conceived the idea that a book about, a penitentiary, giving its
history, and also the history of many of the leading criminals, modes
of punishment, escapes, etc., would be very interesting, and would
sell. I decided to write such a book while in prison. In order to
write a book it became necessary to have writing material. How was I
to secure this? It was against the prison regulations for a prisoner
to have a lead-pencil or scrap of paper. The officials were very
strict on this point. It was essential they should be. If the
prisoners could pass notes, it would not be long before a prison
insurrection would be the result. The plan that I adopted to secure
writing material was rather unique, and perhaps the reader will like
to know how I managed this difficult matter. It is wonderful what a
man can accomplish, with adverse surroundings, if he wills it. As I
have stated before, I had much to do in securing the election of Hon.
W. D. Gilbert to the district judgeship. This made him feel very kind
toward me. He came often to visit me at the prison. One day while
visiting me, I asked him to use his influence with the warden to
secure for me the privilege of having writing material in my cell.
"What do you want with writing material," said he. The answer I gave
was, that I might pass away my leisure hours in learning to write
short-hand. He called on Warden Smith, and got his consent. He told
the warden that if I would master this useful art while in prison, on
my release, he would appoint me his district court reporter, at a
salary Of $2,500 a year. The scheme was a success. I sent and got my
short-hand books and writing material. I mastered short-hand, and can
now write as fast as one would care to dictate. It was not long before
I began writing my book in short-hand. The officials, as was their
custom, would examine my cell daily to see if anything had crept in
that did not belong there. They could not read short-hand. They did
not know what so many little straight marks and curves indicated. I