New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-27
ABUSES IN LUDLOW STREET JAIL.

ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS OF THE OFFICERs-VIO-
LENT PUNISHMENT OF PRISONERS
The examination Of the charges against Sheriff
Reilly, before Commissioner Curtis was continued
Yesterday. The evidence Of J. +. De Berg and
two other witnesses was taken. De Berg testified
that he had seen Warden Watson, of the Ludlow
Street Jail, drunk great many times. both in
Red Leary's cell and in other parts Of the Jail.
He had also seen Deputy FItzsinmons, Keeper Ker-
nan and other officials drunk the Jail premises.
So great were the privileges accorded Red Leary
that the other prisoners commonly designated him
as warden of Ludlow Street Jail"
The witness was asked concerning an assault
which he alleges was made upon him by Keeper
John Reilly, but the counsel for the defence OBJ
cted 10 his telling anything about the matter be-
cause ii was said 10 have occurred since the fling
OF the charges, De Berg sad that be- saw Keeper
Reilly throw prisoner down and pound hls head
on the stone floor. The cleaning OF the cells was
done by the prisoners. The mattresses We're IN q
foul condition IN many OF the cells. In January
the prisoners asked that sOEle OF the windows De
opened owIngitO the foul air. One keeper SAID
III give You air enough" and opened all the IL
d0ws shut of the steam. aud left tie prisoners 60
SILVER ia their cells from 10 a. NJ until 4 p. m.
De Berg s1ated that until last July he was en-
plOyed by q t0baCCOnlst named Barnett. An atlda-
WI purp0rtiug to have been made by De- Berg IN an
action brought by Barnett against one Settings was
shown 70 the witness, and ne was ked II the sig
y
be genuine, but he could not say that 10 was. Ru-
fus b. Livingstone, the notary VINO received the
affidavit, was called and testified 10 its genuine
ness. A second anidavtt signed by DE, Berg. IN
which he stated that he had sworn falsely against
settings in the former document was shown Biu.
He again said the signature appeared to be his, but
he would not say 1t was. The witness Was
asked If he had said 10 Keeper hcboveTn that be
expected 10 be discharged from Lud 0w street jan
m con-i Grafton Of bis testimony. De Berg denied
that he had made such a statement Mr. Fay, DE
Bcrg's counsel testified that JUDGE Barrett granted
a discharge for his client on Tuesday. De Berg dd
not take has liberty until the following day, how
ever as 10 was learned that the Sherih held q De
tanner for him a charge OF perary, and ne
thought 10 best 10 remain az the Ludlow street jan
rather than go 20 the Iombs.
Kenny A. Frost, who has been an Inmate OF the
iail for three years testified that ia the cells he hd
seen vcrmin. The mattresses were not changed Tor
over a year in his cell, nor fresh straw put into
them, He knew of the dlsOTdeTiy conduct OF those
who frequented Red Leary's cell. He had seen
three or four women IN the cell with Leary. Law
renee A. Reilly, former prisoner at the Ludlow
street JAN testified to the poor quality ana IN
sufficient quatnity of the food. de had seen w ar
Feu Watson drunk 80 least twenty times. be had
seem Keeper John Reilly do acJs of violence to prs
oners ON many occasions. The bill Of fare Tor
breakfast every day IN the week One-thIrd OF a
loaf OF bread and cup OF something they called
cofT.eD A quarter of a loaf of bread and cap If
very weak tea formed the evening meal The din
uer was sometimes of hsh, which was unit 70 eat
sometimes OF pork, which was good; and sometimes
of beans that were very bad.