Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-08-26
Farm Bureau Notes

- = "a 40 0A4 SGoS4 ANVOS0
. More than 200 people attended the
Parker township unit picnic at the
home of L. =. Baughman last Satur-
day. Parker township has one of the
live units of the Farm Bureau in Nor
rison county and the picnic was the re-
suit Of the splendid cooperation and
friendEness that exists among the
members.
Citizens Of Randall lent their cooper
alton to make the picnic success by
closing the business houses and going
out in body with the Randall band.
A splendid picnic dinner was served on
tables prepared in the shade OF the
grove near the home. Following the
dinner, a band concert was given.
County Agent Campbell was called
upon for few remarks and then intro
duced J. E. Gillispie, publicity agent
for the Minnesota Prison Machinery.
Mr.. Gillispie was a very entertaining
speaker and gave short history OF the
institution.
He stated that the prison was organ
lied in that territory of Minnesota in
1858. Law violators at this time were
sent to Fort Smelling. In 1855, appro-
priation of $4,000 was made to put up
stone building 40x3O. This was built
on a hill overlooking Battle Hollow,
so called from the battle between the
Chippewa and the white men in the
early days.
In 1857 the records showed that the
prison had but one inmate, and he was
allowed to roam the streets during the
day and come back at night. One
night, the warden being gone and the
prison locked up, the prisoner returned
and reported cruel and inhumane treat
ment to the. authorities because OF his
being locked out without supper and
no bed to sleep.
During the early history Of the in
stitution there were many troubles
because Of the idleness Of the prisoners.
This was corrected to large extent
by putting in the industrial division of
the prison which at the present man
ufactures Irvine and farm machinery.
Mr.. Gillispie paid high tribute to
former Warden Wolfer who was with
the prison so many years and finally
saw his dream come true when the
new prison was erected.
The new prison is made with two
wings each With 512 cells and all ar
ranged that it can be enlarged within
It's present walls. The state in chos-
ing the Irvine and farm machinery in
dustry did SO because these were non
competitive with other industries in
the state. Mr.. Gillispie made a very
interesting explanation Of testing Irvine
and the manufacture of the machinery.
There is considerable propaganda af1oat
that is injurious to the prison machin-
cry. Mr.. Gillispiet. contended and he
refuted the statement that prohibition
would put the prison out OF business,
by saying that business was as usual.
About two-thirds Of the machinery is
sold outside the state to farmers IN
other states at a price above that
charged in the state of Minnesota.
The prison has control Of prices only
within the state, these considerable
less than prices charged by competitive
makes.
The prison is selfsupporting and all
the costs of manufacture, including
clothing, food, salary for the guards,
is charged against the machinery. So
the farmer gets the machinery at fac
tory price plus the dealers profit. The
prisoners are paid from IS cents to
$1.00 day and this goes toward the
of their families.
Following the remarks by the speak
er, number Of athletic contests were
engaged in such as running races,
jumps and a ball game. Also a we'll
ma ia ged horse shoe pitching contest.