Boise, Idaho, May 28, 1908 Dear Bertie; Just to let you know I am still here, and likely to be until last of week. Will leave here for Payette, Ida. likely Sunday, and be ready for business Monday. Among other places I called today, was the Idaho State “Pen,” and when I had done with the professional part of my call, I was courteously shown around, and inspected the whole outfit from “cellar to garrett.” Among other things I saw, was one of the most unusual sights I ever saw. A real gallows, where men are “hung by the neck until they are dead dead dead.” The sight of the gruesome object was enough for me, and I did not test its efficiency, but really did spring the trap, which lets the condemned one drop into eternity. It was a very crude affair, but the guard told me there was no question as to its doing its deadly work well. The last hanging occurred last June. All the legal executions for the state of Idaho are done in the Penitentiary on this gallows. Now don’t I see some strange sights? and who would ever have dreamed of my stumbling up against such an object as this. But there is no telling what I may see next. The general appearance of the interior of the “Pen” would not give one the impression as a place of punishment, aside from the massive iron cells &c. The inmates are allowed quite a good many privileges, and are not compelled to have heads shaven, and all do not wear stripes. The hardest labor is upon the irrigation ditches, and would not give me the impression of “hard labor,” as its term implies. The men are allowed conversational privileges nearly all the time, and quite a good many special favors, that one would hardly expect to find in such an institution. I saw the men go into dinner. There was no “lock step” but the men were required to march single file, with arms folded and heads bent. The bill of fare (supper at 4:30 pm) was beans cooked with bacon, bread syrup and water. I was told they were given all the food they wanted, and that frequent changes were made. Saw the kitchen, laundry, tailor shop, barber shop, and in fact I guess in every hole and corner in the entire outfit. In the bath room there is a big cement tank in which the men are compelled to bathe once per week. The water for this tank is supplied from an artesian well on the grounds, and the water at well is so hot that a chicken can be scalded ready for picking. So you may imagine what a commensurate supply of hot water is. The tank had just been filled with hot water and steam was rising from it, and it was so hot I could not bear my hand in the water. Wouldn’t such a supply of hot water be nice for general household use? Remind me of such visits as the above when I get home and I will tell you more about them. There were today 709 inmates, including 5 women. They have four bloodhounds for use in running down escaped convicts. This letter is a little out of the usual line, but I thought that you might be interested in the shifting scene as I saw it. I am always on the lookout for the dear home letters, and inquire for mail at each opportunity, but most often have my trouble for the pains — instead of the dear looked for letter. But maybe I will hear from you again next week — or sometime — and then how I will enjoy it. I am quite well, and do hope this may find you on “the sunny side up,” and the little ones both on the “up grade.” With a sweet goodnight, and all my heart’s love to you, I am lovingly Yours husband, Geo. W. B.