Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-20
The Penisentiary Thieves Again.

The following communication explains
itself. It was handed us by the managing
State officers of the Penitentiary with re-
quest that we publish it, in order that they
may stand in the proper attitude before the
public, and to prevent any misrepresentation
a. to facts. We give the communication as
given to US:
"The three managing officers on the part
of the State have been brought so promi-
nently before the public within the last
month that it is unpleasant to rush into
pliIt at this time; but as developments of a
startling character have been recently made
at the prison, and the facts in connection
Herewith wrongly put, we ask space in your
columns to give concise statement of the
case. In 1867 the prison was being man
aged under the lease of Messrs. Ward &
Briggs. These gentlemen orig
mated and inaugurated, as we under
stand, what is known as the "Trustie Sys-
tenn. Now, "trustie" is prisoner whose
time has so nearly expired as to preclude
the idea of his running off-at least this was
the original conception. These "trustieS"
were mainly employed around the prison,
performing such duties as feeding and at
tending to stock, carrying water, cleaning
up dlu dbGclluIllS W TOOllS Ill Lis
building, backing boots, and in fact doing
any little turns about the place. At first
the plan worked well, and encouraged by
this, the former lesees placed this class of
prisoners in charge of teams, and would
send them to any portion of the city, as al
most every citizen knows. This afforded
splendid opportunity to the convict to trade
and traffic with persons along his route.
And this fine opening led him to look out
for such articles as could be handled care
fully and conveniently disposed of-such
articles as blankets, shoes, hats, etc.
Well, no sane man viii doubt that, if you
give him half inch to play on, thief 1val
steal. Of course, then, the stealing COM
menced, and has been going on ever since.
That is one point we would impress, for the
public might be led into the impression
that this system of thieving had commenced
since the present administration took charge.
This is why we say it had its beginning
while Messrs. Ward q Briggs had the
prison leased. We don't want the impress
sion to go out that it has only been going
on few months, but for years. But we
do want the public to know that the de-
velopments made within the last few days
have been the result of extraordinary effort
and energy on the part OF the State man.
agement. We have heard complaint that
the stealing was being done, and
have been constantly on the lookout
to catch up with it. Getting some faint
clue ofthe guilty parties on Wednesday, VIC
Immediately set to work to ferret the thing
out, and did not rest until three Of the par
ties, who have been buying and dealing in
the stolen goods were securely imprisoned.
We claim credit, and desire to prevent
censure has alone induced US to write this
The amount stolen seems
to be in doubt, and we are glad that it is
dwindling TO quite a small affair-small
with the statement that $4,000
worth had been stolen. Messrs. Cherry,
OConor s. Co. have published card that
81, 600 will cover the losses. These goods
were disposed of to parties living in West
Nashville, and may yet be recovered. 1t
would have been doing ourselves injustice
TO remain silent when the public mind was
lifting itselfto say The stealth G commenced
with the new administration, and the State
officers were unable to detect it until it de- |
7eloped ITSELF We did detect IL, and I'M
9drtked ii in broad day. For this reason
we have asked your indulgence.
NJ. MATT. BROWN, Warden,
10. J. WINS, Deputy Warden.