The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-12-02
THE DEAD MEN ALIVE
ExcErr ONE WHO DIED OF FEVER.
E1.A,siItant superintendent wIlksr'ol'S
Grossly Sensational Charges against
the Management of ths Mounds
Vile Peuitentiary Fall Flat.

An lETRLLIGRScgR reporter yGlted
Moundsville yesterday to investigate the
truth Of the stories told by Ex'Asaistant
Superintendent WilkeTson concerning al
legged cruel practices at the State Penitsn'
tlary, which charges were printed in the
Cincinnati Enquirer Of Tuesday, and Ee-
printed In substantially tho same form in
Yesterdays INTRLLIGRECER, supt, Peck
was absent from home, having gone
to Fairmont with Conyic! named satter-
tiald, who was summoned 10 testify in the
Cartwright murder case. Enough was
learned, however, to satisfy any unPreiu'
diced inquirer that Superintendent VII
keIson's statements were inspired by per-
sonRl feeling, that m2Iy OF his statements
are false and the others grossly exsggeEat'
ed, and that his own connection with the
very affairs which he represents az 90
horrible was that Of q leading actor.
SONS OF THR DEAD MIN INTERVIEWED.
Among other statements made by Will
kerson ia one that John G, RabsEts, John
Forsstt, W, S, Douglass, Joe Paul, Loull
Heckmer, "and plenty Of othsrs," had
died in the psnIteutiary from the effects
of bsstinCs administered by SupsrlnisnG'
ent Peck's orders. OF these men, John
| Forsstt alone Is dead, aud tbs phygiClan's
report shows that he died OF fever The
priaon physician says the charge that any
punishment he had received contributed
III any depTee 10 his death Is without
foundation.
Joe Paul, the Wood county murderer
was paIdoned by Governor Wilson, and
Ia now at largo and was In good health
when he lett tho prison.
Roberts, Douglass aud HeCkmer the re-
porter saw yesterday. HeCkmer is q much
more robust man than one wonld expect
10 zee. Ho seemed cheerful yesterday
lie has never been whipped but once, u:
n mild 6oso OF punishment effected q
change in him. Douglass was Ms chippOl
and lively yesterdey Gs any mal need
want to be. He has boen whipped, bu'
not recently.
Roberts is employed in the engirt
room, lie is an expert in machinery
land admits that he iaigned durability lc
work because no did not like the employ
mont frat assigned him in the whip shop
Since he was transferred TO the engine
room he has given no trouble.
WILKINSON 40 AN INVENTOR,
The reporter was reliably informed tina
the "klcking jenny" on the fortunes o
which Wilkcrson lays such stress, VA
made by Wilkerlon himself He deviaec
the machine, had it built, and put 1t Int,
Use, The only time LouiS heCkmbr wa
whipped, the punishment waa admins
tered by order Of Wilkele0n, in Col. Peca'
absence. He also puniahed Roberts Of
one occasion; and when the Board Of Di
Tectors abolished corporal punishment b
told several persons chat 1t was 5Criou
mistake, and that he would 20 before th
Board " It's next meeting aud urge 1t t
rescind tho order.
All these things are stated by reliable
psrtits, moRt OF them disinterested L. /
| also said that Col. Peck had the beat Q
reasons for requesting WilkersOn's rtsig
ration when he did, and that the onl,
stain on the present prison administration
is due to Wilkenon's connection with II