The following are most in demand: Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons, Pilgrim’s Progress, Fox’s Book of Martyrs, The Kingdom of God, Divine Healing of Soul and Body, Grace of Healing, Boy’s Companion, and Letters for Our Girls—the last being in demand by the female inmates, there being twenty-seven white and colored of them. Many books on tobacco and its effects were also issued to the inmates above named. The books are a part of the Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company’s donation. From close observation of the readers of all this admirable literature the good results are carefully and conscientiously given as follows: Mothers’ Counsel to Their Sons is in constant and steady demand from young men to the “manor-born” of West Virginia. They are a unique, original, and reverent body of criminals. Far too many are illiterate, possessed of high, lofty, and impulsive dispositions, their very souls throbbing with vitality, their eyes beaming with inspiration, doubtless inspired with the magnificent scenery of their native and well-beloved state. Their hearts and minds seem to expand with the thought ever present with them, “Mountaineers will ever be free.” While restraint is irksome to them, they are, however, sensitively susceptible to kind treatment. They love their mountain homes and hearth-stones and cherish with fond remembrance the parents at home, and they are keen to read literature that brings these close to their prison home.
Pilgrim’s Progress is called for by older inmates from other states, white and colored alike, and also those from foreign lands, some of whom have enjoyed the benefit of early home religious training or have been picked up during their wanderings around the world and about the country. They seem to get much good from their reading of John Bunyan, his temptations, trials, and triumphs. All of these men continue in their demand for Gospel Trumpet literature until they have read all of the different volumes of the donation. A marked and decided improvement is noted in the good discipline and the attendance at religious services of all of the readers of good literature and the warden and guards are pleased with their exemplary behavior. The warden has found it convenient to stop altogether the issue of tobacco to the inmates, doubtless accounted for by readers of “Tobacco and Its Effects,” who are now non-users of the weed. It is to be hoped that the contractors do not issue to their employees as much tobacco as heretofore. May the use of it grow less until in as well as out of prison its use may be entirely eliminated.
RULES TO BE OBSERVED BY PRISONERS WHEN USING THE LIBRARY.
Rule 1st. Upon entering the library prisoners must promptly remove their caps and go to their seats in a quiet manner.
Rule 2d. Chewing tobacco, smoking, or spitting on the floor is strictly forbidden.
Rule 3d. Books, papers, or stationery required by any prisoner can be had by raising the hand and asking the librarian or teacher.
Rule 4th. Undivided attention must be given to the teacher; his instructions promptly and respectfully obeyed, and the whole time of the prisoner who is learning must be devoted to study.
Rule 5th. Books, magazines, and papers will be issued for not longer than one week. Care must be exercised not to mark, tear, or mutilate them in any way.
Rule 6th. Should a violation of any of these rules result in a prisoner being reported for punishment, he will be black-listed, and denied the privilege of school or library.
Rule 7th. The privilege of the library will be given to prisoners of exemplary record, where they will have free access to books, magazines, and papers, after working hours.