River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-06-25


then placed under a shower bath and
washed clean. Garments made by con-
victs were given him. i'll fitting under
wear. heavy shoes and a dull gray suit
of baggy trousers and almost shape
less jacket. He was reported to the
foreman of the machine shop as avail
able material for his fierce.
Montgomery was struck by the quiet
of the prison. There was no sound of
voices. C0nvicts came and went or
busted themselves in groups over pris.
on tasks. but they did not converse.
He was informed that the rule of 81
lence was strictly enforced ard that
he might talk only at the close of work
and when he was in his cell. He was
of a taciturn nature. but when he
thought thai the rdle Of silence would
obtain through his whole lifetime the
thing became appalling. He had the
privilege Of a cell by himself or with
a cellmate. For the sake of the hui
man voice he would hear in the norm
ing before work, and at night after
work be asked to be allowed to share
a cell.
The fifteen year man made the same
request, and the old burglar and the
country boy became cell companions.
They separated for the time being.
No. go, 10S was sent to the machine
shops and turned over to the convict
foreman, who questioned him and test
ed him as to the value and use OF
many tools and who found him worthy
and we'll qualified for a place on his
staff. The burglar needed no exam1na-
ton Of that sort. He had been through
1t all before. He was given the work
ing tools of his craft and began cut
ting garments with other prisoners,
who gave him looks of recognition ana
signaled greetings with their fingers III
thed deaf and dumb code or clicked out
Geographic messages in the Morse with
their scissors.
The midday meal in the mess hall
was choked down by Montgomery with
a mighty effort. His interest in ma
chinery kept him from breaking down
during the afternoon. After the even
ing meal he was marched to his prison
tier with a battalion of convicts, and a
guard showed him his cell. He found
the fifteen year man already there.
Every cell on the tier was a busy
photograph by this time, for the rule
of silence was now suspended, and the
men could talk all they pleased in the
cells or from cell to cell. When the
chatter became a babel Of sound, a
guard warned those talking loudest
and the roar would die down.
"Well, what you in for and for how
long?"
The country boy turned to the ques-
tioning burglar. II was convicted of
murder. / am in for life.'
The burglar grunted and scanned the
face of his cell mate closely.
my names Bill-Bill Hawkins" he
said. "Tm in for burglary. You're
green. I'll put you next to things
Bill was eager to talk and paused
for a moment as if considering the line
of conversation or monologue he would
indulge in.
You got the white disk on your
coat" he began finally. IF you keep
it they'll let you have newspapers and
eats and tobacco. It's the first term
disk. Mines red. This is my third
trip. Second term men wear a blue
disk. AS soon as any one of us VIC
lates a regulation. off goes the disk,
kid, and you'll never win it back. Get
that?"
Montgomery nodded.
Bill explained that after a year Of
perfect conduct he would be given a
white chevron to add to the disk, and
it would entitle him to write q letter
once every two weeks and that once
every month he might purchase little
articles for his comfort.
But you can't slip 'em along to any
OF your friends" he said. IF you do
and they catch you it is good night for
the white disk and the chevron and all
the good marks that would count for q
Communication man."
After four years of perfect conduct
marked by the disk and four white
c%hevrons, Bill explained, he would be
dIIOWSO W ISCGlfG VISITS IIOn lIlSuOS
once a month, could write a letter once
a week, could receive a box of cooked
food every three months from home
If he had a homeland could take a
newspaper and keep it for two days
a stretch.
For these instructions the boy thank
ed his cellmate simply.
Don't call me Mr.. Hawkins" pro-
tested Bill. call me Bill. This amt
any place for the mister business"
Bill had gradually loosed his clothes
he talked. He was now ready to
retire. Montgomery saw him lift his
long, powerful arms and take hold
upon the edge of the upper pallet.
Without touching the lower one with
his feet he drew himself up and swung
into bed with the agility and ease of
an Orang.
Good night" he grunted from
above.
Montgomery prepared to retire. and