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Page: of 627
130 MARCH 18, 1865 NEVADA GAZETTE
own account, and produced many fancy articles creditable to their skill and taste for sale to visitors—
among them wonder bridles with reins plaited from the queues of the Chinese convicts, which were
invariably cut off when their wearers entered the prison, and picked up and turned to useful and profitable
account by the quick-fingered greasers who always abound in penal establishments on this coast.
The worst thing about the prison, so far as we could see, was the insufficiency of the buildings—
five hundred men, of whom some fifteen or twenty were desperate characters, and had to be confined
separately, were locked up at night in two small buildings, of scarce capacity enough for the proper
keeping of fifty; and this promiscuous and unrestrained association of depraved characters was not only
conducive to degraded practices, but enabled the prisoners to plot in perfect security and with a great
degree of certainty those periodical outbreaks in which they were prone to engage occasionally; and the
opportunity and disposition to break out were further aided and encouraged by the idleness constantly
allowed to four-fifths of the convicts, except when they chose to employ themselves.
But since that time other reforms have been introduced, insomuch that were Colonel Snowden and
his fellow prison officers of 1861 to look in upon the institution now they would hardly recognize it as
the same which commenced the march of improvement under their management. Two new buildings
have been erected, each three stories high, 175 feet 10 inches in length, and 22 feet 11 inches in width,
containing 198 cells, making altogether 396 new single cells, which will be ready for occupation on the
Ist of April. These buildings have cost the State $66,484, and are well worth every dollar of the money.
They are strongly constructed and conveniently arranged.
Next, out of 604 prisoners in the institution 393, or more than two-thirds of those capable of
working, are constantly employed under contract as shoemakers, tailors, coopers, brick-makers, etc.,
earning about a third part of the gross expenses of the prison—perhaps in favorable seasons more
than one-half. This employment, as a recent visitor testifies, “keeps them out of mischief, lessens the
monotony of their confinement, prevents the demoralizing effects of idleness, and fits them for habits
of honest industry on going again into the world.” It is profitable to the employed, doubtless, even more
than to the contractors, some of whom complain that they make nothing from convict labor, even at thirty
cents per diem.
But the most effective reform of all in promoting good conduct among the prisoners, is the
commutation law passed by the last Legislature, which entitles them to a deduction of five days from the
term of imprisonment for every month of good behavior. The excellent effects of the law, which went into
operation in April last, are already visible. From the most beetle-headed Chinaman up to the polished
villain, all are anxious to shorten the period of their confinement, and at the end of it obtain a full pardon,
which is generally extended in approved cases. Cases of refractory behavior are now rare; and the number
of pardons latterly issued by the Governor show that the endeavor to behave in such a manner as to win
the approbation of their guardian officers is general among the prisoners, and very successful. Under its
present management the State Prison comes nearer being a reformatory institution than it has ever been
before.
THE MISSING MAN FOUND.—JJ. S.] Baldwin, the man who so mysteriously disappeared from
Dayton, Nevada, a few days ago, was found lately in the Truckee Meadows, near Stone & Gates’s ranch,
and brought to Virginia [City]. When found his feet were pretty badly frozen. It is supposed that in a fit of
temporary insanity he strayed away from home.
VEGETABLES.—At this season of the year everybody wants vegetables, and of course people want
to know where they can find a good variety at reasonable prices. August Lademan, Commercial street,
just above Keeney’s hardware store, receives daily supplies of the finest vegetables to be found in this
market. Don’t take our word for it, but go and see for yourselves.