Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-19
WRIGHT WON'T TALK
About the Charges Against His Prison
Management Made
BY THE PARDONED BOWSER.
Nothing but an Official Investigation Will
Make the
WARDEN GIVE HIS SIDE OF THINGS

Absolom Bowser, who was pardoned last
Thursday after serving seven of ten-year
sentence in the penitentiary yesterday
made public some charges against that in
stitution. He was one of the principals
in the Obadiah Haymaker murder trial,
which is on record as a famous proceeding
in the Criminal Courts of Western Penn
sylvania Bowser since his release has
been living with his son at Irwin. He
makes damaging charges against Warden
Wright and his subordinates. In substance
they are to the effect that his prison. life
was made miserable by the attendants; he
was absolutely refused permission to confer
with his attorney, E. V. Mccormick,
when the latter called to see him. Through
the efforts of a member of the Legislature
from Westmoreland county Bowser was
finally allowed to consult with his legal
adviser. The ex-convict censures the
guards and officials generally, and says they
are the hsrdest-hearted lot Of men he ever
had experience with. He related an in
stance or so where prisoners had been
cruelty treated and handled heartlesslv by
the guards. He spent 26 months in the
cook room, and says that the food served to
the inmates is nauseating and not fit for
swine. Much of it was infested with ver-
min, especially the dried peaches, rice and
currants- The good quality of potatoes
were sorted out and taken to the warden 3
private cellar, while the decayed ones were
used in the prison as food
Speaking of the care and attention paid
sick prisoners, Bowser said this importan
matter was grossly neglected. Prisoners,
when taken sick, were left in their cells un-
til they showed signs of serious results, and
only then were they removed to the hospital.
Typhoid fever and consumption, he says,
were the only diseases reported when q
victim succumbs Men who were so physi-
cally weak that they could hardly stand,
were compelled to do hard manual labor.
Castor oil and pills comprised the stock of
medicines in the so-called drugstore.
Warden Wright Disseminated against some
of the less fortunate inmates, according to
Bowser's story. Milton Weston was given
all the freedom he cared for, and was al
lowed to escort his wife through the prison
without guard.
Bowser says he could tell much more but
hopes to have an answer from some of the
prison officials, as he would welcome q
chance to testify in q court thereby prov
ing all the assertions he has made, and more
too. Warden Wright had just learned of
Bowser's bitter denunciation of the prison
officials when a DISPATCH reporter called
last night. After the sllver-ha1red omc1al
bade the writer sit down. a slight smile was
noticed on his face, as if anticipating the
question of the newspaper man. He was
right. His answer was already made up in
mis- mind when the question was put re-
regarding the Bowser statement.
81 have not word to say" said the
Warden; 81 don't think it requires any
answer from me-"
'.In your official capacity, and as public
officer will no answer be made to the
charges?"
"I don't think it is necessary ip this
case"
Suppose public investigation is made
as result of Bowser's story?"
Then be will ready to answer any and
have nothing further 20 say
Warden Wright said he did not wish to
be discourteous, but politely refused to
comment on the story Of Absolom Bowser.