The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-02
Their Evidence Does Not Show
Cruel Methods Used.
EATING SOME BETTER.
Say the MOIasses Is Thicker
Since Committee Came.
Will Report to the Governor
Before His Retirement.

IN the investigation OF the
state penitentiary was continued
through New Years day and last eve
Z ming the same as if it had not been a
holiday Today the committee are
visiting the federal prison.
The present taking of testimony was
completed last night and the commit
tee will make report to Governor
Hoch before the expiration of his
term of office. They will return to
Leavenworth on Jan. Z, when the Ok
1ahoma committee is expected to take
UP their investigation.
Shortly before noon Attorney Cen
eral Fred S. Jackson arrived. and the
taking of testimony began. Prisoners
called to testify were sworn by the
president of the prison board, John S.
Eaton. Warden Haskell was asked to
step in each time a prisoner witness
was sworn and assure him that no
matter what his statements might be,
he would be immune from any punish
Warden Haskell and other prison Of
flcials were excluded from the room.
Attorney Gen era1 Jackson first assured
the commissioners that the testimony
, worthless in court, but suggested that
the commissioners could form their
own opinions as to the credibility of
witnesses.
The first witness called was Archie
PulIam, from Miami county, Kan,
who is serving his second term for
horse stealing. He also served terms
in the Hutchinson, Kan, and Boon
vile, Mo-, reformatories. Pullam
used excellent language. and showed
a knowledge of events on the outside
He said that he guessed he was one
of the most incorrigible prisoners in
the institution, and declared that he
had received every punishment
known, but would not admit that they
were cruel or injurious to his health.
Pu1Iam admitted that he had en-
gagged in numerous fights with other
prisoners. and showed a long scar on
his cheek, where he was cut by an
other prisoner He described the crib
and the water cure graphically, but
declared the water cure was not in
furious, simply terrifying the first
time administered.
This One Wrote a Book
He declared that under Warden
dark cell on bread and water for 1O3
days. He said that the present prison
administration was the best he had
known. Puuam declared in answer
to questions, that he had never been
badly treated by any of the guards
and that he had no complaints to
make.
the author of 'SThe Kansas Inferno"
a book written while he was chap
lain's clerk, and smuggled out of the
prison. He declares that the warden
is sore" at him because of the
allegations made in the book against
the prison management. He says he
believed his book and his poem had
done much to secure a Communication
of sentence
Arnold was originally sentenced to
hang, but his sentence was commuted
to fourteen years Imprisonment. He
is tall, dark eyed and intellectual look
ing. He received the commissioners
r4f@IrI Ia
hand was firm when he took the oath,
and he smiled grfmly as the president
OF the prison board assured him of
Immunity from revenge for anything
ne might say.
Eating Better Now.
@Gentlemen," he said, to the COM
Euisstoners, who also assured him of
Immunity, 81 realize the sincerity of
your promise, but seriously doubt your
ability to carry out the guarantee.
However, am not afraid to tell the
truth. no matter what the conse-
Quences."
Arnold admitted under close ques-
ffoning that he wrote 'The Kansas In
4eEno'' from prison heresay. He was
unable to name any specific instances
where cruel treatment had been adj
xndnistered.
s'But I wish you gentlemen would
stay a long time" he said with twink
ling eyes. "Since you came our mo-
lasses is thicker. We now eat nice
baked beans and we have had fresh |
pork for change.
Arnold said he considered the food
wholesome and the general conditions
very fair for a prison, but thought he
was being Disseminated against, in
that he had been taken from his Job
as chaplain's clerk and put to mend
ing oyeralls.
Doesn't Like Mines.
Arthur Wainscott, man out of the |
mines, who is serving his second term,
full of information at first. finally adj |
nitted he had no particular grievance
against the management, but thought
the food might be made more pala-
table. He said he had taken the water
cure and described it as inhuman He
also declared that prisoners. chained
to bar in the cell as a punishment, |
suffered bodily injury.
Wainscott said that conditions in the
mine were not the best, because some of
the officers were not practical miners, |
and because green men were allowed to
work without being properly instructed
by seasoned miners. He admitted that
he had had a falling out with his
particular guard. The guard was af-
ter questioned and gave damaging tes-
timony against Wainscott.
Deputy Warden Dobson described the
scribed them. but did not think them
harmful. and said the prison discipline
would suffer for some time as result |
of the destruction of the crib. Consid- |
that the coal mine results in immortality |
among the men.
Warden w. H. Haskell. in testifying
before the committee described the wa
Ter cure briefly and spoke of the crib |
stating plainly that he had authorized |
Haskell declared that he expected the |
aoldfnP of the inVpSti0a fiOn result |