The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-05-27

trio light outside Of the door so ar
ranged that the cell is well lighted
The cells are 10 feet away from the
windows and outside wall and above
the first tier are protected by steel
grating. Each cell is separated by
several inches Of concrete and should
man get out of the cell he faces
three feet of concrete walls.
The heating radiators are around
the walls at the bottom, and they
have been tested in the coldest days
in winter, and an average tempera
ture OF over 10 has been maintained
On the basement floor on the west
side is an immense shower bath. with
showers SO that so men can take
bath at one time. The piping is SO
arranged that the water can be regu-
lated either from the main shut-of
or from each shower Separated from
this by big wall are the commissary
departments Of the prison. A large
kitchen as well equipped as any large
hotel, hospital. laundry, large
storeroom and quarters for several
non-commissioned officers.
The east wing, which will be built
within year. will contain the same
number OF cells, but there will be
large amount Of room in the base
ment for the stores, and here will be
the big bakery. There will also be
a sub-cellar under this wing for cold
storage, and for the storage OF tools
and equipments for the working pris.
oners. AT some further date plans
are laid for still another wing to the
north, which win be similar to the
others.
The management of this big struc-
ture is one Of the most important
posts In the service and Col. Allan G.
Kelton. U. s. NJ. c., has been selected
for the nsst governor. He has been
here for several months preparing for
rs opening He was for years In com
mand Of the Charlestown, Mass,
prison. and is a man who has made a
thorough study Of the work. In talk
Ing over his plans he said. You must
remember that while this is called a
prison. 1t is not so In the strict sense
OF the word. inasmuch as we have no
criminals. The majority OF the men
are young fellows who have enlisted
In the navy or the corps and have
either deserted or committed some act
for which they were court-martialed
and sent here for a term Of months OF
years as it may be-
They are not bad lot OF fellows
and many are reinstated In the serv
ice. and make most excellent men
The discipline is far stricter than or
, board ship. but they are not criminals
and we don't treat them as such. Fol
instance young fellow from tht
west enlists in the navy. and after hs
has been In the service some weeks Of
months he finds Il is not all that 1t hal
been pictured. and with his American
spirit he decides that he has a righ
to leave the ship. and~he goes home
He is a deserter. and upon beinl
brought back he is court.martialet
and sentenced to prison. Now we can.
treat him as they do a state prisoner
and while our discipline is as strict
II not stricter than some state prisons
the men have certain rights and priv
e leges which they could not have in
e state institution. Here every man vii
t be allowed to have pipe Of Tobacco
e after every meal. and given every or
!. portCnlty to better his education. Th
. men will be worked about the yard
e doing clearing up and building road
= and walks and with the large tract Q
. land giving the men a chance to wor
s anu at the same time reducing thei
e cost to the government"
: It is rather a coincidence that It wa
! on the very site Of the prison that Co
7 Kelton lthcn captainl was In con
I mend Of the guard over the Spanis
prisoners, and his own quarters wi
$ be on the site of the building whic
: was used for the officer Of the day, |
9 front Of which the flag pole which wa
I planted under his directions sti
stands.
+ + The prison ship Scuthery viii pro
! ably remain in commission until aftt
the third wing Of the prison is erecte
4 when 1t will be converted into r
! ceising ship. At this prison thel
will be no long term men. The est
g mated cost Of the entire building wi
be very near 100000.
i The marine guard necessary Il
Y the prison will be Quartered in ba
7 racks to be erected in the rear of Il
Z prison. and 1t will average $50 men.