Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-13
WIN. VI. CoCKE,
w. b. SroKEs,
A w Johnson
Mr.. Paul was then sworn anC

Mr. Paul was then sworn and states follows
Question. Mr. Paul please state all you know in
relation to the rebuilding of the State Prison, the
letting OF the job, your interest in Mr. Hills shop,
your conversation with Gov Johnson in relation
thereto and all material facts connected with this
investg ,tiOn.
Sometime during the winter of 1854. was
appointed one OF the Board of Inspectors Of the
Penitentiary OF Tennessee, and after being duly
qualified, entered upon the duties of that position
and so continued up to the present time.
About the last Of March 1858, the Prison was
fire by tWo OF the convcts; and all the shops
sheds and one wing OF the cells were consumed
The next morning the Inspectors met together at
the PEI itentiary consider of the proper
pursue in the premises. Gov. johnson met the Ia
at the time aud place. he also met with
tquently Afterwards, counseIng and advising the
Inspectors in their proceedings. At the first or
second meeting, Gov Johnson stated to the Inspec-
tors that he had examined aud could find no law
contemplating burning Of the prison, and that
there none authorizing the payment OF money
out Of the State Treasury for the purpose of rebuild
ing. There were some two hundred and thirty
or forty conviets without means, to work, without
shops. tools materials aud even many OF them
without cells 10 sleep in The Inspectors resolved
with the concurrence Of the Governor, 10 rebuild.
They gave their individual notes for the money
necessary TO proceed with the work, which were
promptly discounted by the Union Planters and
the Bank OF Tennessee.
The emergency was great. and the interest OF
the State required speedy action. The Inspectors
determined TO 1t the work in parcels or Jobs TO
various mechanics, IN order to secure its compile
t0n In the short possible time. This determine
ton was strengthened by the entire appreciation OF
the Governor, who suggested in addition that IN
ssmueh as there some harsh feeling among the
mechanics OF Nashville towards the system OF con .
vict labor ia th,ir midst If they were permitted 10
share the work OF rebuilding, that esing might be
mOllided.
Acco rdingly the Inspectors notified personally
many OF the mechanics Of Nashville TO meet them
AZ the prison on certain day Two or three
days after the burning) that the work would
then be apportioued among them. think
there was scarcely a mechanic in the city
who Tot advised Of this meeting The day
came the Inspectors met. the Governor meeting
Sith them, and ! was appointed By my COLLEAGUES
OF the Board 10 superntehd The giving out OF the
work AMI lie execution. immediately proceeded 70
the discharge Of The duties thus imposed upon
dividing the work among from twenty 10 thirty
persons, including those. who furnished brick and
other materials Mr. Henry Hill present on The
evening OF which ! nov speaking. desiring q
job.--tiaving been appointed 10 suprrintend the
business and being Interested in Mr.. Hili's shop.
refused 10 ALLOW bin any OF the NOgk- On this
occasion anu beiore the Work Vas appoIuoncd, 1
announced 20 th. mechanics present that the In
spectOrs bad determined, that the work should be
done and payments made In the following manner:
All whO did any work should their part peTloFm
what they might undercake-shen the work was
completed Il should be measu0ed By three dsinEer
ested persons whO should rs the price Of the same.
after ssceFtsinng the amount al tie usual rates Of
such ~Ork 10 she city. This was unanimously
agreed 10 By The mechanics pTeseRt-and tie most
Of the uOrk vas accordingly let that evening". At
Ger the uofk Use done Richard heCArn, Jesse
warren and Jordan COleman, all boss meehsnirs
ana iaevsFy sense capable and reliable men Ssrs
affected 70 measure sppr4se The work. Me- Coleman
did suaai JOB oi wefk aud was selected af the
request Of Mr.. Wafrrn. a. be VAS good pensman
&c. Bot The wOSk DID By Mr.. C., vas measured
and appraised By heCaaa and warren Their
neasursment and prices gave a. general sasisiac.
10 mas could Be expected
tuadsriook fret 10 DO the brick w0sk of there.
building sish day laboserr; bat sooa ionnd shis l
could not get on - veil ss By paying hY he lhoa-
sand. Iapplied 70 NJ. Watkins 10 hEnish and ii
100000 or more. bat his ether ssgsremenss pre-
vested bis taking The 20 then emp bred Pael
hcAiistsr (ths l0rmer being my soal pish ths an.
dsrstanding that The aahbes 81 sriek isid b. them
shouia b assertaiBsd and che prics aaea 81 dssa
g Fes.sd mea, vhich was done by SamT W askiaa 4
T. NJ. Shelter. rhsk bll amsuntsdte shsufsl .ooa.