The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-14
ESCAPES FROM
SAN QUENTIN.
Investigation Commenced by the
Board of Directors.
P. B. Cornwall Wants to Back Out Of Losing
Contract-His Agreement Will Be
Enforced-Bills Audited.

De Pue, Sonntag and Reddy.
After the minutes Of the previous meeting
had been read and approved, Warden Nc
Comb brought to the attention of the board
the refusal of p. B. Cornwall to enter into
bond for the fulfilment of his contract for
supplying the San Quentin Prison with coal.
In explanation OF the position Of all par
ties concerned the minutes were consulted
for several months back and very volumi-
nous correspondence was read, all OF which
went to show the following state of facts:
In May last advertisements were Inserted
in the city papers calling for certain prison
supplies, coal being among the articles
specified. In response thereto, p. B. Corn
wall, as President of the Black Diamo nd
Coal Company. put in bid of So 90 per
ton for White-Ash coal, delivered free at the
prison wharf, and number of other deal
ers also put in bids, Offering to supply GER
tain other grades of coal at different prices.
Cornwall had previously supplied the
prison for couple of years, and at lower
rate than any of his competitors.
On this occasion, however, the opposing
dealers claimed that a test of their coal
would show that it was cheaper in the end
than White Ash, though its price per ton is
higher They offered to send 100 tons each
for test, and to this the board claims that
Cornwall agreed. At all events he and two
others sent the required amount for that
purpose.
CERTIFIED CHECKS RETURNED.
As it was understood that this test would
consume three or four months before the
results could be learned, the certified checks
which, according to law, accompanied each
bid were returned to the dealers on their
signing an agreement that in case the offer
of any one of them was accepted they would
Immediately enter into contract Tor supply
ing the prison with coal at the prices mem
toned in their bids.
In the middle of August Mr. Cornwall was
notified that his bid had been accepted, and
he was requested to fill out the usual bond.
which he declined to do. His reasons for so
declining are that no test was necessary in
regard to his coal, as its character Is well
known to the officials and to the board; that
the return of his certified check relieved him
from all obligation, and that his BID should
have been accepted or rejected at the June
meeting instead of three months later.
After a lengthy discussion, in which it was
suggested that coal should be bought in the
open market and the difference charged up
against Cornwall, or that suit Should be
brought to compel the fulfiilment OF his con-
tract it was resolved to give Mt Cornwall
a few days grace before commencing harsh
proceedings against him.
Director Sonntag stated for the informa-
tion of the board that he had seen MIR. Corn
Mnii, anu Ludl uC uIu IOb SGClu " w oHbiC
of the existence of the agreement entered
into when the checks were returned On
looking at the document it was found that
the signature to the paper is in his sons
handwriting.
VoUCHsAFED BY ME-. soNNTAG.
Thereul on Mr.. Sonntag said he had no
doubt that Mr.. Cornwall, as soon as lie
should he made aware of that fact, would at
once honor his agreement. Ii he does not
do so, the advance in the coal market will
inflict a loss upon the institution OF $4,000 or
5000 during the coming year.
communication was read from the San
Rafael Gas and Electric Light Company TO
supply the prison with gas from the termina-
ton of their present contract in October at
the rate of 81 % per thousand IA reduction
of 70 cents per thousand from present prices
and TO supply twelve arc lights, TO burn all
night, for $3.50 per month, or, if used only to
midnight, tor $50 per month. Laid on the
table.
George W. Lee was given permission to
have an employe on the prison grounds
while carrying out repairs to his barge which
transports the prison materials, and also to
occupy shanty as sleeping place subject
to such rules as the Warden may direct.
a. Z. Sargent and j. w. Cutter, two new
guards, were, upon their petition, allowed to
commute their rations as they desire to re-
side with their families outside the prison.
The Jute Committee, through Director
Sonntag, reported the purchase of 1000 bales
of jute since last meeting, at very low prices,
which have since advanced materially, in
consequence of floods in the jute-producing
districts OF this amount Ii. NJ. Newhall
IL Co. contracted for 20O0 bales at .0365 to
.0367h per pound, and 5000 bales from Will
lam Lichtenberg at .0353 to .0374 per pou nd.
The contract was unanimously ratified.
