Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-14

the bud--Convicts May Now
Grow Boards if Well Behaved.
What Some of the Prominent
Convicts Are Doing.
The prison at Moundsville in a well
disciplined institution The Registers
representative attended divine worship
at The big institution yesterday and the
spectacle was an exceedingly interest
ing one. Many of the convicts are
hardened in crime, and notwithstand-
ing this they were moved to tears at
the remarks Of the pastor at different
times
A Wood county jailer arrived about
a week ago with batch of several
prisoners, and was shown all over the
big institution and it's workings made
pain 10 him. When he arrived home
he caused to be published lengthy IN
terview in the Parkersburg papers in
regard to the manner in which the
prison is conducted, stating that were
the men to make an attempt to gain
their liberty, the guards would be
poWerleSS to prevent 1T; that they
were only armed with maceS and that
the prisoners were given access TO
hatchets hammers, knives, chlsels,
etc, and could soon oVerpoWer ana
Kill the guards, and, as there are more
than half a thousand men confined IN
the institution, their escape would ne
very easy.
The officials were amused at the in
terview, and to any one visiting the
prison it is soon very plain to be seen
that any attempt at an outbreak
would result disastrously for the con-
victs, and the officials, although amply
able to quell any disturbance that
might arise from the scheming Of the
more desperate men, who are almost
continually planning to escape, pc
lieye that should the men at any time
make an attempt at liberty that more
than two-thirds of them would come
to the guards assistance, as has Deeh
done on many occasions where dill
culties has arisen between the convlcts
and guards, the men naturally expect
ing the good will of the officials lns
turn.
There are now over one hundred
and fifty men confined in the idle
ROOM large, able-bodied fellows, many
of whom are very anxious to be given
ANYTHING to do about the prison.
Many of the cOnvicts are wearing
their own hats, and have grown boards
and moustaches, these being some OF
the privileges allowed them for good
behavior, and which have proven to be
a privilege that most Of the men
strive to obtain
About a week ago the guards nlpped
in the bud clever scheme on the part
Of a life convict, Elmer Chaddock, OF
parkersburg, received about three
years ago for murder, from WOOD
county. Chaddock was at the time
looked upon as a man of good be-
havior until his actions aroused the
suspicious Of the guards, he invariably
selecting as his companions during
the time allowed them to walk and
converse together in the yard some OF
the worst criminals in the institution.
He was Swallowed, and as stated
above, some Of the men who did not
take to his scheme to escape divulged
his plans to the guards. Later 1t
was found that Chaddock had gotten
several desperate men to agree to as
sist him and the scheme was coming TO
q head when the guards intercepted
several noAes which were passing be-
tween them, one containing the plan
as prepared by Chaddock, and when
this evidence was secured all were
placed in irons, and besides losing all
the time allowed them for good be-
havior. were refused any Of the prlvl-
leges of the institution.
There are now SIS males and IL
females confined in the prison, and
very few are confined in the hospital,
which speaks volumes for the present
MANAGEMENT, which is proving very
creditable one.
None of the plots to escape from
the institution so far detected have
ever been aimed at the prison proper,
most all of the ideas advanced by the
convicts who have proposed plans OF
escape being to attack and either XIII
or secure the guards, and then make
their escape by the walls or the wagon
gates the latter being the point gen
erallv selected. On each corner OF the
Zig 25-foot wall surrounding tie lnstl-
tuition a guard is stationed who can see
over the entire yard, and he is armed
with a sixteen shot Winchester, besides
having at hand 100 rounds of ammuni-
ton for the deadly weapon, and from
their station, were ar attempt made TO
escape by the big double gates or the
walls. the slaughter Of the men foolish
enough to attempt an outbreak would
| be terrible.
Wiley Lewis, whom thte Columbus
authorities have been hankering after
| for some time, he having, it is al
legged. made at one time a confession
stating that he murdered several peo-
| ple near Columbus. seems to consider
| the desires Of the Columbus authori-
ties a large joke, and he wears a broad
| smile whenever the matter is men
| toned to him.
| Lee B. Mcfarland, the Gefaulting as
! sistant bank cashier from Parkersburg,
| i EMPLOYED in the office, and although
| he has been deprived of his beard and
| moustache, he is attired in the prison
garb. but does not sleep in cell.
His always accommodating manner is
! already winning for him place in the
hearts Of the prison officials and the
conyicts win whom he is thrown in
| contact.
ADDITIONAL CELL ROOM
Contractor Hallock, of this city. who
{ has the contract for building the large