There have been prisons and dungeons since the earliest days of recorded history and no doubt such institutions will be in vogue until the end of the universe. Great advancement has been made in the treatment of those who have been so unfortunate as to be segregated from society in general and the publication of facts instead of fancy will be the means of clarifying the atmosphere considerably as to what is just and humane and of the greatest earthly benefit to men and women who have, either through ignorance, accident, design or viciousness, fallen from grace and become the wards of the commonwealth in a prison or penitentiary.
To the end that the public may be fully and reliably informed of the facts in relation to prison life the volume mentioned must prove to be of great value to all those who peruse its pages with an open mind and a generous heart—(Prison Mirror, July 22, 1909.)
Minnesota's New $2,250,000 State Prison Now in Course of Construction
Editor's Note.—In the preface we stated that the names of former inmates of the Minnesota State Prison with sensational reputations would not appear in this book. However, there has been such an arbitrary demand from the general public, that we have concluded to insert the version of an exploit by one of the early inmates of the institution. Page 49 shows hospital cell occupied by Cole Younger during the 25 years of his incarceration. This is the first time this story has been published in book form. It is surmised the names Howard and Woods indicate Jesse and Frank James respectively.