There are now seventeen prisoners in the State Prison in this city. This limited number, in proportion to the population of our State, either speaks well for the morality of our people, or otherwise the laxity of public justice - we don’t know which. We will take the Christian view of the question, however, and place the limited number of convicts to the credit of the morality of our citizens. These seventeen convicts are now turning their attention to the manufacture of flour barrels for the benefit of the State and the contractors for their labor. Messrs. Seymour and Webster, and are now turning out one hundred and fifty-three barrels each day. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, October 10, 1865, Page 3)
“Five sleigh loads” of empty pork and flour barrels - each containing one hundred - passed our office this morning, bound for Hastings and other points on the river. They were from the shops of Seymour & Webster, State Prison work, and are of the highest degree of excellence. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, February 6, 1866, Page 3)
Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Minnesota State Prison until the 6th day of May next for a contract to furnish material and the labor of erecting forty-two cells, authorized by an act of the last Legislature. Said cells are to be built in block form, in the building erected for such purpose, and are to be made of stone, brick and iron, in accordance with the plans and specifications adopted for the same, and on file in the office of the Prison. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, April 10, 1866, Page 3)
The contract for the erection of forty-two additional cells in the State Prison at this place has been awarded to William Willim (Stillwater brick manufacturer), of this city. Contract price, $8,550. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, May 23, 1866, Page 1)
The Valley Herald, published at Chaska, says that during the present winter 850,000 hoop poles have been purchased in that town for shipment, with 200,000 yet to arrive under contract. A large number of these are consumed in the shops connected with the Penitentiary in this city. The average price paid is $9 per thousand. (The Stillwater Messenger, Wednesday, March 6, 1867, Page 1)
The business of the above firm will be assumed by Seymour, Sabin & Co., who with new and improved machinery, and greatly increased facilities, will continue the manufacture of Cooperage, Wooden Ware, Doors, Sash and Blinds... G. M. Seymour, D. M. Sabin, C. W. Griggs, DeCou & Co. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, June 1, 1869, Page 1)
During the past summer a great deal of improvement has been going on in this institution, or inside the prison walls at least. The walls on two sides have been torn down and the yard enlarged almost two acres. The old wooden machine shop and engine house has been torn down and a new stone one erected in its stead, but in a more convenient place in the yard - being right in line with the one erected a year or so ago. The new building is built of stone, and is 48 by 90 feet, two stories high. The lower portion is devoted to the making of barrels. A new dry house, probably the best in the State, 14 by 26, has also been built. Seymour, Sabin & Co., the contractors of the prison labor, have been adding largely to the machinery, and are now turning out the best quality of pails, tubs and barrels, in fact, their wares take precedence to all others, and the demand is more than they can supply. They are now making two hundred flour and pork barrels per day, and have facilities for making three hundred per day. Also for fifty dozen pails, and also a large quantity of tubs and kegs. They make a very finely finished barrel, designed for use in private families and stores, which is a most excellent article. In fact all of their work is of a superior grade, and is fast gaining a good reputation. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, November 30, 1869, Page 3)
We have received as a present from Elija Tom, a colored convict, in the State Prison in this city, a handsome flour barrel, of superior workmanship, all painted and varnished in fine style. It is of the pattern and style that Seymour, Sabin & Co. make for use in stores and families. Elija performed the extraordinary feat of putting up twenty-five flour barrels in one day, fifteen and eighteen being considered a big days work for fast hands. A movement is on foot to secure his pardon, which we hope will prove successful, for since his incarceration some four years ago, he has been faithful and obedient to the prison authorities, as his record shows. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, June 28, 1870, Page 3)
The St. Paul Pioneer of last week in noticing a trial of speed in the barrel making business in the prison, says, that “George Robinson, a colored convict discharged from the Stillwater State Prison last June, was supposed to be the champion barrel maker in the state. His greatest feat was 27 ten-hooped flour barrels in one day. Last Wednesday several of the boys in the prison got on a strife, determined to beat Robinson. The colored boy, Elijah Thom, made 32; Geo. W. McCrea, military convict, 28, and some others 20. (The Stillwater Messenger, Tuesday, September 6, 1870, Page 2)