Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-08
". ". Williams, StrOrfl.

IT. ". Williams, S,r0rn.
Interrogated by Senator Buck-Resde at
Albert Lea; was deputy warden of the State
prison from August 1874, till May, 1876; Reed
warden; knew how prisoners were treated
considered them we'll treated; did not thin L
there was enough discrimination made in the
punishments inflicted: punishments were not
graded to the offenses committed; prisoners
were not treated cruelty; never saw prisoner
struck at any time; never saw any Of the guards
strike Or ill-treat a convict; the food was rea-
sonably good; it was good enough. @. Doyou
know of any acts that were wrong? A. That
question IS pretty comprehensive. 0. meant
it should be. Do you know of any acts of cru
city to convicts? A. No; do not know why I
was summoned; after left the prison I made
some criticisms in the newspapers; thought
prisoners worked too long; worked over 10
hours; in summer they worked from to 6,
with half an hour for dinner; in the winter the
latest hour they went to work was o'clock.
figured it up and it averaged more than
10 hours; l thought it too long:
some time ought to be devoted to instruction;
punishments were not graded to offenses; the
dungeon was the only punishment used; it was
TOO severe for trivial Ofenses; never saw any
cruelty or striking; never swore; never heard
Heed swear; the guards were not in the habit
of swearing; would have reported it to the
warden. The clerk read from Pat Coffey's
testimony saying witness used to get drunk and
kick prisoners for pleasantness and swear at
them. Coffey's statement is not true.
BY Mr.. Larsseu-Do not know why l was dis
charged; there were differences between n.y.
self and some of the guards; did not always
put offenders in the dungeon; don't know
whether the warden thought me too lenient or
not; l was told by one guard that Reed had in
structed them to report to him.
By Senator Rucl-OffenQers were kent in he
dungeon from one to four days; were fed on
bread and water; none more than four days
while I WAS there; there were some complaints
IS to food; prisoners were not apt to complain
to Inc of treatment; the treatment was accord
ing to rule; convicts were punished when ne
cessity compelled it.
By Senator Wedge-Know Hall; he had no
authority to punish prisoners while was there;
he was steward.
BY Mr.. Donohue-I was deputy warden from
August, 1874, until May, 1876; Coffey was
there; can't say he asked me to see Reed; if he
had should have carried his message to Reed.
BY Mr.. Larssen-COfiey was very bad.
By Mr.. Donohue-There was no difference in
the food given to the prisoners except to the
sick; if prisoners misbehaved there diff
he was punished more severely; he was consid-
cred incorrigiole; Hall had five or six convicts
under his charge in the kitchen.
By Senator Wedge-When I went there Cof-
fey had an easy time; he was at work in the
cell loom; an attempt was made by one Of the
pris ,ners to escape; q wooden hinge was put on
the door; Coffey was suspected of having put
the wooden hinge on; he afterward confessed
that it was him; his conduct was
very bad after he was put out in
the shops to work; he refused to
work; said he wasn't able; his eyes some
what affected; they grew much worse after a
time; the physician thought he put ashes in
his eyes; his general conduct as to the rules
was bad; l bought some plants at my own ex-
pense to put in the cell room, and he cut the
plants to kill theni it was pure cussed-
ness, for the plants were for the benefit of the
prisoners; he was sent out to work but refused
to work; he was under man named Mckay
every guard reported him; he was under three
or four others; every guard reported him for
misconduct; knew Hannigan; was man of
good character; it was reported that he had
been to the insane asylum, but he said it was
not so; he was friendly to Coffey; thought
him prejudiced in Coffey's favor; he was con
scientious man, but not of the best judgment;
regarded him truthful man.
SsBy Mr.. Donohue-I wassdeDuty warden some
time after Hanni5an was appointed guard
several months was with him a good deal
more than with other guards because he was in
the cell room; both were Catholics, and l
thinl, that Influenced Hannigan's Judgment
somewhat. Warden Reed asked that Cotfey's
testimony charging him Greedy with having
shut down on food and water be read.
By Warden Reeu-That statement is not
true; food was sent to the cells, and if they
did not have enough food and water they used
to rattle on the cell doors, and I stopped that
myself and used to pass through the cell room
while they were eating, so they could ask for
more without making so much noise; we used to
bring water from the spring in barrels; you
tReed) and myself fixed it 80 we brought water
from the spring in a pipe; it was given to the
prisoners freely; I made the change regarding
water; had them scour their cups and basins;
turn the basins upside down and put the cups
on the top; the cups were kept filled; it they
did not keep cups and .sin clean they got no
water.
By Mr.. Donohue-Did you come before or
after Reed was appointed warden? A. After
Reed was appointed. @. Then how do you
know there was no change as to quantity and
quality of food given? A. I should have
heard OF it from some Of the prisoners. y.
How long after Reed cane was it that the
change was made? A. am not positive; he
had been there some days; it would have been
a sudden change and prisoners would have
complained; Coffey never complained; some
others complained that the food was not sc
good.
By Warden Reed-Did you ever hear any
thing about there being SO much red tape that
prisoners cUnld not complain to me II thu
deputy warden treated them badly? A. No
sir: the prisoners could report mistreatment K
the warden if they chose.
By Mr. Larssen-It was the custom to repor
grievances to the deputy warden and he re
ported to the warden: sometimes prisoner
were not satisfied with my action and went t.
the warden themselves.
Nv Senator Rcaney-I did not allow pound
;np on the cell doors, but went around ant
gave the prisoners food and water If the.
wanted more; sometimes half dozen ASKED