The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-08

JErFERsoNvnLE, Jan. 91.-lSpecial. j
The senate and house prison committee
arrived in the city at noon and at once
repaired to the prison. whsre at O'Clock
the adjourned session convened.
The deposition of Col. A. d. Vanosdol,
late prosecuting attorney OF SwiIzer-
land county, was taken on
the train by the committee
while en- route to the city. The deposit
tion was in regard TO the character of
Thomas Eaglin, an ex-eonviet, whose ties.
timony was given in at thursdays ses-
sion. Col. Vanosdol in his deposition
said that the character OF Eaglin was bad.
principally on account OF his conduct
prior to his conviction for bur-
elerv. Eaglin is now under
a suspended sentence for arson committed
before his conviction for burglary. He
has done no oversct since his release
from prison that would bring
him under the Jaw. The character
now borne by Eaglin Is based upon what
was known of him prior TO his conviction
for burglary and upon his present conduct.
A motion prevailed that the com mittee
benceforth mold night sessions from now
until the Investigation is completed.
DR.. H. S. Wolf was thief witness called.
Am a physician and reside at New Al
bany. Was connected with the prison as
physician about the year 1887, bet lie
could not say positively. Capt. Patten
was warden. His duties we're to look
after the condition IS well as the
general sanitary conditions. which were
good. l. was his duty TO pass
upon the fitness Of inmates as to work.
The prisoners usus ly made complaints 10
the guards when SICK and he wound
examine one at a time. The warden
ordered sick conviets back to
work without consulting him.
BE the doctor made complaints about it.
The sum total OF the controversy at that
time was that il must be stopped, that the
doctor would not tolerate IL any longer.
On one or TWO occasions they had SONS
not words over the matter.
The warden made an apology TO DR..
Wolf and the physician. being an easy man
10 please. accepted the apology. Alter that
the warden interiered more or less.
Examined by Warden Patten--Those that
be had excused, he said, as TO number was
not very great Sick calls 10 sore depart
ments amounted to some fifty or sixty at a
time and that some OF them
were GaGe up OF dead beats.
1t was his understanding that a guard
could excuse man under the wardens
instructions. He admitted that during
his time as physician at the prison War
den Pstten never returned a prisoner to
work when he felt bad. Voluntarily
severed his connection as physician of the
prison. DID not think that the
warden had anything to do
with his appointment other than
his moral support He knew in a majority
of cases when convict was really SICK or
shamming. William Outs ey was treated
for two yesrs. He was able TO diagnose
his case. He was frequently before the
sick call. He did not know what the rec
Ords show. Many complaints came up
the nature of their disease he was
unable to determine At the time,
but in some instances he gave
them the benefit OF the doubt and
sent them back to work. Some OF the
cOnvicts were utterly unreliable as far as
their alleged ailments we're concerned.
lie never believed that Warden Patten
ever returned a convict TO work with a
bad motive. some OF tire convicts, he
thought that their statements amounted
20 nothing unless satisfactorily eorrobO-
rated by some In authority. He got on to
he list of chronics in due time. but prior
20 that he was occasionally misled. The
sick call OF the prison was similar TO
mat in the army. Arrangements made
Tor m 10 come before him at sick call
cas- made for his convenience.
Senator Loveland asked for the record
ri admission of ex-Convict Esg in aud
transcript OF the punishment record. Thorn
as Eaglin's description was read.
There was considerable cross-6ring
INDUCED in. AFTER which Sena-
tor LoveIand eaid that he expected
10 provs something after EaQin's admis.
sion TO the peuitentiary. Here Senator
ience submitted by Eaglln, when he was
examined last Wednesday. Warden Pat
ten here submitted the record of prlsOn-
srs punished during his to- N in office,
consisting of ltnose that were whipped
md hung by the thumbs and wrists.
John W. Coons, the expert bookkeeper
was called.
Mr.. CoOns made a statement that as far
as he had gone with the books he found
Warden Patterns account correct.
Senator LOveland said that be had large
contract for brick TO go into the prison
wall. When the contracts were let TO
bonds were to be Sled with the bids. The
contract called for 1000. 600. Numerous
bids were received. The contract to fur
nish brick at S. per Thousand was ac-
cspted- another contract was. made
with another party for $50 per thou:
sand. Warden Patten said that in JUS ice
TO himself he wanted to 90 into the inves-