ized a great deal by the citizens of the county in hauling coal from the Penitentiary, and in my judgment it has been a good investment for the State. The Legislature, at their extra session in 1884, made an appropriation to build water works. I now have the satisfaction of reporting to you the completion of the same except the top course of stone, which should be completed by all means. The works are in successful operation, and the supply of water is ample. Col. W. C. Jones, the former Warden, deserves great credit in causing the work to be done in such a substantial manner; it is first-class in every respect; the works are and will be a monument to the wisdom of the Legislature in making provisions for building the same. I also desire to call your attention to the report of the Superintendent of Mines, especially that part where he speaks of the completion of the walls around the coal shaft. It is absolutely dangerous, working as we do from 250 to 300 men in the coal mine outside of the walls. A break would result in the loss of several lives, and perhaps the escape of several convicts. The walls can be built next summer with the surplus labor, and at a small cost to the State. The main walls are rapidly being ruined by the action of the rain and frost, on account of the walls not being capped. Unless they are capped soon, we will be compelled when it is done to take down at least one-half the walls, as the action of the frost is disintegrating the stone, and they are fast crumbling and falling away. An appropriation of $5,000 would cap the entire wall, and complete the wall around the coal shaft, and I would recommend an appropriation of that amount out of the net earnings of the prison. I can only estimate as to the earnings and expenses for the balance of this year, but taking the last six months as a basis, we will be able to show a surplus of not less than $45,000, and perhaps more. The Legislature at their session last winter made an appropriation to purchase a farm adjoining the Penitentiary. The farm was purchased in the spring. Immediately after taking charge of the prison on the first of May, I proceeded to put as much of the farm under cultivation as possible with our limited means, there being no appropriation for farming implements, seed, etc. I have the satisfaction of reporting as a result of our farming, that we raised 3,000 bushels of potatoes, and all the green corn that we used during the summer, and harvested about 40 tons of hay. We have sown to grass about 40 acres, and have about 60 acres ready for cultivation in the spring. The balance is used for pasture. The Legislature did a very wise thing in buying the farm, as it is located near our coal shaft, and the royalty on the coal would have cost the State more than was paid for the land, including the coal. Land adjoining the coal shaft is increasing very rapidly in value, and it certainly would be wise for the State to secure as much as possible, especially land on which the State has no coal lease, while it can be procured at reasonable prices. In closing my report I desire to mention the able assistance I have received from my deputy, John Higgins, and think you were fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Endsley Jones as Clerk of your Board and the Chief Clerk of the Penitentiary. I also desire to mention the able assistance I have always received from the Physician, Dr. Nealley, and the Chaplain, Rev. W. A. Crawford. The success of the mine is largely due to the untiring efforts of O. F. Lamm, Superintendent of Mines, who is not only a practical miner, but a very fine mining (civil) engineer as well as a practical mechanic. In fact, every person connected with the institution deserves special mention. Thanking you, gentlemen, for your uniform kindness, advice, and forbearance, I am very respectfully, JOHN H. SMITH, Warden. REPORT OF MINE SUPERINTENDENT. Hon. Board of Directors and Warden Kansas State Penitentiary GENTLEMEN: I would respectfully call your attention to the fact that there is great danger in taking the convicts that work in the coal mine to and from their work. The shafts are located outside of the main yard of the prison, and the wall that was intended to inclose the shaft buildings is unfinished. If this wall was finished we could use the building at the shaft for the men to wash and change their clothes in. As it is, we are obliged to bring the men out in small parties at one time, and take them in again in the same manner, using an old shed that is in the yard to wash and change in. It was intended to construct a coal house in the northeast angle of this wall for the purpose of storing coal for the wagon trade, and for prison use. The completion of this coal house would be a great benefit, as it frequently occurs that the railroad company is unable to supply sufficient cars to hold all the product of the mine. On such days this coal house could receive the output. Besides, this would enable us to keep a month's supply of coal on hand for the Penitentiary use. At present there is very small storage-room for coal. If an accident should occur at the mine to stop the output, the Penitentiary would be obliged to buy coal inside of one week. The amount required to complete this work is $3,000, including the completion of the walls. Respectfully submitted. OSCAR F. LAMM, Superintendent. COAL SHAFT, January 1, 1886. |