The mirror., 1913-12-18
my FIRST DAY AT
THE new PRISON
"BIuebird" Tells Of His Experience. and
His Trip Through the Institution on the
Day Of His Arrival, and Hopes its not
All a Dream.
A MODEL INSTITUTION

n MoOEL IiNo l - iiOiN
When Asst. Deputy Warden Whe-
Ian called me Saturday morning and
told me to get my coat and cap,
was Just il the midst of figuring how
much little Minnie HaEa had made
the day before, vamping shoes; and
it was at this moment my dream
began---at least it has seemed like
dream ever since, lapsing into a
semi-state of consciousness in which
visions of pleasant surroundings and
seemingly impossible conditions
predominant.
1t was under this delightful magic
spell that | heard the words you're
to go to the new prison to join the
Mirror force bye, good luck
and God bless you" Then | be-
came conscious of the fact that ]
was on car riding along beauti-
full scenic road with Officer Bremen
at my side explaining and pointing
out the places of note and interest.
Then, after rounding a sudden curve
which brought into view magniti-
cent panoramic stretch of the ST.
Croix bordered by the wood clad hills
of Wisconsin, there came to my Wis
ion for the first time, this splendid
and massive institution Minnesota s
New Prison---the. best and largest IN
the world.
1t was revelation to me, had
never seen anything like it before:
never imagined that such structure,
so complete in every detail could
possibly exist. As I was ushered
through the large, we'll furnished
administration building, know my
look OF astonlshment must have be-
trayed my feelings, for | noticed a
merry twinkle iii the eyes of the
turn key as he escorted me to the
comfortably appointed Office OF War
den Wolfer.
The Mirror. Force
After very pleasant business in
terview with this gentleman l was
introduced into the sanctum sancto-
rum of the Mirror where | was made
personally acquainted with the men
who have made this paper the most
successful of all prison publications.
found them to be bunch of good,
loyal printers and binders and the
smell of the printers ink, the clatter
of the presses and click of the type
as they hit the sticks almost
aroused me from my lethargic dream
state.
Too late now to take dinner with
the others of the clerical force, [
was conducted to the general dining
room, and was glad of this opLortu-
nifty to sit with the other fellows and
especially amid such palatial sur
roundings. Imagine eating dinner
to the accompaniment Of music from
innumerable sweet voiced canarles
and you will wonder little that my
dream thoughts we're intensified.
Dinner over, the retiring editor
Mr.. W.. took me in hand and escort
ed me about the immense grounds,
through the hospital the engine
room, the ware houses and the twine
factory. 1t was here | met among
others, the general superintendent.
Mr.. E. G.. Williams who showed us
every courtesy Imaginable, including
tour through this wonderful plant
from basement to roof, pointing out,
as we went. the most interesting Of
the many marvellous machines used
in the manufacture; of twine.
We began at the warehouse
where immesse piles Of finished
twine baled reae for shipment next
spring are stored lin piles which
reach to the ceiling hundred feet
above and thousands Of bales of
sisal fresh from the native shores
Yucatan, Manila and East Africa.
! Then by degrees we were led