Part 3

Each afternoon the deputy warden holds court in his office; at this time all reports of the various guards are considered and reprimands administered for violations of prison rules. The charge is first read to the offender and he is permitted to reply in his own defense. If he can prove extenuating circumstances in excuse for his breach of the rules he is excused; if not, reprimanded and perhaps deprived of his tobacco and writing tickets for three or four weeks; without these tickets the privilege is withheld.

It is well to state that no high‐priced attorneys are retained by the accused in this “court” in order to locate a full‐grown technicality whereby the chances of escaping censure are greatly enhanced. If the inmate has committed a serious offense the deputy warden is empowered to order the culprit put in the solitary for several days on bread and water.

Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited, and no guard or officer is permitted to “club” a prisoner except in self defense or to quell a mutiny. The following are the principal offenses for which prisoners are reported:

Altering clothing. Bed not properly made. Clothing not in proper order. Communicating by signs. Defacing property. Dilatory. Dirty cell or furnishings. Disobedience. Disturbance in cellhouse. Fighting. Hands in pockets. Hands or face not clean. Hair not combed. Impertinence to visitors. Insolence to officers. Insolence to foremen. Insolence to fellow prisoners. Inattentive in line. Inattentive at work. Inattentive in school. Laughing and fooling. Loud talk in cell. Loud reading in cell. Malicious mischief. Not out of bed promptly. Not at door for count. Not wearing outside shirt. Not promptly out of cell when brake is drawn. Out of place in shop or line. Profanity. Quarreling. Shirking. Spitting on the floor. Staring at visitors. Stealing. Trading. Talking in chapel. Talking in line. Talking in school. Talking at work. Talking from cell to cell. Talking in corridor. Throwing away food.

[Cellhouse Looking West. In Front of Desk on Left New Arrival is p]

Cellhouse Looking West. In Front of Desk on Left New Arrival is Searched

[The Hospital in Background, and Sick Prisoners in Park]

The Hospital in Background, and Sick Prisoners in Park

THE HOSPITAL.

This building is located at the western end of the yard and at the head of the main thoroughfare of the prison. It is modern, well lighted, ventilated, has commodious rooms and a physician is always in attendance. Dr. B. J. Merrill has been at the head of this department for many years and is considered one of the best physicians and surgeons in the state. He is assisted by a resident physician constantly in attendance. The head physician visits the prison each morning at nine o’clock and prescribes for those present at “sick call.” This call, as previously stated, takes place every morning, the men being gathered from the various departments of the prison by the assistant deputy warden.

Any prisoner who is not feeling well need only inform his guard that he wishes to see the doctor and his request is granted. This is obligatory on the part of the guard, as the physician’s orders are final in such matters.

When the sick‐call men arrive at the hospital they form in line just outside the door and are called into the doctor’s office one at a time. The inmate states his complaint and his name and prescription is entered on the records. If too sick to work he is permitted to either stay in the hospital, loaf in the park or remain in a cell for the day. There are several cells in the cell‐house which are used exclusively for this purpose. After the chronic cases have been disposed of the chief physician attends to the more serious ailments. He also prescribes the diet for the sick prisoners, and if they order anything that is not in the culinary department it is purchased at once.

The hospital is well patronized by the inmates. During the month of July, 1908, 2,018 cases were disposed of. But the building used for a hospital is now altogether inadequate to accommodate the growing demands of the institution, as the population of the prison has practically doubled during the past decade.

With regard to epidemics the prison has been very fortunate and the mortality list has been exceedingly small. The death rate for 1908 was only nine, principally due to tuberculosis, a disease which is quite prevalent in penitentiaries the world over.

During the summer months the convalescent patients are permitted the freedom of the park all day. Those who are unable to walk are carried down and given an opportunity to get the beneficial outdoor air.

The following rules give a clear idea of the duties of chief physician:

