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
Administrative Information
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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
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 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, VAca. 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 Penitentiaryundated
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.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
LettersApril 1910-June 1911
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
LettersMarch-August 1912
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
LettersJanuary-November 1913
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
LettersDecember 1913-July 1914
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
Lettersca. 1910-1914
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
Lettersca. 1910-1914
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 photographsca. 1900-1920
- Mixed Materials Box: 3
Oversize photographsca. 1900-1920