We have used largely of disinfectants, and shall be compelled to continue to use them, unless some method of sewerage is devised by which the refuse of the prison can be drained off and not allowed to saturate the yard. The warden has had a wagon constructed by which all the excrements are hauled away to a point below our water supply, yet with all the care and vigilance of the officers in this regard a large amount of refuse and excrement, with vegetable and animal matter, are left to decompose, and are finally washed into Buffalo creek above our water supply. This is a matter of vital interest to this institution, both as regards expense and endangering the lives of the convicts and all those other persons necessarily employed in the institution. We therefore hope that immediate action may be taken, so that before another hot season we shall have abundant sewerage and the convicts and others be compelled to inhale the noxious emanations no longer. With many regards, I submit this report for your consideration. LYMAN J. ADAIR, Physician. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. ADDITIONAL PENITENTIARY, HON. A. E. MARTIN, Warden Additional Penitentiary: SIR-The following brief report is respectfully submitted. Within the past year and a-half we have added 300 books to our prison library, now giving us a library of 700 volumes of standard works from our best authors. We have received donations of papers and magazines from friends outside, for which I hope they will accept our thanks. The books and papers are distributed each week, so our men are well supplied with reading matter. We have received for library $731.70; spent on library and organ $676.86, which with the balance-$118.92 on hand October 1st, 1877, makes a total of $173.77, as present balance. In spring and early summer, for a short time, I taught reading, spelling and writing; but as there was work for the men during the hours of the day and as we have no conveniences for holding an evening-school, teaching was discontinued. In May last, our chapel was finished and furnished, and dedicatory services held, in which all the clergy of the city kindly assisted. We now have a very pleasant room, in which to hold religious services. In purchasing a chapel organ we have added to the attractions of the place. Our Sunday-school has increased both in numbers and interest. Our Sunday-school teachers are faithful in the discharge of their duties, and although they may not be able to see the result of their labors eternity alone can tell the good they are doing in sowing the good seed of God's own word. The work is ours; the results are with One higher than man. Of the moral and religious condition of the men, I can only say I think some are quietly and earnestly trying to do better-are being governed by better and higher motives than they have been in the past. We can only wait and see if their daily lives prove the truth of this statement. I take great pleasure in adding that the convicts are invariably kind and courteous to me, for which I am grateful indeed; also for the uniform kindness of the officers and guards connected with the prison. I hope you will accept my warmest thanks for all that has been done to render my work pleasant. Very respectfully, ANNA C. MERRILL, Teacher and Librarian. TURNKEY'S REPORT. TURNKEY'S OFFICE, ADDITIONAL PENITENTIARY, IOWA, September 30th, 1879. HON. A. E. MARTIN, Warden: SIR-I herewith hand you my biennial report of the moneys received from visitors, and the products of the garden since my last report (September 30th, 1879), which is respectfully submitted. Cash received from visitors... QUANTITY. 111 bushels.. 44 bushels. 10569 heads.. 62 bushels. 1075 heads.. 2400 heads.. 4311 dozen 19 bushels. 5300 heads.. 5 bushels. 1326 bushels. 750 dozen.. 55 barrels. 451 heads. 214 bushels. 188 bushels. 216.... Total value... LEWIS KINSEY, Turnkey. GATE RECEIPTS. GARDEN PRODUCE. $731.70 |