REPORT ON MILITARY PRISON, FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UNITED STATES MILITARY PRISON, To the ADJUTANT-GENERAL, UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C.: (Through headquarters Department of the Missouri, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.) SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith annual reports of the quartermaster, surgeon, and chaplain connected with the prison for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881. I also inclose a tabular statement of labor performed, prisoners received, discharged, &c. During the past year improvements have been made in and near the prison as exhibited by the following details: Cottage quarters No. 6, three rooms, each 16 by 16 feet, one story, frame. South extension of shop building, first and second story, 24 by 46 feet, brick, and slate roof. A stable connected with the quarters for quartermaster's clerks, 16 by 36 feet, one and one-half story, frame. An addition of one room, 12 by 16 feet, to quarters occupied by the prison farmer. There was also built 1,620 lineal feet of board fence around cottage quarters; and nearly two miles of fencing inclosing the prison farm, and which was destroyed by high water, was rebuilt of old material. An additional set of cottage quarters, No. 7, of four rooms, each 16 by 16 feet, was erected, and is nearly completed." A new floor of hard pine was laid on the first floor of prison building No. 2, dimensions 37 by 97 feet. There has been built 186 feet of prison wall, completing the girth of the prison, making a total of 2,022 feet; 381 feet of coping has been laid thereon. Work in the shops has progressed- very favorably, the only difficulty experienced being in the first quarter, owing to the failure of the Quartermaster's Department to furnish stock in time for the manufacture of boots and shoes, which caused a loss of 233 days' labor in that department. During the year there have been manufactured 34,163 pairs of boots, b. s.; 25,944 pairs of shoes, b. s.; 4,356 corn brooms; 1,656 barrack chairs; 110 chair arms; 110 chair rungs; 220 chair bolts; 1,623 packing boxes for boots, shoes, and harness; and 80 crates for packing chairs. Also 100 complete sets of 4-mule ambulance harness, and 75 complete sets of 6-mule Army-wagon harness. Besides the above-enumerated articles, all doors, sash, &c., as well as the necessary repairs to buildings, &c., were made by prison labor. During the year there has been 2,970 bushels of lime burned and used in the building of wall, prison-building extension, sanitary purposes, &c. In the shoe-shop care has been taken to save all scrap leather, and during the year there has been sold 48,713 pounds, realizing the sum of $2,150.77, which amount has been turned into the United States Treasury on account of miscellaneous receipts. During the past year the prison farm has yielded 2,600 bushels of potatoes, 460 bushels of turnips, 3,900 heads of cabbage, 700 bushels of corn, 176 bushels of onions, 650 bushels of tomatoes, and a quantity of other vegetables for immediate consumption. This year we have under cultivation about 50 acres, planted as follows: 29 acres in potatoes, 12 acres in corn, 3 acres in tomatoes, and 6 acres with a variety of vegetables, such as onions, beets, carrots, parsnips, &c. Owing to the backwardness of the season, and the overflow of the Missouri Biver (which inundated the entire farm), the crops will not be as large as last year, and will be late on account of having to be replanted. The fund of prison earnings has not been increased during the fiscal year, and the sum of $6,730.42 still remains deposited in the First National Bank, Leavenworth, Kans. The work performed for the Quartermaster's Department during the past year has been as follows: 30,241 days' skilled labor, 19,524 days unskilled labor. The following will show the disbursements of funds appropriated for the support of the prison for the fiscal year: For stores, and miscellaneous stores, drainage, disinfectants, &c. 224 67 612 39 $55,910 -0 For apprehension of escaped prisoners... For straw hats for prisoners during summer For hose, tools, materials, &c., for use in shops, repair of trans For tobacco for prisoners. 