Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-08-10
LUDLOW STREET JAIL
The Sheriff's Famous Prison In
New York City.
ITS GUESTS WELL TREATED.

Tho Inmates Wear No Uniform and
Have Many PriviIeses-The Disci-
pIine Is Quite Gentle and the Sur
roundinss Peaceful and HomeIike.
| Walking through the streets of the
Hqualid. noisy east side, the visitor in
| New York is quite unprepared for the
peace and clean LONELINESS which
greet him in the sheriff's prison in
Ludlow street Thanked by public
school and police court on two sides,
the brick building. ornamented with
antique iron grill over long windows.
resembles a village church or old fash
toned hall of learning. The outer
clamor does not penetrate its cool clois-
tiers. The struggle for existence is
halted at the threshold. But it is not
so easy to enter the sheriff's rest es
tablishment. The guard who opens
the front door in response to the cleo
! trio bell eyes the visitor suspiciously,
as If the latter might be trying to
break into the county haven without
proper credentials The only persons
entitled to the privileges of the Lud
low tavern are those in contempt Of
surrogates' and certain other courts.
federal bankrupts. delinquent militia.
men. execution and judgment debtors
and breach Of promise and alimony
men.
However, the visitor who can prove
that he has no sinister purpose is
ushered into cozy parlor fitted with
rugs, pictures and piano. Here he
meets the warden, who talks freely
and simply about his guests. He ad-
mits he has never read Lombroso or
any other criminologist. What's tbs
use? They don't send felons to this
place. The learned observations Of
penologists do not apply to the in
mates Of Ludlow tavern. Methods Of
discipline and reform are superfuous.
There are just few rules, such as OBJ
tain in any we'll regulated hostelry. A
guest on arrival has his pedigree taken
at the Office. is shown up to his sleep
ing chamber, gets introduced to the
gentlemen in the sitting room and is
left to his own devices-no uniform,
no hair cut, none of the unpleasant fea-
lures Of a common prison. There is,
indeed, a genteel search for sharp in
struments, keys and knives, as forbid
den articles, but there is no confisca-
ton Of any other private possessions.
A man may bring In all the books,
writing material. tobacco, clothes. toi-
let articles and bric-a-brac that he
pleases.
The rising bell rings at $50 a. 1p..
and the guests have q chance to wafh,
shave and make their beds beftre
breakfast, at 8 O'clock. The regular
breakfast consists of coffee aud rolls,
but guests may supplement IT with
eggs cooked at the hot water tap OF
may order, at their own expense, NJ
elaborate meal from the menu card Of
a nearby restaurant. The morning
newspapers are at hand, SO that guests,
while slipping their coffee, may scan
headlines and note the progress Of
events. "&#> Wi. =
After breakfast every one goes into
the yard for an hours exercise. The
high brick wans do not bar the sun
shine from the, yard. which is about
sixty feet square and stone tagged
around a central grass plot. After the
exercise hour the guests repair to a
large sitting room and read, study or
play. penuchle, checkers. dominos and
chess. There is a small library of
books and magazines. Those who
have private stocks of literature ex-
change their books in fraternal
spirit. y ~. -.
The dinner bell rings at noon. A
wholesome stew, a boiled dinner or a
plate Of fish and potatoes is provided.
II this seems too frugal even for clois-
tor life, there is the restaurant menu
to fall back on. AS rule, though, the
inmates are satisfied with the regular
fare. Another hour in the yard, On
afternoon spent in the sitting room.
after the style Of the morning session,
and then supper Of bread and tea at
o'clock. Two hours later the guests
retire to their chambers for the night
They are locked in, 1t is true. but tn.
obliging guard will open on any req
sonabIe request: There is no rule
against talking. and guests may reac
or write by the light Of their own can
dies until they feel disposed to go to bed.
A gentle routine It is. No one is
overcrowded, for. while there are &C.
commoda tons for hundred persons.
the number Of guests Is seldom any
thing likes~sthat. =. The disagreeable
monotony of seeing the same faces
and hearing the same anecdotes, com.
planned of by arctic travellers, Is OBJ
tiated by the coming and going Of in
mates. The comfort of guests Is pref
~ well assured by staff OF nln>
guards and three or four cooks apc.
attendants T. ~ -
=, Letters to guests are not opened be
fore delivery. as In common penal In
stitutions. Three days week are set
aside for visitors. bit no member OF
the AHmony club Is compelled to see
his wife. Once In long while. how
ever. a member Of the fair sex enters
the portals as guest. There was one