Duties of the Prison Physician

1. The Physician shall visit the prison every day, between the hours of seven and ten in the morning, and examine and prescribe for all sick inmates, and also at such other times as the condition of the inmates may demand. He shall also visit all prisoners in the sick cells who are unable to come to sick call. If sent for at any time by the Warden or Deputy Warden to attend an inmate he shall immediately do so to the exclusion of all other engagements. 2. He shall examine every inmate on his entering the prison, and record in a book for that purpose his name, date of entrance, date of examination, nationality and race of inmate, and of his parents; his weight, stature and heredity, so far as affects his criminality or health; also the condition of his heart, lungs and other organs; the rate of pulse and respiration; the measurement of the chest and abdomen, and any existing disease, deformity or other acquired or inherited disability, and he shall immediately vaccinate him. 3. He shall keep a record of all admissions to and discharges from the hospital, and of all cases treated by him, with the name, number and the place of the inmate, and the diagnosis and treatment, with such observations as may assist in forming a perfect record of each patient. 4. He shall make a written report daily to the Warden of the attendance at the sick call in the morning, and of the disposition made of those reported sick. And also of all admissions to, and discharges from the hospital. 5. He shall, every morning, carefully examine all inmates in the solitary cells, or in special restraint or punishment elsewhere, and shall make a written report to the Warden as to the condition of each. He shall be particular to report to the Warden in writing any inmate whose health he thinks is being injured by the punishment or restraint he is being subjected to, and shall recommend such changes in such inmate’s diet or otherwise as he may think necessary. In the absence of the Physician the Assistant Physician shall make similar examinations every evening, and make a written report to the Warden. 6. The Physician shall frequently, and also whenever requested by the Warden, examine all of the cells of the inmates, the plumbing and cell ventilators, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are kept in a proper state of cleanliness and ventilation and in a good sanitary condition and report their condition to the Warden and to the official who made the request. 7. He shall, whenever requested by the Warden, and also whenever he thinks proper, examine the quality of the provisions and condition of the food provided for inmates. Whenever he shall find that any provisions are unwholesome, or that the food is insufficient, or for any reason prejudicial to their health, he shall immediately make report thereof to the Warden. 8. He shall have full control over the patients in the hospital, subject to the rules of the prison and instructions of the Warden, and shall give daily instructions as to the treatment of each patient to the assistant physician and his orders must be followed. 9. In case an inmate claims to be unable to labor by reason of sickness or other disability, the Physician shall examine such inmate. If, in his opinion, such inmate is unable to labor, or his occupation should be changed, he shall immediately certify the fact to the Warden. Such inmate shall thereupon be released from labor or his occupation be changed or he be admitted to the hospital or elsewhere for medical treatment, as the Physician shall direct, having due regard for the safe keeping of such inmate. When he certifies that such inmate is sufficiently recovered to be able to labor the inmate may be required to do so. 10. He shall, whenever requested to do so by the Warden, make a careful examination of any inmate, and make a written report of his physical and mental condition. 11. Whenever an inmate, in the opinion of the Physician, becomes insane, he shall certify the fact to the Warden, giving his reasons therefor, and make a full statement of the mental and physical condition of the prisoner, together with his opinion as to what disposition should be made of him. 12. When an inmate dies the Physician shall record the cause of death and all the circumstances connected therewith, and as full a history of the previous health of the prisoner as he may be able, and immediately report the information to the Warden. 13. When the Physician considers it necessary, or when requested by the Warden, to make a post‐morten examination of the body of a deceased inmate, he shall do so within twenty‐four hours thereafter, if possible, and shall immediately make a written report of the result of his examination to the Warden as to the cause of death. He shall also call the coroner of the county whenever he may deem it proper to do so. 14. The Physician may be assigned an assistant to be designated as Assistant Physician and such number of nurses as may be necessary to properly care for the sick. Such Assistant Physician shall be selected by the Warden with the approval of the Physician, and shall carry out in full the Physician’s orders in the care of the sick. 15. He shall keep such books, and in such form as may be ordered by the Board of Control and by the Warden. 16. He shall report in writing to the Warden for the information of the Board of Control at its monthly meeting, the patients received into the hospital or treated in the cells or elsewhere during the preceding month, stating their respective ages, diseases, previous occupations in prison, the time they have remained in the hospital or cells, the date of commencement and termination of treatment, and number of days during which such patients, in consequence of sickness, have been relieved from labor. Also the death and cause thereof, transfers to Insane Asylums and such other facts, with recommendations, as he desires to submit. 17. At the close of each biennial period the Physician shall make a report to the Board of Control as to the sanitary condition of the prison during the biennial period just passed, in which he shall present, in summarized form, all information included in his daily and monthly reports. The Physician will be responsible for all instruments and supplies in his department.

[Hospital Cell and Life Prisoner]

Hospital Cell and Life Prisoner

[Prisoner’s Exercise Drill on Sunday]

Prisoner’s Exercise Drill on Sunday

[Hospital Cells, Prison Doctor and Inmates]

Hospital Cells, Prison Doctor and Inmates

HALLUCINATIONS OF A FEW PRISONERS

Like all other penitentiaries, the Minnesota State Prison contains its quota of inmates who are slightly demented, or who have periodical fits of hallucinations. When these unfortunates give oral demonstrations in the evening after the prisoners have retired and all is quiet for the night they furnish considerable amusement. Their mental state, of course, is deplored by all, and it is only their language that arouses the risibilities of fellow prisoners.

THE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR.

