The San Francisco call., 1899-05-27
FOL SOM LINED
WITH WEAPONS
Startling Discovery of
Warden Aull.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SACRAMENTO, May 26.-Prison Di-
rector James H. Wilkins has succeeded in
giving Folsom Penitenuary one of the
most wholesome upheavals in its history,
and incidentally a very disagreeable sur
prise to Warden Aull. The Warden used
to think Folsom remarkably free from
weapons, on account of the limited op-
portunity the convicts there have to
manufacture such articles as compared
with San Quentin prison, but he has
changed his mind.
On account of the cowardly attack on
Guard James Mcdonald by Jacob Open
heimer and the murder of Showers by
Pullman, both crimes occurring with
only a few hours difference of time, the
Board of State Prison Directors con-
cluded at their late meeting at Folsom
that a drastic method was necessary to
prevent the repetition of such terrible
events. Accordingly Director Wilkins
drew up a resolution, adopted by the
board, which provided that any prisoner
caught in future with deadly weapon in
his possession should be placed in soli-
tary confinement and kept there for the
remainder of his term, without regard to
its length.
In the case of 'Toughy'' Wilson, also
known as Shy Red, convict who had
been punished seventeen times for in
fractions OF prison discipline, the law was
made eX post facto Wilson was brought
before the board for trying to stab
man, the attempt failing on account of
the aSSa1lant stumbling as he made the
| thrust. He was exceedingly defiant and
said he would arm himself as often as he
pleased
We'll" said President Fitzgerald, Eve
have made new rule, under which you
will have to serve the remainder of your
term of thirty-six years in solitary con-
What? Thirty-six years in solitary
confinement" yelled the now thoroughly
frightened man. He was told it meant
that, and was so overcome that he had to
be supported 10 his cell The news was
soon disseminated among the convicts
and caused a commotion.
Last Wednesday Warden Aull set all
the guards available at work TO search
the penitentiary and the result nearly
gave him an attack of heart failure
Knives, brass knuckles, ''billies' skele-
ton keys, ''jimmies'' and bludgeons were
found all over the prison. They were dis
covered on convicts, in cells, in the work.
safe places throughout the different build
| ings, the small arsenal piled before War
den Aull at the close making his eyes di-
late in wonder.
Holy smoke!' he exclaimed 81 never
dreamed there were so many weapons in
! the prison from the time it was built un-
| til we made this search"
What caused the greatest wonder was
| the discovery of a murderous dirk knife
| of prison manufacture on the "trusty'
| who assists Clerk Brainerd S. Smith
| Aull was not nearly so surprised as was
| Smith when this discovery was made
| because the 'trusty' was thought to be
one of the most reliable convicts at Fol-
| som.
The prisoners were then all lined up and
| addressed by the Warden. He told them
| of the new rule and the intention to en-
| force it, without regard to consequences.
! The convicts were informed that as the
prison had just been cleared of weapons
! they had a clear record with which tG
start and had better take The warning.
A pin could have been heard to drop
while Aull was speaking, and it is safe to
say that weapons at Folsom will here
after be manufactured on the retail plan.