Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-26
.C0NV|CTs MAKE MERRY
IN SN0W-C0VEREDY YARD
Prisoners at State Penitentiary Enter
Into Holiday Spirit With
Vim.
DINNER sUMPTUoUs II
REPAST
superintendent Wood Sees That His
Wards Have Christmas Cheer In
Spite Of Surroundings-Nin
Show Highly Enjoyed.

Prison bars and the absence Of loved
ones were the only drawbacks to an
otherwise perfect day-as prison days
goat tho Virginia state Penitentiary
yesterday. Gloom was dispelled from
behind the grim walls. and a spirit Of
good cheer lowered over the dread in
st:tution. There was a feast 1T for n
king, and n real minstrel show thrown
IN Tor good measure.
Snow added In some ways to tho en-
1oyment. while in others 1T ,dctracted
from the pleasure, but the majority of
Tho prisoners, having day off from
iaoor, frollicked around in the big
courtyard like school children. While
snowballing was prohibited. there was
huge sport for the unfortunates Sc
Guestered from the outside world, be-
cause opportunities to revel in tho
white drifts como seldom. OF course.
there were many physically unable to
stand tho rigors of the day, but they
were hugely entertained by the substi-
tute program given In the pcnitentiary
chapel by amateur. but excellent,
talent A minstrel show by prisoners
waa the feature of this entertainment
but no crowd OF Riddles ever en1oyed
movies az did that band Of grown-uDs
segregated for their violations of man
made laws.
ABUNDANT FARE
FURNISHED PRISONERS
Superintendent Wood has always
made 1T a practice to endeavor to make
the convicts forget their ignom.ny for
the nonce. and to live in the spirit of
the day. His Christmas dinner la one
OF the means whereby this end is at
tanned. Yesterday was no exception
anu the AFFAIR was a sumDtuous feast
10 thoEe used TO the customary fare.
Roast pork and roast beef in heapinp
m ifi
Inc meal. although the plates were sur
rounded with other tempting viands
furnished by tho penitentiary board.
and supplemented with goodies sent
me prisoners from their homes. Others
had boarded their Hcanty savings
money earned in the penitentiary shops
and had purchased daintles through
the kind hearted keepers. In addition
to this fare. those unfortunutcs who
are inmates OF the inflrmary were
given rOast turkey.
There are about $50 prisoners in the
pehitentiary. OF which number nearly
100 are women. All enjoyed the same
iare yesterday. The minstrel show on
account OF the capacity Of the chapel.
had to be repeated twice, and the Jokes
many of which were packed in moth
nails years ago on the outside were
received with peals OF laughter, while
the sentimental ballad. doubtlessly
brought tears to the eyes of the most
''"' "0hSu. iuc pTORTaEn, however,
arranged for laughs. not tears and any
company would have felt battered MT
10 reception given the amateur min
Strcl men.
oriOS PICTURES
FEATURE At PESITENTIAuy
Special motion pictures, supplied by
&C or the local picture houses. were
own, and negro quartet, rendering
ld southern airs. was recalled again
10 again. In all, 1t was rs happy an
"iraslon as the surroundings would
prmit
ON account OF the weather much Of
%" time In the open air was curtailed
~ every minute was enjoyed by the
'"rc robust prisoners. The snow was
novelty, although II is frequently
on from tho windows, but It is sell
nm that the prisoners come Into actual
Intact with il. II was, therefore. that
:.inrh more welcome
While tho penitentiary inmates were
,'oyinB their holiday. the band OF
| iH NY criminals housed In the City Jail
i'h me Henrlco County Jail were nut
: In day much as usual No ar
ii ements had been made for their
tc iainment. although better food
.'s served TO them at all meals
htse prisoners are serving short
ici ms, and many will see the outside
world az free men within few days
90 weeks. while other habitual law
Nio!Ptors on n small scale enjoy the
warmth and free food and lodging al
these public institutions.