An Inventory of Records Relating to the Penitentiary at the Texas State Archives, 1846-1921

Cunningham and Ellis may be entitled to under this contract - all of said work to be completed on or before the 28th, day of February A.D. 1881Witness our hands this the 26th day of March A.D. 1881Cunningham & Ellis Lessees

Wit N.B. Durham

Shoe and Paint Shops to be forty-five feet by one hundred and fifty feet (45x150) Two story high, eleven feet each story.

Blacksmith Shop to be forty-five by one hundred and fifty feet (45x150). One story twelve feet high with ventilating roof section, to be twelve double forges built as per plans.

Smithing and Foundry Building to be fortyfive by one hundred and five (45x105 ft.) One story twelve feet high with ventilating roof section.

Making in all seven building; five, two story high, and two, one story high, all to be built of brick as per plans.

Excavate all trenches required for foundations the required depth with level bottoms. Remove and grade all surplus earth as directed.

Brick Work Start all foundations three feet, eight inches wide, and drop off two inches on each side, until a two feet wall is reached, which is to be carried up to top of 1st floor joist, and then continued up seventeen inches thick. Lay foundation with cement mortar and all brick work above ground with lime and sand mortar. The brick to be laid in the best workman like manner of good, hard and well burnt brick. Build in all timeless wood, iron and stone work, required in wall.

Wood Work All 2nd story girders to be 8x10in, first story to be 8x12ft. Post to be 8x8in and all dressed. Post dressed and chamfered. To be two rows through each story of cotton factory, and one row through each story of all two story buildings All first story sleepers to be 3x8in placed 18in centres. Second story of cotton factory joist to be 2x12 placed 16in centres. Ceiling joist in cotton factory to be 2x8 and 2x10 placed

The foundry building roof to be supported with seven principal rafters, well bolted and ironed with 1 1/4 inch centre rods. Sheath all roof [unsure] with one inch surfaced plank, well nailed at each edge. Case up all eaves, forming cornice and mold as per plan. Windows All windows to be 18 light, each 10x12 glass, 1 1/2in each, all glass properly set with tin points, properly glazed and painted. Window frames all to be made plank jamb frames, plough frames for all sash stops. Put segment arches over all openings to turn brick arches on.

Door and Frames To be two inch plank jamb door frames to all factories and shops that have wood floors. Blacksmith shop and foundry hinges to be built in brick wall. Make all doors double, of matched flooring and all hung with wrought 24 inch strap hinges and secured

were not severely stocked. They were then released. And two or three days after, further developments were made, and we called Shannon in to find out where he got the poison, and after punishment confessed that he got it from a citizen, who had visited the camp. The second stocking of Mr Shannon was not unusually severe - he fell out of the stock twice - pretended, as I thought, to faint once. Have been a telegraph operator, until last few months.

[Signature] sworn and suscribed before me this July 18th, 1879 [signature]

John Dample sworn says. I reside in Mineola. Have resided off and on here about four years. During that time have been about Randles camp. Saw some man stock one or two convicts very severely. Don't know their names. He raised one clean of his feet. One morning I saw a man said to be Randle kick one or two convicts. Mr [?] is mistaken as to his impression of my having told him of the circumstances of a negro being

Contract 15th Aug 1880 work at Huntsville $9,578.86 & $755.40

Sideways text: [?] wall and making repairs in same This 20th Dec - 1880 OM Roberts Gov