The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-06
ENUMERATED.
Penitentiary officials Blameloss
For tho Recent Killing OF u Convict
at Nashville.
Tho Report OF the Prison Inspectors
on tho Incident.
Emphatic Disnpproval OF the Inhu-
man Method Shown.
Gov, Taylor, Taking tho Report, Exon
orates Warden Poarcy ana Says
the Incident WIN Have co5d
Eject on Conyi,tB.

Eject on Conyi,tB.
Special Dispatch % Tho Appeal
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dee. 5.-1hc state
Board OF Prison Inspectors, composed Of
Comptroller Pickari, Secretary Allison
and Treasurer Thomas this morning sub
mittcd their report Of the shooting Of two
conyicts and killing Of one John Stevens
ut the State Prison ON the night Of Satur-
day, November 18th. Tho report begins
10y stating that the inspectors extended
their inquiries into the general manages
mont OF the prison by Warden Pcarcy.
The management aud treatment Of prison-
ems generally IL commended, but It is
stated that the Warden il sometimes
too lcnlcnt toward them. Concerning tho
shooting, the report says, after giving the
particulars Elm relation 10 the lamcnta-
bio occurrence Of November IL, from all
the proof adduccj and herewith submitted,
II seems that the Warden and guards some
days previous thereto had information
that an outbreak would loo attempted, in
which many of the convicts confined at
night In cell building No. 3, were sus-
pcctcd ~ being implicated, aud that they
were apprscd Of some Of the prep
autions made therefor, such as pro.
curing the ropes with which to
descend the outer wall aud orming
themselves with kniycsand other weapons.
but ~ no certain one could be- detected Il
seems that the officials thought best not TO
mako search Tor these preparations of
escape Ia order TO fluid some more certain
means oi detecting those engaged therein,
and while the Warden, other officials aud
guards from the time " receiving the inst
information of this contemplated outbreak
exercising the utmost vigilance 10 prevent
u successful escape by any OF the conyicts.
vet actualcd by desire 10 discover 18Th GER
lainiy thcpcrsons implicated ia the scheme,
they lid conclude 10 permit the convicts
uumolc,lcd TO proceed with their designs
~ far ~ 70 cat through the plank ceiling
Of the cell building and through the metal
roof or 20 break through one Of tho win
| dous uf the outer wall, and tlion be- pre-
pared 10 arrest their escape. and thus with
certainty ascertain and capture the persons
engaged therein.
The Board l. oi opinion. from The proof
that the prison officials and guards thought
this plan thc only certain molo ui detect
ing the guilty, aud they acted NJ they
thought al the time Tor the best. and by
thus planning they mcdiiutcd no injury or
personal violence to any one Hut Ia tho
opinion oi the Board this plan was unwisc,
iniudiciuus and extremely hazardous. Tho
Board oi Inspectors had not been pr'vi-
ously consulted In relation thereto. nor
would the board have approved II had IL
been known ~ ", because Il considered
such means Unauthorized by law. II is
proper hcrn Ia remark that the goycrn-
mcnt OF 900 convicis together many u
whom are very desperate men, aud TO
keep them safely inside the walls Il a very
difficult task, aud oit,ntimcs II becomes
nrrcs.ury tot the officials to act promptly
on their own Judgment and "a control
the prisoners with severity. In view u
these facts the conduct Of the officials and
guards on this occasion should bc charit-
ably considered The Board Is Of the opin-
ION that tie Guard Burnett NJ The limo
Of shooting reasonably believed or had
grounds rcas1nahlcto believe that be- was
n1apl h Of opinion that the shooting aud
killing Of Stevens was accidental and not
incditatsd. bat that this result vas tho
probable consequence Of the plan devised.
In the examination NJ thc prison build
ings the Board found them very insecure.
frum the fourth walk of the cell buildings,
aud especially at the third, the ceiling sof
thin plank aud not more than eight feet
above. through which an aperture can bo
very easily aud quickly made, aud the only
obstacle to rc,h,ng the iup and outside OF
the cell building b. the tin roof. The Board
thinks the attention Of the Legislature soon
tu convene should Uo called to these mat
tcn. T.. T. lt,EhuD, Chairman,
Juus AitIsuS,
4. 4. fuuu,~
Gov. Taylar addressed the following
communicate 10 Warden Pcary, after
reading the above rcpurg
% D. rHrl. Warden.
Of have examined the report Of tho
prison inspectors and the evidence nd
durrd before them, with respect tp tho
rcrru, conspiracy and the drpiorablr iItal
incident that followed be- attempted sup
pres BON. aud am u the opinion That
your action was blamclrH / have be-
come convinced that you, administration
oi thc prison Affairs deserves gspc.
cill COMMUNICATION both iIr ibc bu,i-
npst.ikc ability displayed and tho
humanity that chanryfIas 10. aud am
rlll a. believe that this is thc public c,ti-
mate ol IL. The law b. plain sud succiie
In pointing out your duties, aud ana con-
WINGED that YOU 900 NOT cNcecl your
power Of DUTY ia this instance. As long
as Won Do your duty Boo tho future ~
faithfully o. you have Boz the past will
sustain YOU to ihc utmost The prisoners