The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-15
EXPERIENCE OF A FENIAN CONVICT.

Singular Case Before the Court OF
Queens Bench-Pricked with Needles
and Tortured with Gaivanic Bate ries-
Prison Life in England-Was, or Was
1t Not, q Case OF CrueItys
At the Ball Court, in London, before Mr.. Justice
Blackburn, Mr.. Justice Guam and Mr.. Justice
Archibald, the Attorney General and Mr.. Bowen
appeared to show cause why criminal informa-
ton should not be filed against John Henry Parker
Wilson, who is the medical officer OF the convict
prison at Working, and late assistant surgeon at
the convict prison, Milbank and against DR.. John
Burns, or the Chatham Convict Prison, for having
cruelty ill-treated Fenlan prisoner named Daniel
Reading.
Readings affldavit, which was read by Mr..
Bown, stated that he was, In November, 1867, con.
victed at Manchester and sentenced to five years.
penal servltude In November, 1857, he was con-
veyed to Mbank Prison, where he remained until
the 10th OF July, 1868, when he was removed to
Chatham, where he remained until March, 1872.
In that month he was brought again to Mibank,
and remained until the 9th oil October, 1872, when
he was discharged. During the nrst part OF his
confinement at Milbank he was placed under pun
ishment and kept upon bread and water. On be-
Ing brought back from Chatham to Milbank he was
the following morning the medical officer OF the
prison. accompanied by Mr.. wilson, went
TO see him, and commenced pricklng his feet
with needles. They continued to do SO for about an
hour, when Mr.. Wilson caught mold OF his foot and
pulled him out OF bed He was then dragged into
the surgery, where q qalvanlc battery was applied
TO different parts OF the body, causing intense pain.
Ropes were then tied round his legs and pulled
alternately, making his legs move IN imitation OF
walking. On the next day the treatment was re-
peated, when the pain was SO great that ne
screamed out. towel was thereupon rammed
into his mouth, and he was then lifted up by two
powerful men and let drop upon the bed. lie was
afterwards placed in a cold bath, and his head
held under water by the warder's feet until he be.
came insenslbe. When he recovered he found
himself lying upon the floor. He was afterwards
dragged out by two men, when Mr.. Wilson struck
MIN IN the stomach until he vOmited, when lie
told the warders TO wipe up the discharge
with the prisoners face. In August he was re-
moved to the solitary cell, and Kept there until
treatment to the doctor who ordered his removal
to other quarters. His limbs were parayzed, and
he was unable to walk without assistance, and,
therefore, could not comply with the order.
The anidavits OF the medical officers denied these
crueties, and, with the exception OF Dr.. Steele,
fegned paralysis DR.. steele thought there were
symptoms oil PAL alysis in the lower limbs. The
other officers swore that the prisoner was treated
with Kindness and courtesy, The Attorney Gem
era1 appeared in the case and said 10 was credit
able that DIR. steele and DR.. Burns should differ
as to the medical merits OF the case, but he main
tanned that malingering was common with con-
victs.
Mr.. Matthews, for the relator, contended that
DR.. OIearys AFFIDAVIT on behalf OF the prisoner
was sustained by the evidence OF DR.. steele, and
that many charges put forward by the prisoner
were uncontradicted.
Mr.. Russell thought the case OF sufficient impor-
lance to go before a jury.
Justice Blackburn discharged the motion, which
DECISION was concurred In by Mr.. Justice Quan and
Mr.. Justice Archibald. The ground OF the decision
was that there was no foundation for the state
ments as contained in the afdavit OF the relator,
when compared with the evidence Of the prison
ofnctalss