New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-30
THE ALLEGED ABUSES At ELMIRA.
MORE REFoRMAToRY INMATES TELL or 4nN''
I-.YIsHMEHT-coNsIGNED TO THE SOL
IrARY AFTER TEsTIFYING.

NODE prropu.roRy INMATES TELL OF THEIR
r-YrsHMEyr-coNsIoNED TO THE SOL
IrARY AFTER TEsTIFYING.
E,mra. June a-At the resumption OF the he-
formatory Investigation this morning rne COM
mlttee announced tina, II was ready TO near any u
the inmates who had expressed desire 70 appeal
There was some surprise when the managers a"
nounced that there would on;y be three. IL was sup
posed yesterday that general invitation had zee"
issued The committee decided to hear the three IN
mates as voluntary witnesses. not called by either
side. The first brought In was Truman FUMES
worth. story that he was unable 10 90 MS
work in the foundry. and was taken to the pain
room ard punished by superintendent Brock"ay io'
that cause. He said he was hit once oyer the nead,
The next witness was Jesse Reynolds. who had
asked 10 appear He said he was also puhi'"eu
for not being able TO do his work. and Tor shou'-
Ing from his cell. asking for more bread. Inc tn'iu
volunteer witness was Jacob Barnett the rst-sradc
man. who stepped OF the ranks last week III
dress parade and attempted to appeal TO the com
Inttee. He said that he wrote note and addressed
IL TO the committee. and that keeper naneu
Wooley took the note from him and tore IL up III
his presence He then decided II get before the co'
mttee in spite CT the keepers, and made the oreaK
from the ranks. For that he was reduced IN grace
for insubordination. Barnett declared that ne had
been padded more times than he has fingers ana
toes and that he was hi; the head. The rec
ords show that he had been padded only three
times but he declared that ne had been padded
more than twenty times. and that the records are
farce
william Wood another inmate. testified TO being
punished In the bathroom ten or fifteen times He
said the records were wrong in stating that only
Eve punshments administered. The next VIII
neg- Bernhard Felber, German, said ne was pun
ishel three times. and he was sure he deserved II
each time. oscar King. coored lad said ne was
punished in the bathroom seven times. on one oc-
vii
was punched In the face several times by Keeper
Halpin who accused him OF lying. King said that
he has pains In his side from the effect OF the peat
ing received nearly two years
At the afternoon session Charles Johnson, a
burly negro. who has been In the Reformatory
four years. told about several severe beatings
which he got In the bathroom. He SAID ne was
pie. thrown on he no3r kicked in the head while
down handcuned and strung up by the Wrists
pended by the wrists while Mr.. Brockway padded
him. After IT was over ne said. the blood was
his head. and nc rakcn to the solitaries and
kept there two weeks on cross-examlnation by
in a strike Of men In the foundry for better food;
for having Threatened officers and for having had
ment Of witnesscs who testified against the man
%nes b s he @ he as
taken back to his room: but was placed in the
rest block" In solitary confinement and de-
prlved Of all privileges for about week. Judge
Learned asked tho managers II that practice IL be-
ing followed with inmates who testify at the pres
ent investigation. Chief Clerk Hoppe. speaking
for the managers. said it is followed in some cases
and not In others.
Mr. Coudert asked with much earnestness:
What are expect II witnesses whom we
call not returned TO their own cells. but are
put somewhere else ard deprived OF their privi-
lcces?"
Judge Learned remarked II thought It
understood that these men were not to have any
different treatment"
Messrs WINS and Stanchned declared that the
managers had Kept the pledge Of immunity from
punishment for tcstifyng. Counsel for the prose
cution thought not. Mr.. Hoppe explained: These
mon placed in cells by themselves for a few
days in order 20 have them under observation
and prevent them from communicating with
ether inmates"
Mr. Coudert then asked; Were witnesses for
the defence treated In the me way?'
Mr. Hoppe made answer. and the lawyers
were wrangling the matter when the hearing
was adjourned TO July 10.