Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-09-09
BANTAMW LIGHT PUGILIST
IN LRiTlCAL CONDITION

BANTAMW Light POGlElSi
IN L2iTiCAL CONDITION.
Philadelphia, Pa, Sept. 9-Joseph
Riley, the local bantamweight pugilist
is in a critical condition as the re.
suit of a boxing match with Griffith
Jones of New ork, who is under ar.
rest. After the bout Riley fell insen'
sible and The physicians were unable
to restore him to consciousness.
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perhaps better if their conduct war
rants it, than the average free patient
in city hospital.
The cell block which consists OF
four tiers OF cells, although it presents
most formidable appearance to the
visitor, from a sanitary standpoint is
par excellence. The cells themselves
are not barren of home comforts, for
the convicts are allowed to furnish a
cell which is equipped with an incan-
descent electric light. which they are
allowed to burn until eight O'clock
Then all lights are extinguished with
the exception Of those in the corri-
doris.
"I have slept in worse place than
that many time on the road" re-
marked a travelling man, as he peepel.
into a cell the other day. The particu-
lar cell, which was assigned to one
man was most luxuriously furnished.
The furnishings consisted of good
bed replete with linen and comforts,
oak chairs, All oak writing desk,
while pictures, handsomely framed,
adorned the walls on all sides, while
the stone floor was covered with Brus-
sells carpet.
On the ground floor of the cell
block is a gallery containing the pho
tos CT every. prisoner confined in the
penitentiary. At another end of the
corridor is library, in which are to
be found all the standard works of fic.
ton, history, poetry, etc. The con
victs are allowed access to this Ii.
brary at will, and unlike penitentiary
ilDl al lCo III CiO Ooot, al & pup
ported by taxing every visitor 25
cents the library is supported by the
Territory.
The daily routine of life at the pen
itentiary only varies on Sundays. On
week days the convicts arise at
O. clock and at $3.50 leave their cells,
and sit down to the long tables in the
corridor, and partake of breakfast.
which consists of oatmeal, bread, mo-
lasses and coffee After breakfast
they go about their work, quitting at
1850 o'clock for their MONDAY meal,
which consists of meat, potatoes, veg
etables, bread and coffee, butter and
cream being unknown quantities in
this penal colony The days labor
ended, supper, consisting of tea, corn
bread, molasses and dried fruit is had,
after which the convicts go to their
cells to do as they please until their
electric lights are extinguished at
o'clock, when it is time for them to
turn in On Sunday the monotony of
life in prison cell is only broken
by church services, of which both
Protestant and Roman Catholic are
held, and the partaking of the three
meals, for which purpose they also
leave their cells.
Superintendent Bursum is man
of iron nerve, of acknowledged execu-
tive ability, and as captain Of in
dustry he is certainly without peer
as a penitentiary manager
During his administration nine out
of every ten convicts that have ec-
capped have been recaptured within a
period of six months.
Superintendent Bursums career in
the Territory is an enviable one. For
four years he was sheriff of SocorrO
County, and subsequently was a
member of council during the Thir-
ty-third Legislative assembly, from
Socorro and Sierra Counties. Three
yaers and half ago he was appointed
superintendent of the New Mexico pen
itentiary, much against his will.
William E. Martin, the assistant su-
perintendent of the institution, is an
official who is worth more than a
passing glance. He is one of the best
Spanish linguists in the Territory,
and one of the best shots in the
Southwest. He has proved himself a
valuable co-laborer with Superintend-
ent Bursum, and is most interesting
man to meet.
Taken all in all, the New Mexico
penitentiary under the management
of Superintendent Bursum. and his
able assistant, William E. Martin
from sanitary, industrial and health
full standpoint is an ideal institution,
and one which the members of the Ma
tional Prison congress can refer to
with just pride at its annual meetings.
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