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Domestic News
February 23, 1868
The Daily Gate City
Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa
What is this article about?
Warden Heisey's report on the penitentiary details convict statistics from 1859-1867, including numbers, ages (many under 18), temperance, marital status, literacy, gender, religious faiths, occupations, and ages ranging from 11 to 64.
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Warden's Report.--We have received the excellent report of Mr. Heisey, Warden of the Penitentiary. The report is an admirably well prepared one. We might take many interesting items from it did space permit. These must suffice.
The following statistics, showing the number of convicts in the Penitentiary for several years past, are interesting: 1859, 122; 1860, 123; 1861, 118; 1862, 81; 1863, 70; 1864, 74; 1865, 87; 1866, 117; 1867, thus far, 160.
The institution is in good financial condition.
Detailed statements in regard to the convicts, their age, occupation, crime, &c., are appended to the Clerk's report. There are not less than thirty-four convicts under the age of eighteen years! One is only twelve years of age! Another is only thirteen; three are but fourteen; one is but fifteen; five are sixteen; eight are seventeen; fifteen are eighteen years of age! The most of these youthful offenders against the law are unable, by reason of physical inability, to work in the shops. It becomes necessary, therefore, to keep them confined in their cells, a punishment apparently lighter, but in truth more burdensome than that of the labor which the older convicts are required to perform.
A statement for the term from October 1st, 1866, to October 1st, 1867, shows that there was received, during the two years, 197; discharged, 118. As to the present inmates, these items are interesting: Temperate, 119; intemperate, 62; moderate drinkers, 10; single, 121; married, 65; widowers, 4; widow, 1; good, 11; common, 120; can read, 18; read and write, 3; poor, 23; none, 16; male, 189; female, 2.
As to religious faith, there are: Methodist, 34; Catholic, 27; Baptist, 18; Presbyterian, 11; Campbellite, 9; Lutheran, 9; Episcopal, 5; Quaker, 0; United Brethren and Universalist, 2 each; Christian, Protestant, Jew, Covenanter, Wesleyan Methodist, 1 each; none, 41.
As to occupation: Farmer, 91; laborer, 31; carpenter, 6; baker, plasterer, 5 each; mason, sailor, cook, engineer, harness maker, wheelwright, butcher, cabinet maker, printer, clerk, shoemaker, barber, soldier, 2 each; teacher, druggist, peddler, blacksmith, coppersmith, saddler, porter, confectioner, weaver, moulder, tailor, raftsman, silversmith, bricklayer, jeweler, newsboy, railroad man, seamstress, physician, machinist, teamster, photographer, boot fitter, broom-maker, fireman, 1 each; none, 6.
The youngest prisoner is 11, the oldest 64 years of age, and there are prisoners of every intermediate age.
The following statistics, showing the number of convicts in the Penitentiary for several years past, are interesting: 1859, 122; 1860, 123; 1861, 118; 1862, 81; 1863, 70; 1864, 74; 1865, 87; 1866, 117; 1867, thus far, 160.
The institution is in good financial condition.
Detailed statements in regard to the convicts, their age, occupation, crime, &c., are appended to the Clerk's report. There are not less than thirty-four convicts under the age of eighteen years! One is only twelve years of age! Another is only thirteen; three are but fourteen; one is but fifteen; five are sixteen; eight are seventeen; fifteen are eighteen years of age! The most of these youthful offenders against the law are unable, by reason of physical inability, to work in the shops. It becomes necessary, therefore, to keep them confined in their cells, a punishment apparently lighter, but in truth more burdensome than that of the labor which the older convicts are required to perform.
A statement for the term from October 1st, 1866, to October 1st, 1867, shows that there was received, during the two years, 197; discharged, 118. As to the present inmates, these items are interesting: Temperate, 119; intemperate, 62; moderate drinkers, 10; single, 121; married, 65; widowers, 4; widow, 1; good, 11; common, 120; can read, 18; read and write, 3; poor, 23; none, 16; male, 189; female, 2.
As to religious faith, there are: Methodist, 34; Catholic, 27; Baptist, 18; Presbyterian, 11; Campbellite, 9; Lutheran, 9; Episcopal, 5; Quaker, 0; United Brethren and Universalist, 2 each; Christian, Protestant, Jew, Covenanter, Wesleyan Methodist, 1 each; none, 41.
As to occupation: Farmer, 91; laborer, 31; carpenter, 6; baker, plasterer, 5 each; mason, sailor, cook, engineer, harness maker, wheelwright, butcher, cabinet maker, printer, clerk, shoemaker, barber, soldier, 2 each; teacher, druggist, peddler, blacksmith, coppersmith, saddler, porter, confectioner, weaver, moulder, tailor, raftsman, silversmith, bricklayer, jeweler, newsboy, railroad man, seamstress, physician, machinist, teamster, photographer, boot fitter, broom-maker, fireman, 1 each; none, 6.
The youngest prisoner is 11, the oldest 64 years of age, and there are prisoners of every intermediate age.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime
What keywords are associated?
Penitentiary Report
Convict Statistics
Youthful Offenders
Prison Ages
Occupations
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Heisey
Domestic News Details
Event Date
1867
Key Persons
Mr. Heisey
Event Details
Report details convict numbers from 1859-1867 increasing to 160 in 1867; 34 under 18, youngest 11; received 197, discharged 118 from Oct 1866-Oct 1867; statistics on temperance, marital status, literacy, gender, religion, occupations; institution in good financial condition.