Omaha daily bee., 1891-04-29
TORTTRING A PRISONER.
Utah Methods That Resemble Thos
of the Old inquisition.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April Especial
Telegram to THE BEE. The facts of ter
rible piece of business at the county jail
leaked out today and the town is an uproar.
On Wednesday morning last the interior of
the Salt Lake county Jail was transferred
from bastile where prisoners are kept, into
a branch of the old Spanish ants de fe with
Whitmore, the Swindled Nephi banker, as
chief inqusitor. Not only that, but he delib-
erstely held up the prisoner for $500, which
he took from him and which amount is now
under attachment at Provo. Prisoner Leon
ard was arrested. charged with having played
the Mexican in the act where Whtmore
in striving to get 100000 for $1,000
was made victim. He was arrested by
Officer Hills of Provo while on train coming
to Salt Lake. Whitmore, by the way, was
on the train at the time. Leonard is jew
elry peddier and travels about selling low
grace iewelry and watches to farmers. He
was in Provo on the day that Banker Whit
more played the part of the greedy ruralist
and by singular complication of facts was
IN the neighborhood OF the place whore the
bloated banker from Nephi parted with good
money for some old junk, When the news of
the deed reached Provo and it was learned
that Whitemore had been played for a ver-
sharp lookout for strangers. Leonard was
watched very closely. and when he left the
town on the 1880 train for Salt Lake City,
Hills got on with him. Whitmore also got
on the train, but there was no connection be-
tween them and each was acting independ-
entity of the other. On the way up Hills
concluded that he would arrest Leonard ana
did so without any advice or suggestion from
Whltmore Upon his arrival in this city he
(Whitmore) became acquainted with the
facts Notwithstanding the fact that he had
given the officers to understand that the
Mexican was a smooth faced man and rather
of middle age, while Leonard was about GO
years old and wore n heavy moustache,
be conceived the idea that the man who
had robbed him was before him His
choler rose and by the aid of copious alco-
hollc Notifications with which he proceeded
to soak himself, he worked himself up to q
perfect frenzy. Between the hours of mid
night and 2 o'clock Wednesday morning, in
company with Hills and Burbidge the night
watchman at the WahSatch building, Whit
more visited the Jail. The object of The visit
was to try and induce Leonard to confess the
crime. They succeeded but the means used
would have disgraced the most beStal prizes,
that ever officiated in the palmy days of the
mquisltion. BE it to the credit of one of the
party (Hills) TO say that his manhood
| prompted him to interfere and but for tn,
| iron bars which Gagged the prisoners they
| would have made short work of the MAJ
| that permitted himself in his soreness owe
! the result of his own simplicity to maltrea
| the helpless being before him. After get
| ting in the Jail Whitmore put thongs o
| buckskn on the prisoners thumbs and by
| means of an iron bolt twisted them till blooC
| burst from under the nails. The agoniZet
man shrieked for nelp and finally to saw
| himself confessed and also gave up $500 whicl
| hehad sewed in the lining of his coat.
| The district court here will call the grant
| jury together to investigate the matter, Tn
| jailor was outside at the time Of the occur
| renee and did not learn Of 1t till he found IL
| man after tho others had gone.