The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1913-11-13
HISTORY OF KAN
SAS PEN|TENIARY
The Kansas Penitentiary was Established
in 1864. CeIIhouses Built in 1867,
and at That Time Were Considered up-
to-date. Wall is Of solid Masonary--
Six Feet Thick and Twenty Feet High.


Six Feet Thick and Twenty Feet High.
The history of every public insti-
tuition is always interesting reading.
1t is an inspiration to us OF later
years to know how the early settlers
of our country struggled to build
up the different public institutions.
They overcame obstacles which
would stagger US today.
Imagine what it would mean to-
day for as to undertake the building
Of this penitentiary when there were
few railroads, very few telegraphic
conveniences, and telephones. Such
was the situation when the early
settlers of Kansas pressed on to the
stars through difficulties"
The Kansas State Penitentiary
was established, according to the
best data here in 1864. The first
warden was George H. Keller. He
had no real prison to begin with,
but kept most of his prisoners at
Leayenworth and Lawrencein poor
ly equipped and unsanitary cells.
The Directors Report" for 1867
shows how difficult it was to build a
prison in those days. In speaking
of the condition of the prison at that
time, the report says: Those at the
temporary prison had been left in
their cells during the winter entirely
idle, and some of them so poorly
clad as to SCARCELY be able to leave
their place of confinement. The
cells were inadequately furnished
with blankets, buckets and other
articles necessary for cleanliness or
comfort. The mattresses were IN
miserable condition, and the whole
interior of the prison was in con-
dition not only cheerless and for
bidding, but absolutely uncomforta-
ble."
It is q marvel to us in these days,
how our fathers accomplished so
much under such trying clrcumstan,
ces. To look at the administration
building and the north and south
wings. we wonder how they ever got
all the stone and other material to-
gether when OK teams we're the chief
means of transportation. The re-
port quoted from above gives faint
idea of some of their troubles. In
referring to the enlarging OF the
prison, they said: This was done as
soon as possible, but the work was
greatly delayed by the unpleasant
weather in the spring and the diff
Guilty in getting the necessary lum-
ber hauled, in consequence OF bad
roads,"
No wonder we groan at the sight
of these old cell-houses, when we
call to mind that they were built in
I867-over forty-six years ago.
The following bit of history is a
part of our record. The contract
with Messrs. Flory & Caldwell for
the construction of the north wing
expired on the first day of Septem-
Der (1867)" At that time the cell
houses were considered up-to-date
and the very best that could I've at
forded; but surely the men of those
days would be ashamed of us. their
unworthy sons, for failing as we
have to keep up with the progress
of modern ideas of prison-building.
When we look at the grim and
forbidding yard wall of solid mason
ry. six feet through at the base. four
feet through at the top, and twenty
feet high, we little dream OF the la
Dor 1t cost. The stone had to be
quarried and cut ready for the wall,
and then hauled over bad roads to
the prison. The architect, in bis
report for 1867, says: 1t is pro-
posed, during the summer. to build
as much as possible of the yard wall
connecting with the new prison
building on the north, and make 1t,
if possible, availing as a source OF
safety IN confining prisoners. as far
ae we can do so. am in hopes to
bu;ld 250 feot of ward wall. twenty