The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-03-08
BARRE MAN
SATISFIED
Charles Cushman Says He
Likes H. Of c. Board
TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE
Sheriff Tracey Testified at Rutland To-
day That There Are About so Old
"Rounders' in Washington
County.
TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Rutland, March s.--The house of cor.
rection investigation committee heard
today the testimony OF witnesses pro-
duced by Supt. Morgan, Michael Clifford,
Vernon Clark, Gideon Reed, of Rutland,
and Charles Cushman Of Barre, a high.
way robber. The ex-prisoners testified
that they were perfectly satisfied with
the conditions in the jail. Cushman
said the food was better than that SER
we'd in the lumber camp where he is now
cook. The three Rutland men are old
timers and have served many drunk sem
tences. They said that habitual crimin-
ais like the house of correction.
Sheriff F. II. Tracy Of Montpelier
testified to alleged mileage graft, He
said he considered the fees allowed for
bringing a man to jail to be reasonable,
He makes 50 when he brings single
prisoner here. Washington county has
about fifty FOUNDERS who have much to
do with crowding the house of correction.
Gov. Bell takes an interest in the in
vestigatiou and asks the witnesses
many questions.
Wants Minister to Disclose.
D. L. Morgan, superintendent of the
prison, requested the permission Of the
committee to subpoena DR.. Seaver on the
ground that he has made certain state
ments at a public gathering about the
house of correction, which the superin.
tendent considers as detrimental to the
welfare of the institution.
Mr. Morgan said Gentlemen, wish
to call your attention to the fact that
wish to meet and refute every charge,
as have a right to do, that has been
made against the institution. Only a
few night ago, the Rev. DIR. Norman
Seaver, one of the leading ministers and
best known citizens Of Rutland made
the statement at a political rally in the
opera house, that the aim OF the Re.
publican party is TO hide and cover up
everything. he said that poor man
had been brought 10 the house OF cor.
rection and hrutally treated, clubbed,
and so on, and that few days later
he died as the result Of his inhuman
treatment in here Now, gentlemen,
that il pretty serious charge 70 make,
and one which I wish TO refute / wish
that DR.. Seayer might be brought before
this committee and made to tell what
he knows regarding the matter"
IL is not certain whether the doctor
will be summoned or not. as the com
mittee Is somewhat skeptieal as to
whether any good would result in the
investigation. However, the commits.
sioners have the matter under advise
ment,
Was Well Treated.
George Gorham Of Bellows Falls was
the first witness to testify. He said
that he had been a prisoner in the in
stitution twice during the past six
months He was sentenced for intoxi.
cation. He said that he had always
been used properly while there. When
he was sick he had the best of treat
ment, and once Superintendent Morgan
fed him personally. He said he was
never in prison before until he came
to the house of correction. The food
was good, clean and sound. The hash,
fish and bread were all right. When be
was sick he stayed in ahe hospital nights.
The officers all used i'm kindly and he
saw no abuse of an lone. He said IL
the prisoners were punished they de-.
served it. His bed was clean and free
from verlnin. He did not believe that
any OF the prisoners had to work when
they were not able to do so.
Daniel B. Bree, assistant superinten-
dent at the house Of correction, was
called as the second witness Of the af.
ternoon. he testified in regard to the
illness and death Of James Carroll in
1902. He said James Carroll, re-
member, was brought up to the north
west room. He was sick FIVE or six
days. went up to see him and he
was very i'll He could not talk. He
simply qumbled few words. think
Mr.. Richmond and ! went in to see
him together I only went to the hos
pital once during his illness. | think
he stsid in her cell one day during his
sickness He was conscious when taken
to the hospital
On being cross examined by Supt.
Morgan, Deputy Bree said, Il locked
the second division cells. think Mr..
Boyden locked Carroll's cell. He did
not die in his cell. It is absolutely
falfep
Philip Petrie was put on the stand
,gain and be sa d
One tire Nh. Morgan went in and
found Boyden 1slror. Boyden did not
otiee Morgan until Morgan arrived,
then Boyden woke np."
Superintendent Morgan said at this
point Of the investigation: ut is false
] don't see what the man is talking
about. never saw an officer asleep
in that box. have come in here
nights in The guard room. A guard
has often rested his head on his hands
opened the door and he would spring
up and see who was there Philip
Petrie continued Carroll died in the
cell, swear to it. Oliver s. Snv-
der Of Springfield was here when Carroll
died.