The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-11

He says that the "water cure" for
disorderly convicts is constantly re-
sorted to, and that one prisoner from
Oklahoma was almost killed by an ov-
erdose of the water.
He also says that one prisoner nam
ed Gray, who cursed the warden was
hung up by the wrists in doorway for
such a long time that he had a hem
orrhage, and was in a serious condi-
ton.
He also charges that Warden Has
kell has adopted the plan of stapltng
prisoners to the wall OF the dark cel
by driving staple through the links
of the handouts in such way that the
prisoner is unable to lie down.
The "water cure" and the staple
cure" DR.. Grigsby declares are both
new forms of punishment at the pris-
on, instituted there by Warden Has
keH.
Grigsby has been collecting evidence
against Warden Haskell for some days,
and he has in his possession numb Der
of sworn statements from guards and
others relative to the alleged cruel
practices adopted for the government
of the institution by Warden Haskell.
Indications are that DR.. Grigsby has
been holding these charges over Has
keIIs head for some time, and has
his discharge from the penitentiary
was recalled. The charges. it is said,
have been presented to Governor Hoeh
and they may form the basis of an in
vestigation by the governor or the leg
islature.
This is what DR.. Grigsby says of the
situation:
Forced to Contribute Campaign Fund.
my home is at Kingman, Kan.
have served as prison physician for
eight years, under a number of differ.
ent wardens, and have always so far
as 1 know, given satisfaction. This
trouble started during the last cam
paign when the prison officials and
prison board undertook to levy an as
sessment on all the employees Of per
cent of their annual salary for the Re-
publican campaign fund. 1 thought
that IL per cent was enough, and was
accused by some of the prison officials
of organizing a revolt against the per
cent rule. Most of the employees were
opposed to the 8 per cent plan, until
Warden Haskell told them they had
better accept it, and then of course
they fell in line. Since that time 1
have not been in good standing.
1.-The prison is supposed to be under
civil service but just notice this fact;
the employees of the prison contributed
$3,7OO to the Republican campaign
fund, and the employees of all the other
state institutions together contributed,
I am informed, only about $500. That
pressure was brought to bear on the
penitentiary employees and what sort
of civil service we have there.
How Grigsby Was "FIred."
"A few weeks ago a prisoner named
Tom Ryan from Phillips county was
brought there to the prison, and while
he was being entered, he was cursing
and talking loudly. I tapped him on
the mouth with two fingers, and said:
You mustn't do that This action was
witnessed by Deputy Warden James
Dobson Sheriff McKinzie. who had
brought the prisoner in, and by Leonard,
Stewart and Clifford. other employees.
A letter, anonymous, believe. and hav-
ing its origin with trusty who disliked
me, was written to the warden. charg-
ing me with abusing this prisoner Ryan.
/ was suspended without examination
on January 21. and while under suspen-
sion left town, with the understanding
that my hearing should be on February
A. When 1 returned for this hearing
found that had been summarily dis
missed on January 2S. That is what I
object to. 1 insist that I should have a
hearing.
Water Cure for . Crazy Man.
Now about the real cruelty in hand |
ling prisoners. This water cure con-
sists in tying a prisoner to a post. and |
putting hose into his mouth, through |
which water is forced into the prisoner |
The Oklahoma man was brought there
last fall. and was crazy. He was laugh |
ing and making a noise, and was or |
dered to stop. The warden ordered that |
ent, though the rule is that the prison !
physician must be present whenever a |
prisoner is punished. The unfortunate |