The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-08
REPORT FROM THE KEEPER OF
THE PENITENTIARY.
PENITEETIARY, NASHVILLE, !
April 30, 1866. [

PENITExTARY, NASHVILLE, I
April 30, 1866.
Hon. q. n. Harrison, I. 6. Attorney General:
DEAR SIR have been absent for a few
days, and on my arrival yesterday, I find
communication to Mr.. Z. r. Glascock, in
forming him Of the escape Of ". l.. Bogart,
which communication has been referred by
you to the Legislature Tor investigation.
wish to explain the alter, which is as
follows On the night Of the 2lst inst, the
Hon, James II al, Representative Of JeffeF-
son county, and Mr.. Inman, floating mem
Der from Cooke and Sewer, called on me on
the evening above mentioned, aud being
old friends, was with them in my private
room at the closing Of the prison, and did
not visit the prison until the usual business
hour the next morning, and heard nothing
OF the escape of NJ. L. Bogart until that
time. Mr. Reed, the deputy, whose duty 1t
is 10 close the prison, did not make any re-
port TO me until the morniug after the es-
cape and on that morning, which was Sat
urday, it was raining very hard and SO con-
tinued during the day, which prevented me
from making the report.
The next day being Sunday, prevented
me from reporting, as / knew not where TO
find Mr.. Glascock. On Monday | commu-
nicated the fact to MIR. GlsscOck by mail.
On Tuesday I visited the court room TO see
Mr.. Glascock and Yourself, and cOnversed
with Mr.. Glascock and Judge Trgg. l
thought that had given satisfaction in re-
gard 10 the matter, as Judge Trigg seemed
10 be satisfied.
It seems, however, that such is not the
case, and if so, l will respectfully request,
that if / am TO be also responsible for such
parties, l must be relieved from keeping
Them any longer. As regards keeping men
in close CONTINENT, who are not convicted,
/ cannot do that. / will further state that
at the closing Of the prison, Bogart was con-
cealed in the kitchen, which Is hear the
wall that was blown down TO the ground on
the 18th of January last. The gap has been
closed only temporarily, from the TACT that
at the time Of its being blown down, l
| thought that the wall was to be extended.
/ have, however, kept guard stationed
there during the day, but before the guard
was taken off, and before the count was
made Bogart made his escape, by going
over the gap. Bogart, however, was Of that
| class that we did not count. But when the
prison was closed it could easily be sscer-
| Iained that he was missing, by his not be-
| ing in his usual place.
/ will further state that this is no place
| for a prisoner until after be is convicted,
and that take those parties in charge only
| for accommodation. II | am to be held re-
sponsible for them, l would prefer that they
| be removed, as l will not answer for their
appearance when called for.
l have kept the prisoners as safely as l
possibly could without putting them in close
confinement, aud have not allowed them to
have communication with any one from the
outside, without fret obtaining an order
from the proper authorities. In two in
| stances a gentleman called to see Bogart,
| claiming to be his attorney, employed by
Bogart's father, and again another gentle
mau called, representing himself 10 be Bo-
| CARTS attorney, saying That he was sent by
| Judge Advocate Yors. ! would not, how
ever, allow him to have any interview with
| the prisoner, without an order from Glds-
/ cock or Gen. II W. johnson.
| ] think that this statement will show you
| that have done lay duty in every respect.
! respectfully request that this statement
may be transmitted to the Senate and House
| for investigation, inasnuch as several mem
| bers OF the Legislature have been here max
| ing inquiries IL regard to the matter.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
ANDREW JOHNSON, jr., Agent.