time, concluding they did not know how to keep a prison, the legislature begged their guardian at Washington to take back his pretty present, as they found it somewhat expensive. They had not guests enough to make it profitable.
At first the cost to the United States of each prisoner, per diem, was $1 86, while the territory paid $2 03. Back under the management of Marshal Wheeler again, and the 1st of August, 1874, for the first year the cost was $1 66 a day for each prisoner, for the second year $1 45, and for the third year $1 36.
"The greatest misfortune to the prisoners," writes Marshal Wheeler to me the 23d of October, 1877, "is that they have no regular employment. The town being so small it does not find it profitable to hire prison labor, because the prisoners cannot go outside of the prison-yard, and there is no manufacturing done in the town. All work on the improvements done about the prison has been done by the prisoners, and only the material paid for by the government. The prisoners make all their own clothes, cook, saw wood, and do all that is done for the prison and themselves. They have a great deal of spare time, and would be glad to be employed. We have but few books, but get gratis many newspapers and magazines, which are eagerly read by the prisoners. All of them have improved in reading, writing, and the common branches."
For cleanliness, order, and health, the Montana prison, though small, was a model. Religious services were held on such Sundays as preaching could be secured. No severer punishment was administered than locking an offender in his cell, feeding him on bread and water, or if very refractory placing him in irons. During the first six 3'ears, out of eighty-three prisoners there were four escapes, and one recapture, leaving in fact three.
The United States marshal was ex-officio superin-
