The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-17
.1 was afraid he would die"

DR.. A. e. Hedbeck, the assistant ply
sician at the Saltwater prison, dumb
founded the Investigators Of the charg-
es of brutality to prisoners yesterday,
as he told how he pleaded with Deputy
Warden Lemon, one night quite recent
ly, to take an exhausted prisoner out
of the solitary, and when the deputy
evinced what he believed to be a
lack of sympathy, appealed to the war
den to release the prisoner, and as the
young man believed save his life.
Hedbeck's testimony had all the ele-
ments of genuine surprise, and it was
not lacking in dramatic features either.
1t had been supposed that the young
Aesculapian, but few months out of
the university, would testify with the
same formality that had characterized
the earlier testimony of prison attach
es. The investigators were hoping that
they might get away on an early train
to attend to other matters, merely IN
tending to lay the foundation for the
introduction at ST. Paul today of what
Judge FIandrau has termed the "ac-
cusative testimony"
The commission had been prepared
somewhat, for DR.. Hedbeck's coming.
DR.. Merrill had testified how in his
absence medical matters in the prison
were in the charge of the assistant, who
was chosen each year from among the
honor men, of the graduating class
of the university. This was adduced as
showing the care which was taken of
the prisoners, in a medical way.
Up to the time this young man, who,
when asked his age, stated that he
was nearly tWenty-four, was asked the
usual question about brutality and ex-
cessive violence, all the witnesses had
replied with negatives, sometimes more
or less qualified, but never material
ly.
When the young doctor changed this
condition OF things, all alike were
thunderstruck.
His scholarship had been commended;
his experience or eXpertness were not
called in question; his seeming reluc-
tance, necessitating as it did persls-
tent pumping" only added to the ap-
perance of truthfulness his testimony
possessed.
An hour was spent in following the
clue which the young mans revela-
tions had given to the commission.
DIR. Hedbeck testified that he grad
uated from the medical department of
the state university in 1897, and came
to the prison July 1. He lived in the
prison. DR.. Hedbeck described his
daily duties, which brought him into
the company OF the convicts. He made
a daily visit to the cell house besides
emergency calls at night.
CELLS WERE CLEAN ENOUGH.
The cells were kept clean by the
men, working under the direction of
the cell house officer. The cells were
cleanly, healthful, and well-kept. He
considered them in very good condition.
do you visit all convicts who are
undergoing punishment daily?" asked
Judge Flandrau.
Yes, SIR
do you remember ever having Or
dered any one taken out of the soli-
tary?"
Yes, sir
"Who was it 2"
Thomas Ryan"
why did you order his release?"
HE had a very weak pulse and a
little fever
What did you do about it?"
II informed the deputy warden, War
den Wolfer not being in the prison at
lHG liIIlc. L AOIlAlSd lIlC NoINSA OIl llI0
return"
What was done with Ryan them"
HE was taken out and removed to
another cell.
when was he taken out?''
mot until after I had informed the
warden, I think"
"How long ago was this?'
"a month ago, perhaps
DO you have free access to the
prison?''
''Yes, sir"
Have you ever witnessed any eXer-
else of excessive violence to prisoners?"
"None, except that I have seen pris-
oners put in the solitary"
Have you ever heard any COM
plants of such violence?"
YES
What do you do about them?"
THAT depends on the nature of the
complaint. If 1 attached any impor-
tance to it, 1 would inform the war;
den.'
"Have you heard of any convicts be-
ing knocked down?"
mo-
Being struck"
Eyes"
Have you made any investigation
of these cases"
"Only to attend them"
do you remember any other cases?''
CASE OF JOHN REED.
Eyes, John Reed
"How old was hep
Man of middle age.
a. ern This 0p