shop was seized by six convicts and borne to the ground.
"Liberty or death," they cried. "You die, but we will be free."
"You had better be quiet," said Matthewson, "You will be shot."
Meanwhile Gonard, a captain of the guard, had been seized by three prisoners, who told him if he would go quietly with them he should not be hurt. Gonard likewise expostulated, telling them such action would bring upon them certain death. The prison-breakers all belonged to the shoe-shop, and were armed with knives, by one of which the keeper was cut in the groin.
Both parties now endeavored to reach the gate; but the alarm was given and the guard stood firm. The ringleaders were fired upon, and several of them fell, one Johnson fatally wounded. Mathena, who was badly injured, when captured cried, "I am lost! My last chance is gone! " and endeavored to kill himself.
In Oregon the first convicts were hired out to responsible persons for support and safe-keeping; but it soon became apparent that a penitentiary was needed, and during the legislative session of 1851 three commissioners were appointed to superintend the erection of a building. Nothing was done, however, before the meeting of the legislature of 1852-3, when an-, other trio was appointed which set to work with a will, and in 1856 an $85,000 building stood ready.
The leasing system was resumed between 1859 and 1862 after which the governor became ex-officio superintendent. Since 1864 every governor has appointed a superintendent. In 1866 the state prison was fixed at Salem, the present site, and a wooden jail erected at a cost of $38,000. In 1870, $50,000 was granted for a more substantial brick edifice of two stories, with basement, and two wings each 160 feet in length. The wooden prison formed one
