Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-05-13
REPORT.

The committee to whom was recommitted House
resolution relative to alleged crueltes inflicted on
a convict in the Ohio Penitentiary, have had the
subject under consideration, and report,
/. That the charge of "harsh and cruel treat
ment Of negro convict, by Mr.. Watson. the Dep
uty Warden" has been sustained, 4Ht
2. That TOliyer Coker, n convict, had been fog
ged with "cat" three different times in period
Of five or six days, by Deputy Warden Watson,
and by his order.
g. That Coker had been confined in cell from
February 24, 1854, until the last time the commit
tee visited tho prison, April 9th. .... ...
1t is also in evidence that about fifteen days of
that time Coker was not allowed to have any bed
or bedding, but was compelled to lay upon the
earth, there being no floor in the cell, and that said
cell from sixty to eighty feet from tho nearest
stove, there being but stove on the side Of the
wing in which he was confined h, r.
The testimony also proves concusivey that
said convict was punished for the purpose of
extortng from him confession Of having sto-
len money belonging to Mr.. Watson, the Deputy
Warden. . '.F
= II is also proven that when bed had been
furnished Coker by order of the Warden, Mr..
Watson, the Deputy Warden, had it removed from
the cell. f-.- .r..f 4. .
II is also in evidence that Mr.. Watson wished
to punish said convict again by "catting," and
that had not Mr.. Dimmock interfered he would
have done SO, A
Inc cOmmittco are satisfied tluJ uurlDB lne
greater part of the time said convict was being
punished, Mr.. Dimmock was sick and unable to
attend to the duties of his Office.
The committee are clearly of the opinion that
there is rule of discipline that woul1 authorize
or Justify treatment severe as that inflicted on
Coker for any offence whatever.
The committee are of the opinion that the War
den was not aware of the extent Of Coker's pun-
ishnient until after it had been inflicted.
There is no evidence before the committee to
prove that Coker had stolen, or concealed, or had
any knowledge of the stealing of Mr.. Watson's
money. t,. .i..---.. p,
The committee have examined the Black
Book" of the prison as far back as the yeal
1871, and have found no case where punishments
have been inflicted as severe as those inflicted on
.Coker.
The committee having requested Drs. E, D. Bur
ton and Thomas Wright (of the House, to examine
into Coker's condition and report thereon, they
complied with the request and made q report, 1.-THE
original on file with the other papers) of which
the following is true copy ... g.3... .i.stf
BY request of DR.. Ross chairman of the selec
committee appointed to investigate the treatment
Of Coker, q convict in the Ohio Ponitentiary, We
the undersigned, visited the cell of said convict
and examined the wounds upon his back and thu
relative position and condition Of his cell as X
comfort after the inficton Of the punishment
taye come 10 the following conclusions:
;. That judging from the number of scars upor
bis body, (bOing upwards of twenty indicating
severe and deep cuts, and from the exposure after
ward without proper protection from cold am