The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-03-21
An Appreciation of Patriotism

In order that the inmates may rest assured that
their various contributions of patriotic nature are
highly appreciated, we herewith reprint in part,
grateful mention appearing under the caption: Pen
itentiary Inmates Establish Record as War Stamp
Buyers. in the Minneapolis Tribune, of March IA.
Per capita sales of war saving stamps at the
state penitentiary at Saltwater total approximately
$12, according to word which H. R. Woers Wash
ington county savings stamp chairman, brought to
the state headquarters in Minneapolis today.
I'm comparison. the per capita sale in the
state is only few cents the dollar. In Henne-
pin county it is only rs cents per person. Todd
county. the banner county, is $3.50 per capita
Mr. Woers said today there is no doubt but
what the prison inmates by the end of 1918 will run
up $50 to $40 per capita. The figures at the prison
for January $1,000, February 81, 800 and March
$4,000. total of s11 400.
There are now between 900, and 900 in
mates in the state pententiary. The big January
sale was made after Mr. Woers went to the prison at
noontime and talked to the of the war saving
stamps dinner of what their sale meant to the ma
ton, and what the government expected of all the
people of Minnesota. Mr.. Woers could not say all
the citizens of Minnesota, because the men and wo-
izenship rights passed from them when they entered
the penitentiary doors. At the time Mr.. Woers
talked to the inmates the warden told him he could
expect good sale of stamps the audience had CIV
en- the speaker their undivided attention.
I can always tell said Warden Reed when
the interested and when they are not. If
they do not take any stock in what speaker say
ing, you will see them shifting around in their seats
and gazing everywhere but the speaker. You talk
ed to them straight, however, and 1 know they are
interested.
The results proved that the warden was right,
for nowhere in the state has there been established
such record as has been set by the Saltwater in
mates, both men and women. Twenty dollars per
capita is what the asks of Minnesota for
the full year of 1918 and the Saltwater men and wo-
men in three months are considerably passed the
halfway mark, while no other part of the state is
up to the quarter post.
Mr.. Woers. who is in the lumber business, and
is member of the city council of Saltwater, says he
has found more patriotism within the penitentiary
than outside. The city of Saltwater he says, is
spending nobly, as 100000 in war savings stamps
was pledged in that city last week. but that even
this does not come anywhere near the record by
the prison inmates. The remainder of Washington
county, he says has done practically nothing so far
In addition to the purchases of war savings
stamps the Saltwater inmates contributed 81 400 to
the Red Cross. $500 to the Knight of Columbus war
fund and bought literally of Liberty bonds.
There all conditions and all sorts of mer in
the penitentiary,' said Mr. Woers. IA Woman in
mate bought twenty $500 war savings stamps. An
inmate of the male persuasion bought $4,000 worth
purchases were made out of the meager funds which