Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-11-14

hard at work, but every one seem
cd to be taking a mead interest IN
the work he was doing, and we've
not working solely because they were
there and had TO. There was not a
single one among the two hundred
and twenty-five inmates but who at
least seemed to be happy, and who
seemed to believe that he was be-
ing treated in the very best man
ner possible. True, probably all Of
them would sooner be somewhere
else than right there, but all seem
ed to realize that they we've scur-
ing some advantages which Tor the
most part they would not secure on
the outside, in the way Of learning
the various trades, and they were
wi1ling to take the best advantage o.
the opportunity.
But it is not all work and no play
for the boys here. A few OF them
were out on the play grounds play
ing baseball and other games. Otn-
ems were practicing various feats in
the gymnasium. Others who were
members of the band, which by the
way is one Of the very best In the
state, were practicing on their iustrur
ments. Up in the chapel the reform
atory MINISTRIES were busay pracnc-
ing for their big minstrel show 10
be put on in the Hutchinson CoQVen-
ton Hall this week. The show was
put on, in the chapel last week ana
is said to have been big success.
We watched the aggregation practice
for some time and must say that the
bows seemed capable Of putting on
a much better show than that given
by the average travelling ministries
show. They had some good co0tOr
ton and speciality acts. and a one
begged colored boy about II years
OF age put on a sample OF clog dane
ing that would be hard for a fellow
with two good legs to excel.
Religious services are held in the
chapel every Sunday, and while al
tendance is not compulsory, Superinr
teudent Herr informs us that there
are but very few Of the boys VINO
do not attend regularly. Some OF
the boys even ask permission to at
tend church services in tne CITY
on Sunday evening, in company WIN
a guard, and permission is some
times granted them.
Naturally, being constructed on the
long and lean plan. we visited one
kitchen. which is In charge Of Capt.
A. D. Smith, Of Larned. This place
is even more scrupulOusly clean than
the other departments and the COOK
ing is done ON a scale that WOUND
cause the average housewife 10
throw up her hands i'm horror and
despair. From $50 to 400 loaTes oil
bread are baked at one time, and as
they bake five times each week IL
will be seen that 1T is no small JoD
to feed this army Of people, as eV-
erything else is used IN about the
same proportion. We were permit
ted to look over the bill of fare for
that day and the next, the bill OF
fare for each day being made Out
the day previous, and we should Judgf
that there is no danger OF the III
mates either starving or losing their
appetites on account Of lack OF va
riety. The fare, while not Of the
Christmas dinner variety, is varied
and wholesome, and no provisions
are used but the very best. The Of
ficers dining hall is adjacent TO
that Of the inmates.
In the library there are over 4oOV
volumes, comprising a range Wnlcn
will suit the reading taste Of all
The Lead Of the schools informed
us that the library had been SADLY
lacking in texts on the trades and
sciences, but that a number OF the
latest books on these subjects had
been ordered and others would be
added from time to time.
We regret that lack Of time wiz
not permit Of a none detailed de-
scrptiou Of the many Interesting fea-
lures Of the place. The next time
you are In Hutchinson take a trip out
and see the institution for yourself.
You will find it simply a great busy
workshop, where everyone is going
ahead and working Just the same as
though they were working for a pay
check on Saturday night. You win
find no armed guards or domineeTdng
bosses, but simply instructors who