Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-08-10
INVESTIGATION.
States Prison Affairs.--Miss Batch
elders Story of Her Interview.

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elders Story of Her Interview.
The state prison investigation commit
tee met IN Bellows Falls August ana Z.
The first witness called was l.. 4. Her
rick OF Claremont, y. H., guard IN the
prison at different times under 5uperln-
fendent Oakes. The witness testifled that
much unwholesome food was served 10 the
convicts, causing complaint; that previous
TO a year or so ago Cakes spent very little
time at the prison, orders beng received
from f. W. Harpin; that supplies were
taken 10 the cottage in Sunapee ana there
was slack management N the farm ahalrs.
The next witness called was Mrs. Lind
sey OF Cornish Flats, who worked Tor
SUPERINTENDENT Cakes at his home and at
Sunapee, doing general homework at .
per week at Mr. Cakes cottage. She said
Mr. Cakes paid her wages, but she did not
know where the money came from. At
torney- General Fits, however, found the
entry of the payments IN the state books
for this time The witness said she did
not know of the family taking provisions
to the lake but once.
Wallace A. Hutchinson Of Claremont,
book keeper at the prison for eight years,
from 1895 to 1903, took the stand. lie
said he received orders to place Mrs.
Cakes name on the payroll from Mr..
Cakes, and that her name was omitted
from the annual report by Mr.. Cakes
orders lie said Mrs. Cakes had no addt-
tional duties because Of il, and that her
health was not good and she did no work
any way.
In regard to the state mileages, witness
said no account was ever kept of them,
nor were they put in the inventory which
was made out by him, assisted by Cakes
and Harpin. No one outside the family
had access to them, as they were kept BY
Mr.. Cakes at his home.
According to Mr. Hutchinson's testi-
mony, he acted in the capacity OF private
secretary for the Cakes family, wrote pri-
vate letters for Mr.. Cakes and assisted
Mrs. Cakes in getting up the genealogy of
the family. Witness said he did not neg
lect state work, as be had plenty OF time,
the state business not requiring more than
one day week or at most two days. He
said he was in the habit OF buying
stamped envelopes belonging to state for
both Mr.. and Mrs. Cakes, and that Luther
Cakes took them to college TO use. Wit
ness testified that the mRtron told him
she packed a hamper and small trunk
with bread, doughnuts, chickens, vege-
tables and other things for the daughter
at Woodstock.
John r. Green, employed as a farm
hand at the prison, said the state teams
often did outside work, but he did not
know whether the state received any reye-
nue. from il. He did not know OF John
Cakes using convict labor, but said the
prisoners often helped Mr.. Harpin shovel
ing snow and cleaning up about the
house. He said he had killed poultry
which he supposed went to Sunapee. He
also thought little, pig four weeks old
was sent to DIR. Burbage at Woodstock.
Harry Il. Craven, steward from October,
1901, to June IL, 1905, was called. He had
charge of the supplies. Any officer could
take state supplies II they wished, as the
key was kept In the guard room. Mr..
Cakes personally looked after the quality
OF the food. and witness thought II all
right According to the testimony OF the
steward, many Of the officers, Harpin in
eluded, took supplies raised on The place,
such as milk, eggs, etc, without the
knowledge OF Mr.. Cakes, who he thought
would not have approved.
In regard to Miss Anna Batchelder's in
terview with Mrs. Mary Rogers, the pres
ent superintendent, Wilson 5. Lowell,
said he did not know Miss Batehelder was
a reporter until she was in Mrs. Rogers
room.
Miss Batchelder, however, stated plainly
that she told Superintendent Lowell who
she was and what she wanted. aud asked
him tor an interview. lie replied that he
could not allow It. The next day she tele-
phoned him again. MIR. Lowell told her
sue must get PERMISSION oil Shertu EeCk.
rs he couldn't give il, whereupon she
wrote Sheriff Peck, telling him who she
was, and what she wanted, and what
superintendent Lowell said She received
no answer to this letter, but the day be-
fore the granting of the reprieve she was
called up at her house at White River
Junction by Mr.. Lowell. who asked her
II she wanted to see Mary Rogers. She
said "of course" and was told by him to
come down the next day and she could.
The next morning she went to Windsor +
aud was admitted at once to the prison. ,
Sheriff Peck was already there, ana they 4
waited for Attorney Batchelder, her /
brother, who was going TO Mary Rogers 1
ell with them. While they were waiting,
both Lowell and Peck talked about her X
business, asking her how long she had 1
been reporter and the like. She re-
named in the cell with Mary Rogers /
nearly one half hour.
Charles Batchelder of Woodstock cor
'oborated his sisters testimony and SAID |
Mr.. Lowell saw him in Woodstock recent
v and tried to find out what he intended
% say at the investigation. Lowell said at I
his time he thought the safest way would |
De 10 deny that he knew Miss Batchelder
vas reporter, and he wanted the witness
% swear to this.
Sheriff Peck was too i'll TO add his quota
% the general fund of information, and
he hearing was adjourned indednitely