The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-04-01
PRISON AND ASYLUM CONT RACTS
ENTERED INTO.
PROMISE A new BUILDING
Mitchell e. Mussigbrod Agree to Erect
Special Structure for Fe-
male Department.

Once more the biennial form OF |
awarding contracts to Conley & Nc
Tague and Mitchell & Mussigbrod has I
been gone through with at Helena. |
The first named firm will have the
care and custody Of the convlcts for
the next two years, while the other
will look after the mentally unfortu
nate that may be considered fit sub
jects of restraint.
Only two bids were submitted in
response to the states invitation for
proposals, hence the boards had no
choice The figures of both were
the same as those now received by the
successful bidders-65 cents day per
!, inmate of the asylum, and 45 cents
for each convict. The new asylum
contract becomes effective April 8,
that at the penitentiary June 20.
What the Bids Include.
The bid OF the penitentiary contrac
|
guarding, medical attendance and
medicines and burial of deceased con-
victs. 1t does not, however, include
| the IS given to each prisoner upon
his discharge or the SIS suit OF clothes
with which he is provided upon once
more becoming member of the out
side world. These latter two items
are furnished by the state.
In their contract Mitchell & Mus
sigbrod obligate themselves to provide
suitable housing, food, clothing, medi.
cines, medical attendance, nursing and
treatment and burial of patients in
case of death.
Each firm is required to execute a
penal bond in the sum Of $4,000 for
the faithful performance OF it's obliga-
tions to the state.
i New Building Promised.
/ Mitchell & Mussigbrod's bid includ-
ed the following clause; 1--WE assure
the board that if this contract is
awarded us we will at once begin
the construction of building for the
female department, modern in all re-
spects and constructed so as to meet
all the requirements in the treatment
of the insane"
This promise is in accordance with
the recommendation of the state board
of charities and correction, made in
the report of that body to Governor
Toole some months ago.
Doctor o. Y. Warren, superintendent
of the asylum, said that the new build
ing would be 33x131 feet, and that
work upon it would begin as soon as
the details could be arranged. When
completed the plans will be submitted
to the state board of commissioners
for the insane for it's consideration.
Have Held Them Long.
Both of the successful bidders have
long held the contracts now again
awarded them. Mitchell & Mussig-
brod have cared for the insane OF
Montana from the very first attempt
that may be said to have been made
for the systematic care of the mental
ly unfit at public expense, now some'
thing over 27 years. The original
members of the firm have been dead
number of years and their heirs
are now the. contractors. Mary =.
Mitchell, widow of Doctor Mitchell,
is the senior member of the firm
as now composed, while Doctor Peter
S. Mussigbrod, son of the first Doc
tor Mussigbrod, is the junior. The
contractors own all the asylum build
ings and ground.
Frank Conley and Thomas McTague
have held the prison contract ever
since the admission of Montana as
state. Previous to that time the
penitentiary was under the ownership
and supervision of the United States.
When the enabling act was confirmed
the government decided the peniten-
tiary to the state Since then it has
I been greatly enlarged and improved
| in many respects. all at minimum
cost to the state, the work necessary
having been performed by the pris'
| oners.
In connection with this some inter.
esting stories were told at the time.
: Under the laws OF the state convicts
J. are moi required to work, the laws