ridden by
George Kroetz and H. D. Bean. The SUI
perstructure or canopy was all a-glitter
with gold and tinsel.
The foundation for the second float was
a triplet bicycle, ridden by ]. E. Wing,
Eddie Kragness and E. A. Bozio, trio
of great riders. A shell-Shaped canopy
covered with red white and blue bunting
was over the riders. At each corner of
the huge affair a rider clad in white was
mounted The club was awarded three
prizes-for best appearance, largest num-
Der of men in line and most striking
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30
MERGED Drawing.

An enthusiastic crowd of Ieashmen
gathered last evening at Pythian Hall to
enter dogs and watch the draw for the
ninth annual meeting of the Interstate
COursing Clubs great MERGED cup, which
commences Tuesday next on the famous
plains. There are forty-six dogs entered.
The prizes in the cup are: For first, $3.50;
for second, $175; for third, 500; for the
next two, $50 each, and for the next tlve
$40 each.
The purse and plate will be run off at
Union Park on the Sunday following, No
vember 6. The purse and plate are for the
dogs beaten in the first and second rounds
of the cup, respectively. The prizes in the
purse. are: First, S75; second. $50; third,
five SO each. In the plate the prizes are
$40. $50, S25 and the next two $l5 each.
The dogs in the purse and plate do not
have to pay any extra money for entry,
the SIS paid for the cup entry being suf-
fcent to cover all.
e J. Bull viii be in the saddle, and
California slipper, James Wren, will
handle the leash.
The draw was as follows:
J. H Smiths MERGED VS.. H. F. Anderson's
True Grit; r. Strehl's Skylark VS.. l. H Hat