Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-27
#. Madison Penitentiary,
Editor Courier:

! 1t was my pleasure to visit the peni-
Tertiary at TT. Madison the 18th Of
June and as I was raised in FIT. Madi-
son and after serving three years in
the 10th Iowa during the civil war
and being unable to do manual labor,
secured position with Martin Kelsey
warden at that tim4. serving four years
as guard and turnkey, am well &C
quainted with the life convicts had
while confined there.
+, The terrible life of convict while
serving the time given him by the
courts, was sufficient to make them
worse men when they were liberated.
No convict was considered anything
but brute and was treated as such.
The old ways Of prison life was given
them, and the cat of nine tails was
used on their backs. was the man
who took up the banishing of it and
Warden Kelsey was the man who or
dered it laid away forever. knew
many young men who after serving
time, cursed everybody and swore to
have revenge. No man who served
sentence ever left the prison a better
man.
was introduced to Warden Saun-
ders and his deputy and received all
the favors they could give. When I
entered the gate, the great differences
were plainly visible. Instead Of the
old black and white stripes, the men
were dressed in plain suit and
seemed to act like men should. They
were working in the shops and other
departments. The new cell room was
a wonder, as it is truly modern and a
man has all that Is needed to make
him comfortable. 1t is lighted by
electricity, and has water in each
cell, with nice bunk and place to
wash his face. There is library and
they can get books to read, and learn
instead of being in the dark and not
even allowed the privilege of papers.
When entered the dining room l was
surprised at it's cleanliness and the
look on the faces of the men at their
meals. Then in the rear was music,
something to help cheer them up and
help them on to good behavior They
get their suppers, instead of the old
way of marching in single file and
passing table where a slice of dry
bread with a cup Of coffee on it, was
cells. They have many days during
the year for many entertainments and
ball games Very many are paroled
to go outside and work on the state
farm, and other duties assigned them.
I secured a parole for Orman Nc
Pherson, life prisoner to attend the
G. A. r. encampment at Burlington as
he is serving life sentence for kill
ing man in self defense, but an effort
for his pardon is being made
Now to all who claim Warden Saun-
ders is too good to these men, wish
to ask them If you wish to reform any
body can you do 1t with club? God
bless Warden Saunders for his reform
movement and hope it will be adopt
ed by every state and instead Of turn
ing out men with curses against the
authorities, they are reformed to a
considerable degree. I believe his
plan will be help in reforming men
and making them better citizens. Hav-
ing been guard four years under the
old style treatment, and ten months In
confederate prison, l know some
thing about prison life. am sure that
confidence placed in prisoners will
help them, instead of kicks and curses.
If there are any persons who read this
article and are against the reform
plan of Warden Saunders, just make a
visit and you will change your minds.
Let us all sanction kindness to prison
ers and also to everybody. 1t will
help others and make you feel better
to do a kindness to an enemy, instead
Of giving a kick. Remember We are
all human and perhaps if we had our
lust dues we would not be against
kindness to others.
J. E. Houghland,
Color guard, 10th Iowa 1nfy. Vols.
Eldon, Iowa.