The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-13
STATE PRISON
DIRECTORS.
1t Has Been Sued to Recover
Tide Lands at San Quentin.
Guarding Against Escapes Emin gtons At
tempt to Break Jail-Applications for Par
don-Bids for Jute- Mill Machinery.

The State Board OF Prison Directors met at
San Quentin Prison yesterday, with all the mem
bers present.
Director Sonntag bad no sooner taken the
Chairman's seat than the Sheriff OF Marin
County appeared, and thrust Into the hands OF
each Director a summons growing out OF the
purchase OF some tide lands while John Me-
Comb was Warden Of san Quentin.
On March 20. 1889, an act OF the Legislature
was passed authorizing the purchase OF sixty
nine acres OF tide land from w. T. Coleman for
$500, Inc land being required to straglten out
the boundary line OF The prison grounds. The
land was purchased In May, 1889, and now
Susan Crooks and other heirs of Matthew
Crooks have sued TO recover five lots or twenty
aciss OF the land, Claiming title for the reason
that the assessment roll shows that Matthew
Crooks and w. T. Coleman both paid taxes on it
In 1851. Since that time no taxes have been
paid on the land, all mention OF 1t having ceased
on the assessment roll.
The Deputy Sheriff served the Directors with
copy Of the complaint, which calls for $4,000
damages against each personally, and $3.50 per
month rent Tor use since the land was sold. The
fact that The land is under water made the
Directors wonder how they became liable for
rent for use. The general opinion was that the
State Is the proper party 10 be sued, aud accord
ingy 1t was decided to refer the case to the
Attorney-Generai.
GUARDING AGAINST ESCAPES.
Warden Hale presented his monthly report, In
which lie stated that the new lost known as
battery Posr' Is completed, and the Calling
gun and brass pieces are In position. lie also
made several recommendations regarding the
Increase OF facilities for preventing The escape
OF prisoners.
On account of the settling In of the rainy sea
son be had discontinued work on the Tiburon
and San Rafael route Until spring.
On Wednesday morning, at 80 o'clock, Con-
vict John EmngtOn (No. 14.225) under sen
tence OF ten year sifor burglary in Sierra County,
attempted to escape by cutting OUT Of his cell,
but was discovered by Captain While. The pris-
oner was placed In solitary confinement.
Tao convict was brought before lnr board and
questioned. He pleaded guilty and said lie had
nothing 10 say for himself. He had previously
served term OF one year for robbery.
Captain Edgar OF the yard stated that Emlng
ton had dug hole In his brick-ce wall and had
removed all the bricks for a space of fifteen
inches, with the exception of the last row. In
the last row he had removed one brick when he
was discovered by Captain White, who was on
patrol. When the prisoners cell WAS searched a
large file, a case-Nnife and hammer were found.
Emlngton had also made pair OF pants out OF
his blankets, and had torn up another blanket
into strips win which to scale the wall: The
the prisoner and all 10 be hereafter earned.
APPLICATIONS FOR PARDON.
Inc board placed on file the application OF
Convict Gus williams for a restoration of his
credits, taken away Tor various ofIenses. III the
case OF Convict Thomas Tracy, It resolved TO re-
store ten months OF his credits, which leaves him
OF , Tracy was convicted
hfteoD years Imprisonment. He has served one
year OF his credits. He was quito young man
when sentenced, and stated to the board that he
had suffered long enough, and intended to lead
an honest life.
The board decided to abolish the office Of the
SUPERINTENDENT OF the laundry, the salary of
which was 500 a month. Some time ago super.
intendent Rogers died and the Directors came to
the conclusion that the Warden could do with
out Superintendent.
10 regard TO The proposition OF the new jute
mill, for which $4,000 was appropriated. Arch
itect w X. Eckart reported that the plans would
be ready M about Week. 1t was therefore de.
clued 10 begin excavations In few days In order
TO have the building under way.
Inc question OF machinery for the mill
also considered. and the board instructed the
Clerk 10 advertise for bids IN two OF the daily
papers Tor furnishing great part OF the mlchn.
cry, rs II was found that most OF II can be made
In this city. Some parts cannot be obtained ex-
cept from England, aud 1t will take about six
months Tor the machinery to come around the
II orn. About $4,000 Of theima chneiy can be
made In this city.
sHEERIN'S DEBT CANCELLED.
ii was decided 10 cancel debt OF S469 which
DANIEL Sh erin owes the board for lent on a
lease Tor certain Quarres al Slaughter.h house