Morning journal and courier., 1893-03-24
THE STATE PRISON.

The stories of Alleged Inhumanity
and 0utrages NJ the Institution.
The New York World follows up It's al
legations as to crue1ties practioed at the
state prison with another batch of alleged
cases, in point, and gives the following:
Elk CONVICT PLUM's STORY.
Among those present at the oonmittee
meeting yesterday was J. n. Plum, .
young man who spent six years at the
Wethersield prison. He was sent up when
eighteen years old for highway robbery,
and while In the prison acted as an assist
ant in the hospital. Plum Is very intelli-
gent man.
The World has not begun to tell the
horrors of the Wethersfeld prison. said
he tIn the ak years years spent there
saw things which I did not believe it
possible could exist In any civilized COM
munity. It was the usual thing at this.
place when was there for sick man to
be confined to the dungeons instead Of be-
ing sent to the hospital. When man was
sick and would remain in his cell the deputy
warden, on his rounds, would see him and
at once order him out. If the man could
not get up he was considered obstreperous
and was promptly ordered to the dungeon.
81 spent seven days In one of those dungeons,
because contraband articles were found In my
possession. have rheumatism now from that
experience. was sent In without coat or vest;
it was in November, 1889, and was very cold.
When got to the dungeon was ordered to take
off my shoes and 60 in with only my stockings
on, for this was the rule when was there.
'sThe place was absolutely dark The he floor
was Of cement and was cold, while the Waus were
30 damp could mOiSt0n hands by
rubbing them over the bricks I had nothing to
On slice Of 4
and another in the evening. I used to have to
hold my cup for the deputy to pour the water
spilled half Of it SO that only got about half q
grew accustomed to the darkness and you can
only feel your way by touching the walls
NO CRIES GAN BE HEARD.
some night had cramps and felt as IL was
dying. I began to scream for help. had just
well have cried for aid In the middle of Saba
ra. Nobody ever hears cry from that place. ]
can never tell all suffered there.
sWhen they finally came for me was 10 weak
On one side and Deputy Warden Baisden On the
other. This man Baisden is perfect tyrant. He
is man who loves to see man punished. He
IVES an dan oterss aG n shop No before 10
dungeon and mistreating them he was a g good ee,d
~. While was in the hospital it was Chamber
lains custom to take for the hospital fruit, cake.
and delicacies which were sent In to the mer
from relatives or friends, leaving the men only
fragments. This saved buying those things
men in the hospital were given just the same
food as the other prisoners. Generally they
could not eat it. don't know how many men.
deaths were FASTENED In this way. A grea
many, certainly.
Some men had easy times. Charles Webb
ex-president Of the Norwich bank, had roya
time. He ate at the warden's table, lounged IL
the warden's office and practically did as b.
| pleased. Webb had money and Influential
| friends.
PRISONERS FROM BRIDGEPORT.
Ten years ago William Harrington was sent vi
from Bridgeport for two years for stealing. Il
was we1l-to-do, robust hickman. He came bac
a physical wreck. The stories he tells of his sui
ferings are in keeping with these published b.
the World.
John Beck Of Bridgeport was sent up som
years ago Tor burglary. After he served his teri
| he came back mere shadow of his former sell
| He is in business in Bridgeport, but is in yer
| bad health. He also tells of the hardships he eI
| dured.
Charles Swinck and Jake Brown are still
Wethersfeld from Bridgeport. Those of thei
| friends who have been permitted to see them ar
told by these convicts that they have suffered il
treatment, but dare not complain for fear {
| worse treatment.