The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-26
A Man IN
CELL WITH
MRS. ROGERS

Bellows Falls. VT. Aug. 26.-Sensational
testimony concerning affairs at the Yer
mont state prison at Windsor was given
yesterday at the inquiry now being held
by the state on the conduct OF Vermont
public institutions.
The most unexpected evidence was that
OF Horace Boyd, prison officer, who tes.
titled regarding the sojourn IN prison VI
Mrs Mary NJ. Rogers, the Bennlns tol
woman, who was convicted OF the murper
OF her husband, Marcus Rogers, IN Aus
ust 1902.
Boyd testified that Vernon Rogers, a
convict who Is serving a sentence or 10
years. had told him that he (Rogers) had
access 10 Mrs Rogers cell by means OF
KEY which the prisoner had made.
The convict is not relative OF MIS-
Rogers. officer Boyd further stated that
Rogers and the condemned murderess
had not conducted Themselves properly
This gross violation OF the prison rules, II
was added. had continued for month,
according 10 the story which Rogers told
Boyd
The state then sprung a surprise py
making public certain evidence which had
been taken by the special committee ap-
pointed by the legislature 10 investigate
public institutions This evidence, II was
explained, was nFOuRnL out dA al NASNN
tive session on July ~.
THE wOMAN'S CONFESSION.
on that day T. w Oakes. former super
intendent OF the prison testified that Rog-
ers had informed him that Fred Morse,
another prisoner. had given him (Rogers),
the key which fitted Mary Rogers cell
Oakes also said Rogers had told him
that the latter's key opened the outside
door OF Mrs. Rogers cell but would not
unlock the inside door. The second door
was opened, according TO Rogers story,
by Mrs. Rogers herself who removed the
screws I'm the lock by means OF pair or
scissors.
Oakes further testihes that, while these
alleged happenings occurred, he was III.
and that the prison was In charge OF +.
r. Harpin the warden. When the super
intendent heard OF these Irregularities, he
discharged Harpin Immediately.
At yesterdays hearing the state officials
also made public a statement made by
Mrs Rogers herself. in the form of
confession To Matron Durkee OF the state
prison
This statement. written I'm Mrs. Rogers
own handwriting. said that she had seen
Vernon Rogers frequently IN the corridor.
as he was allowed the freedom OF the
prison
TOLD OF ALLEGED MEETINGS.
The womans statement told OF alleged
meetings which she and Rogers had in
her cell. This statement corroborated the
testimony OF other witnesses at the hear
ing concerning Rogers, as 20 the means
employed 10 open the cell doors. Mrs
Rogers deposed that she had been guilty
OF wrongdoing from March 20 March 10.
High Sheriff Henry Peck. who has been
absent from the state. arrived here from
Boston last night. H~AaId he had been In
that city for a week on business and had
not known that his testimony was desired
until he saw the statement In the news
papers. II is expected that the sheriff will
take the stand this morning.
At the early session OF the investigation
yesterday Mrs Julia Burbridge OF Wood
stock daughter Of former superintendent
Oakes. denied that she had received guam
titles OF food supplies from the prison for
her own use.
She explained the charge by saying that
her father had shipped TO her large guam
titles OF books contained in boxes origin
ally used to convey canned goods to the
prison
Or II Burbrdge. husband OF Mrs Bur-
bridge. corroborated his wife's testimony