The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-13
BEHIND THE BARS.
A YEARS REFORM.
PHASES OF PRISON LIFE.


SOME GOO ID POINTS.
The first annual report of the officers of
the Northern Indiana Prison, for the current
year ending Dec. 10, 1878, was yesterday sub
mitted to the Governor. The Directors re-
port favorable condition of the prison
financially and otherwise. No losses have
been sustained since their entrance upon the
discharge of their duties, March IL, 1873, that
were not at once repaired with little ex-
pense. No depressing circumstances have
been met with affecting in any manner the
good order, discipline, or economical man
agement OF the institution. The several Off
GERS of the prison are compliment
ed for their faithfulness, efficiency
and prOmptness, During the year there has
been but very little sickness i'm the institu-
ton and but one death from natural causes,
which is due to the constant care and atten-
ton bestowed upon the convicts by the pris-
on physician, Charles c. Hamrick, and TO
the sanitary measures adopted and strictly
enforced by the officers. One death by vio-
lence is detailed in the warden's report else
where. This conyict's term of imprison-
ment would have expired in November,
1873. The deputy warden, Mr.. Charles A.
Manning, who was concerned in the death
of the convict, was fully exonerated from all
blame in the premises. The financial condi-
ton of the prison, according to the directors
report is very gratifying, due to careful.
judicious and economical expenditure of
money. The. prisoners are comfortably
clothed, well fed, and in general as well con-
tented as could be expected under their cir
cumstances. In this connection the board
acknowledges to Mr.. Charles Mayne, war
den, the obligations OF themselves and the
state for his honest and economical manage
ment of the financial affairs of the prison,
and for the efficient management in which
ho laoS 10 ON
duties devolving upon him; also TO Mr..
Charles A. Manning. deputy warden, who
has been largely instrumental in securing
the admirable discipline and thorough and
cheerful subordinaticn of the convicts.
Captain Taylor, of the stewards department,
and the Rev. g. G. Bseks, moral Instructor,
are also commended for the successful al
ministration of their respective offices.
The only official changes which have
been made during the year are those of
physician and steward. DR.. J. p. Sinclair
resigned the Office of physician and was sue
ceeded by DR.. Chas. G.. HaInricks, and
George Mcdonald resigned the office of
steward and was succeeded by Captain
Joseph TAYLOR. The assistant keepers are
spoken of in the highest terms. The amount
received from
IEcoNE OF PRISON
Is S57,46j %; the amount discussed for
current and ordinary expenses is S49.743 So;
leaving an excess of receipts over expendi-
lures of s7,72l 81. No pains have been
spared to furnish convicts with an abundant
supply of wholesome food, and TO make
such improvement in their cloth
ing as seemed necessary. The
total receipts from all sources, includ-
ing appropriations for water, clothing
and library are S62 965 %; total expendi-
lures, $50. 127 80; balance on hand at last re-
= on HI.
December ID, 1873, of Sill Az 81 The appro-
priation made by the last legislature Of slO,-
! 900 year for current expenses Of the prison
has not been drawn, and as there Is no
probability of its being required for that
purpose, it is desirable that the appropria-
ton be so changed as to permit 1t to be used
for such permanent Improvements and
buildings as are urgently needed. An arte-
sian well, alluded to in the warden's report
elsewhere, has been sunk. the contract haY-
ing been awarded to Beach IL Miller, of Chi
cago. The water rises twenty-four feet above
the level of the ground. The steam fire
pump was purchased of Messrs. Dean Bros,
of this city. The entire cost of the water
works reaches about FIVE thousand dollars,
toward the payment of which the appropria-
ton of g 900 by the last legislature will be
applied, and the balance, $1,000, will be paid
from the current receipts of the prison. At
tention is called TO the absence of all facili-
ties for the proper care and treatment of in
sane convicts. The erection of a suitable
building for the confin ement of such unfor.
Inmates and the procurement of such treat
ment as will induce improvement and cure,
if possible, are recommended. The omission
of the names of the convicts by the warden
is Endorsed by the board of directors, the
strongest reason being that their publication
answers no profitable purposes, but seems
rather to advertise the names of those who
have served in the penitentiarY.
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES.
The names of counties where prisoners
were convicted and the number from each
are given as follows: Adams, 3; Allen: IS;
Benton. 2; Blackford, 2; Boone, .; Carroll. A;
Cass, 3; Clay, |; Clinton, 8; Delaware. 8: De
Kalb, 3; Eil<hart, 10; Fountain, 8; Full
ton. 4; Grant, IL; Hamilton, 8; How
ard, i; Jasper, l; Jay, l; Kosciusko, .;
Lagrange, 4: Laporte, ii; Madison, 4: Ma
rion, Ii9; Marshall, 2; Miami, l. Montgom-
cry, 4; Noble, 2; Porter, 2; Pulaski, /; Ran
dolph, s; st. Joseph. 8; Steuben, 3; Tippeca-
noe, %; Tipten, .; L. s. c. Court, l; Wa
Total, j6S. .rr a..
The different crimes and number OF each
are shown follows:
Crimes against property-Arson, 4; burg
larry, Is; burglary and grand larceny, u;
concealing stolen goods, 1: embezzleinent,
ceny, /; forgery, s; grand larceny, 30; grand
larceny and receiving stolen goods, /; high
way robbery, /: petit larceny, IL; robbery,
10; robbery and assault and battery with in
tent to kill, !. Total, 297.
Crimes against persons-Assault and bat
terry with intent 10 commit murder, IL; as
sault and battery with intent to commit
rape, 8; attempt TO murder, 4; incest, i; |
granddaughter, 8; marrying white woman,
L; murder, IS; obstructing railroad, L; per-
Jury, 3; rape, 5--total, IL.
The number of prisoners sentenced 70 life |
imprisonment is o.
The names OF the pursuits followed before !
conviction and the number engaged in each /
are--Bakers, 4; BARRIERS, s.; barkeepers, 2;
blscksmiths, -; boatmen. 2; bookkeepers,
z; brakeman, l brewers, L; bricklayers 2;
brickmakers, l; brushmakers, L; buggy |
makers, ]; Butchers, 6; carpenters, Is; car
riagemakers, 1; chairmakers, q; cigar
makers, 3; cisternmakers, L; clerks,
L <co%rf L..