Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1875-09-29
THE STATE PRISON SCANDAL.

t#N - H.t
Eight or ten days ago an article ap-
peared in the Carson Appeal relative to
alleged delinquencies and grave INSIDE
meanors on the part Of Colonel p. G.
LYMAN, Warden of the State Prison.
The matter has since been coming to a
head, and the entire State Press are now
commenting on II, and while some Of our
exchanges give credencs to the story and
others disbelieve 1t, all unite in saying
that full and searching investigation
should be made. The Virginia Enter
prise Of the 22d instant published let
ter from Governor Bradley, which rather
openly charged Colonel Hyman with
being guilty OF the irregularities laid to
his charge. On the same afternoon the
Warden published In the Carson Tribune
the following letter
am charged openly through tho col.
umns of the Territorial Enterprise,
by Governor Bradley. with being dis.
honest man or worse. The accusation is
made on an impression OF the Govern
or's. backed by the testimony Of con-
vict and harlot. 1 shall Immediately de-
mani OF the Board Of Prison Commits
sioners full investigation OF every and
oil charges which can be brought against
me. Until that investigation is made,
and a verdict rendered. respectfully
ask a suspension Of public opinion in
the matter. p. G. HYMAs.
Carson City, Sept. 22d, 1875.
The affair is almost as badly mixed up
rs the Beecher scandal. First we have
aparty named Miller, whom it is al
legged was given the position of prison
guard in order to spy on Hyman; then
McComas, a convict book-keeper. with
whom Miller held secret communication;
then the notorious Mollie Forsha, re-
Gently pardoned. who was engaged to
McComas. the latter worthy expecting o
pardon. Among the charges floating
around are thar Colonel Hyman gave
the prisoners insufficient food, while his
own table was loaded with delicacies;
that be used inhuman and unwarrAnted
modes Of punishment for trivial offenses,
and that taking Molie Forsha from
her convict quarters he had her sit at
the same table and occupy the same bed
for period Of nearly two years. Her
testimony, II accepted, would fasten the
latter charge on him, but whether the
.statements of woman OF her character
would carry any weight is improbable.
The Eureka Sentinel gives at grea,
length the entire history Of the matter
which is, thus far, the best account VIZ
have seen Of the imbroglio. 1t appear.
that the trouble commenced at Demo
cratic caucus held in San Francisco in
February 1874. Hyman wanted to be
Lieut.. Governor. but was relegated to
his position as Warden. Since then mn
unfriendly spirit has existed between
himself and Gov. Bradley. In the las
session OF the Legislature a joint Com
mittee was appointed from the Senate
and the House to investigate certain
charges which were then vaguely brough
against Col. Hyman and which wer
almost identical with those now resur
rected. The Committee heard grea
deal OF evidence and II is believed but 10
the row which occurred in the House to
ward the close of the session and tn,
consequent decentralization of tho Com
mittee that the Warden would have beef
found guilty Of all the charges preferre,
against him. 1t further appears tina
Senators Cassidy and McClinton. who j
seems were the only ones who retaine,
their Senatorial dignity, agreed TO turl
the testimony over TO the Board o
Prison Commissioners with instruction
to have it printed and distributed TIL
Senate subsequently Endorsed the recon
mendation and discharged the Commit
tee. Why the evidence was never pub
lished is question that the Sentine
says Attorney General Kit,rell and Sec
rotary OF State Minor are alone capabl
OF answering. The affair involves on
Executive officials aud at the presen
writing has most disgraceful aspect
II w'ii be remembered that Col. Hymar
was the Democratic candidate for Stat
senator from this county in the Fall o
1917 dis opponent. Judge Clapp. beat
ing him by majority Of 1854 on badl,
scratched ticket. Prsvious to the cleo
ton he was Superintendent OF the Wash
ington & Creole Mining Company. Tn
whole thing is badly mixed up and pre-
sents some anomalous features; Hyma
is directly charged by alleged eye WI
nesses OF having criminal intercours
with Mollio Forsha; that female CO
roborates the charge and gives tim
place and details; the Col. acknowledge,
having been in her room, but says it WI
to catch some other amorously moline
individual suspected OF holding lille
scommunicstion With this notoriou
character who seems to be at the bottor
OF the whole affair. We don't believe i
prejudging man and are in favor q
giving the Warden full and fair oppor
tunisy for defense aud explanation, bu
must say that just now the case seem
decidedly bilious.