The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-02-04
E DIT o RI A L -.
BETTER FARMING ASSOCIATION GUESTS
OF WARDEN REED

The largest crowd of enthusiastic visitors we
have ever had occasion to observe at this institu-
ton for many months past the members of
the Better Farming Association from Washington
and surrounding counties, who paid model in
stitutiOn visit last Thursday January %. 1t
was the day set for the annual meeting of the asso-
citation in the city of Saltwater, and it thought
a visit to this institution would be of much inter-
est to the members of the association. To say that
all members were enthusiastically interested in
what met their gaze would be expressing anything
but that which is true.
Despite the fact that it was day when the
thermometer in close proximity to thirty de-
grees below, about four hundred members of the
association took advantage of the opportunity Of
fered to visit the institution the arrangements
having been previously made by Warden Reed
with the association secretary.
In order that we can give you detailed &C
count of the days proceedings, we take the follow
ing from the Saltwater Gazette. The next meet
ing Of the Better Farming Association will be held
on the second of January next year.
The detailed account of last Thursdays pro-
ceedings, from the Gazette follows
Fully four hundred farmers, members of the
Washington County Farming Association num-
Der of whom brought their wives and other men,
bers of their families, and large delegation of
Saltwater business, also members of the assccia-
ton, visited the prison Thursday as guests of
Warden Reed. The occasion the annual
meeting of the Better Farming Association in this
city and the visit to the prison and an inspection
of the Irvine and farm machinery departments was
thought would prove of great interest to all.
That the thought wise one is evidenced in
the large number of farmers present in the city
Thursday, many of them from as remote points as
Denmark, Cottage Grove, and Fewport and from
the towns of Scandal, Forest Lake and Oneka, and
this day when the mercury hovers around
thirty below.
The nine, nine-thirty and ten o'clock cars all
running extras, crowded to capacity this
morning to carry the throng to the prison. and the
Milwaukee train this morning brought in large
delegation from the towns south. These dsem-
barked at South saltwater and took the cars from
that point to the prison.
Receiving the visitors in the large corridors and
the reception rooms were Warden Reed
assisted by Treasurer Gillespie, Secretary Prince
President Vollmer, County Agent Rogers and
other members of the association and the entire
office staff of Warden Reed. The guests we're con-
Quoted to the auditorium where the prison orches-
ira was stationed and where a short address of
welcome was made by the Warden, which was re-
sponded to by President Vomer of the associa-
tion and then the announcement was made that
the inspection of the prison would begin.
The trip of inspection of the prison included
visits to the Irvine plant, farm machinery section.
and we'll the cell houses, printing Office hospital
and other points of interest of the big institution
The tour of inspection was completed at 1880
O'Clock, in for the visitors to witness the
marching in to dinner of the l ,14O inmates all of
whom were served in the immense dining hall
capable of seating 400 people, Following this
interesting phase of the VISIT the guests repaired
to the auditorium, where short program of
speeches and music was the order Of the choirs
both white and colored, of fourteen voices each
furnishing the vocal numbess in excellent style.
Judge F. I. Wilson and S. Blair McBeath made
short addresses.
The fine singing by the chors and as we'll the
excellent music by the orchestra were fully appre-
cated and won hearty applause from the large
audience present.
At prompt one o'clock, dinner was announced
served in the dining hall and the guests marched
in and took their seats at the tables to the strains
of the prison orchestra, stationed in the balcony.
The room prettily decorated for the occasion.
flowers and plants in profusion, from the prison