Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1893 — PRISON INVESTIGATION. [ARTICLE]

PRISON INVESTIGATION.

The prison investigation at Jeffersonville was resumed, Wednesday. Steward Montgomery testified that bad food had been purchased but not used. Good quality of food was served. Each convict was given three-fourths of a pound of fresh meat per day, mainly at diuner. Rev. Barnhill, formerly chaplain, testified to humane character of Warden Patten. W. D. Cherrington testified that the Warden was in general toolieuient with priaoners; treated them better than was proper for strict discipline. R. A. Butler confirmed tbls statement. Alexander Johnson, Secretary State Board of Charities, testified that in his investigations he had heard but two complaints and found them without foundation. Believed the prison was properly conducted in every respect. In the prison investigation, Thursday, Jack Collins, a convict, testified that members of the committee had spoken to him in an uncomplimentary way of the Warden. That the Warden bad threatened to “cut his liver out” if he did not return to work once after being sick. Stewart Montgomery testified that ho had had differences with the Warden. Warden Patten appeared on the stand in his own behalf. He said that there had been no specific charges, and that the investigation had been simply a drag-net. He had prepared an extended statement, which he read to the committee, in which he answered the testimony against his management In detail. He Said some convicts had been disciplined from necessity and denied emphatically that he had misappropriated funds or dishonestly dealt with the State in any way.