The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-04-18

city Jail and Overpowered Officer Muir
ply and officer Simpson who were
in charge, took possession of the jail
key, went in and took this man Alex
ander out and hanged him in the
square. and then dispersed and left
after having Shot a few yOlleyS into
his body.
NO JUSTIFICATION OR EXCUSE.
We have Investigated this case very
closely and very thoroughly, because
in our Judgment, there was no juSti-
fiCation or excuse in any sense for
this lynching. The citizenship Of this
county were not aroused in this case
and the lynChing zwas evidently per
petrated by a few individuals VINO
assumed TO act instead of leaving the
matter to go before the court. We
condemn this lyncbing in the most
severe terms. There WIS absolutely
no excuse whatever for its perpetra-
ton, and it is a blot upon the good
name of Escambia county md the city
of Pensacola. that such a thing can
occur in our midst, and we feel that
it is the duty of every officer of this
county and city, and every citizen as
well to lend any aid that they can
in feTreting out the parties who were
engaged in this Iynching. and they
punished for an Offense for which
there was no excuse, and one which
brings our CITY and county and citi-
zenship into disrepute.
THE COUNTY JAIL
We have examined the county Jail
in this county, and find that the SAM
tary conditions are not good, the plumb
ing is very much out of repair both
downstairs and upstairs, there are
not sufficient bathtubs and accommo-
datio1s for the great number of pTis-
oners confined; the floors in several
DIacps are of metal and have TUsted
and broken through and are in dan
gerous condition. We found some OF
the cells. hunks, hammOckS and bed
ding in clean and neat conditions.
Others we found just the reverse, and
from our inquiry we came TO the con
clusion that any prisoner by proper
care and some idea of cleanliness MINI
self could have. and did have, clean
and healthy place to stay in, ana
clean. sanitary bedding to sleep up
on while those who did not nave
SUFFICIENT interest or pride to keep
their cell and bedding cream were as
ing soiIed bedding and were other
wise unclean and unsanitary about
their quarters
" & IOulu ludl inc pa ASOllCAS NNAS
we'll fed and cared for, that a suffi-
cheney of good wholesome food is
given them. We were at the jail
when their dinner was being pTepar-
ed and il was clean, wholesome and
plentiful.
Where a large number or people are
confined together as is the case IN
this iail, il is absolutely necessary that
every. sanitary pTecautiOn be taken in
order to protect health, and TO that
end we desire TO make the following
recommendations:
SOME REcOMMENDATIO
That the plumbing and sewerage
over the building be fixed at once
That sufficient bathrooms or bath
tubs be provided in order that the
prisoners may and shall be kept clean
and healthy.
That al least two shower baths,
one for the whites ana one for the
coIoreds. be installed.
That they prOmulgate and enforce a
rule at the jail that the bedding, etc,
of the prisoners be washed at fire.
uuent stated periods; and
That the trusty and misdemeanOr
prisoners be assigned this duty in or
der that the county be put 10 no eX-
pense therefor
That the county comm IssioneTs di-
rect the county physician to visit the
county iaiI at least once each week,
and investigate IGs sanitary condi-
ton and see that the fail is kept dis
infected and that the rules for health,
cleanliness and sanitation be enforced
There should be in the Jail a padded
cell for the care Of lunatics who are
kept there for two or three days al