The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-22
Burglar Brown on Trial
Before a Jury.
HAD SAWED RON BARS.
Saws, File and Mallet Pound On His
Person and In Cell.
PRISON OFFICERS TESTIFIED.

Inc notorious burglar, James y brOWhs
who is in states prison nDder sentence for
breaking into the residence Of former Coun-
Gilman sturgos of tho First ward, and who
created somo serious trouble where he is con-
fined last week, was tried today IN Judge
Wilbur's court under an indictment found
against him for attempting to break Jail.
Brown looked quite bale and hearty whom
he stood up to plead today and showed no
marks OF the discipline recently inflicted
upon him.
Clerk Webster testified in regard to the
commitment Of Brown to the states prison.
Warden Nelson Wall testified that ON April
"a, ON account of HIS bad condu ct. Brown was
taken TO the dark cell in the basement Of
the prison. This bad conduct consisted OF
shouting in a loud voice, the use Of profane
language and carrying on in a manner that
disturbed the whole prison. Some time after
Brown was put in tho cell 1t was discovered
that the zinc door had been sawed.
The witness wac asked by Thomas II Vance.
counsel for Brown, il the defendant was not
in November, 1897, pronounced insane by
Drs Keene and McCaw. The attorney general
objected to the question, and Mr. Vance said
he intended 10 ask witness when the prisoner
was pronounced cured. Judge wilbur ruled
the question out. On redirect Attorney
General Tanner asked the warden IL the saw
ing could be lone easily and with hut little
chance of detection. and the answer wac 10
the affirmative and the information given
that the cutting was recent. Every man who
went into the basement was closely exam
ined, and the witness was asked IL there was
a new man employed in the prison Mt this
time.
Mr.. Vance obiected to the question. and
.he attorney general said the question was q
necessary one, as IL was essential to show
the prisoner had an opportunity to get the
saws to cut his way out. Judge Wilbur ad-
mittei the question and Warden Wall said
that one OF the employees out at the prison
acted suspiciously and the officials became
convinced there was a traitor in the institu-
tion who was helping Brown, and the man
was discharged. Come Of the information
about the mau disc harged came from the
outside OF the prison.
Witness said IL a man got ont of the dark
cell the officer would be at bis mercy.
Oscar Kemp, an officer at the prison. testi-
fed that the cell was all right ON Friday
before the Sunday that Brown was put in 10.
Brown had cut a bar about half of on the
9th and the sheet iron door was cut about
half way through the next day. Witness
found saws in rown clothing and more
saws in his cell. In addition to the saws q
file was found on Brown and later a mallet
and q knife and IL blades.
Officer K J Davis testified that he saw parts
Of saws taken from the clothing of Brown;
that there mad been careful examinations
made Of the dark coll before Brown was put
In il.
Attorney Vance said that the defence was
that the saving OF the bar and door was done
by Ryan, the prisoner who was IN the dark
cell just before Brown was placed in Il.
Brown said he was on April "a put in the
dungeon. being taken there in his under
clothing, and VIXEN the pris on suit was put
on again il was searched. From the 23d to
the 9th he was hantc,fed and IL would be
impossible for n man to saw the door il he was
handcuffed. He denied telling the officers that
his game was mp. What he did say WAS their
game was mp. He was not In the dark cell
on the 18th as officer Davis had testified.