The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-08-15

occupies the enviable position 81
being the farthest advanced In the
application of modern prison re-
form measures in the United
States. This penitentiarys is the
only institution of a like charac-
ter in the United States where the
honor system has Deen installed
and perfected to the extent of
placing implicit trust and conf
dence in the fidelity of the in
mates. 1t is also the only insti-
tuition of a like character that has
instituted system of military
self-government among the in
mates. BY reason of the advanc-
ed stand taken by Warden He'll
strom in measures Of this kind he
has attracted universal attention,
because his measures have all
worked themselves out and prov
en- to be entirely successful.
The aim and object of Mr..
Hellstrom's administration of
discipline at the penitentiary, is
to develope q feeling of self re-
spect and q respect for law and
order, and his scheme Of placing
the institution on q basis Of self
government has q primary object
lesson for all concerned.
During his administration the
State of North Dakota has built
and equipped a model dollhouse
containing 100 cells. Such au-
thorities as Archbishop Ireland
and Judge Ben b. Lindsey after
examining same have pronounc-
ed it to be model of sanitary at
tainment and equipment. Many
other important buildings have
been erected, and thousands Of
feet of defective sewers and sew
grippe have been replaced with
modern sanitary equipment.
Moral and Religious Attainment.
The educational features Of the
institution have not been neg
lected. Schools have been con-
Quoted for the benefit Of the illit-
crate. The opportunity to learn
trades has been steadily increas-
ed and extended. The institution
has a we'll equipped printing
plant and issues The Reflector, q
weekly paper devoted to the dis
cussion of matters PERTAINING to
prisons and prison reform work.
wide attention and has been liber-
ally and extensively quoted. In
addition to the regular chapel
service there has been organized
q prisoners aid league. very sim
liar in its work and object to the
Christian Endeavor league, and it
has accomplished a great deal Of
good among the inmates. The
evils of intemperance have been
wildly portrayed before the in
mates with the result that q great
many who have fallen on account
Of intemprance and served their
time in the institution, have gone
forth into society with a determ-
ination to become total abstainers,
and many have firmly adhered to
their resolution.
He Is A Man Of Strong Character.
Mr.. Hellstrom has a faculty of
making himself felt in every To-
cality in which he has been locat-
ed. He took an active part in the
Bryan campaign of 1895 and his
services as stump speaker were
eagerly sought. During the time
when he lived in Fargo he was a
prominent member of the Fargo
Commercial Club, one of the most
progressive bodies of that kind
in the Northwest, and it was very
largely through his efforts that
the Independent telephone COM
pany was granted a franchise to
enter that city and compete for a
ng-distance telephone business.
AS a commercial traveller The is
a member of Fargo Council No.
IS, U. c. T., and for a long time
was chairman of. the hotel and
grievance committee. Through
his persistent efforts he Secured
from the railroad companies
changes in train schedules which
have Accommodated the travelling
public, and especially the com
mercial travellers. He wass zone
of the leaders insecuring the ho-
tel inspection law in this state,
which has resulted in much i'm
provement in the hotel service
and equipment.