The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-09
USED THE ALAKAZAN.
Miss Kate Barnard Illustrated Its Ser
vice in Prison.

Leavenworth, Kan, Jan. 9.-The
state prison investigation became quite
spectacular late yesterday evening
when Kate Barnard insisted on having
the muffs, mitts and irons used in the
punishment cells brought into the
committee meeting. All were in favor
of the idea, and the shackles and
muffs were brought in The rnitts
doned years ago. The muffs are leath-
err affairs, intended to hold a prison.
ers hands so that he cannot strike
himself or any one else.
ST would like to have the deputy
warden. who says this 'alakazan' is
not cruel, take the alakazan before
u.s. said Miss Barnard.
81 won't be subject for any ex-
periments," said Deputy Warden Dob
'Then will furnish a subject" said
Miss Barnard, and she brought in DR.
Ashley, one of her with esses, who lay
down on the table on his stomach and
had Joe Runnels, an ex-convict who
used to help fnflict punishments,
shackle his hands and feet together
behind his back. Miss Barnard's face
wore an expression of sympathy and
pain as the big ex-convict was trussed
up like sheep. She glanced around
and saw man smiling at the spec
tacle
"Stop that smiling" she said. eff I
had the power, I would force you to
take dose of this yourself" The man
addressed retorted that she was using
her womanhood as shield to allow her
to insult men. Miss Barnard replied
with hot retort and the chairman had
to restore order.
DR.. G. S. Ashley of Amarillo Texas,
who served time for murder, told of
the punishments administered in the
prison. He lay down on the floor to
demonstrate how men are bound in the
crib. His prison record was introduced
and showed that he was very unruly
prisoner at times, which he did not
deny. He became greatly incenSed when
asked If he had ever studied medicine
and refused to answer.
Joe Runnels, who was sent up for
ma nslaughter in the first degree proved
to be an excellent witness. He testified
that he was in the insane ward as a
trusty and administered most of the
punishments himself. He described the
water cure, crib, muff1ng, mits, irons,
etc. graphically but said mostF of the
severe punishments were inflicted before
Warden Haskell took charge. He has
been pardoned by Governor Haskell as
he feared to come here to testify as a
paroled prisoner, thinking he might be
thrown back into prison.
He created sensation by declaring
that the real Philippine water cure
was once administered by him to one
Martha MCGEE in the female ward.
Ira n. Terrill had a short affidavit
which was unusual because of it's
brevity but it contained sensational
charges, among them Delng aileSauonS
that prisoner was thrown into scald-
ing water in the hospital until his flesh
dropped off and he died and that pris-
oners were f1ogged to death. While
this was being read and the part about
dropping Antonio Brown into the
boiling water was read, some of those
present smiled at the absurdity of the
charge
81 am astonished that you SMILE
said Miss Barnard. looking at the men
severely All Strengthened their faces
and she proceeded after glaring
glance at each one.
G. A. Meyers. who used to run the
Irvine plant, said that gambling was
carried on in the administration build
ing for money during the smallpox
quarantine. He declared that he knew
of a man named Harry Seamon being
whipped almost to death.
Miss Barnard then astonished the