Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1907-06-13
STRUNG UP II DAYS
THEN SLAPPED IN FACE
Trelford Endangered Life of Pris-
Oner Because of Petty Breach
of Discipline. Other
Instances of
Cruelty.
Special to The Citizen.

SpeCldl 10 Inc C1tizen.
Santa Fe, N M, June 13-Al-
though the investigation of charges
Of cruel and inhuman treatment of
convicts in the territorial peniten-
tiary only started at 9 o'clock this
morning, the testimony secured thus
far is so startling as to more than
warrant the removal from office of
the superintendent Arthur Trelford
Colonel George Prichard, attorney
general, conducted the investigation.
Captain Trelford was represented by
Attorney r. II. Hanna. The state
ments of witnesses were taken before
r.. Il. Baca, a notary public.
Frank j. Shearon was the stem
ographer for the attorney general
and E. A. Johnson for the superin-
tendent
First Witness Rough Rider.
Timothy Breen, an ex-soldier and
member of the Rough Riders who
was severely wounded in Cuba, was
the first witness.
Breen was formerly assistant cell
house captain. He testified under
oath that William Meyers, a con-
Wet serving a sentence for burglary.
was strung up by the wrists In a dark
cell because he had stepped to the
barred window in the bathroom to
warm himself in the sunlight on Bit
ter cold winter morning when the
heating of the prison was defective.
Breen Obeyed Cruel Order.
Breen admitted that he had been
given the order to string the man up
and that he obeyed the order. He
said he was told to give the man
just enough bread and water to keep
him alive.
Breen's description of how the pun
ishment for this minor offense was
administered, is narrowing tale.
Handouts and Heavy Chains.
Meyers wrists were first handcuff-
ed and then chained to the wall He
was placed in such a position that
with his arms extended above his
head, he could scarcely move with
out excruciating pain.
In this position the defenseless
convict was kept for seventeen days
of from ten to fourteen hours each
Painted From Weakness.
Breen stated that on the sixteenth
day, Meyers tainted twice from weak
ness his limbs collapsing beneath
him, leaving him suspended by the
wrists. The sufferings of the man
must have been terrible during these
periods. Assistant superintendent
Sample, according to Breen's testi-
mony. then said 81 do not know
how that fellow lives, some one must
be feeding him"
N.
On the seventeenth day Breen said
he told Sample that Meyers was
about all in"
On the afternoon of the same day,
Trelford walked up to where the
man was strung up and said: How
do you feel?"
Meyers demonstrated against the
terrible treatment
Treiford Slapped Suffering Man.
ThereuDOQ, TIelfOrl slammed
Meyers pale haggard face. The suf-
fering convict would have fallen to
the floor from weakness and pain
but for the fact that he was still
trussed up by the wrists and secure .
ly held by heavy chain. Breen said
hard sights, the affair so sickened
him that he turned his face away
to avoid the sight
Followed by Dark Cell.
Trelford apparently slapped the
convict again for Breen testified that
he heard two more slaps but did
not see them as above stated.
Trelford than harshly ordered
Meyers released from the handouts
and told the guards to place him in
a dark cell and give him three quar-
ter rations. Breen said the convict
was still undergoing this punishment
when he (Breen) left the prison.
NOT vicious Prisoner.
Breen stated that Meyers, during
the time he had charge of him, was
a well behaved prisoner and showed
no vicious or refractory traits.
Kicked Aged Convict.
Another instance Of brutal treat
ment was related by Breen He said
ArmiJo Gomez. SIS years of age, was
kicked severely by Steward a guard
In the presence of Sample. who
laughed heartily.
When Blood Flowed Freely.
Breen stated that Charles Brown,
a convict had been given a severe
beating by sample. When the chas-
tisement was finished, Samples hands
and coat sleeves were covered with
blood from the prisoners wounds.
Brown on the other hand was
strung up TO his cell door covered
with blood as he was. and then
struck with closed fists.
Worse Yet to Come.
Il Is understood that even more
stories Of the treatment of
conylcts are yet 10 be told including
the case Of convict named GallegOs,
who. IL is said was struck over the
head with a blunt instrument until