Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

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.

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.

Summary

Extent:
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 and Moundsville, Penitentiary
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.
Language:
English
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.

Background

Scope and content:

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

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).

Physical 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 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard