Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-07-10
TERRITORIAL PRISON
New Mexico Penitentiary Is One Of
the Best Penal Institutions
in the West.
DAILY LIFE OF THE CONNECTS
Glimpse Into Prison Cells That Some Con-
victs Have Arranged for Themselves
The Work and the Needs of the
P%enitentiary.

Wnlcn the ldW-dUlullS ClllZeLl idS Sieal
reason to be proud. But as long as hu-
manity is not perfect so long penitenti-
aries will be necessary. This being a
fact, New Mexico "a be proud of pos
sessing so substantial, so well-kept, so
successful a penal institution as the
penitentiary at Santa Fe.
Situated just outside Of the city, it
presents the appearance of a strong,
medieval fortress. Its strong and high
walls, it's turrets and watch towers, the
heavy stone main building, with its
high barred windows, all are signs that
the group of buildings are not mere
summer cottages, a school nor a SANTA
rum.
Fronting the building is a well-kept
lawn. with vigorous shade trees and
comfortable benches. Pretty flower beds
add to it's charm. Farther away
stretches a young orchard and a large
vegetable garden, all belonging to the
penitentiary.
Upon entering the main building, the
visitor is ushered into the office, where
Chief Clerk w. E. Martin extends a cor
dial greeting, and perhaps will intro
duce the stranger to the efficient super
intendent, Hon. H. 0. Bursum. One of
the guards or the yardmaster is beck
oned, and shows the visitor the peniten-
tiary and all it's belongings.
In the main hall are four tiers of iron
cells, one above another. There are 1O4
cells in those tiers, each, except a
few solitary confinement cells, be-
ing occupied by two convicts. There
is urgent need for more room and more
cells to prevent harmful crowding Of
prisoners. Some of the cells are models
of cleanliness, neatness and refined
taste. The cell occupied by two Chinese
~convicts, Yee Dan and Shoe Cow, serv-
ing a life sentence for murder, are
draped in white, and look very pictur-
esque. The cell occupied by H. Brooks,
serving a life sentence for murder, is as
pretty and cozy a little room as can be
found anywhere in Santa Fe.
In one of the cells, stretched out on
a bench, lies "Broncho Bill" attentively
reading a book. He is not in stripes as
yet, for he is being held for trial. He is
a noted train-wrecker, and will have
to answer for several murders. Each
cell, could it tell the stories of its in
mates, would unravel tales as thrilling
and as romantic as were ever told by
historian or novel writer.
The life of the prisoners is by no
means a hard one. Each man does his
allotted task, eight hours work, each Is
served with wholesome food, each can
rest when the days work Is done, each
has access to the library, each gets the
necessary medical treatment, and is al
lowed to attend religious services. His
home is cleanliness itself; he receives a
thorough bath and clean clothes every
week, and none need to worry for the
morrow, for the morrow will be pro-
vided for without any danger of want
or starvation. This is better than the
lot of many a man outside OF prison
| walls.
Immediately after the convict is
brought to the penitentiary he is photo
| graphed by T. Hart, of the life con-
victs, who has become an expert In
| Photographic work. He is then put into
the regulation penitentiary garb and
| photographed again. The picture is
added to the rogues' gallery, which oc-
| cupies a prominent place in the mail
hall. If the new convict has a trade he
is put at work at that trade. If he has
no trade he is taught one, or Is put to
| work as laborer or in the garden.
The daily routine Of life is simple. The
convicts rise in the morning at 5:4i
o'clock. AT 6 o'clock they breakfast
hash, bread and coffee being the bill Of
| fare for that occasion. At Z o'clock the
| convicts go to work. At present about
| forty-five are employed at the capito
at stone cutting, stone dressing ano
other work. The others work in the
different shops or on the farm of the
| ~penitentiary. At IL o'clock dinner is
| served on long benches in the mair
hall. The menu includes soup, stewe6
beef, bread, two varieties of vegetables
potatoes, beans, etc. On holidays pork
or fowl is served. AT 1 o'clock work Is
recommended, and at 5 o'clock supper is
served, consisting of tea, bread, mo-
lasses and soup or rice. At $3.50 in the
evening all lights must be out. Sunday
is devoted to reading and rest.
Every Sunday afternoon Mr.. and Mrs
! ]. E. Wood, of Santa Fe, hold a Chris
tian Endeavor meeting. Many Of the
convicts have become great Bible read
ers, and their cells are adorned with
religious mottos and pictures. Rev. Pau,
Gilberton, the prison chaplain, holds
services once in a month. Many of the
convicts are unsteady inclined, and de.
light in the playing of the organ on
Sunday.
Some Of the more reliable prisoners
have been allowed great liberty in the
past, and it has been no uncommon