Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-03-15
supt. Morean's Side Heard.

AT the house Of correction Investigation
last week, the charge made by Lottie DION
of Burlington that Marvin A. Mcclure,
federal prisoner serving seven years LOT
wrecking the Merchants National pahk
of Rutland, had been guilty OF improper
conduct with her, was taken up. Me-
Clure, who has the privilege oil selling
fruit among the prisoners, denied ever
having even spoken to the woman. HIS
nrincipal witnesses were Supt. ID. l.. Nor
gan. Guards Holland and Quirk, and I'M
c. Farrar Of Waterbury. also bank
wrecker, now free, who roomed Win NC
Clure in the winter OF l9O4.
civ Judge Hawkins and Chief Of Police
p. j. Russell Of Burlington, where the
Dion woman lives, were examined as 70
nor character. She admitted on the Wit
ness stand that she disliked Mcclure ne
cause ne would not let her friend, Roy
George, have fruit on credit, and that she
was urged By former prisoner TO come 70
Rutland and tell her story. The inNestl-
cation committee criticised her state
ments. and G, II. A. Stafford OF Morris
vile, a member of the commission, SAID u
+ looked like story made up because Oh
4 some grudge. The committee VIII an
/ nounce its decision on the matter when
+ il makes its report on all state lnstltu-
lions. should it find Mcclure guilty, ne
will lose 40 days allowed him for good
behavior.
Sunt. Morgan, who bears the brunt OF
the charges of gross cruelty and lax man
+ agement made by prisoners at nearing
two weeks ago, called several witnesses 10
/ rafute these charges He relied partly on
the testimony OF several Rutland men, IN
Guiding Michael Clifford, Vernon Rogers
and Gideon Reed, habitual drunkards,
who have served many terms. Ihelr lest,-
4 mony was in effect that old criminals
iixed 10 20 to the house OF correction.
They got good food and had no complaint
~ make OF harsh treatment. Charles
Cushman, former Barre highway roDDer'
nov cook in a Chittendeu lumber camp
testified that the prison fare was superior
to that served by him at the present tiille
to the lumbermen. ,,,,-.--.,,
comfy. was called to testify as to the al
Ieged mileage graft. He stated that "hen
he brought a single man to the mouse OF
correction from Montpelier, his mead
CHARTERS. he cleared g from the trip
n Gov Bell was an interested spectator
often asking the witnesses questions.
Rev, DR.. Norman Seaver was sum ~ l,
before the committee under protest as ths
rssrIt Of charges rejecting on the charae-
ter al the management made IN 2 speech a.
n ,oIitical rally in hich he said that prs
orers we're treated with inhuman brutal
~ sometimes resulting in death. lie de'
fed the committee to get back az MIN II
any way. He said it was none OF the com,
mittee's business what his attitude to"aI'
the institution was. -.,a
Dr. Seaver attempted to leave the stand
hint returned under threat Of arrest tol
contempt of court by Attorney-etenera
Fitts. He admitted that he had no lega
evidence of mismanagement at the lhsVi
tuition. ,-..;s,,,s T., no
John O'Brien, a prisoner, testlhed 20 pe
| ing made to work when sick, ana place.
MS dungeon nine DAYS on bread anC
wafer. Another prisoner, Oliver Latour
IT.. complained of harsh treatment IRON
Assistant Superintendent Bree.