HENRY TOWN ..............................................................................................................................
Warden and Steward
J. N. BAUMEL ........................................................................................................................................
Deputy Warden
JACOB FUSS .........................................................................................................................................................
Clerk
J. F. BROWN ..........................................................................................................................................
Prison Physician
Rev. GEO. W. PEPPER ......................................................................................................................................
Chaplain
Rev. J. C. HARTMAN ..........................................................................................................................
Chaplain, Catholic
MRS. M. H. SCHILLING .....................................................................................................................................
Matron
The State prison was located in Waupun in July,1851, by Messrs.
John Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth, who
were appointed commissioners to determine such location under
a law enacted that year. A contract was at once entered into
for the construction of a temporary prison; in 1853 the contract
was let for the mason work upon the south wing of the prison;
and additions have been made from time to time since that date.
From March 28, 1853, to January 4, 1874, the office of the
Prison Commissioner was an elective office, the
commissioner having full control of the management of the
prison.
From January 3, 1874, to June 1, 1881, the management was
in the hands of three directors appointed by the Governor,
with the advice and consent of the Senate. In place of a
commissioner, the directors appointed a warden, who had charge
and custody of the prison, to serve three years.
In June, 1881, the management of the prison was placed in
the hands of the State Board, who have continued the
control and custody as established by the directors.
The warden, steward, clerk, deputy warden and matron are
appointed by the State Board of Control annually. All other
officers are appointed by the board from time to time as
vacancies occur, upon the nomination of the warden.
The convict labor was leased to M. D. Wells & Co., of
Chicago, for the manufacture of boots and shoes, for five years,
from January 1, 1878, and the contract was renewed with that
firm for five years, beginning January 1, 1883, at the rate of
fifty cents per day of ten hours. Upon the expiration of the
contract at the close of the year 1887, the contractors, by consent
of the Board of Supervision, continued to employ the prisoners
for several months, when the contract was renewed for five years
without change of terms. On the expiration date of said contract
at the close of the year 1892, it was similarly renewed by consent
of the Board of Control, for a further period of five years.
On the expiration of the contract period at the close of the
year 1897, it was again renewed on the same terms for a further
period of 5 years.
On July 1st, 1903, a contract was entered into with the Paramount
Knitting Co. of Chicago for the manufacture of socks
and stockings. The State receives 65 cents per day per convict
employed. This contract provides that not less than 300 convicts
shall be employed. At present time convicts earn from $6,500.00
to $7,200.00 per month.
Manufacture on the part of the state was therefore discontinued
on January 1, 1878. The prisoners' earnings for the
2-year period ending June 30, 1906, were $145,865.57.
The grounds about the buildings embrace 24 acres, and a farm
of 112 acres about a mile distant was added in 1885.
The buildings comprise the center, 85x90 feet, occupied for
offices, dining and lodging rooms for officers, kitchens, bakery,
etc. The two wings, 50x200 feet each, contain 504 cells, the
deputy warden's residence and female prison with thirty-six cells,
a workshop 54x500 feet, two stories high, bath house, blacksmith,
carpenter shop, barn, etc., and warden's residence.
A new cell wing is in course of construction which will furnish
when completed additional cell room for 200 convicts. It
will be ready for occupancy before January 1st, 1908.
The total amount paid from the State Treasury for real estate,
buildings, improvements, repairs and current expenses up
to June 30, 1906, was $2,761,039.16.
The whole number of prisoners received since the opening
of the prison is 9,682. The number in confinement June 30,
1906, was 639--621 males and 18 females. The average number
of prisoners during the past year was 640, as against 607 for
the preceding year, and the current expenses were (not including
prisoners' earnings) $114,089.97, as against $106,561.13.