The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-07-03
States Juvenile Reformatory Opened.

Just about month ago the build
ing of the long needed and much
desired State R7formatory for youth
full convicts were completed and the
boys heretcf.re confined ia the State
penitentiary were removed from that
institution and contact with the older
and hardened criminals and placed
in The new reformatory all by them
selves. The new institution is 10.
Gated upon the States Lexington
farm, about FIVE miles from the city
in the "Dutch Fork" near the banks
OF the Broad river. While the build
ing is net a costly one it is most con-
venieptly arranged, and the boys ere
more comfortable there than they
would be in the State prison itself.
The surroundings are far more con-
ducive of real reformation.
The farm is one containing 400
acres and it's location is excellent.
The crops thereon despite the un-
favorable weather are in very. good
condition much better shape in
deed than those of surrounding
farms. A new gin house is now be-
ing built.
The farm aud the reformatory are
in charge of Sergeant S. NJ Miller, a
very capable and experienced officer
and farmer who knows his business.
He lives with his family in a neat
cottage not far from the reformatory
building. Just now he is blue about
the weather, but he is proud of the
fine garden he has near the reforma
tory, from which all kinds of vege-
tables are taken for feeding the pris
oners.
At present the heavy work of the
farm is done by force of 16 grown
convicts who are kept in stout tim
Der long bolted stockade entirely
separated from the reforrnatory prem
ises. These fellows are chiefly good
p1ieoners and are even allowed barjos
within the quarters. The guards
quarters a6join. All are equipped
with neat iron bedsteads.
The kitchen is in charge of an old
negro convict, large range, oven,
etc., are fitted therein.
As to the new juvenile reformatory.
1t is two story wooded building we'll
constructed, with barred windows,
thoroughly ceiled, and having closet
arrangements. The main floor is di-
vided. The grand room is in the
centre. From this room opens
steel door leading into the room
about 3Ox50 feet in which are the
sleeping quarters of the negro boys.
There are Is single iron bedsteads,
each equipped with clean sheets, pill
low and pillow cases and blankets.
Provision is made for heating.
The corresponding room for the
white boys is entered in the same
way and equipped in like manner.
The are no white boys confined
there now and the room is used as
bath room for the present prisoners,
each being required TO bathe every
evening.
Each of the boys is supplied with
clean night shirt at night.
There are now only IS of these
juvenile convicts in the institution
and they seem we'll contented.
On the wing of the same floor is
the dining room where the boys are
given good wholesome food.
Up stairs is a chapel where religious
services are conducted every Sunday
afternoon by the chaplin, the Rev.
]. g. Abney, and adjoining over the
dining room is the hospital, which is
cool and comfortable.
There is splendid we'll of water
on the place, and the prisoners are
we'll supplied with fresh and cool
water.
Four guards are kept at the farm
all careful and experienced men.
Mr.. Abney conducted Sunday
school service, and later he preached
to the boys and other older conVicts
on the farm, each squad being kept
separate. BE gave good advice
drawn from the text: "Come unto me
all ye that are heavy laden, AID [
will give you rest" Mr.. Abpey says
tie boys all know the commandments
and take great interest in the services.
Since they have been taken to the
reformatory he has been careful to
instruct them, and be says their
moral tone has been considerably
,tl .ls,oJ, T. 10 uorth The