Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-04-10
Minnesota state Reformatory.

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Editor Willmar TRIBUNE: Vi &:
Being connected at present with one
of the many public institutions of the
state, and having an opportunity of
observing the workings of the same,
I will write briefly about this one;
thinking that it may. interest some of
your many readers, who as taxpayers
are shareholders and part owners of
the place.
The Minnesota State Reformatory,
which was established eleven years
ago, is located two and one half miles
southeast of the city of St. Cloud, on
the opposite side of the mississippi
river. This place being chosen on &C.
count of the inexhaustible quantity of
blue granite, which lies imbedded here,
as we'll as for the excellent drainage
which this place affords. The site is
ornamented with massive granite
structures, some of which but for the
grim appearance of iron bars at every
door and window, would rank as the
most beautiful public buildings in the
state. Nearly all the buildings are
constructed of the stone from the quar-
ry here. The work OF quarrying, and
largely the work of erecting the build
ings, being the product of inmate
labor. The two largest buildings
which are known as the cell wings are
about 50xl40 feet and As feet high.
These buildings, as the name implies,
contain the cells, which are built in
tiers-four tiers high, each tier being
known as gallery; there being Is
cells on each gallery in the old cell
wing and II on each of the new CELL
wings-the galleries numbering from
l to Is, making in all 246 cells. The
cells are arranged in the center of the
cell-wings, facing both sides of build
ings, the size of each being about 7x8
feet, and 8 feet high, the floor being
of cement and partitions of brick.
Each cell is equipped with all modern
conveniences and spring cot with
mattress and blankets for the use of the
inmate. The other buildings, which
are connected with the cell-wings, vary
greatly in size and design. In these
buildings are carried on the various
industries, which as yet are operated
only to an extent of meeting the i'm
mediate demands of the institution,
such as the creamery, bakery, laun-
dry, shoe and harness shop, printing
Office, barber shop, tin shop, butcher
shop, officers kitchen and officers
dining room, inmates kitchen and in.
mates dining room, store, and engine
room, besides the various rooms re.
quired for hospital, library, chapel
and school rooms. Adjoining the
buildings is tract of about IL acres,
Enclosed by plank fence 1: feet high
upon which are guard houses at vari
Gus points, where guards with rifles
are stationed from morning till even
ing. This Enclosure contains the
quarry, the stone-shop, blacksmith
shop, Great Northern switch track
root cellar, green house, and a por
ton of the garden. Adjacent to this
is the state farm of some 800 acres
which furnishes feed for the horses
cattle and large number of hogs, a.
we'll as grazing for herd of 200 cattle
60 of which are mich COWS, furnishing
milk, cream and butter for the place
A vast quantity of vegetables is ais,
grown, which largely constitutes tn
diet of the inmates.
The farm work as we'll as most O
the other work is done by the inmates
who are divided up into groups an
placed in charge of guards in the vari
Gus departments, and instructed b.
expert foremen in the various trades
There are at present 147 inmates
young men ranging in age from Is t.
30 years. It is strange-and sadl
strange, that with but few excel
lions, these men are robust an
healthy, able to perform their wor
from day to day. Human being
much like ourselves created for
higher purpose. In intelligence aver
aging up fully to the ordinary Out
slider. Men who but for their pei
verted minds and for lack of SCUM
reasoning ard self control, might hav
enjoyed perfect liberty, thus being
blessing to themselves and to society
Though our present system of trea
ment of the hayward is far remot
from the olden time idea of dark dur
geons and torture, the way. of ii
trangressor is by no means strewn wit
roses. We should be slow in co,
demning fallen brother; some tin
we ourselves may stumble. The po
speaks most fttingly when saying:
How can We tell who sinned more than W
How can We tell?
We think our brother walked guiltily;
Judging him in self righteousness.
All we'll, perhaps had our path
Been led through his untold hell Of tempt
ton,
We would have been less upright
In our daily walk than he!
How can we tell?
Many of the young men here full
realize the meaning of the adag
"T'is better to be alone than to be
i, bad company" which in the majori1
of cases can be traced back as Il
s cause leading up to the final outcom
Many a so-called guiltless perse
could ,r,o11 * ,LS,,11o~ a ~