The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-25
THE DEAD CONVICT.
A Secret Meeting ut Sing Sing Prison
Attempt to Gloss Over the Death Of
Joseph Hopkins.

Secret Meeting ut Sing Sing Prison
Attempt to Gloss Over the Death Of
Joseph Hopkins.
The incisive disclosures which have OF late been
published In the HERALD, touching past and pres
ent abuses in the medical department OF Sing
Sing Prison, have caused shaking among the dry
bones in at least one portion Of that institution.
Ascertaining that an investigation was in pro-
gress at the prison yesterday, HERALD represen-
tative walked into the office. The only occupant
tn ere visible was cadaverous convict, who, with
hands thrust into hts Dreeches pockets, was ap-
parently airing his attenuated proportions while
promenading the floor OF the main reception room.
An inquiry from the writer called forth the re-
spouse that Warden Hubbell was in his pr.
vate ONCE and on being asked If he
would not take the VISITORS card to Mr.. Hubbell
THE INDIVIDUAL IN STRIPES
tossed his head with the inimitable swing OF o
Bowery boy, and remarked II guess he'll come
out when he gets ready" knock ON the fastened
door was promptly answered by the Agent and
Warden, who, when the writer had made known
the object of his visit, said that the investigation
then going on had been asked for by DR.. Pryne,
to exonerate himself from the charges against
him published IN the HERALD. TO o
question as to whether the investigation WIS in
tended to be conducted secretly, the
Warden replied that he would 90 in and inquire or
Inspector Graves II the HERALD representative
was to be admitted. Mr.. Hubbell soon returned,
saying that he was authorized to state that the
greater portion OF the testimony had been taken
would be shown to the writer II he wished. Hav-
ing waited for nearly an hour and a hail. the
HERALD representative left the prison, cOncud-
ing tnat from the carefully filtered statements
elected the public would. even II he saw them,
derive very little additional information as to
the =
ALLEGED GROSS MIsMANAGEMRNT
OF Dr. Pryne IN the case OF the convict Joseph Hop
kins, who was shot and afterwards allowed to die
by inches In the hospital. 1t was subsequently
learned That the person who most strenuOusly OBJ
lected to the presence OF the reporter was DR..
Pryne
The inquiry was instituted by state Prison In
spectOr Graves, the lifelong friend Of the physl
clan. and through whose influence the latter
written notices to be served on the local physi-
clans Of Sing Sing and neighborhood, requesting
their presence at the prison Tor the purpose OF as
sistino him TO examine into the charges made
against DR.. Pryne. Mr.. Graves accordingly pre-
sided at the investigation, and as .he writer
understood, swore the medical men present.
Here, then, was the
EXTRAORDINARY SPECTACLE
Of doctor on trial before jury composed of
doctors, while the part OF prosecutor was left en-
tirely out. The result was that the accused party
was exonerated from all or any culpabillty.
gentleman well posted In prison matters in
formed the writer Yesterday that, whatever might
be the result Of the investigation, the next Grand
Jury will be asked to decide whether the physician,
who was absent from duty although drawing
extra pay as hospital keeper In addition to his
salary as prison dOctor), or the Warden OF the
prison Is responsible for the neglect which brought
about the death OF Hopkins.