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HELL IN NEBRASKA

There is a standing army of thirty-five men called guards by outsiders, and "screws" by the inmates. Where or how the latter name originated I do not know, but it is used in all prisons. The army has its headquarters in a large dormitory over the chapel where it sleeps on its arms, ready for service in case there should be a revolution in the kingdom. Assistant Deputy Warden Kavanaugh is the major general of this army and Doctor G. E. Williams is the surgeon general. Several famous sharpshooters serve in this army, such as Colonel Jack Jenkins, Colonel Frank Morse, and Mr. Henry Evans. I should not like to be the target for any of these three gentlemen, for when they shoot they never miss their mark. Mr. Evans has been connected with the prison for several years, and under several wardens. He has also served with General Lawton in the Philippines where he established a reputation as a daring soldier and a crack shot. He also displayed great bravery on the day of

 
 
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the outbreak, of which I shall tell you later. Mr. B. Pendarvis has also seen service under several administrations and has proven himself to be. a successful prison man. Mr. Chas. Berry is the oldest on the prison roll, having served for over twenty years; he is in charge of factory "C." He is a gentleman, and the right kind of a man for a public institution.

The safety of the prison at night is in the hands of Mr. J. Boyd, for many years police officer, and formerly special police of the worlds fair at Philadelphia. Mr. Boyd is well acquainted with many crooks of international reputation.

It is much to be regretted that the prison is compelled to furnish electric light for several other public institutions, for while these are lighted in splendid grandeur at all times of the night, the prison itself is short of lights at night, while it really should be well supplied with lights, that anyone approaching the prison could be seen. For what few

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HELL IN NEBRASKA
 

lights there are now, credit is due to former Warden Melick, who upon taking office saw at a glance the importance of lights in front of the prison.

On the following page I present to my reader a photo of many members of the new administration: Reading from left to right they are as follows: Mr. A. Cavanaro, a splendid, clean-cut, young officer who knows well how to handle men and is well liked by the inmates. The second gentleman is David Kopf, manager of the guard's dining room. Third is Louis Spelts, deputy steward. Fourth is Charles Berry; and next to him is Colonel Frank Morse, who has seen service also at the Iowa Penitentiary. Mr. Albert Werner is the sixth; he is the deputy farm superintendent, and expert on raising beans. If it had not been for the drouth he would have had a splendid crop of beans. Reading from left to right, second row, sitting down, are: first, William J. Fenton, turnkey; second, Mr. Gus Buchholz, farm superin-

 
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WARDEN FENTON AND HIS MEN