Cañon City record., 1909-10-21

who Is Tyuan?" asked my COM
panion as we awaited the coming of
the warden of the Colorado state PEN
itentiary.
Don't know. Never heard of him
until he was appointed"
Politician, of course!"
"Oh. suppose so. A rural politician
or sheriff. probably from Pueblo. at
least It was a Pueblo crowd that got
him In"
Then the quick. light step came
down the tiled corridor. an exceed
ingly agreeable voice spoke to some
one in the outer room, and as we
arose he came into the sunny office.
don't exactly know what manner
OF man 1 expected TO see. but what
ever II was the man who entered
the room bore not the faintest resem-
blance of him.
Facing us was a broad shouldered,
well-built young man OF thirty-eight
or forty. A well-groomed. alert,
smooih-shaven man Of affairs. with
hne head. a clear healthy complex
ion. firm jaw. handsome mouth. and
a pair of blue eyes into which
rogue would not care to look-fIne.
honest eyes-which lighted pleasantly
as he greeted us. and. business-llke.
came directly to the point with US:
what can do for your"
! am In search OF information"
said. after We sat down and / had
stated my business. "and will be
very grateful II you can help me.
am trying TO ind out what drink is
doing in this state. what percentage
OF the prisoners here. for Instance,
owe their condition TO drink"
Ninety per cent" he answered.
without a moments hesitation. IF not
more II Is a subject in which l have
been deeply interested. and since I
came here I've taken the trouble TO
look into the records and famiIiariEe
myself with the facts
Ninety per cent?"
Yes. at least. In fact. don't think
! would be far wrong II said IS
per cent. There is no doubt of IT. the
saloon is the breeding place for Grim
inals. the incubator for crime. Booze
and dope, That's the stun that sends
them here. both men and women
Then he talked OF his method OF
arriving at his conclusions. speaking
without prejudice OF bias. but as one
10 whom facts are things not to be
disputed or got away from
How many prisoners have you at
this timer I asked.
We have us this morning. 10 OF
whom are women he answered. af-
ter consulting card on his desk.
Once a month the prisoners are per-
mltted-all those who desire Ito see
the warden and personally make COM
plant. ask any favor or state any
grievance to him. and no one can pre-
vent He simply writes his name on
a slip and that slip goes 10 the war
den. when he's ready TO give the slips
to the deputy warden and all the men
one at time TO the ONCE
The deputy warden admitted them.
closing the door and standing beside
them before the warden's desk. the
bookkeeper. the chaplain and my COM
panion and myself sat back OF him.
The first was squat little Mex
ican-Indian. with a swar,hy face. u
beak-like nose. an evil eye. and the
volublliiy OF his breed He was in for
manslaughtcr. In drunken row he
had killed n man. A lawyer had writ
ten that he could get him n pardon
on parole; he wanted the wardeu's
recommendation to the board.
You tried TO run away. but we
beat you to IT, said the warden, so
I'll not recommend you to the board.
but I'll not say anything against you
and you can let your lawyer go on
and try II out. only I'D advise you
not to pay him anything until you
get the pardon, you understand"
Juan indicated that he did. and was
let out. to be followed Immediately
by blond-haired German OF twenty
four or so.
The Rev. John q. Blake, chaplain
of the prison. said:
That Is -; he Is in for
from ten to fifteen years for murder"
He wanted permission to make
bead-work in his cell.
what is your name7" asked the