The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-17

Rev. James E. Gates, sworn, testified that
he was engaged rs teacher, and was Me-
thodist minister, sustaining 4 local relation.
Had m appoin tment at the pententiary once
a month. The services there were conducted
as in the city churches. The congregations
were orderly and we'll behaved. Recently an
improvement had been noticed among the
prisoners in regard to religious matters. Wit
ness described in graphic manner the evil
dences of increased religious interest. Wit
ness knew nothing OF prayer-meetings save in
one exception.
Rev. Charles H. Corey, sworn, testified in
regard TO furnishing teachers from the coiored
normal school for the pententiary. They
were allowed to have tickets OF entrance.
Witness had attended service 1t the Massa-
chusetts State prison. There was L salaricd
chaplain there.
John Freeman, sworn Was employed rs 4
warden in the penitentiary from lSji TO lS62,
under Colonel Morgan, Colonel pend'cton,
and Colonel Blew. Evidence in regard to
other administrations was ruled ont by the
Board. Witness gave no testimony bearing
on The case.
At this point the following new charge and
specification, which had been referred 10 the
BOARD by General Candy, Oh the application
of Hovey and Thompson, was brought i'll
viz:
CHARGR-Sellng property belonging to the
State, and converting the aforesaid 10 his
own use.
SpeciGcation.-In this that the said Burn
ham Wardwell did sell, or cause u be sold,
large quantities of rags, on various occasions,
to Nessrs. Corey Il Lubbock, and also rags aud
old iron 10 other parties on various occasions.
Richard Lee was then called and testified
that he was boss Of the shoe shops under Co
lionel Blew. Witness was also under Ward
well. Testified in regard to tho contract be-
tween Mr.. Crcnshaw and Wardwrll Twen-
ty-fve shoemakers We're furnished by MIR.
Wardwell. They We're often idle for want of
material. Wardwell had contracted TO fur
nish twenty-five first-rate shoemakers. Wit
ness said that they could not be gotten in tho
whole institution. good mechanic was not
apt 10 be n convict. Witness was not Il sworn
officer, but had charge Of the twenty five
shoemakers.
George L. Smith recalled, testified that
there was n convict named Floyd who was
allowed to go out of the prison i'll citizens
dress. He was there for three years. His
term will be out some time in June. He
escaped from the James River and kanawhl
canal, where he was employed to work some
time since. He returned to the peniten tiary,
saying that they did not treat him right; so he
returned to the ins titution.
G. w. Pulling testified that he had received
Il pair of boots trom Mr.. WardweIl rs Il ~
ward for capturing u prisoner. Witness de-
scrbed circumstances of capture.
r. w. Patterson foreman OF the pentcntia-
ry cooper shops testified that the General
Agent had sent TO the shops bad material,
which could not be worked TO advantage ::
some of 1t was used, but there was 4 portion
of it there now. The objection TO the mate
rial was its grecnneSS.
w. II. Merriman testified that he was Il coal
dealer. During last December the price for
coal ut retail WIS 50 30, and during two vrcc.s
of that month it was 5000. Subsequently, it
sold 1T 40, and then at - By contract. BY
middle of February it sold low as $50. Wit
nsss offered Mr. Cary, the Agent, i'll the fall,
to supply the pcntentiary with best IN thra-
cite through the winter for 81. Witness con-
tracted TO furnish the city with coal, when it
WAS highest, At IS. - and 80. Mr.. Wardwcll
supplied the city in February or March nj
$50. Witness made L bid at S7.ij. Witness
had never had any conversation with Dir.
Wardwcll in regard TO furnishing coal 10 the
penitentiary.
Had written 10 the Board to know why he
could not be allowed TO propose for furnish hing
coal. The letter was sent (sealed) By L special
messenger, and left 1T the Superintendent 5
Office Witness had never received any reply.
(Wardwell, with one OF his sweetest smiles
- ! never saw the letter in my life.") Wit
ness and Wardwcll were good terms for
aught he knew. On one occasion Wardwell
had ordered him from his Office Witness had
told him that certain statements he had made
IN regard 10 his political status were false He
also published I card in the papers 10 this cf-
feet subsequently. Witness had no i'll feeling
against Wardwell. He had understood that
Wardwcll had threatened TO horSewhip him,
but he did not hear him say 50. Witness had
carried arms for Wardweli.
At the close of Dir. MeIrimaus evidence,
Mr.. Chandler, by permission of the Board,
read the contract between Warlwe.l and
Crenshaw i'll regard 10 shoemakcrs.
Charles II. Page was recalled, but nothing
important was diyulged.
The Board then adjourned until this morn
ing 1T 0 clock.