Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1893 — PRISON INVESTIGATION. [ARTICLE]

PRISON INVESTIGATION.

Progress of tho Inaatry at Jeffersonville. testimony of Convicts Malpractice At- ~ ieged—Warden Patten Excited. * The investigation of the Prison South, now bcfng condueted by a joint committee of the General Assembly, at Jeffersonville, by the invitation of Warden Patten, Is developing some startling testimony. It seems much cruelty has from time to time cropped out as the Investigation has proceeded, but the climax seems to have been reached on Wednesday, when George Steyer, a convict, was placed on the stand. He testified that he had seen as many as twenty convicts hung up by the thumbs; that he had himself been caged for writing a letter referring in an uncomplimentary way to Gov. Gray. George Feesler, of Portland, Ind., was placed on the stand and examined by Senator Boord, He said he had come to the prison in good health and in ho way disfigured, but was not so when he left, last year. He had been placed at work on the Burrill contract. He was running a circular saw, when on June 4,1892, he had two fingers cut off, and that on June 24 his arm had to be amputated on account of erysipelas having set in. Convict George Schllct was next called and said: “I work in the saddletree shops. While there I took a piece of mousquito-bar for a friend who was sick, that ho might hang it over the door and protect himself. For this I was reported, and the deputy warden ordered both myself and Elmer Sanley, my sick friend, to the cage. We met the warden on the way and he scowled at us and ordered us to be strung up by the wrists.” Schlictsaid the Governor had a pardon for him, but the guard reported him and the pardon was never formally issued. ElmerSanley testified that being sick he “desired to be protected from the mosquitos. I was punished for receiving this by being hung up by the wrists. My hands were numb for over a week afterward. The cord of my wrist was swollen and black on account of this punishment. The deputy warden sent me to the cell-house, but the warden changed the order. I had Just come from the hospital at the time. I was ordered whipped once, but have never yet found out what it was for. I was stripped from my knees to the back of my neck, being whipped upon my naked body. Convict Kelley testified : “I have been punished by whipping and by being hung up by the wrists and have been caged as much as forty times. When whipping me they made me lie down on my hands and I wouldn’t see what they whipped me with. They hit me ten strokes and every time they brought the blood. I have-been punished almost every week since I came here. I was always punished for not being able to do my work. I was never punished for anything else. I cannot do my task because my thumbs and fingers are so sore.”

In the prison invostigatlon Thursday a hot discussion arose over the publication of the foregoing testimony in the Indianapolis Journal, and Senator Griffith offered a resolution of inquiry as to tho authorship of the article. Senator Loveland moved to amend by placing all members jn the stand to testify. Hot words ensued between Republican and Democratic members of the committee, Republicans claiming that the article was true as published, and that members of the committee had a perfect right io furnish information to the press. Introduction of testimony was resumed. Convict Jesse Black testified that he been severely whipped. Warden Patten became excited and abusive, and viciously assailed Senator Loveland. Several convicts testified to inhuman punishments for trivial offenses and because of thoir inability to complete their tasks. One convict testified that Warden Patten destroyed his letters to Judge Iresham and others. In a controversy Senator Loveland said he had been denied jhe right to go where he pleased in the irison. Warden Patten called him a liar. Pandemoniun reigned. Chair ordered ser-jeant-at-arms to scat Mr. Patten. A mated debate ensued. Senator Boord charged that Democrats had placed all jossiole obstacles in the way of a fair investigation. Introduction of evidence vas closed over protest of the min>rity. after the testimony of a number of :onvicts had been taken. Testimony for lefense will be taken Friday. Friday’s session of Investigation, taken up in Warden Patten’s defense. Capt. Saunders, ex-convict pardoned by Gov. Chase, testified that management was good. During his confinement of seventeen years, most of which time he was a trusty with full opportunity of observation, ho saw but four convicts hung by thumbs. Witness said there was a certain class of prisoners who had to be disciplined. Convict Brooks testified that management was much better than under Howard Convict Cheeck testified that Patten's treatment of prisoners was kind. When convicts behaved properly they were granted priviledges. Special privileges were accorded to all on tne4th of July and Christmas. Dr. H. S. Wolf testified that corporal punishment was an absolute necessity in prison management