18

HELL IN NEBRASKA

tendent. My friend Gus is a thorough farm manager and had it not been for his skill there would not have been much of a corn crop this year. Third is Mr. William Hepfinger, a mighty good fellow and an inventor of several labor saving devices. Fourth is Bryan Miller, formerly scout in the Philippines; for several nights he scouted around Subig Bay at the risk of losing his life to locate the insurrectos. Fifth is Frank Knopfke, also a former soldier. Third row from left to right standing: Mr. J. M. Griffin, keeper of Factory "B," the largest shop within the walls, employing over one hundred men; second is Mr. F. McWilliams, the man in the uniform; third is Mr. James McNeil, keeper of Factory "A"; fourth is Walter Schroeder, the traveling detective of the prison; fifth is Mr. L. E. Johnson, dining room superintendent. Mr. Johnson has done much hard work to have the inmates' meals properly prepared and served. He has also added many new dishes to the

HELL IN NEBRASKA

19

bill of fare. He believes that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," and keeps the big dining room as clean as a pin. Next to him is Mr. Cook, keeper of factory "F," where the fancy little whisk brooms are made; last in the row stands Mr. James O'Connell, chief accountant of the prison. Fourth row standing up against the wall are Chaplain P. C. Johnson of von Werner escape fame; second, Warden Wm. T. Fenton, and next to him, stands his able deputy, Doctor N. T. Harmon; fourth, the tallest man. in Lancaster, is C. L. Stephens, who is so tall that he can look into the second tier of cells in the cell building from the ground floor; next to him is Mr. Herndon, also a Philippine soldier, a brave young man and a fine fellow; and next comes Mr. Patrick Sullivan, deputy yardmaster of the penitentiary.

Why the prison was built in a hole in the ground instead of on the hillside to the south is more than I can explain. So low is the present location that in times of flood

20

HELL IN NEBRASKA

the basement has been filled with water and the prison was inaccessible except in boats.

The administration building is a three and one-half story structure from which extend two large buildings, called the east and west cell buildings respectively, both of which face the public road. From his prison cell the lonely convict sees the merry crowd pass to and from the little park a mile west of the prison called the "Beer Garden"; girls and boys leaving the beer garden in the early morning hours are usually feeling happy and serenade the convict in his cell as they pass by, and he in return lets out a yell that can be heard a mile away. Learned linguists differ somewhat on the meaning of this yell. some translate it into: "Never mind, some day I will be there too," while others say that it means: "Oh, if I only had a girl like you."

A tall wall extends from the cell building to the south. It is a gray and gloomy old wall and serves to keep those in who would

 

HELL IN NEBRASKA

21

like to get out, and to prevent anyone from breaking into the penitentiary. Several snakes make their home here in the old wall, while on top of it are six towers, in each of which sits a guard with a loaded rifle. There is a big gate in the east wall, and in the tower above it sits a crackshot of the prison, Colonel Jack Jenkins, with his hand on his rifle, ever ready for business. At the gate stands another official Mr. Frank Morse, who carefully inspects each incoming and outgoing wagon and searches all the "Trusties" who pass through the gate. Due to his vigilance no one attempts to smuggle contraband, such as guns or "dope," into the prison by this route.

To the north of the prison is a garden, where trusty prisoners raise large quantities of vegetables for the inmates' kitchen. There is also an orchard, but it is like the prison, located on too low ground and is a failure so far as fruit is concerned, for it produces only sufficient fruit in a season to

Prior Page

Table of Contents

Next Page