Iowa
Old Press
The Anamosa Prison Press
Anamosa, Jones co. Iowa
May 14, 1904
Officer Noel returned to duty this morning from a ten days'
vacation spent at his old home in Dubuque.
Parker, of the Tub factory, went to the Hospital Monday to linger
until his left hand recovers from coming in contact with a
head-saw.
Wilson 4933, one of the hoopers in the Tub factory, had the index
finger of his left hand crushed this morning, necessitating a
trip to the Dispensary.
Mr. Niles of the American Cooperage Company has given the
Greenhouse boys a goldfish to put in their fountain. Martin has
named the fish "Radium."
Guard post changes: Officer Owen from Southeast Tower to mailing
clerk in Deputy's office vice Officer Patterson to Ward Six.
Officer Reed to the Southeast Tower.
Officer Hamaker was called to the parental home in Areola, Ill.,
Tuesday evening by the death of his aged father. Officer Bradley
is in charge of the Tailorshop pending Mr. Hamaker's return.
Roberts, 4867, went out Wednesday morning, accompanied by
Hospital Steward Kratochvil. His destination was State Hospital,
Independence. Roberts's time was up May 2, but no one is ever
discharged from the Insane wards. Hence the transfer.
Officer Thos. King was quite badly injured Sunday morning as a
result of a fall over a bench in the Sixth Ward, necessitating
his removal next day to his home in Monticello. Mr. King long
since passed the allotted three score years and it is difficult
to diagnose his injuries. We are pleased to report that he is
improving.
Rev. Dr. Glanville before leaving for his new pastorate in West
Pullman, Ill., wished to call and take leave of the Detained, but
was prevented by much business. He sent word, however, that he
very much enjoyed the friendly relations which he has had with us
and appreciates the cordiality with which his visits to our
Colony has been marked.
H. R. Churchill, the young Cornell College graduate who has been
stenographer for the Warden since August, 1901, is succeeded by
Marble E. Stone, of Charles City. Mr. Churchill left this morning
for New Brighton, Pa., to begin his new duties with the Damascus
Steel Company, the same organization with which Frank Heald is
associated and which is manufacturing a new high-grade steel
alter the patent of S. R. Dawson, formerly one of the Detained.
The Damascus Steel Company is rapidlv forging to the front, so to
speak, and Mr. Churchill's name stands likely to become linked
with a business which is destined to make the "
Damascus" brand of steel known wherever steelcutting tools
are employed. With a bright young attorney, Frank Heald, to
school him in keeping his "fingers out of the fire,"
Mr. Churchill may some day be as worldfamous a steel magnate as
Carnegie, with the firm name reading, —DAWSON, HEALD,
CHURCHILL, in which case our Colony will come in for a bit of
deserved glory for having given to the world so powerful a
combination.
One of the arrivals this week is under sentence of death.
This cold, windy weather has its compensations. One is not told
every little while that "it is a fine day."
Smith 5174, employed in the Kitchen, patronized Hospital Steward
Kratochvil's repair-shop yesterday as a result of getting a hand
and a foot in hot water.
Late Arrivals
5214, Charles Rocker, Lyon county, death.
5215, N. E. Carnal, Tama county two years.
[transcribed by S.F., June 2010]
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The Anamosa Prison Press
Anamosa, Jones co. Iowa
May 28, 1904
Officer Hamaker returned to his old post in the Tailor-shop
Wednesday morning.
Officer Connor of the Quarry force has been looking after things
in Wards One and Two this week.
Chaplain Pickworth attended the Episcopal convention in Des
Moines this week, returning Thursday evening.
Superintendent Fife and carpenters have been working on the new
dining-room at the Quarry this week. The building is nearing
completion.
The Honorable Board of Control accompanied by State Architect
Liebbe were guests of our Colony yesterday on their regular tour
of inspection.
Old reliable Linn county signified its wish to keep our Colony
population from going down by contributing five last night. Not
to be outdone, staid Chickasaw county sent us five too at the
same time.
Doyle and Studer of the Blacksmithshop are competing for honors
in an inventing contest. To date honors are evenly divided.
Doyle's cold-air tan and automatic shoe-polishing apparatus are
offset by Studer's combination hand-tool on which he expects a
patent. From the layman's standpoint Doyle's shoe-polishing
dingus is worthy a place of honor at the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition. It can be used for most any old thing, from keeping a
door ajar to cracking walnuts, or beating carpets. It will have
to be seen to be appreciated.
Studer 4555, our village blacksmith has invented a new
combination hand-tool for which he has applied for a patent. The
model is a tool of about ten inches in length. It consists of two
parts, jointed at one end to form a pair of nippers, such as a
blacksmith uses to draw or nip off nails with when shoeing
horses. The handles of the nippers are formed into corrugated
jaws for handling pipe or round stock. From the end of one of the
jaws a screwdriver projects (say) half and inch. It is a tool
that mechanics of all kinds, including electricians, now use as
three separate tools. It has been shown to several good
machinists tor their opinion and all advised Studer to take out a
patent saying such a tool would find a ready sale.
Obituary
Another sad accident, which resulted in the death of Edwy Surber,
5120, at 2:30 P. M. Wednesday occurred at 10:30 A. M. of the 25th
inst. Surber was engaged at the time with the foreman of derricks
replacing a stone that had been displaced on the turret on the
northwest corner of the North Cellhouse. The light piece of pine
he was using to support himself and the stone broke,
precipitating him to the top of the wall some thirty feet below.
Officer Edwards who is stationed in the tower at that point
witnessed the fall and quickly jumped to Surber's assistance to
prevent him going to the ground forty feet farther down.
Assistance was quickly summoned. Witn the aid of a stretcher and
ropes, he was lowered to the yard. His right arm was broken and
splintered so badly the bones protruded through the flesh.
Otherwise except for the death-pallor in his face there were no
outward indications of serious injury. If he was in pain he bore
his suffering with remarkable nerve, remaining conscious for the
three hours he lived and even smiling in recognition of those
around him. Prison Physician Druet assisted by Hospital Steward
Kratochvil held a postmortem examination and found that Surber's
death was due to hemorrhage of the mesenteric artery. The body
was interred in the Colony cemetery. Edwy Surber was a young man
26 years of age. He was received in November, 1903, from Sac
county, to serve two years.
Late Arrivals
5219, Frank Gunn, Linn county, four years.
5220, Harvey Kamp, Linn county, four years.
5221, Gilbert Hill, Linn county, four years.
5222, Frank Gordon, Linn county, four years.
5223, Paul Roberts, Linn county, five years.
5224, Harry Vestby, Chickasaw county, five years.
5225, William Warren, Chickasaw county, five years.
5226, Fred Cook, Chickasaw county, five years.
5227, Thomas O'Neill, Chickasaw county, five years.
5228, Anthony Dusman, Chickasaw county, two years and six months.
[transcribed by S.F., June 2010]