The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-15
5HAvANA,s DREAD PRISONS.

the utmost contem pt.
HAVANA,S DREAD PRISONS.
Methods Of Torture in Guiana and
MORO Castle.
TAMPA Fla, April IA correspondent
writing from Havana says: Through the
courtesy of a gentleman well acquainted
with the Spanish authorities / was yes
terday given permit to spend an hour
in the prisons Of Cabana and MORO Cas-
tle / had been there before, but / was
not permitted on the previous occasion to
go as freely through those gloomy corri-
doris as was OF yesterday. The great
est diligence and care are exercised toward
keeping newspaper men from inside these
blood-stained walls. ! was introduced as
an architect from Germany, and as there
happened not to be man there who could
speak word of German I had no difficulty
in making mental observations of what was
going on. 1t is impossible to convey to
the reader the filth and dirt, the poisonous
gases, the obnoxious and almost sitting
odors, the weirdness and ghostliness of
these dark and deadly cells, where there
are over one thousand prisoners Gagged.
1t would tax the human mind to conceive
plan by which the real and supposed Of
tenders of Spanish laws could be more
inhumanly treated than the poor unfortu-
mates who. at this time, are incarcerated
in MORO Castle and in Cabana. Five or
SIX Of them DIE every DAY ioE r the man.
They are not permitted to speak to one an
other, nor is en- invited conversation with
all all Thev mus eat the miserable and
scanty dishes set before them without conn
plant. The shackles around their feet and
hands may gnaw away the flesh, flies and
verrnin may attack the lacerated muscles,
but he must not make complaint to the of
ficers who are in charge of that institution.
Sometimes very often, person is arrested
and thrown into Jail without being told
what offense he has committed, and then
held there for weeks, and sometimes for
months and years withoet permission TO
send word to his family or friends as to
It would be difficult to intelligently de-
scribe the architecture of those two con-
nectea 1assiies wnose ege y blood Ts
cells are small and are. devoid OF flooring,
except heavy stone blocks, made necessary
the prisoners lying on the cold stone, and
sleeping the best way thew can. Thick and
heavy walls. divide the narrow cages. Inere
are no windows to let in the slightest ray
-of light or fresh air from the sea. The cries
of tortured victims, the walls of sentenced
heard on every side. Men with gaunt faces
and hollow eyes peeped anxiously at me as
passed along the narrow corridors In cey
told of their Understandable misery and suf-
fering. Those who enter the grim portals
of these two prisons may as well Ieave al
that every person accused is guilty, unless
he proves himself innocent.
The commonest way of execution, and
one or more Of these happen almost every
day, is to garrote the victims. The ma,
chokes the person without suspending him
in. the air. The condemned is seated In
chair and an iron collar of the width Of
about an inch is placed around his neck
AT the command of an officer screw is
turned, there is slight CONFUSION of the
muscles and smother stongue for liberty has
haan Sjlenped forever.
4 negro named Ballentine is the execu-
toner. Some years ago the government
was short officer to perform the duty.
About this time Ballentine killed neigh
Dor, and was sentenced to death. The
he was given the choice of taking the po-
sition of garroter or being garroted him
self. He chose the former. He has gar
roted over five hundred men in his life,
morning He e allowed one ounce in gold
bacco and good food. When he is not pro-
fessionally engaged he is locked up and
goes out garrofing he is as closely watched
as are the condemned.
1t seems that for. the past year or SO
lated sums due him for his murderous
work, and SO a few weeks ago he made
him that unless N ali sfrears were instantly afy
settled he would resign his job. The
captain informed him that. the government
was DESTROYS of changing garroters as
he was, and that he could Quit any time he
wished. but Informed Ballentine at the
same time that the first work of his sue
cessor would he to do for him that which
he (Ballentine) had done for hundreds IF
others. Murderer Ballentine is now, it Is
said upon good authority, much satisfied
with his position, and has assured the gov
eminent that It is pleasure for him to
glory of serving the dear old country so
near his. heart. Many of these executions
ns IS re
ceive the application of the iron band. At
these executions If any one in the audience
mercy for the condemned. he would be in
stantly shot, killed before the garroting
rakes place. l net, Witnesses are not per-
hurl imprecatfons at the trembling victim.
In the jail yesterday agar. saw Gomez.
talked with him few days ago. He now
has hopes that he will be tried before the
said that the wife of the Captain-general.
who. by the way. has been great friend
to the negro race on the island. has inter
leader. Of the rebels. and has asked that he
he exiled instead of shot. The Cantain-gen-
scholarly woman. All of her life she has
been a great Abolitionist. and has since
the negroes have been liberated from slav-
cry been their best friend She has in
sisted upon the male members being adj
compels the hundreds of soldiers and serv-
ants around the palace to do likewise.
Yellow Fever Attacks the Spnniardx.
WASHINGTON, April l4.--Surgeon-gen-
cral Wynan has received a letter through
the State Department from United States
Consul Hyatt, at Santiago de Cuba dated
March 80. informing him that during Sthe
first part OF the month three deaths from
yellow fever occurred in that city. "The
mortality for the last fifteen days" lie
says. is probably heavier on account of
~.
for the Spanish army. Fever had not en-
tirely died out during the winter and has
started in now in malignant form, and
promises 10 be exceedingly u1healthy"
Mr.. Hyatt adds: 1.-THE Cubans themselves
of the fever. and have therefore. but little
10 fear in this direction. The country peo-
pie and residents Of the small villages In