The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-09-25
IDAHO PRISON
INVESTIGATION
Prosecution Has Finished Its
Case Against Arney.
TIE WARDEN'S TURN TODAY
BOTTOM HAS DROPPED OUT OF
THE SENSATION.
TIE WARDEN'S TURN TODAY
lsnecinl 10 The Fierald.l


II OIsE, IDA. Sept. 24--The prosecu-
X ton in the case of Warden Arney
- of the state penitentiary. evidence
in which is being heard by the prison
board, rested today and the presenta-
ton of testimony for the defense be-
gan. The inquiry vii probably close
tomorrow, when Warden Arney will
make a statement in which IL Is under
stood he viii excoriate Attorney Gen
eral Martin. charging that the prosecu-
ton was spite work and the evidence
largely concocted. A feature Of to-
days proceedings was the refusal OF
Governor Hunt and Secretary OF State
Bassett, a majority of the board, 10 al
low convicts other than TRUSTEES to tes-
tify. Attorney General Martin wanted
State Auditor Jones, who Is out OF the
city. summoned, but the majority Of
the board declined, the governor saying
he had a statement from Jones and
that would do. II is not known posi-
lively what the auditor was to have
been asked, but IL is stated that II was
desired to examine him as to peniten-
tiary bills. the originals OF which are
required by law 10 be filed In the audi
tors office. The auditor has stated,
however, that nothing but copies Of
bills were ever before the board or filed
in his office.
Convict Minkler, a trusty, testified TO
driving to the ranch of Warden Arney's
brother with some things belonging TO
the state. He also swore that convicts
had worked on the ranch. Trusty
Brewington, who is cook in the war
denis residence, testified to meats. -four.
coffee and pickles being taken from the
warden's house TO Harry Arney's ranch.
Deputy Warden's Story.
Deputy Warden Donnelly, who has
served in various capacities al the PEN
itentiary under several wardens. was
then called on behalf of Warden Arney.
He testified that the prison team had
been sent to Harry Arney's ranch in
temporary exchange for a lighter team
TO be used at the penitentiary. Elk
planning the presence of convicts at the
ranch, ne said their reason for going
was that they were breaking colt and
driving it around, getting used 10
harness. There would be occasions
when Mr.. Arney wanted 10 converse
with his brother and he would send
Mike O'Donnell down TO his brother 10
deliver the message. II pleased the
prisoners TO get away for little trip.
During some of these trips, he said,
"a convict would come in and ask my
special permission to remain on the
ranch and help Harry Arney with his
work. / did not object to it because
there was nothing for them to do here
at the time. | expect for a week or
more Mike O'Donnell and Robert Cal
houn helped HSrry Arney on his ranch.
There were times when the warden was
absent that they went there without his
knowledge. 1 assumed the responsible
ity myself"
did you have directions from the
warden to send these men 70 the
ranch?" wss asked.
NO. did not"
Tools Were Loaned.
Witness said some prison tools and
other appliances had been loaned Harry
Arney by the warden. but practically
all of them had been returned.
On cross-examination he said they
were returned last Saturday.
do you know of any provisions or
meat having been sent down to the
ranch?" Donnelly was asked.
In one case, l remember a little
meat, four or five pounds, being sent
down there. The boys of Warden Arney
were going out camping with Harry
and his family. and the warden sent
his portion of the grub down there.
That's the only case l know of"
How does discipline compare under
Arney with that of other wardensg"
He has been much stricter than any
former warden I have worked under.
What has been the effect Of the dis
cipline of Arney toward making the in
stitution safe?''
1T is safer than ever before. We
never lost a prisoner except by placing
too much confidence in them"
After some evidence showing that the
institution had been put to heavier eX-
| pense than usual during the past two
years because of crop failure, disease
among livestock, etc, and some state
ment as to the status of prison apprO-
priations, during which it was stated
there was no deficit. as charged, the
board adjourned until tomorrow.
1900