Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-25
THE roo FRAOTTOUs WAITE.

HE TRIES HIS OLD FASHIONED FIRST NATIONAL
TACTICS AT THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION but
RUNS AGAINST WARDEN WHO IS NOT AFRAID
OF HIM AND GETS LOCKED UP.
"A rumor was circulated some time ago
that 8. M. Waite. the Brsttleboro inancier,
who is serving a sentence at the state work
house, had been beaten by Warden Rich
mond and was likely to die In consequence.
The story reached certain Massachusetts
papers and is now going the rounds Of the
press Two weeks ago the affair was care
fully investigated and II was found to be I'M
true. Mr.. Waite did have little difficulty
with the warden and was put In 9 cell in
consequence, but suffered no personal vio-
lence. He has been allowed many liberties,
so much 80 that the governor once ordered
that he be more closely guarded. Among
other privileges he is allowed q special room
OF from the hospital, apart from the other
prisoners. Superintendent EayFes has al
lowed him 10 go from this 10 the dining room
by private entrance, 80 a. not 10 be obliged
TO pass through the corridors of the prison.
During the absence Of the superintendent q
short time ago, the warden omitted 10 open
this special door and Mr.. Waite was brought
down to his breakfast with tho other prison
ers. He resented this and In the presence
OF the prisoners became very violent and
abusive. Wishing to preserve order and dis
opline, the warden told him as he stood at
the foot OF the corridor stairs, to 90 back TO
his room. This he refused 10 do and oom-
menced TO use violent language. The war
den put his arm around him and at first At
tempted to take him up, but he struggled 30
that he thought 1t would be easier TO put him
In cell few feet away, and did this, al
though Waite olung 10 the iron balustrade
and II required a struggle 10 free him from
II Altar ha had r0olaA ~ L. l.
went upstairs. Waite is q man Of violent
temper, which his misfortunes and expert.
ences have not helped. The punishment
wrought him up to fever heat and when
subdued he claimed that be was hurt and
would surely die. DIR. Mead, the Jail physi-
clan, was summoned and after q thorough
examination could find no marks OF violence
or bruises OF any kind on his person. He
has watched him ever since and can find
no evidence TO believe that he was hurt fur
Their than a slight muscular strain, but that
his complaints we're wholly due to his anger.
Waite has now left his bed and is apparently
az well as ever, and most careful investiRa.
ton fails to show that he was misused in
any way. The rumors we're circulated by
MIR. Waite, who hoped to gain sympathy by
torious.-RntLand Herald Sept 20.
The above are undoubtedly the facts about
the alleged abuse" Of Mr.. Waite News Of
the affair first reached Brattleboro through
Mr. David Miller, who was in Rutland last
week Tuesday and called on Waite. He found
him in bed and was allowed 10 see him only
in the presence Of the warden. Waite claim
ed to be suffering greatly, and said he should
never leave the place alive. When asked the
cause OF his trouble he pointed to the war
den and said, "There is the damned rascal
that did it, )" and otherwise expressed a not
altogether favorable opinion Of that official
When Uncle David said he wished he could
have been present ct the scrimmaRe TO use a
cudgel in Waite's behalf, he had TO leave. and
he found the seeming OF things very different
from previous visits, when he had been left
alone with Waite for an hour and when Waite
himself had unlocked the outer door and let
him out on his departure. There is q dues-
ton whether this outbreak will not cut down
the reduction Of time which Waite has earned
heretofore by good behavior"
The Herald Is probably wrong In saving
that the governor has ever given any orders
in regard to Waite's treatment. II was Judge
Wheeler who sharply admonished Mr.. Eayres
OF his duty under the law when the degree of
freedom which Waite was allowed became no.
torious
Since the above was In type we learn from
private and reliable source of information
that the fracas began in the Jail kitchen.
$500 hHS AooPoAb ohu CoNtulu DElbOn6IB en-
ployed to assist were cooking and doing other
inside work. Its origin was abusive remarks
which Waite made 70 the warden because the
door referred to by the Herald had not been
unlocked. The reason for the omission was
explained to him, but Waite paid no atten-
ton and kept on with his profane abuse. He
was FIRST told to stop talking, but kept on, and
was then told to go 10 his room, which he also
refused TO do. The warden then took hold
OF him and compelled him to go, Waite not
making much resistance until the stairs were
reached, when he caught hold of the railing
and held on. His hands were upclinched
twice, and finally the warden showed him into
cell. The trouble was entirely due TO an
outburst of temper on Waite's part For some |
time he feigned severe injury, but is now ev.
identity well ashamed Of himself and shows it |
by being uncommonly good nAtured It is |
understood to be the first demonstration of |
the kind which Waite has made during his |
confinement.