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Mirror Thursday, December 24, 1908. PRISON OFFICIALS. BOARD OF CONTROL. S. W. LBAVETT - - - Litchfield L. A. ROSING Cannon Palls P. M. RINGDAL J. D. Mills, Secretary REBIDENT OFFIOIALB. HUNKY WOLFER, - - - Warden M. C. COLLIGAN, Deputy Warden J.BACKLAND, Asst. Deputy Warden H. W. DAVIS, Clerk and Acct. Officer ROBERT M. COLES, - - Steward B. MERRILL, - - - Physician MISS MARY McKINNEY, - Matron CHAS. CORCORAN, Catta. Chaplain C. E. BENSON, Protestant Chaplain PRIBON AGENT. J. Z. BARNCARD, - - - St. Paul TO INMATES. For the information of new arrivals and all others desiring to send The Mirror to friends we wish to say that the privilege will be granted by complying with the following rules: Write your own name and register number and send to this office with name and address of person to whom paper is to be sent. Each paper must be kept clean and folded in the same manner as it is when you receive it and placed in your door ever Friday night. All inmates are requested to comply with this order whether sending out a copy or not. CHURCH NOTICE. Service in the Prison Chapel at nine o’clock every Sunday morning. Pro testant and Catholic service every alternate Sunday. Rev. C. E. Benson, and Rev. Fr. Corcoran chaplains. LOCAL NEWS. The Mirror wishes one and all a Merry Christmas. John White left on his ten days’ vacation last Tuesday. A handsome kitchen cupboard was made in the state repair shop for use at the new prison. Supt. Williams is now breaking in a new bookkeeper, as the good looking, rierht-hand office man who presides over the books will leave shortly. Mr. James Walsh, formerly a guard at this institution and now a detective in Duluth, and Chief Barnes, of Stillwater, were visitors at the prison last Saturday. There will be a vaudeville en tertainment in the chapel tomor row. We learn that the show will be a good one and everything is prepared to entertain the inmates. An assistant librarian was put in the library Monday to take the place of the tall chap who left on parole. He bandies the books as tho he was an expert at the busi ness. The snow plow was out on the highways and byways of the pris on during the latter part of last week. This is the first time this season that there was sufficient snow to require the plow. Deputy Warden Colligan took one of the inmates to Rochester during the past week to appear as a witness before the district court of that city. He returned to duty {Sunday morning. Mr. W. E. McEwen, editor of the Duluth Labor World, Mrs. Will Stephen and Mr. Melvin W. Stephen, all of Duluth, and Mr. J. G. Armson, of Stillwater, were visitors at the prison last Satur day. On another column of this page appears an article that commends the contributors to The Mirrob. It is a very flattering compliment and should encourage those who are regular as well as occasional contributors to their local paper. James Dugan died at the prison hospital last Friday morning. He was serving a life sentence and was received from Hennepin Co., Feb. 16, 1894 “Jim” was well known by the long timers who will be sorry to learn of his death. A box of magazines was received at the bindery last Friday. They will be bound and added to the library. The donor has the thanks of the inmates for his thoughtful ness in contributing to our com fort. The Usher’s and Deputy Ward en’s offices have been very busy places the past few days handling presents sent in by the families of inmates. Old Santa was extreme ly good to some of us even if he did not visit each of us. The local Chautauquaus held a very successful meeting Sunday afternoon. The papers that were read, including the recitation, vocal and instrumental music, were of a high order. Several out side visitors were in attendance and were highly pleased with the program. We would advise the boys who are sending papers and magazines to each other to write the cell numbers as plainly as possible. When this is not done it is very likely that the paper or magazine will go astray. The other day we seen a list of numbers and some of the figures might have been a 3,5, or the drawing of a corkscrew. The captain of the cellhouse stood in the doorway leading to print shop the other day and tried to hit the shoe shop building with a snowball, but failed. It is evi dent that it has been some years since the captain did any snow balling, or lifted a silk hat from another’s head by a well-aimed throw. Ah! for those good old days. Dr. O’Brien, formerly assistant physician at the prison hospital, recently met with a severe acci dent while automobiling near Ta cCraa. The steering gear became jammed and the wheel flew back wards breaking several of the doc tor’s ribs. The official here who received the news of the doctor’s injury states that the article is misleading to an eastern man. What is called an automobile there is commonly called a hand-car here. moo. of Population. Total number of inmates 697 Received during week 11 Discharged during week 2 Number in First Grade 512 Number in Second Grade.... 