Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-26
investigation Of State Prison Affairs.


Investigation Of State Prison Affairs.
!, The hearing of witnesses before the special
legislative committee to investigate the affairs
OF the State Prison, was continued yesterday
afternoon, in the Representatives Hall. There
was an apparent lessenng of interest from
the previous day, no startling developments
having been made, and nothing bordering on
a sensational character having been elected.
Mr.. Chas. G. Chase, overseer of the shoe
shop, was recalled, and questioned. The GUS
tom branch of the establishment had in
creased; had II men now at work; the num-
Der had been less; Mr.. Rice, on going away,
had frequented given directions what to do in
case OF fire; an engineer is kept at Prison all
the time, and engine supposed to be kept in
order; steamer worked well the night of the
fire, the steamer worked inside the yard night
of fire. Mr.. Rice's directions always had
been to place the engine at the reservoir near
the stable; machine worked well when first
started and then was disabled.
The three gentlemen who had been exam
ined, Messrs. kelloch, G. 7. Chase, 4. Otis,
and c. G. Chase, were discharged from fur
Their attendance.
A motion of Mr.. Talbot to listen to the
testimony OF Warden Rice was voted down.
The committee then adjourned at three
|
EVENING.
Quite number Of new witnesses appeared
at the hearing in the evening.
Cyrus Maxcy of Thomaston testified. Was
Deputy Warden from Aug. !, 1868; employed
now carpenter, has been from two years
last May; have salary of 500; while deputy
Warden had salary from 5000 to $500; never
occupied buildings belonging to the State;
was commissary of prison portion Of the
time, and looked after clothing and food CT
prisoners; had to look after the matter all the
time he was there have had charge of repair
ing buildings; there are nine tenements out
side of prison belonging to the State; in max
ing repairs on buildings have had help of
convicts, and have kept account of time.
While deputy warden had visited the dun
geon: was not furnished with beds on straw;
DR.. Baker and DR.. Ludwig had been fire.
quently called in as physician; Albert Peters
an inmate, had died while he warden;
had been punished by being put into dungeon.
Peters put into dungeon occasionally some
times remaining in from "a to sc hours; no
straw in dungeon-nothing but bare stones
record shows when he went in and when he
went out; Peters hid away under the floor, to
make his escape; laid on ground for "a hours,
and got violent cold; Fever saw any copy of
rules and regulations except the one he had;
thinks the book was made up by Tinker;
Henry c. Marden was employed about the
prison in 1864, and up to present time; he is
salesman at the prison. The treatment OF
prisoners was kind and humane, properly
treated by the warden and subordiRates; the
| old dungeon has been torn away did not know
anything about the present one. Did not
know Of any person having property from the
prison without paying for it repairs on build
iugs had been iudiciously made have often
| pnp lto6 no
pairs; seen no severity to prisoners. Was
present at fire and acted as foreman of one of
the machines, and worked it at the best ad-
vantage; everything was done that could be
done TO put out the fire. Affairs of prison
arc conducted systematically it is the depu-
ty warden's duty to instruct new officers as to
their duties: did not know certainly that the
steamer was in working condition. Had no
orders about placing the engine in case of
fire. Engine worked we'll for perhaps three
quarters of an hour, and then from some
cause stopped. Don't know what was the
matter; she worked afterwards.
The next witness was Elbridgc Burton.
Was deputy warden from 1865 to 1871; he
had never occupied any building belonging by
the State. Had known of men having their
feet chilled by being put into dungeons aid
ed in taking account of stock in guard ROOM
warden had no direction about putting pris-
oners in dungeon; it was done by those IN
der him. whose duty it was; when the pris-
oners made promises to behave they were
taken out.
Isaac II. Burkett testified. Worked in
prison from 1862 to Feb. 1866; was in paint
department; was also employed from May
| 1871 to 1s12 always assisted in taking
count of stock; did some custom work, of
which he kept account; had kept account of
work done by warden; put the prices upon
the work done in his shop; did not know
abou. the sale of carriages. When he knew
last of the shop burned there was ash lumber
stored in it; account of stock was taken at
the time Rice was made warden knew of no
cheating on the part of warden or employees.
Alvin A. Newbert testified:
Was in prison as guard; commenced in
1866 and for six years thereafter; also worked
IN the paint shop afterwards; didn't know
the price put upon any of the articles did
not know of any employees receiving presents
or extra compensation; SO far as he knew
affairs of his shop administered judiciously;
saw no improper conduct to prisoners; they
were regularly and profitably employed.
Howard Morton testified
Employed in wheelwright shop up to II;
surveyed and classified the lumber in his de
partment. Had given in true schedule 10 the
appraisers.
Sylvester b. Haker testified
Lives opposite the prison; worked on the
hand engine at time Of fire; fired had broken
out when he arrived; steamer was getting up
steam when he had arrived; continued there
until morning working; no property taken ont
of the building after he arrived, as far as he
knew did not know what done at east
end OF building; don't know anything about
Mr.. Rice's orders at the time.
The witnesses that had been examined
were excused from further attendance.
Adjourned to eight o'clock this morning.
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