THE wARDEN's REPORT
Warden McComb then read the following
report:
SAN QUENTIN, Sept. IL, 1890.
To the Honorable state Board Of Prison Di'
rectOrS-GENTLEMEN; Since my last report our
stock of raw tute has been used up, and 1t was
necessary 10 withdraw 500 bales from the
Unlied States bonded warehouse 10 keep the
mill running. Tie LOld Templeton has since
arrived, with 500 bales of jute, which have been
transferred 10 the prison; thus, the 1000 bales
still IN bonded warehouse Will not be required
until after the passage OF The Tarin Bill.
The 6-incl iron pipe.Inat supplies the iute-mill
engine with salt water for coudensing purposes
is sometimes So completely c0gged with barna-
eles that the engine cannot draw any waller; and
then IL is necessary to run at high pressure, with
consequent greater consumption of coal. Occa-
sonally a vessel strikes against the pipe, or
driftw0od Is thrown against it, and the pipe is
disabled. These uificulties viii be obviaIed In
future by running the pipe 10 an artificial lake
excavated TO a depth oil four feet below low
water-by percolaii0n the tide will rise and fall
in the lake. The length OF pipe will be reduced
over 400 feet, and in case shells should form in
the piue tie trouble OF cleaning out Will be
greatly reduced
One OF The main sewers OF the prison runs
under The jute-Dlill, and frequently gives great
deal of trouble, as The fall Is very slight. When
the debris fills up The opening. the back water
Uses to the floor OF the mill and becomes very
offensive. Such stoppage occurred recently
and IL required ten days OF constant work TO
overcome the difficulty. l respectfully recon-
mend the construction OF new sewer, with
greater fall, 10 Iun through what Is called The
lower yard. Ii you should decide TO construct
the quarters Tor the insane within the walls, The
proposed new sewer Will naturally come into The
plans. Work on the front building is progress
I'M It
The road 10 the depot Of the narrow gauge
railroad had become almost impa ssable. and l
have had II put III good condition.
THE ESCAPES LAST MONTH.
On the 18th OF August three carpenters
(AbIaham Tuseott, Il. ". Hanlon and Charles
Manning) went 10 the main windmill at tie vege-
table garden to make some necessary repairs
AT the foot of the windmill, concealed under
some loose boards, a confederate had placed
three repeating rifles and three belts filled with
cartridges. Tie prisoners secured the weapons
and moved OIL toward gully, when Guard ker-
foot called upon them 10 halt aud fired shot al
them. As they did not stop and were Fastening
toward The gully, Guard kerfoot fired yolley
from The Calling gun, and rained bullets around
them. Captain James Sharp attempted TO inter.
cept the escaping prisoners, but they compelled
him to retire by hiring TWO shots at him, and they
also fired a shot at Guard Kerfoot Guards
Finn and Cronan opened fire OIL the fugitiyes,
but without checking them, as they took
advantage OF the gully for protection, and
managed 10 reach the head OF The ravlne I'M
harmed.
Pursuit was Immediately made and the fugI.
tives were overtaKen by Vidette Porter, but his
horse was killed by bullet and the fugltlyes
cont inued along The crest OF the hill until they
struck the Laurel Grove Valley, where they took
advantage OF the thicket and tried TO reach the
road. Sheriff Healy Intercepted the fugitves at
this point, but was put on a false scent by per-
son, who said lie had seen the escapes q half
mile further up the road. As soon as Sheriff
Healy discovered that lie was on the wrong trail
he returned 10 The place where he thought they
had taken refuge and confirmed his hrst opinion.
The scouts who had been sent out 10 watch the
crossings ana openings were called In 10 assist
In establishing line OF sentnels around the
basin. which included three thickly wooded
raVnes.
NO BREAK THROUGH THE LINE.
Before darkness set in the line had been made
complete, and all exchange OF shots with the
fugiIives frustrated their attempt 10 break
through the line. Officers Sharp aud Sartain and
GUARDS Considine and Bowen Tepulsed the at
tack made upon the line. Unfortunately Guard
jackson Bowen was shot In tile right arm and
was taken TO the prison for treatment. The line
was maintained during the night though many
attempts were made TO slip through. Sheriff
Standby Of Mend0cino had joined the guard
force early in the evening and was with the
scouting party In the morning.
Soon after daylight preparations were made to