Asheville daily citizen., 1894-11-21
TWAS UNJUST and UNNECESSARY
AND A REFLECTION UPON THE
UNITED STATES COUNT.

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Mayor Patton's Letter by Marshsl
Allison, After . Fun Investigation of
the Overcrowding Case.
United States Marshal Thos. ]. AIlison
this morning Submitted the follou.ng n
port on the Jail overcrowdisR, addressed
to Judge Robt. P. Dick:
II have visited the jail. examined It,
talked with the jailer and some Of the
psisouers confined there at the tine II
was crowded most.
"On copvenipg of court Thursday,
Nov. 8, 1894. there were 4S pris.
0ners in jail in default of
bail, who had been brought here,
on the 7th and 9Th insts.. from the
various counties composing this division
Of the district. Seven Of these were d.
charged bv order Of the court. on Satur-
day eyeninG the 10th instant, leaving SO
In jail. Ofthese but seven had been tried
ard recommitted under sentence, leaving
90 awaiting trial. On Thursday, Friday
and Saturday Al Others were Committed,
some temporary and others under SEN
tence. Part Of those under sentence
would have been sent to other jails Fri;
day or Saturday. but the clerk's sup
ply Of blank mittimuseS vas exhausted.
On SATURDAY. be received more blanks
and Immediately issued mittimuses for
those prisoners which were to be sent to
Marion. They were taken out of jail,
but the deputies did not and could not
reach the train 10 time. 20 the prisoners
were returned to Jail, together With FIVE
Others who were sentenced late Satur-
dav evening, making n United States
prisoners ln Jail Saturday night, together
with seven county prisoners. total OF
81 in all. Aud these were distributed 10
Eve cells, each 6x9 feet, and nine loot
ceiling. Two cages. one above the other,
each 14x16 feet and seven foot ceiling.
and in tour corridors 1.-TWO Of which are
each 9x2S feet, the other two each 6x14
feet) and all With about Is fooL ceiling.
The cells, caRes and corridors are sup.
piled with the necessary cOnveniences,
water closets, etc.
THE iailer states positively that at no
time were there 40 many as 80 prisoners
con6ned 10 either of these cages, but to
prevent overcro wding prisoners were
kept in the corridors around the cages.
On Sunday morning eight prisoners were
taken out and sent to Marion. leaving
76 on Sunday night, distributed in space
40 described. Others we're sent from day
to day until at closing Of criminal docket
but IA were lett in Buucombe Jail.
"Out of over 1000 cases on The docket
at this term 100 men were sent to jail
and these were 90 handled that the great
est number of United States prisoners in
jail ut any time ives the n above re-
ported.
part OF this largest number, knowing
the crowded condition Of jail. asked to
be kept here until thev could arrange
penalties. Quite number of others who
had been paid fees as witnesses sufficient
to secure their penalties, preferred what
has been termed 'inhuman treatment
and voluntarily returned to jail with the
money in their pockets. The jailer in.
forms me that be procured, for this
term of court, Sc new blankets and 4S
new comforts, and that those prisoners
in c lie and corridors were supplied
with straw ticks in addition.
"None of the prisoners ha, ecomp' aimed
of the fare received or of improper treat
ment on the part OF the jailer. and after
consulting with the chairman of the
Board Of County Commissioners and
otbers am satisfied that the jailer has
tried to do his duty. and upon thorough
investigation Of the whole matter / re-
gard Mr.. Patton's ktter an unnecessary
and unjust reflection upon the court and
it, officers, and am sure that his philan.
thropic views would have received proper
consideration had he applied to the court
Tor directions to the marshal to procure
other places Of more comfortable iui-
prisonmcnt. T. ]. Allison. Marshal"
Upon receipt Of the report Judge Dick
made an order accepting it and direct.
ing It to be filed and referred to District
Attorney Glenn for consideration and
action. The court reserves action until
the matter 10 presented by the District
| Attorney at Greensboro or elsewhere.
Court Concludes.
In the case oi Juo. F. Pogue. agent Of
the shareholders Of the Metropolitan Ma.
tional bank 70. the Roam Mountain Steel
and Iron company. Tno. F. Pogue and
Thos. N. Adams were appointed receiv.
era This action 10 merely q con6rma'
ton Of the action Of the Ohioeeourt.
In the United States court Yesterday
afternoon the case Of Henry Koous "
Jesse Owen and Others, suit involving
Jackson county lands, was called up end
continued on motion of the plaintiff
During the argument 3. Revis, one o
those interested, made the remarkable
statement that be had walked to Ashe
vile, since this CASE has been on. min,
times. He lives so miles from Asheville
and the round trip is 100 miles, 90 tha,
the total number Of miles be ha'
walked 10 1880. The court record
show that be could have made the triI
at lesst eight times. Chas. A. Moor
represented the plaintiff and. v. s Lusl
and w. w. Jones the defendants.
The $933. SO that ]. c. Howard. pref
ident Of the Universal Association q
Home Artists. was made to pay Of hi
{ $1,000 bond, has been paid to the court
. The exact change would have reqsife'
one-third Of Z cent more, but % th
change could not be made, the fractio
was femitted. IA L
Court closed this morning and Jude
Dick and court officers let for the
homes this afternoon.
/