The position of warden of the Minnesota state prison is no sinecure, for that presiding officer is one of the busiest men in the state. The business connected with the twine plant, conducted almost entirely on a mail-order basis, is colossal in itself, there being nearly fifteen million pounds to be disposed of each year. In addition to this important item the task of maintaining peace and harmony among the officers, guards, employes and the (at present) seven hundred prisoners assumes monumental proportions. However, Mr. Wolfer has succeeded in performing this gigantic labor for all concerned year in and year out with rare tact and good judgment.
For comparative purposes, the expenses ten years ago, with a population of 504 prisoners, exceeded the earnings by $35,285.04, whereas the earnings for 1906-7 were $329,735.70, a remarkable showing indeed and speaking well for the executive ability of the present management.
Warden Wolfer is an excellent type of the successful self-made man. From a guard in his youth at the Joliet (Ill.) penitentiary and later in charge of the Detroit House of Correction, he was enabled to accept the wardenship of the Stillwater, Minnesota, institution.
There are several assistants employed in the executive department, where the method of conducting the business of the prison is thoroughly systematized and the organization is as nearly perfect as possible. The warden is at all times in touch with every detail of the institution and all correspondence of the prison, of whatsoever nature, passes through his hands for final disposition. He makes a trip each day through the various departments, morning and afternoon, to personally ascertain that everything is in proper order. This watchfulness produces good results; for instance, a short time ago he [pg 33] [pg 34] [pg 35] found a guard in the act of assaulting a prisoner and immediately discharged him. Again, he overheard a guard using extremely abusive language toward a prisoner and reduced his salary in consequence. As all such offenses are posted on a bulletin board just outside of the warden's office and in the corridor leading into the prison the officers and guards are careful in their treatment of inmates under their charge.
Horace W. Davis, Chief Clerk and Accounting Officer.
Main Street Inside Prison Walls
Convicts During Sunday Drill