One of these men imagined himself to be an operator in St. Paul; that he had a train going out and one coming in on the same line. He was vigorously tapping away on one of the walls of his cell when a night guard asked him what troubled him. “This,” said the prisoner in all seriousness, “is a telegraph station in St. Paul.” “Well, you had better cut this out and go to bed; the prisoners can’t sleep with all this fuss going on.” “Fuss nothing,” angrily retorted the prisoner, “I’m attending strictly to business! The Governor is on one of those trains and if there is a wreck there will be trouble!”

The captain of the night watch immediately sent for the deputy warden to suppress the “operator,” who, when he arrived, and after a sharp command to be quiet, without glancing up from his “key” ordered the deputy to go away and “not interrupt him.” Of course this rejoinder caused the other inmates to burst out laughing, and no amount of discipline could check their merriment. By this time it was necessary to open the cell door and take the operator bodily from his “key” and transfer him to the observation ward at the solitary. Just as he was relieved from “duty” he shrieked at the deputy, “You will catch h— if those two trains come together!”

THE BEDBUG INCIDENT.

For some unaccountable reason the cellhouse building is infested with bedbugs, notwithstanding the fact that every effort is made to exterminate them. An afflicted prisoner one day stepped up to the deputy warden, respectfully gave the customary military salute, and, with a solemn face that would do credit to a judge about to impose the death penalty, remarked: “Say deputy, I have a complaint to make.” “All right, proceed,” said the deputy. “Well,” continued the prisoner, “there are about five hundred inmates who pass my cell every day going to and from their work and each man throws a bedbug into my cell. This d— foolishness has to be stopped or there will be something doing,” and the man looked as though he meant business. Telling of the incident afterwards, the deputy said that the story was so absurd he could scarcely refrain from laughing.

THE X‐RAY MACHINE.

There was also a prisoner whose particular form of dementia was in imagining that the man in the cell above him persited in turning an X‐ray machine on him, and the imprecations that he would voice every now and then are unprintable. The incident had its laughable side, nevertheless, and an outburst from him was always very amusing.

So, too, were the demonstrations of the man who imagined that he had a river on his back that emptied into his left ear. Every now and then he would exclaim, “Boys, the river is rising,” or that the “river was drying up.” He was absolutely harmless, but a trifle noisy.

IMAGINES HIMSELF PRESIDENT.

At present there is a life prisoner confined in the Minnesota State Prison who constantly imagines himself the President of the United States. He is a Russian, was considered quite harmless until a few years ago, when he threatened to kill the deputy warden, and was removed to the crank department. His conversations were very ludicrous, continually promising the boys who talked with him that “as soon as he was pardoned (which was always soon) he would appoint them” to the various positions at the disposal of the chief executive. As a humorist he was on a par with the inmate who imagines that his cell is full of ghosts. Every now and then this man proceeds to drive out these unwelcome intruders, and swears at them roundly. He becomes very noisy during this driving out process and the night guards frequently command him to desist. When assured that the ghosts are all out of his cell he remains quiet the rest of the evening. These spells occur frequently, and there is little question but that the man really believes that ghosts are in his cell.

PRISON HUMOR.

Several years ago there was an inmate in the Stillwater penitentiary who unconsciously perpetrated one of the best jokes that had been heard at the institution for some time. He was a German and a hard‐working carpenter by trade. He was honest to a fault and led a model life while on the outside. The crime for which he was sentenced was assault on a fellow workman, and for this offense he received a two‐year sentence at the Stillwater penitentiary. He was immediately put to work for the Minnesota Thresher Co., being assigned work in one of the carpenter shops. One day he forgot to take his plug of chewing tobacco with him to the shop, having left it laying on the small table in his cell. That evening when he came in from work he found the plug of tobacco missing. He at once began calling for one of the night guards, and on that gentleman’s arrival the prisoner remarked:

“Say, Mr. Guard, dere must pe thieves in dis here blace. Mine tobacco’s she was gone, und I harms noboddies. I dink ve petter send for dere bolicemans und catch sum uf dem rascals.”

The foregoing story is absolutely authentic, and was told again and again by the prisoners who appreciate a good joke as keenly as their free brothers. It also brings out rather forcibly the fact that, notwithstanding the man was in prison, he was still honest.

THE VERSATILE PRISONER.

It is quite generally known that the prisoners at the Minnesota state prison are prohibited from talking, and what conversation there is, generally takes place on a holiday or is permitted in cases where their work makes talking necessary. One day there was committed to the prison a man who was proficient in a dozen different languages. The deputy warden was examining the man as to his birth, nationality, religion, etc., and when he asked the prisoner his nationality he replied that he could talk in several different languages. “Hump,” grunted the deputy, “we talk English here and d— little of that.”

