The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-09-20
STRUNG UP BY The
WRISTS AND BEATEN
SAYS AN EX-CONV|C7
Ugly Charges Against Warden
Of Sioux Falls PenitentiarY
to Be Investigated.

Sioux Falls, S. D.. Sept. 16.-'rhe
publication by a weekly newspaper
published in this city of a series of
charges against the management of the
Sioux Falls penitentiary has created
genuine sensation, which has now been
added to by the demand of Warden
Parmley that the charges be investi-
gated.
/ No particular attention was paid to
the charges when they We're first made.
but as they have been repeated at in
tervals since the original publication,
Warden Parmley of the penitentiary
finally has demanded an investigation
in order that he might be exonerated.
Il court full and complete investi-
CATION" said he in speaking of the
charges. 1T there is anything wrong
with the running of the penitentiary l
want to know 1t. and believe the pub
lie should know It,"
/ Bob" Adams, recently released from
the penitentiary after serving term
of seven years for killing a hald-breed
Mexican in a pistol duel. was the maker
of the original charges against Warden
iParmley.
Adams claims that many prisoners
ARE being treated in an inhuman man
,ner, and that the dungeon is being used
too much; that the penitentiary has es-
'tablished the whipping post as means
lof punishment, although a state law
prohibits such punishment. He also
states that Ed Wilson, who some weeks
hospital. but who was too weak to
climb the plank he had placed against
the outside wall. has since been con-
fined to his cell, where he is dying by
inches and receiving practically no
care.''
1t is further charged by Adams that
Frank Smith, prisoner who jumped
from the third gallery to the cement
floor in an effort to commit suicide.
did this because Of a severe whipping
he was given with the straps. after
which he was confined in the dungeon
for the limit and two days after COM
ing out made the attempt at suicide.
Adams charges that Smith now is a
raving maniac and confined in his
cell.
Adams also cites the alleged case OF
convict who was sent to the state
hospital for the insane at Yankton,
and charges that two of the guards
left great scars on his head. He says
there are many instances Of the straps
being used to beat convicts after an
infraction Of some rule, the men. it
is alleged. being strung up by the
wrists while the beating is going on.
The ex-employe who substantiated
the charges of Adams is Henry Peter
son. formerly deputy warden of the
penitentiary and later deputy sheriff
in Minnehaha county Peterson was
thus quoted by the weekly paper:
Your interview with Bob Adams
relative to the present penitentiary
force whipping convicts contrary to
the law Of the state is absolutely true.
| But that Is not all that could be told
about the place. To my knowledge
the convicts are being used to make
tools, furniture and window screens
| for employees and wood and coal goes
from the place for some Of them.
am satisfied groceries are also being
taken by employees. Altogether there Is
no system to the place or organiza-
ton.
Il doubt ii Warden Parmley know.
anything that is going on, or wants tc
know anything. When convicts come
to him with complaints they do not SET
q reasonable hearing.
Every time they get afraid OF con-
vict nowadays he Is locked up In his
cell and declared to be crazy, and II
he is not crazy when put in the cell
the chances are he will be before he
gets out Of It,"
The friends Of Warden Parmley are
confident he will be able to disprove
the serious charges which have beer
made by Messrs. Peterson and Adams
when the state board of charities and
corrections makes it's Investigations.