The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-17
PRISON SMUGGLING.
Strychnine Carried in the Hem of nm
Undershirt.

From the New York Herald.
The suicide by poison in the Tombs last
week Of Herman Bansener, a prisoner
awaiting trial, and of Charles Harrowitz.
a consumptive in Monteffre Home. bv
shooting himself has attracted attention
to the impossibility of absolutely prevent
ing prisoners and patients who are allow
ed to receive visitors, extra food and deli
cacies from obtaining drugs, liquors or
weapons, the possession of which is con-
trary to prison and hospital rules.
It was not known until several DAYS at
ter Bansener's death how he obtained the
poison. Then il was learned that he had
brought it with him to the Tombs sewed
IN the hem of his undershirt, and had thus
DdIned tne keepers, who made a careful
search OF his person when he entered,
knowing that he had threatened to com
init suicide.
Warden Van de Carr Of the Tombs told
me that, in his opinion, it was impossible
to prevent a clever poisoner, determined
on suicide or addicted to the use Of drugs
from getting the means to carry out his
desire.
I'm Bansener's case" he said. "enougb
poison, which I understand was strych-
nine, could have been concealed in the
persons, and It would not have altered
the appearance of the garment The only
method of detecting the possession of
poison by prisoner in such a case would
provision is made for clothing for prison.
erS awaiting trial. that is impossible We
must content ourselves with thorough
search and close watch on the prison.
ers."
Persons with suicidal tendencies are the
most difficult to deal with The warden
said that not long ago a woman prisoner
was brought in. Her ears were stuffed with
cotton, and she said she suffered intensely
from earache. He insisted that the cot
ton be taken out and examined. and in If
were found two pills, each containing
enough poison to kill seAeral persons.
Another prisoner, some years ago was
heard talking to his wife about committing
suicide, and a. close watch was kept on
him. At a subsequent visit his wife beg
ged permissiO ion to kiss him and she was
allowed TO do so through the cell bars
The keeper in attendance was suspicious.
a pill of powerful poison wrapped in tin
foil, which the wife had brought and trans
ferred to him during the kiss
Persons addicted to drugs give much
trouble to the authorities. Prisoners
awaiting trial are allowed extra food pro-
vided by their friends. 1t is always exam
ined for cOntraband articles, but some
times the forbidden things are so care
fully concealed as TO eWade detection
Chinese prisoner. after begging for opium
for several days suddenly became quiet.
The authorities suspected that he had OBJ
tanned the drug, but a careful watch failed
to solve the mystery. His friends kept him
supplied with sandwiches madef rom rolls
and each sandwich was taken apart and
examined before being sent to him, but
no opium was found, until one day the
bread was accidentally broken in the ex-
animation and a supply of opium was
found concealed in a hollow in the roll.
Bank tellers disinfect dirty-lookiag
notes by sprinkliDg camphor in the re-
ceDtacle where the money is kept.