The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-06-03

them usually in the prison. All the con-
victs, however, do not eat in this din
ing room. Those of the first and Sec
ond grades eat here, but those of the
third grade are not deemed worthy OF
this dignity, and must eat in their cells.
The three grades indicate the esteem
in which the prisoners are held, in ac-
cordance with their behavior. These of
the first grade, the best behaved, are
the most numerous About twc-thirds
of the prisoners belong to this grade
These are dressed in drab suits and have
the greatest variety of food. Those OF
the second grade are dressed in dark
brown checkered suits. Nearly all the
prisoners, not of the first grade, are OF
the second. There are, however, usually
from Is to % who have been reduced to
the third grade. These are dressed in
brown and yellow stripes.
A man on first entering the prison goes
into the second grade. If after the first
six months of his confinement, he has
not violated any of the prison rules, he
is elevated to the first grade.
No prisoner has any excuse for not
knowing the prison rules. A copy OF
these rules is hung in every cell. If a
prisoner cannot read, special instruc,
tions in these rules is provided for him
Prisoners are reduced in their grades
for serious and repeated breaches, such
as the following: Non attendance at
business; talking to fellow prisoners; in
dolence; failure to clean their cells; be-
ing in bed at the time of the sounding
of the gong; and similar careless neglect
Conversing with fellow prisoner is
also very serious breach.
The prisoners march to their cells al
the sound of the gong in the same man
ner as they come to the dining room
They are allowed to smoke or read in
their cells as they see fit, unless they
are called to march back to their work
The same rigid discipline prevails with
regard to all the meals; to getting up
from bed and going to work; and to going
to bed at night. Chapel on Sunday morn
ings, and school in the evenings are at
tended in the same manner.
~ ha
sometimes turned loose in the park and
allowed to lounge about, smoke, chew
and converse as they see fit, if they re.
main orderly.
On holidays, too, the men often have
rare treat in listening to the literary
productions of the Chautauqua Circle, a
literary society of the most intelligent
of the prisoners, the membership being
usually limited to thirty-fve. Other
prisoners give delightful entertainment
sometimes in the way of singing. The
choir music at church is often grand and
enchanting.
Warden Wolfer pleads with all the
prisoners to attend school. Many a
poor illiterate man has been made good
writer and reader, and also learned to
figure at the night school
The Prison Mirror is fine little publ
cation. The editor is Frank Hamilton,
the Minneapolis newspaper man. Ham
ilton is a good lively reporter, and runs
around the prison in search of news in
much the same way as the local report
ers cover Mankato.
Among the characters at the prison
with whom Mr.. Nelson came in contact
no other impressed him more favorably
than j. S. Glennon, the deputy warden
The deputy had his whole heart and
soul in the work of reforming the prison
ers and met with the success he deserved
Mr.. Nelson believes there is not a
body of 600 men anywhere on the face
of the globe, who pass more healthful
days, and sounder nights, and 60 to their
work with more cheerful alacrity, than
the body of convicts under Warden
Wolfer.