The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-22
THE CONVICTS' REVOLT.

RESULT OF THE JERSEY DUNGEON ToRrUREs-
AN UPRISING OF THE PRIsoNERs-''BoDuY
CRUELTY BUT NO STARVATION"
The HERALD has repeatedly called attention
during the past six months TO the demon
aizatlon In the Hudson County Penlten-
tiary at Snake Hill. The terrible tortures
to which some of the unfortunate prisoners were
subjected were also described. The most heart
rendlng case was that of poor Lawton, who was
thrown down, trampled on, his head battered
against the Jagged flooring till the blood gushed
from his nose, mouth and ears, and who was
nnally lncarcerated IN dungeon the floor OF
which was bestrewed with filth. He emerged
from the dungeon a ravlng maniac, and when he
was transferred TO the State asy lum at Trenton
he was pronounced lncurable. A humane system
OF treatment, supported by rigid discipline,
was superseded by system OF heavy iron rings
thumb SCREWS gags, manacles and fetters, ball
and CHAIN, k cks and cuffs, and similar devices oil
cruelty toward the prisoners The result was a
stern determination on the part Of the prisoners
to make
A DASH FOR LIBERTY
on the first favorable opportunity, and, accord
ingly, the number OF prisoners whe escaped dur
ing the past FOUR months was greater than the
entire number that previously fed since the
establishment OF the institution. Within two
weeks, ending the 18th inst, five prisoners
escaped, including the notorious desperate
Rudolph Pahud and James Cooley, who took the
precaution before marching or to liberty to lock
In their Keepers, so as TO make immediate pursuit.
impossible. The imprisoned keeper, MCAnally,
fred his revolver several times, but no assistance
arrived for three-quaIters OF an hour. Post, the
Warden, admits he heard the firing, but
was afraid to venture down. Hayes, one or
the deputy Keepers openly upbralded MIN with
keys or the Penitentiary, with which on some fine
morning he may return, imprison the Keepers and
set his late fellow prisoners at liberty. Whas
makes the decentralization In this Institution COM
plete Is the TACT That there is no harmony between
the Warden and his deputies but ON the contrary,
constant jealousy and pickering.
But it was ony wnen the Board OF FreeholGers
at their last meeting passed resolution curtail-
ing the diet OF the prisoners from three to tw o
meals day that the prisoners became totally eX-
asperated. Their work is very severe, and the
least that can be expected is that they DC fed pro-
portonatelY 70 the physical STRAIN put upon them.
The new rule was putin force on Monday bat the
DIsCONrENT AMONG TIE PRISONERS
was not manifested till yesterday morning when
gang OF men Was ordered out to WORK on the
aylng OF the new pipe on the county road. TIE
WhOie gang promptly refused and the keepers at
tempted to compel them. The result was hand
to hand encounter. For quarter or an hour
succeeded IN overpowering the stubborn prison.
ers aud lodging them in their cells. Had the
II not all. would have escaped An order
S WAS then issued Ea th3t al the prisoners
Warden Post, ACCOMPANIED oy Freeholder Curran,
repaired to Jersey city 10 consult with Director
Young, VINO Is responsible Tor the resolution cur
falling the diet OF the prisoners. Sheriff Laverty
with stan OF deputies, remained In readiness up
10 late hour last evening to render assistance III
case any further attempt at revolt was made.
An investigation into the inhuman treatment
OF The prisoners was to have taken place on Tues
day, but two OF the committee, Messrs. OReilly
and Melnken, refused to appear, ana no investi-
CATION took place. Great Indignation pre-
walls over the action of these members
Mr. Wickham, chairman OF the committee,
has called another meeting of the committee for
tomorrow at noon, and, whether the aforesaid
gentlemen be present or not, the Investigation
VIII proceed. When one OF the prisoners was
demonstrated with by keeper on HIS conduct he
replted-"Kick US ana put in irons. but no