The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-14
INHUMAN BARBARITY.
Revelations That Forced Convict Overseer
to Seek Safety in Flight.

Sr LOUIS, March 13.-LAs5 Tuesday and
Wednesday q coroners jury began an investiga-
tion at Coal Hil Ark, of the cause of the death
of a convict, one Charles Williams Warden
Gafford hindered the investigation in every way
in his power, but the facts of such horrible
brutality were revealed that he was compelled
TO seek safety in fight. as it appears that pun
ishment the cause of Wiliiams's death.
The shoulders of the convict had been COM
pletely stripped Of their cuticle by the lash.
The skull near the right temple was fractured,
the result, it is supposed. of a kick. The right
side of the body contained series Of bruises.
being the imprints of boots. In the back, in
the vicinity OF the kidneys, there was bFuise
about six inches square. an evidence OF further
application of the boot. The testimony given
by Witnesses and the examination of
received about 400 lashes, any ten of
which would have been considered severe
punishment. This was not all the testimony
obtained by the coroners jury concerning the
cruelties practiced in the Coal Hill camp. Wit
nesses testified that about a week ago Gafford
permitted two negro convicts, Nose Harvey and
Marsh Bailey, to engage in a desperate fight.
The result is too shocking TO admit Of any
tended description. The lower part OF HArney's
spinal column was broken by terrible kick
that Bailey gave him, and by the same means
he crushed into jelly the genital organs OF his
antagonist, who lay upon the ground writhing
In pain. He was kicked in the head and in
ishment was sufficient to- cause his death.
Harney was not killed outright, but died last
Friday, after week of terrible suffering
Another case of brutal treatment was that Of
Nose Elder, white convict, who recently died
at the camp Ii was over the body OF this man
that the warden refused to permit the coroner
TO hold investigation. His remains were
buried In q marsh quarter OF mile from the
camp. An examination Of his body revealed
thirty four sears, which caused the prisoner
great suffering. but not sufficient OF itself to
have sed death. During the investigation J.
b. Walker, guard at the camp, was put on the
stand. He asked if q convict was not
chained to post, last summer. and whipped to
death. The witness said he had not been sum
moned to testify in that case, and refused to
give any evidence about it. The belief at Coal
Hill is that last summer convict was chained
to post. soundly lashed, and left there two
him another whipping. When the chains were
taken of the convict was dead. Another man
was at that time warden of the camp. After
he resigned Gafford appointed his
successor and the latter held the position for
about three months. There are ten or twelve
new graves in the camp-yard and no one seems
10 know anything about them, as no inquests
were held on the bodies buried there.
Among the other charges preferred against
the managers of the camp is that the coored
winter without shoes. Coal Hill is in prohibit
tion community, but 'trusty was indicted
not long 20 by the grand jury for ceiling liquor
and was acquitted because he a convict.
The coroner arrived in Little Rock today and
Informed Governor Hughes of the result of tne
investigation at Coal Hill and at his request his
Excelleney offered reward Of $500 for the arrest
and delivery of Gatford 10 the sheriff Of johnson
county. The condition of affairs at the camp
appeared to the Governor be in such bad
shape that he called special meeting or thee
penitsntiary commissioners. and II was nearly
~ o'clock when the meeting adjourned.