May 9, 2025
TEACHING WOMEN TO SEW.
Installation of Machines at Work-
house Proves a Success.
William Volker, president of the board of pardons and paroles, is feeling gratified over the success of his scheme of placing sewing machines in the workhouse and giving the female inmates a chance to learn a trade.
The machines were installed a short time ago at Mr. Volker's expense but they have been in actual operation but ten days. the first three days it was hard to get the women interested, but a few finally went to work and the rest soon followed them. A prisoner in the workhouse, who is a cutter, was given patterns and laid out the work. A woman instructor taught the female prisoners how to sew and the result was fifty-six pairs of overalls of various sizes for the men prisoners. Most of the women never handled a machine or a needle before, but they are learning fast.
