A&M 3786Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records, ca. 1910-1920 A&M 3786Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History CenterWest Virginia and Regional History Center

2011/06/21

1549 University Ave. P.O. Box 6069 Morgantown, WV 26506-6069Business Number: 304-293-3536wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.comURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-08-30 07:30:42 -0400.EnglishDescribing Archives: A Content Standard West Virginia and Regional History Center Martin Luther Brown, Warden, Moundsville Penitentiary Records Brown, Martin Luther Moundsville, Penitentiary A&M 3786 Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key /repositories/2/resources/2237 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) ca. 1910-1920 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. 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/ English Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

 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)

 Conditions Governing Use

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.

 Moundsville (W. Va.) Poetry. West Virginia University. President (Hodges, Thomas) West Virginia. State Penitentiary Brown, Martin Luther Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930 Series 1. Historical Records (box 1)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1565831914, undated11Scope and Contents

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.

Series 2. Miscellaneous (box 1)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1565841908, 1912, undated12Scope and Contents

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

"A Guide to Future Happiness" by Warden Brown (pamphlet)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156588undated12"Rules Governing the Convicts in the West Va. Penitentiary," adopted by Warden Brown (pamphlet)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156589191212"Song of Tom Wayne" (poem printed as handbill regarding an outlaw) by Coy Reedy of Rugby, VAArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156590ca. 190812"The Effect of Strong Drink" (poem in typescript)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156591undated12Manuscript of suggested program for 4th of July entertainment at PenitentiaryArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156592undated12Series 3. Manuscript (box 1)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156585ca. 191113Scope and Contents

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.

Series 4. Incoming Letters (box 1)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156586ca. 1910-191414-9Scope and Contents

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.

LettersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156593April 1910-June 191114LettersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156594March-August 191215LettersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156595January-November 191316LettersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156596December 1913-July 191417LettersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156597ca. 1910-191418LettersArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156598ca. 1910-191419Series 5. Photographs (boxes 1-3)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156587ca. 1900-1920110-1423Scope and Contents

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).

Photographs -- Inmates and staff with Warden (2 items)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156599ca. 1900-1920110Photographs -- Interior (1 item)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156600ca. 1900-1920111Photographs -- Facilities (3 items)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156601ca. 1900-1920112Photographs -- Grounds (3 items)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156602ca. 1900-1920113Photographs -- Citizens National Bank (1 item) and Bank of Morgantown (1 item)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156603ca. 1900-1920114Oversize photographsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156604ca. 1900-19202Oversize photographsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/156605ca. 1900-19203