Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records, ca. 1910-1920 A&M 3786

Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records, ca. 1910-1920 A&M 3786


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West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center

Repository
West Virginia and Regional History Center
Identification
A&M 3786
Title
Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records ca. 1910-1920
URL:
https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/196305
Quantity
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.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

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.


Scope and Contents

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)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Brown, Martin Luther
  • Moundsville (W. Va.)
  • Poetry.
  • Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
  • West Virginia University. President (Hodges, Thomas)
  • West Virginia. State Penitentiary

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Brown, Martin Luther
  • Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Container List

Series 1. Historical Records (box 1)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 1914, undated
Scope and Contents

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.

Series 2. Miscellaneous (box 1)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 1908, 1912, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes assorted pamphlets, poems, and other material, mainly regarding the Moundsville Penitentiary.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    "A Guide to Future Happiness" by Warden Brown (pamphlet)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    "Rules Governing the Convicts in the West Va. Penitentiary," adopted by Warden Brown (pamphlet)
    1912
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    "Song of Tom Wayne" (poem printed as handbill regarding an outlaw) by Coy Reedy of Rugby, VA
    ca. 1908
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    "The Effect of Strong Drink" (poem in typescript)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2
    Manuscript of suggested program for 4th of July entertainment at Penitentiary
    undated
Series 3. Manuscript (box 1)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 ca. 1911
Scope and Contents

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.

Series 4. Incoming Letters (box 1)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4-9 ca. 1910-1914
Scope and Contents

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.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
    Letters
    April 1910-June 1911
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
    Letters
    March-August 1912
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
    Letters
    January-November 1913
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
    Letters
    December 1913-July 1914
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
    Letters
    ca. 1910-1914
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
    Letters
    ca. 1910-1914
Series 5. Photographs (boxes 1-3)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 10-14 Mixed Materials Box: 2 Mixed Materials Box: 3 ca. 1900-1920
Scope and Contents

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)
    ca. 1900-1920
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2
    Oversize photographs
    ca. 1900-1920
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3
    Oversize photographs
    ca. 1900-1920