The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-03
TEN PRISONERS PAROLED
GOVERNOR TURNS THESE CONSUME
TIVE CONVICTs OVER TO FRIENDS.
Men Who Are Dying in Prison Re-
leased on Good BehaViOr-SeveraI
Marion County Gases.

Governor Mount yesterday signed the
paroles of ten prisoners in the Northern
Penitentiary. The men are all suffering
from consumption in various stages. Some
time ago Secretary Wilson, of the Govern
ors office, was sent to the Northern Prison
to investigate the condition of a number
OF consumptives confined there Secretary
Wilson on his return made written state
ment of each case to Governor Mount
These statements were forwarded to the
prison and signed by A. L. Spinning, the
prison physician, and Warden Harley
Secretary Wilson found Homer Rathbone,
one OF the men paroled, generally disabled
from pulmonary disease. He has an appl-
cation for pardon on file. Rathbone was
convicted of forgery Nov. IS 1895, and sent
up from Steuben county for two years
lobe Whitfield sent from Marion county
Tor two years on the charge of grand lar
ceny, is in an advanced stage of consump-
ton and could hardly survive until the ex-
piration of his sentence. Charles Reynolds
was convicted of burglary in De Kalb coun-
ty and sent for five years. He has served
one year and is now in a critical condition
Mr.. Wilson found the case of John Cave.
under three years sentence for grand
larceny from Dubois county to be deplor-
able in the extreme. Cave has one year of
ms original sentence TO serve. His father
Is said TO be in fairly good circumstances
and is willing to bear the expense of his
transportation home. Cave is weak and
emaciated from the ravages of tuberculosis,
ana Is constant charge on the hospital.
Joseph Bell, colored, another of the paroed
men, mas served all but fifteen months of
MS sentence. He was sent from Marion
county. He claims his father is a pros
porous farmer and will take care of him.
Inc father lives at Hamilton, Canada. The
prisoner is a physical wreck. ana II is re-
ported could survive but d snort time
James 5. McMilen, another paroled man,
was convicted of murder in Carroll county
anu originally sentenced for life. The term
was afterward committed TO twenty years
lie mas served eighteen years OF his time
ms ms physical condition is distressing and he
IS Kept in the hospital continuously. Nc
Mlllen was soldier in the Union army
me warden says he has means TO care for
hlmself and friends who will assist him.
for some time there mas been an applica-
ton Tor his pardon on file in the Govern
ors ofnce. The case of Charles Werst
serving lie sentence Tor murder, is pc
cuildr IN many respects. He was sent from
Adams county and has served thirteen
years. The statement of Secretary Wilson
shows that he is afflicted with variety of
diseases Besides the affiction of tuper-
culosls, one of his hands is covered with
juniors and he has necrosis of the spine
lie IS practically helpless. Among the
prison authorities there is a BELIEF that
Merst is merely victim of circumstances.
he was implicated in murder with an
other man confined in the prison.. and it is
thought the crime was committed by the
other person and that Worst was merely
passive accessory.
Reuben Myers, under sentence for
burglary IN 1lppecanoe county, has served
an put slXty-hye days. He has brother
IN Lafayette who will take care of him
Warren Pearson is hopelessy i'll of chronic
tuberculosis. He has served eight years of
a sentence of twenty-one years for man
slaughter. Pearson sent from Clark
county William Battich, colored, is
Marion ii ra&ai county 9 prisoner sent up for
mas already been made for his pardon. He
mas served tive years. He is suffering from
consumption and is totally untitled for
work. The warden says Battich has means
to come to his home in this city. There
are number of other prisoners suffering
from tuberculosis who Will probably be re-
leased. The parole of these men is condi-
uonal and is made out for six months AT
the end of that period they their friends
must furnish statement to the Governor
showing their condition and what their con-
duct has BEEN The men are to avoid evil
associations and must not drink intoxi-
cants.
Ten ParOIed from RefOrmatory
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind, July 2.-Tbe
board of managers of the Indiana Reform
atory to-day paroled the following convicts:
F. K. Miller, of Vanderburg county, two
years for grand larceny; Charles Connors,
of Vigo county four and a half years for
robbery; Charles Wolf of Fayette county,
two and a half years for arson Ed Neff,
of Scott county, five years for arson;
Charles Plumb, of Vigo county, five years
for burglary; John Kintz, of Vigo county.
twelve years for robbery; Edgar Holmes,
OF Jackson county two years for man
slaughter; W. NJ McCune, of Sullivan
county, five years for grand larceny and
burglary; Joseph Leay, of Clay county, five
md 10 nr16 Z
Dearborn county, two years for forgery.
Watkins & Co., of Cincinnati were
awarded the contract to furnish a laundry
outfit. The Fort Wayne Electric Company
is engaged in putting in the electric plant
The board adjourned this evening.