Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-08
EDITED BY CONvICTs.
"The Prison Trusty" Published by
Inmates of the Kansas Penitentlary.

punished by
Inmates of the Kansas Penitentlary.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
TOPEKA, Kan, Nov. S.-The state peni-
tertiary and the innovations that have been
made In Its management since the advent of
the popunst administration are the subjects
OF widespread comment and criticism in
Kansas and adjoining states
FOR the past fifteen years there has been
published in the prison by the conyicts a
small weekly newspaper called the Prison
Irusty. Before the present warden took
charge It's columns were filled with harmless
gossip concerning the prisoners and select
Ell miscellany. 1t was edited by newspaper
men who had donned the stripes, and the
type was set by printers who had been con-
Victed OF various crimes. 1t was under the
supervision of the prison officials. and no
comment on political topics was permitted.
now however, its columns are filled with
popuiist editorials upholding the state ad-
ministration. and heaping abuse on promi-
hent republicans and democrats. Vicious
attacks have been made on President Cleve-
land and leaders in the House and Senate
They are charged with being the hired tools
OF Wall street. and are freely accused Of
dishonest motives in opposing the free COIN
age of silver
scandalous stories concerning public men
IN IN Kansas are printed in the columns of the
Trusty, and language is EMPLOYED thai
would not be permitted in the columns of a
respectable newspaper. The national plat
form OF the peoples party stands at the
mead OF the editorial columns. and the 1T
ness or candidates for local offices is dis
cussed with a fuency that is not euualed nv
the most partisan editors of the country
press.
Recently the republican press of the state
mas critlclsed Gov. Lewelling for his liberal
lly IN paTdoning criminals. The Prison
Trusty has come to the governors defense
ana mas said that the editors who have
abused him for these merciful acts would
II justice were done them, exchange places
WIN .he EDITORS of the prison organ. 1t has
said that many of those within the prison
walls are better citizens than those who
question their right to express their political
opinions.
The chief editorial writer on this novel
sheet is an embezzler, who was convicted
in Wichita two years ago. and who is q
personal friend of Gov. Lewelling. He
Is serving term of ten years
Among the frequent contributors is
an es,state house clerk, serving
term OF five years for forgery; a burglar
from Kansas City, Kansas, doing thee
years, and rapist, under sentence of five
years from Hutchinson. Since the naper
mas become political organ it has attract
SN a 6 cat uedi Oh attention. and the COM
ment is bitter against its course and Gov
Lewelling and the prison officials for al
lowing criminals such freedom, while dom
ned in Stripes and behind prison walls It's
subscription list has increased wonderfully
men of all shades of political belief subscrib-
ing fo- 1t out of curiosity.
WITHIN the past few months there have
been many escapes from the prison. most of
them TRUSTEES" Few of them have been
recaptured, and Warden Chase q few days
ago purchased two blood hounds in Georgia.
to be used in chasing escaped convicts
They are kept chained in a kennel near the
main entrance to the prison, and are the
first objects of interest seen by visitors.
They are thoroughly trained and can follow
the most intricate trail without difficulty
To test their power the warden had a
negro trusty run away, II having been
agreed in advance that after he had crossed
and recrossed his tracks, jumped bitches
and waded creeks. he should climb a certain
tree, where he was to wait until the dogs
came up. The convict followed instructions.
and after he had been given an hours
start, the two blood hounds were turned
loose, having been permitted to smell of a
handkerchief belonging to the prisoner
They followed the route taken by the pris,
oner at a high rate of speed, and without
hesitation ran to the tree where he had
taken refuge. There they appeared mysti-
fled and started on a wide circuit in 'oppo-
site directions, both finally returning to the
tree. Standing upon their hind legs with
their bodies against the tree they began to
howl loudly. If they had found the convict
on the ground they would have torn him
into shreds. The officers came up. chained
the dogs together and escorted the convict
back to prison
Warden Chase says the presence of the
blood hounds has cowed the prisoners and
he does not expect them to attempt to make
their escape.