179 Number in Third Grade 6 Paroled 0 Last serial number 2588 ebapcl Service. The following is the program of the service held in the chapel Sunday, Dec. 20th, Rev. C. E. Benson officiating: March—“ Old Faithful” Orchestra Waltz—“ Sweet Captivity” Orchestra Doxology Congregation Invocation Chaplain Gloria Congregation Scripture Chaplain Hymn —“Rescue the Perishing” Congregation Prayer Chaplain Cornet Solo —"The Eternal Home”. Member of Orchestra Anthem—" Praise Ye Jehovah” Choir Sermon Chaplain Hymn —“Hear Us, O Savior” Congregation Benediction Chaplain March—“ Unity Hall” Orchestra gbautatiquatncctiitg. All the members were present at the first quarterly meeting of Pierian Circle held in the chapel on Sunday afternoon, after a vote had been passed to dispense with discussions, business and criticism, owing to the length of the program, which was opened by the delightful strains of the Merry Widow waltz rendered by Prof. Burchard and orchestra. The first paper read, entitled “An Egyptian Pantheon,” was a treatise on the gods the Egyptians worshiped during the early cen turies. The beliefs, the modes of worship and customs used thruout the dark ages were scholarly set forth by Mr. C. R. H. and deliv ered in his vigorous and precise manner. A splendid paper, a fit ting beginning for the par excel lent program that followed. Next a reoitation by Mr. R. F., “A Psalm of Life.” Mr. F. has favored us in the past with many pleasing recitations put today he surpassed even his past oieditable record. The poem was aptly chos en and delivered in his best style. Mr. J. C. followed with a paper entitled, “What is Wagner?” It was a very excellent article on the different opinions held as to the genius of Wagner, his work and influence on the life of music. It was very evident that much time and thought had been given to the preparation of this paper, covering the majority of this famous com poser’s works and citing scenes from his most celebrated compo sitions. As usual Mr. C.’s delivery was above criticism. Our sweet-voiced member Mr. J. C. followed with a vocal solo, “My Beloved Queen,” which mer ited and received a large amount of applause. Mr. S. A. P.’s contribution was the next on the program. We have looked forward eagerly an ticipating something out of the ordinary when Aviso would make his initial bow before the Cirole and he lived up to our expectation. Under the caption of “Stray Sto ries,” in a delightfully pleasing style he recounted some personal, hnmorous reminiscences. As a ra conteur Aviso is excellent. Cheer from Prison Cite. We must admit considerable pleasure and satisfaction in the read ing of a valued exchange, The Mirror, published weekly in the state penitentiary at Stillwater. It is pleasant because it gives evidence that even prison life cannot check the flow of fine spirits or chill the glow of genial humor. Furthermore, it is also pleasant because we do not know of a publication whose moral plane is higher, whose optim ism is finer, and whose spirit is more cheerful than this product of the pens of men whom society has seen fit to place behind bars. The front page of the issue at hand is mainly occupied by two papers read before the Chautauqua circle, which shows that the means of culture are not denied even our prisoners. “T. H.,” under the head of “Mudh Ado About Nothing,” discourses learnedly and enter tainingly about the senseless comparisons often made between things British and things American. “F.,” more inclined to solid matter, talks intelligently of matters in the uneasy Balkans. Elsewhere “L. H.” speculates humorously upon the transmigration of souls, and lets his fancy roam at will upon the possibilities of metempsychosis. There are two columns of editorials, very well written and discuss ing live public matters from a sane and elevated viewpoint. The quick justice which was meted out to the recent Chicago forger is com mended, with a passing word for the value of accuracy and a plea that it be not overlooked in the enthusiasm for celerity. Sympathy with Heney, shot by an ex-felon, is mingled with sympathy keener still with the stricken wife and fatherless children of the self-destroyed felon who shot San Francisco’s valiant prosecutor of big grafters. The recent remark of a Chicago university person comparing the smart set with “hoboes” brings form the prison editor a sharp defense of the smart set as a medium for circulating congested wealth, with the apt remark that the hobo is not only a non-producer and a source of sooial peril, but a non-distributor. The action of a railroad in dis charging drinking men comes in for thorough approval. Very piquant, witty and pointed are the remarks of the several men whom, under pen names—no pun intended —contribute regular departments. From “F. M.,” who writes “H'eliograms,” we glean these paragraphs: “Now that be has feathered his financial nest, Andy wants to wring the neck of the tariff goose.” “It looks more natural to see a woman seated in the old arm chair shingling the dome of her governor’s pants, than to see her perched on a scaffold trying to build a political platform.” “End” includes in his “Diverse Reflections” many apt oomments on personal and social topics. “Aviso,” who does the “Side Lights” column, makes happy hits at his neighbors within the walls, announc ing among other things that “the boys are now talking of putting on a vaudeville entertainment Borne time soon. There seems to be plenty of talent ‘in our midst.’ ” And besides being well filled with local news, “Anglicus” puts some ginger into his “Salt and Supersalt” department For instance, “Aviso” having said “Start something,” Anglicus says: “What shall it be, O Aviso, a discussion on the Future of Humanity or a round of drinks? A Society for the Suppression of Rum-Selling (in foreign parts) or a voting oontest as to the handsomest writer in The Mirror, Mr. Heliograms barred? flow would it do to start a beard, or a pair Dundrearys? Or a Moral Uplift, to commence at home? Or an ex planation of why it is not our custom to decorate our mansions with mistletoe at Yaletide, discussing the moral, pathological and agricul tural objections to mistletoe?” It is very well done, all of it. It is admired for its cheer and optimism, and for its freedom from unwholesome ideas.—Duluth Herald. We again had the pleasure of listening to Professor Burchard’s orchestra. The selection was the “Cherry Intermezzo.” The last paper read was “An Essay on John Greenleaf Whitli -6T,” by one of our ex presidents, Mr. G. W. The writer showed great familiarity with the life of this beloved American poet and brought forth in an admirable manuer his struggle for an educa tion, the wielding of his pen and talent to help rid the country of the curse of slavery, a boyish love affair and mauy incidents con nected with his useful life. This was another splendid article deliv ered in Mr. W.’s easy, effortless but perfect style. The concluding number was a song by a member of the orches tra. I take the opportunity to thank Mr. W. on behalf of mem bers of the Pierian Circle for the highly pleasing entertainment he afforded us. In response to an en thusiastic shower of applause, in which the visitors joined, he sang another verse. The title of the song I do not know, but part of the chorus ran: “I didn’t ask, he didn’t say, so I don’t know.” In rendering this class of songs there may be some who excel Mr. W. but I do not think they are in the immediate locality. The visitors were Misses Mc- Kinney and Thompson, Chaplain Benson, Dr. Kalinhof and the county auditor, Mr. N. Nelson. After the president had, on be half of the members, thankee Professor Burohard and orohestra for their pleasing entertainment, the meeting was adjourned. R. P., Secretary. DIVERSE REFLECTIONS ER I D IwI9IU I 9 I f I 9imimi u i m T u Isjjl » ! I i Constancy is an important el ement of character. Popularity is often sacrificed at he price of comfort. The advice that prisoners may receive from those interested in reforming the erring is scarcely comparable with the brands which the prisoner can disseminate. In a rear room of the Pada Hotel two men were seated beside a small table. They Jwere convers ing about their future plans when the door of the room was pushed open and two policemen entered. “Sirs,” said one of the officers, “we are here to arrest you.” Fred Allen and Brave Jim arose. The Brave lad asked: “On what pre sumptuous, trumped up, charge do you presume to place two Ameri can citizens under arrest ?” “On the charge of being desert ers from the U. S. Army.” “Why so?” “Because we have the evidence to substantiate the charge. Both of you pawned soldier uniforms at Isaacs.” There was a twinkle (take notice Anglicus) of merri ment in the eyes of Brave Jim as he stepped near his comrade and whispered: “Submit to arrest; watch me beat the saw.” Allen and Jim were haled into court the following morning to answ T er the charge of vagrancy. The young prosecutor was anxious to obtain a conviction so as to give time to ascertain if the prisoners were deserters. The clerk read the charge. The judge sternly asked: “Are you men guilty or not guilty?” “Your honor,” spoke brave Jim, the charge preferred is so intensely serious that it becomes absolutely necessary for us to refute it by the testimony of a witness whom none present would presume to assert is not competent—because of his official position, social rank, and friendship with all of you gentle men —to prove the falsity of the prefered charge. Now, my com rade will accompany any person, designated by the court, to the home of Mayor Alton and I will remain here until they return with the mayor.” The rigidity of the prosecutor’s and judge’s faces re laxed. The latter smilingly asked: “Do you men know Mayor Alton?” “Yes, your honor. We have known him for many years. How ever, will the court accede to my request?” “Yes.” Fred Allen and the officer soon arrived at Mayor Allen’s home. Allen bounded up the veranda steps, entered the house, and asked the maid, whom he saw, for permission to use the telephone. Calling up the court house he was soon speaking with the judge: “Jadge, I am Mayor Alton’s pri vate secretary. He requests you to send the other prisoner to his house at once. Says he knows them very well; that a mistake has been made; and that he desires you to call, after adjourning court to be introduced to the young men.” Hanging up the receiver Allen hastily left the house by a rear door. Meantime Brave Jim was told to go to Mayor Alton’s home. He nodded knowingly to the judge and disappeared to join Allen. By the time the judge had arrived at the Mayor’s house the two ex-soldiers were aboard a a train headed eastward. - “That was a great ruse of yours Jim,” remarked Allen. But the hero only said: “It’s the game!”