171 00 738 72 1,275 00 240 00 31 90 3,857 46 399 77 portation, cleaning and repair of machinery For pay of foremen, mechanics, and watchmen For pay of teamsters For pay of clerks.. I wish to call attention to the fact that a considerable portion of the appropriation has been expended in permanent improvements, extension of buildings, &c. The conduct of the prisoners has, on the whole, been very good, but few refractory cases, necessitating severe disciplinary measures, occurring. Sixteen prisoners escaped; ten were recaptured, making a loss of six. The last three prisoners escaping from here did so while being guarded by a detachment of the Nineteenth Infantry. The bealth of the institution, as shown by the inclosed report of the surgeon, has also been very good, considering the crowded condition of the dormitories, but three deaths occurring during the year, one of which was a prisoner, and two enlisted men-Hospital Steward Hartford T. Clarke, U. S. Á., and Private Henry Rottmayer, provost guard, generral service, U. S. A.; cause, pulmonary consumption and acute dysentery. I desire to take this opportunity to acknowledge my sincere thanks to the department commander for his kind encouragement and substantial support which he has extended to me during the past year, and I am sure that whatever success has attended my labors here has been largely due to the aid he has given me in the performance of my duties. It is also gratifying to me to acknowledge my obligations to the dif ferent officers on duty at the prison for the manifest interest they have taken in the performance of their arduous duties, their hearty co-operation, and exemplary conduct. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. P. BLUNT, Brevet Colonel, U. S. Army, Governor. [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army. Brevet Major-General, Commanding. OFFICE OF ACTING ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER, To the GOVERNOR OF UNITED STATES MILITARY PRISON, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.: SIR: I have the honor to report that I have been on duty at this station during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, per Special Orders No. 95, par. 5, dated Headquarters Department of the Missouri, May 14, 1879, and have performed the duties of acting assistant quartermaster and acting commissary of subsistence at this prison per orders No. 15, dated Headquarters United States Military Prison June 6, 1879, I was absent from this station taking a prisoner to the insane asylum at Washington, D. C., per orders No. 68, dated United States Military Prison, Fort Leavenworth, Kans., December 11, 1880, from December 12 to 21. The transportation (horses, mules, wagons, &c.) on hand is all in good condition. During the fiscal year 1,3684 cords of wood purchased and 251 cords received from depot were used for heating purposes and making steam for running machinery; 48,415 pounds of hay were used for prisoners' bedding. There were made at prison tailor-shop, and issued, 319 pair trousers, duck, 71 jackets, duck, and 255 citizens' suits of clothing for discharged prisoners, the material for which was purchased; 202 straw hats, 407 pairs socks, and 255 citizens' hats were purchased and issued. The following clothing and camp and garrison equipage was issued during the year: 59 felt hats; 254 campaign hats; 737 forage caps, old pattern; 18 great coats, mounted, old pattern; 91 great coats, old pattern; 50 great coats, foot, double cape, old pattern; 210 cavalry jackets, privates', old pattern; 165 uniform coats, privates', old pattern; 64 F. S. coats, unlined, old pattern; 1,014 pairs of trousers, foot, made old pattern; 1,726 shirts, flannel; 1,329 pairs of drawers; 3,099 pairs of stockings; 113 pairs of boots, sewed, old pattern; 30 pairs of boots, pegged, old pattern; 153 pairs of boots, B. S., 14 pairs of shoes, sewed, old pattern; 977 pairs of shoes, pegged, old pattern; 259 pairs of shoes, B. S., and 158 blankets, woolen, old pattern. Issued for policing purposes, &c.: 30 axes, 56 ax-helves, 72 pick-ax helves, 3 guard report-books, 34 hospital tent-pins, large, 30 hospital tent-pins, small, 337 corn brooms, and 82 scrubbing brushes. The following number of rations were issued during the year: 40,124 pork, 100,805 beef, 140,929 flour, 73,117 beans, 67,812 rice, 140,929 coffee, 140,929 sugar, 140,929 vinegar, 140,929 soap, 140,929 salt, 140,929 pepper, 836 pounds of tobacco, and for illuminating purposes 1,714 gallons of lard oil; average cost of ration, 13.148 cents. Respectfully submitted. F. L. DODGE, First Lieutenant, Twenty-third Infantry, A. A. Q. M. and A. C. S. OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING SURGEON, UNITED STATES MILITARY PRISON, To the GOVERNOR OF THE MILITARY PRISON: SIR: I have the honor to report that the health of the provost guard and military prisoners has been satisfactory during the past year. On the 7th of June Hospital Steward H. T. Clarke, U. S. A., died after a brief illness, of acute dysentery. Steward Clarke had been on duty at this prison since its establishment. He discharged his duties with fidelity, and was a very deserving man. One death occurred among the members of the