Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

‘i
ff
_ '4
l'
i $:1
. ‘ W ‘
sire-1*
= ---Q
\ ."" uh
‘\
ii in.
»- .j
.bi“
Farewell to Farrier. Hal Farrier. Iowa Director of gave a reception in his honor Aug. ll. Farrier is
Corrections, resigned in the summer of 1987 to go pictured above with Warden Calvin Auger at the
back to college as a teacher and student. Farrier was reception. Auger died Nov. 11. 1987. (AJE photo by Pat
at Iowa State Men's Reformatory in Anamosa early in Worden Sutton)
his career in corrections. The stajf of the reformatory
iron doors were transferred to this building. Upon
completion of the first permanent cells, these doors
were again transferred. The first building completed
housed the first dining room. chapel. library, hospital
and it had other uses as well.
In December of 1873, the records show that the first
death occurred. His name was George Williams and he
was buried on an elevation facing the rising sun. on
state-owned property. Since that time, deceased
inmates who are not claimed are buried in this
cemetery. At first, the graves were marked by both foot
and headstones.
In May 1873. Martin Heisey was selected as the first
warden of the institution. Since that time only a dozen
wardens have served. Wardens who have served at
Anamosa and their dates of starting were: A.E. Martin.
April 1. 1876: Marquis Barr. April 1, 1886; P.W.
Madden, April 1. I892; William A. Hunter, April 1,
1698; Marquis Barr (second time). November 1. 1906;
Charles C. McClaughry. January l, 1912: J.N. Baumel.
January 12, 1918; C.H. Ireland, January 1, 1932: W.H.
Frazer. September 1. 1933: Foss Davis. January 1,
1940: Ray Purcell. June 26. 1953: Charles Haugh July
1. 1964 and Calvin Auger, September 1. 1973. Mr.
Auger died in November of 1987. John A. Thalacker
was appointed warden on March 4. 1988.
During Warden Heisey's term. the first workshop was
built and the southeast corner of the wall was erected.
The number of convicts working was small. and comparatively
slow progress was made.
Under Warden Martin. due to change in the law
which redistricted the state and allowed more
convicted felons to be sent to Anamosa. more help was
available and the work advanced more rapidly. Under
Mr. Martin the massive wall was completed around the
main yard. The wall.» composed of immense stone.
enclosed an area 755 ft. east and west, and 639 ft. north
and south, and contained nearly 12 acres. The
foundation was laid 14 feet below the surface of the
ground and is 12-ft. at the bottom and 7-ft. wide at the
surface of the ground. It rises 28 above the ground and
is 4-ft. wide at the top. The foundation was laid upon
piles driven 15 ft. further down at the northwest corner.
This was needed when it was discovered in 1882 that
the corner was firmly planted in a bed of quick-sand. It
was necessary to dig down 20 to 30 feet to find proper
footing for the foundation wall. To the consternation of
all, it was discovered that an old creek bed had once
I “paw
‘YI5;:
I
‘_d--
. Q '
. -A i
The old Warden’s residence at the Men's
Reformatory. (Submitted by Kathleen and Larry J.
Conmey)
“
79