CAPT. “JACK” CRAWFORD’S JOKE ON THE GUARDS.

Several years ago the poet‐scout, Capt. “Jack” Crawford, delivered a lecture in the prison chapel to the inmates. In passing it is well to state that this well‐known lecturer makes it a point to visit the various penal and charitable institutions throughout the country free of charge, hence his friendly call at the Stillwater prison.

During the course of Mr. Crawford’s remarks he paused in his discourse and said: “Men, I heartily sympathize with you for being in the unfortunate condition you are, but (and the speaker pointed his hands at each side of the room where the guards were stationed) if these high‐toned gentlemen in blue uniforms were dressed in the same clothes you are and placed among you, why I couldn’t tell the difference between you!”

This unintentional joke at the guards caused a great deal of applause, but when Mr. Crawford’s remarks are examined by cold, logic, it will be found that he simply told the truth and that the dissimilarity is a question of clothes and nothing else.

FEEDING THE DONKEYS.

When the prison band was first organized the inmate musicians made a noise that was something indescribable. It sounded like a sawmill blowing up, or a handsaw striking a 60‐penny spike. One day one of the highly‐strung nervous chaps went up to the deputy warden and asked permission to buy a bale of hay.

“What do you want hay for?” asked the deputy.

“Why,” replied the prisoner, “I would like to present a bale of hay to those jackasses in the park who are making all that confounded noise.”

TRICKS OF PRISONERS WHO SHAM ILLNESS

A prison is not an admirable place for those disinclined to work. A man occasionally succeeds in hoodwinking the authorities for a time, but this rarely occurs. Whenever there is a reasonable doubt the prisoner is given the benefit of it. A case in particular is that of one Mr. B., who complained that the entire lower part of his body was paralyzed and that he was unable to walk. He was given a pair of crutches and put in the hospital ward, where he lived well, his wants supplied by the attendants and where he had absolutely nothing to do. The doctors suspected that he was faking and secretly applied tests to verify their belief. Evidently the man was on his guard and fully acquainted with the various modes of procedure in such cases, for he stood the tests unflinchingly.

Finally Warden Wolfer took his case under personal charge and evolved a plan that the clever prisoner had not figured on as one of the possibilities of detection. The strategy was this: A newly‐appointed guard was dressed in a third‐grade suit of convict clothes on the day when the prisoners in the crank department were given their weekly shave. Mr. B. was sitting on the bench waiting to be shaved. The deputy warden stepped into the room with the alleged third‐grade prisoner and gruffly ordered him to be seated, then turned to the barber and told him to shave the third‐grade man next, as he was in a hurry. Not an inkling of suspicion flashed across Mr. B.’s brain. In the door leading into this ward a small peep‐hole is arranged, enabling the guard to look into the room without entering. The warden was stationed behind this door to observe the results of this scheme. As the third‐grade “prisoner” sat down to be shaved he suddenly seized one of the barber’s razors, and, with a whoop, jumped out of the chair and made for the “helpless” Mr. B., who immediately cast aside his crutches and rushed down the corridor to escape from the supposed demented “prisoner.” The fact that his legs were paralyzed and that he was acting a part was entirely forgotten.

At this stage of the proceedings the warden entered the room and informed the crestfallen Mr. B. that the comedy was over. At first he was inclined to continue the paralytic roll, but when informed that he had the option of going to work or taking an indefinite stay on a bread‐and‐water diet he wisely chose the first alternative, and for the remainder of his term gave no more trouble.

Another case of shirking is that of Mr. M., who is a life prisoner and who has spent over a quarter of a century behind the bars of Minnesota’s famous penal institution. He insisted that something was wrong with his limbs and that he could not walk; that he needed the assistance of crutches, but one night one of the nurses observed him walking back and forth in his cell, evidently taking a needed constitutional. He was sent to work in a few days and is today walking as successfully as ever. He employed this deception for many years.

A “HORSE” ON THE PRISON PHYSICIAN.

Some time ago there arrived at the prison a man who appeared to be, as far as visible appearances were concerned, a chronic sufferer from epileptic fits. On the day he entered prison he had two of these fits, and almost every day thereafter they occurred with surprising frequency. The assistant physician was always called on these occasions, but could do nothing for the sufferer, he being thoroughly convinced that the fits were the real article. The prisoner was given an easy position in the cellhouse, as it was considered too dangerous to have him working in the shops alongside of the machines, belting, etc.

Finally, however, this easy job began to pall on the epileptic prisoner’s nerves; and he asked the deputy warden to be transferred to the shops. “I can’t do it,” said the deputy, “as it would be against the physician’s orders to change your work.”