The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-30
INTO A DUNGEON.
Continued From First Page.

Continued From First Page.
of men who become too familiar with
prison methods. The parole system is
also conducive to secretiveness about
the workings of the institution, he says,
because when a convict is parolled he
most emphatically is obliged to keep
his mouth shut or he will be returned
to serve the full remaining term Of his
sentence.
"Gross brutality is SO common in pris-
on that it hardly excited comment"
fearlessly that I believe there are con-
victs now in the insane asylums, be-
cause Of the harsh and unwarranted
cruel treatment they received at the
hands of Lemon and some Of his min
ions. L could tell you stories past all
belief, by reason of their inhumanity.
[ have seen a Swede convict, whose
name 1 can't recall, suffer a broken
leg by the falling of a bale of hemp on
him, and Lemon actually pounded him
with a cane for his carelessness. That
occurred in June, 1896.
early in March, 1896, a convict nam
ed William Earle or William Grafton
he was known by both names-commit-
ted suicide by cutting his throat. He
was literally
HOUNDED TO DEATH
by that Lemon. Grafton sent for War
den Wolfer few days before to COM
plain of Lemons usage of him, and
that he could no longer endure it; after
this remonstrance, his treatment by
the deputy, who doubtless learned of
the kick, was even worse than before
and he ended his earthly sufferings.
There was colored convict, a man
named Harris, who was a sort Of half
to1 f411 I, i11cr
every week, and it came regularly too,
at the hands of Lemon.
''In the general roundup, I want to
add my testimony to the beating of
Charles Hahn by Deputy Lemon, that
Sunday morning, and which resulted in
sending Hahn to an insane asylum. L
have nothing new to add to what has
been said about it, but 1 witnessed part
Of the proceedings with my own eyes.
you may think I have used strong
language, but L cannot say anything
half strong enough to convey a true
impression of what the situation is
there. 1t is simply awful. I have seen
new arrivals at the prison, who had
not yet learned the rules of the place
or didn't understand about marching,
who were dubbed and banged around
for what had not yet been told them.
The sights 1 witnessed produced such
an impression on me that from the
first [ kept a little memorandum or
diary Of those events, and dates, ETC.,
but when 1 left the place they searched
me and conffscated the little volume.
It was too precious to allow out in the
free world-besides it contained some
interesting reading about the excellent
discipline Warden Wolfer is so fond
Of hearing spoken in his praise"
THREW UP HIS JOB.
The volunteer testimony continues
coming in, from ex-guards, who have
been aroused to a sense of the duty
they owe to themselves, the state of
Minnesota and humanity by exposing
the sink hole of brutality in the lee of
the bluffs by the ST. Croix. An ex-
guard living at Saltwater, and for
which reason the G o b e refrains from
publishing his name, informed a re-
porter that he was willing to tell what
he knew to an Investigating committee.
Said he:
81 saw enough in the short time L
was there to sicken me and / threw up
my job. On one occasion a fellow was
pounded because he merely stepped out
of line in marching, and on that oc-
casion a guard broke a cane over his
head and marched the fellow off to the
solitary. The man was afterwards sent
to the Rochester asylum.
Lemon used to come in the shops
and bully-rag the convicts; he never
tried. it in my shop but once, but he
seemed to know just what guards
would put up with it,"
GOV. CLoUGH's ORDER.
The following is copy of Gov. Coughs
order creating the commission to investigate
the prison management in general and the
ohio nf tU in ri
State of Minnesota, Executive Department
David NJ Clough, Governor of Said State to
Charles E. Flandrau, of st. Paul; Stanley R.
Kitchel, of Minneapolis and B. F. Farmer
of Spring Valley-Sends Greeting:
Whereas, Charges have been made in the
columns of the public press of this state of
alleged inhuman treatment of convicts at the
Minnesota state prison at Saltwater, and
general allegations Of mismanagement of the
affairs of that institution by its officers and
their subordinates; and,
Whereas, Said charges are of such serious
character as to call for an immediate and
thorough investigation.
Now, therefore, I, D. NJ Cleugh, governor
of the state of Minnesota, by virtue of the
authority in me vested, do hereby constitute
and appoint you as commission to fully and
thoroughly investigate said charges and such
other matters pertaining to the general man
agement of the state prison and the treat
ment of the convcts therein confined as you
may deem necessary to be fully informed as
to the present condition of said institution
and the truth or falsity OF said charges.
In the discharge Of the duties So imposed,
this commission is earnestly requested and
fully empowered to make a most searching
inquiry as to the manner in which the officials
of the institution have discharged the duties
required of them, and to ascertain whether
such humane care of and provision for the in
mates as is contemplated under the law has
been accorded
You will, therefore. please convene at the
capitol in St. Paul, on I'd day of November,
A. D. 1897, at such other date shall be
agreed upon by the members of the commits
sion and then and there provide for the
sessions of the commission at such time and
place as shall meet your convenience and
further the ends of the Investigation, and
adopt such rules and regulations for the
prosecution of such investigation the COM
mission may deem advisable. You will there
upon make full and thorough investigation,
which shall be conducted publicly and with
open doors, and report to me the result Of
your findings at the earliest possible date
In witness whereof, l have hereunto set my
hand and caused the great seal Of the state
to be hereto affixed, at the capitol, in the
city of St. Paul, this 28th day of October, A.
D. 1897.
SIG. s. D. NJ. Clough Governor.
Attest: Albert Berg, Secretary of State.