The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-18
CRUELTY TO PRISONERS.

Ax-hesident OF McNeil's Islsnd Makes
serious Charges Of Inhumsnity.
d. Moore, gray-headed old man who
was released from the government peni-
tenuary on McNeil's island last Monday
after serving an eight months term upon
acnarge OF selling liquor to Indians, ar
Hyeo In the city Saturday and tells q har-
rowing tale of brutal treatment. He
charges Superintendent Arthur Perry with
all manner of villainy, and SAYS that
within the past six months two men have
died from cruelty, while . third man has
gone crazy. Said he:
Eight months ago I was arrested for giving a
drink OF whisky to a half breed Indian, and
alter two months imprison ment, awaiting trial,
vas TAKEN before Judge Hanford. During the
TWO months was on the island l was sick and
was refused medical attendance When on trial
reported the matter; but my story was not
given much weight, aud was sentenced 70 six
months imprisonment superintendent Perry
was very indignant because / reported him,
and upon my return to the penitentiary
! was subjected to torture. was
put in cell 8, which had previously
been used ~ closet. and though very Ill and
weak, was allowed no medical attendance. In
sshort time Mexican was put in the same cell
with me- The cell is 6xs feet, and has two
ounks While alone had just enough room to
take one pace back and forth, but with two in
there we could do nothing but stand I'D straight
or lie down in the hunks The Mexican
was worse of than was. The
air In the cell was bad, and
the place very cold Sometimes a trusty
would shove hot brick into the cell, and this
would warm our feet and hauds Finally the
Mexican could not leave his bunk. Superin.
tendent Perry came to see him, but would not
n N ioio for a laur IL
sent to hospital at last, but died in few days
Inc men who worked got three
meals day, while those who did
not work got but two; they missed the noon
meal, the principal one. In the dead of winter,
while 90 Ill that could scarcely stand, l was
compelled to accompany the gang who were
sent out to clear land and cut wood.
A Chinaman, who was put in Jail TO await
trial upon Q charge of being illegally In the
country, was taken sick and wanted
medicine. HIS request was not granted,
ana one day be was found dead. Pat
McEwan, who was put in for selling LIQUOR to
Indians, REUSED to so to work one day, saying
ne was sick, and the superintendent placed him
In the black hole. He was kept there nine days
the nrst three days without anything to eat or
drink. When he was let out be was insane, and
10 still mad. Another man, while clearing land,
was cut In the hip with an Ak The wound
laid him up, but it was four days before ply
sican was called in to sew up the cut
Aside from treating the prisoners in a
cruel manner, Moore claims that Superin-
tendent Perry makes them do work for his
own private interest, and that Pat Riley,
who 10 serving sentence upon the
whisky to Indians" charge, being an
engrayer, is kept busy making fancy
things for Mrs. Perry.
This ID the first complaint ever heard
from the penitentiary. On the contrary,
the SUPPLEMENTARY has q good reputa-
ton. The story of Moore certainly should
be taken with several grains of salt unless
well corroborated.