the working of convicts away from the prison grounds should be prohibited, and a system of manufactures introduced, beginning with the making of brick for the public buildings; and advised the selection of several acres of ground at the capital, and the erection of temporary buildings for the accommodation of the convicts. The legislature passed an act making the governor superintendent of the penitentiary, with authority to manage the institution according to his best judgment. Under the new system the expenses of the state prison for two years, from November 1, 1862, to September 1, 1864, amounted to $25,000, about $16,000 of which was earned by the convicts.[1] As soon as the seat of government was fixed, the legislature created a board of commissioners for the location of lands for the penitentiary and insane asylum, of which board the governor was chairman; and who proceeded to select 147 acres near the eastern limits of the town, having a good water-power, and being in all respects highly eligible.[2] At this place were constructed temporary buildings, as suggested by Governor Gibbs, and during his administration the prisoners were removed from Portland to Salem. Under his successor still further improvements were made in the condition and for the security of the prisoners, but it was not until 1871 that the erection of the present fine structure was begun. It was finished in 1872, at a cost of $160,000.[3]
- ↑ The warden who, directed by the governor, produced these satisfactory results was A. C. K. Shaw, who, by the consent of the legislature, was subsequently appointed superintendent by the governor.
- ↑ The land was purchased of Morgan L. Savage, at $45 per acre, and the water-power of the Willamette Woolen Manufacturing Company for $2,000. George H. Atkinson was employed to visit some of the western states, and to visit the prisons for the purpose of observing the best methods of building, and laying out the grounds, with the arrangement of industries, and all matters pertaining to the most approved modern penitentiaries. Or. Jour. House, 1865, ap. 7–12.
- ↑ Gibbs' Notes on Or. Hist., MS., 20-22; Or. Code, 1862, ap. 71-3; Or. Laws, 1866, 95–8; Or. Legis. Docs, 1868, 7-10, 14; U. S. Educ. Rept., 548-57, 41st cong. 3d sess. See description in Murphy's Oregon Directory, 1873, 197–8.
draft. In these 2 years 33 convicts were sent to the penitentiary, 12 for larceny, 5 intent to kill, 4 burglary, 3 murder in the 1st degree, 2 manslaughter, 1 rape, 1 seduction, 1 arson, 1 receiving stolen goods. The county of Wasco furnished just ⅓ of these criminals, showing the direction of the drift. Or. Journal House, 1864, ap. 35-53.
