The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-10
PRISON WELL CONDUCTED
STATE CHARITIES BOARD INVESTI-
GATES MIR. HARLEY's HOsTELRY.
Charges of Ex-Convicts without
FoundatiOn-NO More Sunday Ex-
cursiOns If They Can BE stopped.

The report of the State Board of Char-
ties and Corrections to Governor Mount
concerning the management and conditions
OF the State Prison at Michigan City was
made yesterday. There is nothing in it TO
justify the sensational predictions that were
made by morning paper. The report shows
that in the main the conditions have i'm
proved much since former inspection. "In
general we feel assured" the report con-
cludes, from the best information that we
could obtain from the prisoners and officers
and our own observations that there is an
Improvement in physical conditions, in
cleanliness of the institution, in discipline
and in the feelings of both officers and men,
which we desire to commend"
number of the charges that were made
In an affidavit of Thomas Shepherd, an ex-
convict, were investigated and found based
largely on hearsay and to be of such a triv-
ial character as to hardly merit discussion.
Shepherd was notified of the boards visit
and appeared to give details of his charges.
Subsequent to the boards visit to the pen-
tertiary, Governor Mount received informa-
ton that places grave question on Shop
herds reliability. Warden Charley Harley
sent the Governor copies of letters that had
fallen into his hands, which Shepherd had
written to six or seven misunderstanding
ing that he was bending efforts to get them
pardons. He said that his pleas were being
favorably received by the Governor. The
letters were really attempts to get money
out of the prisoners on such representations.
One was asked to send $25 for expenses"
Shepherd was never inside the Governor S
office, did not discuss the pardons of any
prisoners and consequently received no en-
I~@s...
Governor Mount was very indignant when
the letters came to him and turned them
over to Secretary Butler. of the board, to
keep with his affidavit. Not having any au-
thority, to offer hopes of pardon to prison
ers his action in soliciting money is regarded
by the State officials as in the nature of try
ing to get money on false pretenses The let
ters did not go through the mails, but an
effort was made to smuggle them in by a
justice of the peace Those concerned in the
transaction may be punished if there is any
law that will reach them.
Shepherds charges were similar to those
made some time ago by another ex-con-
vict which were found to be untrue. He
accused some of the officers with carrying
away stovewood belonging to the State. 1T
developed at the inquiry the wood taken
away was refuse from the bicycle factory.
which the contractors were glad to get rid
of and gave away; The members of the
found things better in the dining room,
where the quality of food was improved and
the method of its preparation better than
before. They found that but 7O-l0O of a pound
of meat was being served the prisoners in
the period the law requires 1910 pounds.
Talking with the prisoners, they found them
much better contanted than before. Shep-
herd charged the warden and deputy warden
with conspiracy and felony. owing to the
destruction of certain manuscripts of his.
On inquiry the board found that the manu-
scripts were partially in English and par
TALLY in hieroglyphics, or a character pro-
tiers of a prohibited character. Concerning
the charge that three prisoners had been
permitted to escape from the residence of
Deputy Warden McClaughry, the board
found that the prisoners had been retaken.
TRUSTEES" are sometimes sent to do outside
work.
The board approved the determination of
the warden and other authorities not to per-
nit excurSiOniSts to visit the prison. Certain
enterprising men have run excursions to
Michigan City, advertising a visit to the
penitentiary as one of the attractions
This was looked upon as degrading to the
prisoners themselves and of no educational
or other advantage to morbid curiosity-seek-
ers. Governor Mount approves the deter
mination and excursions will not be per-
mtted at the prison hereafter, If the present
rule may not be enforced against or
two that had already been planned before
the rule was made public.
The report is of many typewriter pages.
1t is signed by Timothy Nicholson, the
president of the board and Amos W. Butler,
the secretary. Timothy Nicholson, John r.
Elder, Marguerite +. Peelle, A w. Butler
and Mary A. Sphinx were the members of
the board that visited the prison. Dr. Sphinx
was not there as long as the other MEM
berS