provost guard. This soldier died very suddenly of valvular disease of the heart, and had not been on sick report. One prisoner died of fibroid phthisis. This man had long been an invalid, and his discharge was recommended and was ordered; but the order was not received until after his decease. Eleven prisoners have been discharged on certificates of disability during the year. These cases were in all instances incurable, and of such a nature that release from confinement was necessary to prolong life. The diseases of greatest prevalence have been malarial in type and such as are classified generally as catarrhal-either of the respiratory organs or of the alimentary canal. The diet and general hygienic condition of the prisoners are satisfactory. No contagious diseases, excepting a few cases of measles, have prevailed during the year. Liberal supplies of vegetables and other antiscorbutics are available, and are furnished the prisoners habitually. The hospital building is complete in all its appointments, and is large enough to meet the demands upon it. From time to time prisoners are received here in a condition of chronic invalidism, and in such cases I have recommended their discharge, as otherwise the hospital accommodations would be inadequate to meet the demands. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. P. WRIGHT, Surgeon, U. S. Army. Annual report of the chaplain of the United States Military Prison for the year ending June 30, 1881. To the GOVERNOR: SIR: In presenting this my fifth annual report, I have the honor to state that while the prison during the past year has presented few characteristics different from former years, there has been a steady advance in my department, as there certainly has been in all that pertains to the material interests of the institution. In the nature of the case it is even a difficult matter to make a correct estimate as to what has been accomplished in a sphere of labor such as mine, yet there have been cases during the past year which give hope that my labors in behalf of these unfortunate men have not been in vain. At all events, I have striven to do what I could to bring them to a knowledge of "the truth as it is in Jesus," and to point them to Him as the only Savior from sin, from its bondage and power, as well as from its consequences. The gospel is the only instrumentality by which these results can be effected, and by which our depraved natures can be restored to true manhood, and this I have endeavored to present in all its simplicity and power, trusting in divine grace to give it efficacy. It may not be out of place in this my last report to take a brief survey of what has been accomplished during the period of my connection with the prison. When I entered upon my duties, I found that while the spiritual interests of the prisoners had not been entirely neglected, there was no systematized efforts in their behalf. The work before me was new, and there were many obstacles in the way of inaugurating such a system of labor as I desired. There was no chapel in connection with the prison, in fact for nearly three years not even a suitable place in which to conduct religious services. The attendance was comparatively small, and the interest manifested by no means encouraging. Now we have a comfortable and commodious place of worship, and the attendance is very gratifying, nearly one-fourth of the men being habitually present on the Sabbath, and constituting as respectful and interested a congregation as can be found anywhere. Until a year ago we had no library worthy of the name. Now we have a library of nearly 800 carefully selected volumes, embracing almost every department of literature. The books are eagerly sought after by the men, and of course cannot but exercise a salutary influence over them. Although we have not as yet been able to organize a school, still the work of education among the prisoners is not entirely neglected, text books and writing material being furnished to those who desire them, while competent instructors from their own numbers, are readily found to assist those who are desirous of learning. And now, after nearly five years of service here, my connection with this institution is about to cease. I am deeply sensible of the imperfect manner in which I have discharged my duties, yet I can say with truth that there has been no intentional neglect of duty at any time. My labors and associations have been, in the main, pleasant. Whatever has been otherwise shall be forgotten, while the many kindnesses received from yourself and my brother officers shall be cherished as among the most pleasant memories of my life. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. D. MITCHELL, Chaplain. |