0.5 Linear Feet, Summary: 5 1/2 in. (1 document case, 2 1/2 in.; 2 flat storage boxes, 1 1/2 in. each)
Creator
Brown, Martin Luther
Creator
Moundsville, Penitentiary
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Records of Warden Martin Luther Brown of Moundsville Penitentiary. Includes series of historical information, incoming letters
(mostly from inmates to Warden Brown), and photographs (related to Moundsville Penitentiary). The date range of the series
of incoming letters (1911-1914) corresponds to Martin Brown's tenure as Warden.
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records, A&M 3786,
West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Records of Warden Martin Luther Brown of Moundsville Penitentiary. This collection apparently consists of Brown's records,
since his tenure (1911-1914) corresponds to the date range of the series of his incoming letters (1911-1914).
The collection is organized into five series, including:
Series 1. Historical Records; 1914, undated (box 1, folder 1)
Series 2. Miscellaneous; 1908, 1912, undated (box 1, folder 2)
Series 3. Manuscript; ca. 1911 (box 1, folder 3)
Series 4. Incoming Letters; ca. 1910-1914 (box 1, folders 4-9)
Series 5. Photographs; ca. 1900-1920 (box 1, folders 10-14; boxes 2-3)
This series includes clippings from the "Wheeling Sunday News" reporting some of the reforms accomplished in the state prison
at Moundsville under Warden M. L. Brown, as well as his reactions to allegations of brutal treatment of inmates during his
administration.
This series includes a manuscript article written by J.H. Graham on 1911 May 27 describing what might happen in the conscience
not only of a guilty person, but also of an innocent one (such as himself) held unjustly.
The letters and notes in this series are mostly addressed to Warden Brown, many of which are petitions by inmates reporting
abuses and corruption, calling for resignations, threatening bodily harm, or thanking the Warden for improvements to living
conditions. Among the letters is one by a prisoner facing death containing a statement that he would like made public. Several
include poetry or opinion pieces, and one letter to the Board of Control ending with signatures of 39 female prisoners asks
that their matron be kept on.
Subjects of photos in box 1 include group portraits of inmates and staff, facilities, grounds, Citizens National Bank, and
Bank of Morgantown. Subjects of oversize photos in boxes 2 and 3 include group portraits of inmates and staff, interior shots,
facilities, and grounds (which appear to be the farm where some of the prisoners worked); there is also a group portrait including
US President Taft at inauguration of WVU President Hodges (1911).
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 10
Photographs -- Inmates and staff with Warden (2 items)
ca. 1900-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 11
Photographs -- Interior (1 item)
ca. 1900-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 12
Photographs -- Facilities (3 items)
ca. 1900-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 13
Photographs -- Grounds (3 items)
ca. 1900-1920
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 14
Photographs -- Citizens National Bank (1 item) and Bank of Morgantown (1 item)
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