Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-08
". IT. Willidi,es, S,rol,,.

". IT. Willians. Ssrorn.
Interrogated by Senator Buck-Reside 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 think
there was enough discrimination made in the
punishments inflicted: punishments were not
graded TO the offenses committed; prisoners
not treated cruelty; never prisoner
struck at any time; never saw any IF the guards
strike or lll-trcat convict; the food rea-
sonably good; it was good enough. @. Doyou
know of any acts that were wrong? A. That
question is pretty comprehensive. Q. 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 1 left the prison I made
prisoners worked too long; worked over 10
hours; in summer they worked from 6 to 6,
with half an hour for dinner; in the winter the
latest hour they went to work was s o'clock
figured it up and it averaged more than
10 hours; I 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 sworc; never heard
heed swear; the guards were not IN the habit
IF swearing; would have reported it to the
warden. The clerk read from Pat Coffeys
testimony saying witness used to get drunk and
kick prisoners for pleasautness and swear at
them. Coffey's statement is not true.
BY Mr.. Larssen-Do not know why l was dis
charged: there were differences between my
self and some of the guards; did not always
put offenders in the dungeon; don't know
whether the warden thought me- too leaient or
not; was told by one guard that Reed had in
ssructed them to report to him.
By Senator Buck-Ofeuders were Kept in the
Il }o Ed
bread and water; none more than four days
while WAS there: there were some complaints
rs to food; prisoners were not apt to complain
to of treatment; the treatment was accord
ing to rule; convicts were punished when ne
eessity 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; Ootfey
there; can't say he asked me to see Reed; if he
had should have carried his message to Reed.
BY Mr.. Larssen-Cof1ey very bad.
BY Mr.. Donohue-There was no difference in
the food given to the prisoners except to the
sick; if prisoners misbehaved there was diff
ference; if convict was punished very often
he was punished more severely; he was consid
cred incorrgi5le; Hall had five or six convicts
under his charge in the kitchen.
By Senator Wedge-When went there COT
fey had easy time; he was at work in the
cell loom; an attempt was made by one of the
pris ,ners to escape; a wooden hinge was put on
the door; Coffey was suspected of having put
the wooden hinge on; he afterward confessed
very bad after he was put out in
the shops to work; he refused to
work; said he wasn't able; his eyes were 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
hol. 7 n1o fc ar
pense to put in the cell room, and he cut. the
plants so as to kill them; it was pure cuEed-
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 Hanrigan; was q 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 as truthful man.
EEBy Mr.. Donohue-I was! deputy warden some
time after Hauni-an was appointed guard :;
several months was with him good deal;
more than with other guards because he was in
the cell room: both were Cathollcs' and l
think that influenced Hannigan's Judgment
somewhat. Warden Reed asked that Coffey's
testimony charging him (Reed) 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 IT they
did not have enough food and water they used
to rattle on the cell doors, and I stopned that
myself. and used to- pass through the cell room
while they were eating, 90 they could ask for
more without making so much noise; we used to
bring water from the spring in barrels; you
(2eed) and myself fixed it so we brought water
from the spring in pipe; it was given to the
prisoners freely; -Ilade 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; if they
did not keep cups and b lsin clean they got nc
water
By Mr. Donohue-Did you come before o,
after Reed was appointed warden: A.. After
Reed was appointed. @. Then how do you
know there was no change to quantity anc
quality of food given? A. 1 should have
heard of it from some of the prisoners. y
How long after Reed cane was it that the
,hange was made? a. I am not positive; b.
had been there some days; it would have beer
a sudden change and prisoners would haV
comulained; Coffey never complained; som
others complained that the food was not g.
good.
By Warden Reed--Did you ever hear any
thing about there being so much red tape ina
prisoners could not complain to me II tn
deputy warden treated them badly? A. Nc
sir: the prisoners could repor! mistreatmcnt
the warden if they chose.
Rv Mr.. IIarssen-It was the custom to rcpor
grievances to the deputy warden and he RI
Dorted to the warden; sometimes prisoner
we're not satisfied with my action and went
the warden themselves.
Nv Senator Reaney-I did not allow pount
ing on the cell doors, but went around an
rave the prisoners food and water It the
wanted more; sometimes half dozen aske
for more.
WiIltd,1e Sheridan S,r0rn.