The age-herald., 1900-01-31
4 SENSATION IN
 POLICE CIRCLES
Charges Filed Against Warden
 GourIey of City Prison.
YOUNG LAWYER INVOLVED
It is Claimed They Connived Together in Obtaining Money From Prisoners
 and Divided Up-Investiga-
 yef ton Now in Progress.

Charges of q most sensational nature have been preferred against Warden R. L. Gourley, of the city prison, which<also in- volye the professional reputation of E. L. Curran, a well-known young attorney, who is said to have made clean breast of the entire affair.
 1t is alleged that Gourley connived with Curran in obtaining money rom prisoners. placed in his keeping, as fees for profes- sional services, and shared In the money so obtained.
 The charges were preferred by Chief of Police c. W. Austin, and were referred to Mayor Drennen, who immediately ordered an investigation, which is now in progress. The matter has created a profound sen- saItion in police and municipal circles, and its effect upon Currans professional ca- reer has caused hIm Ito determine to leave the city.
 According to Chief Austins allegations, Gourley, who is on duty from a. m. to D. m. daily, has, in violation of the rules
 
 the docket and given him information con corning parties arrested, most specifically those who had money on their person when taken into custody.
 The Prison System
 When a prisoner. is searched at the sta tion everything in his possession is taken in charge by the warden and placed in en- velopes provided for that purpose. rec ord of the property is then entered on the docket opposite the name of the prisoner According to the rules of the prison the docket is inaccessible to lawyers, who are also debarred from talking with prisoners unless they specify the particular prisoner they wish to see. It is alleged that in vio- lation of these rules Gourley not only al- lowed Curran to examine the docket, but referred him to parties who were fortunate enough to have had few dollars when ar rested, and by a pre-arrangement accepted orders upon himself presented by Curran, who promised to look after the prisoners interests. The money so obtained, so it is charged, was divided up, or at least the warden was given an equal share.
 For sometime complaints have reached the chief regarding matters at the prison, and he quietly began an investigation. Last Sunday he made 1t convenient to hang around the prison office. During the day Joe Jemison, a negro was arrested on suspicion by Officer Mcknight. He was searched by the warden and among other things taken from his person was a cer- tain sum of money. A few minutes later Curran strolled into the office and was told that Jemison wanted to see him. The negro was called to the small window in the prison office and, after a short con- verse with the attorney, gave him order on the warden for $5.
 One of Alleged Cases
 Thirty minutes later he was released by order of the chief. who ascertained that he was not the man wanted. and when he went to get his property the order had been paved. Another order for $2 was cashed on the same day, and within the past few days several others, including an order for $5 cash and 0 pistol in the case of resisting an officer and carrying con- cealed weapons. The pistol, it is claimed, went to the warden.
 The chief quest tfoned Gourley about the matter and informed him that he intended to prefer charges against him, which he did yesterday.
 When the matter reached Mayor Drennen