The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-01
Board OF Investigators Making
a Thorough Examination
Into the Methods of Treatment
Given Lansing COnvicts.
IN A CRIB.
Manner of Furnishing Prisoners
Gone Into Closely.
Eat Dinner With Jail Birds and
Declare 1t Good.

Leavenworth, Kan, Jan. The
board OF Investigation appointed by
Governor E. w. Hoch began their in
qulry into the administration of affairs
of the state prison at Lansing in deem
earnest
The most striking part of Thurs
days work came late in the afternoon
when the board placed DR.. Kanavei.
the prison physician on the stand 70
testify.
Dr. Kanavel described the 'water
cure" in detail and surprised the
board by declaring that he would
gladly undergo the punishment to
show the workings and the harmless
ness OF 1t. The investigators replied
it was not necessary.
The prisoner to be punished was
strapped in crib or frame crate in a
suing g posltlon and water at sixty
pound5 pressure was administered
through hose at about six feet dis
tance, said the DOCTOR
Was any effort made to force the
nozzle noz INTO the mouth of the man un-
. Never" replied the physician
Ihe water cure as administered
here was not Injurious"
He explained that before this pun
1shment was given the convict c1llurit
was always subjected to medical ex-
animation He testified this punish
ment had been discontinued in July
last.
The members of the comYnfttea o.
amined the "crib" used to restrain in
sane convicts and punish incorrigibles.
why these are chicken coops," ex-
claimed F. D. Coburn, OF the commit
tee. He measured the crib and found
it large enough to allow a large man
to lie down in comfort. The cribs have
not been in use for several months.
Dr. Kanavel said that never had
prisoner complained to him of the
The members of the committee then
asked DIR. Kanavel about the food He
said it was hls duty to inspect all the
food and that while Re had an s.ye rertl
of more than a hundred sick to look
after he did the best he could Ts
testified that no patient had ever co
planned to him about the food OF said
that he was Ill from anything he ate.
At this point Mr.. Coburn looked at an
anonymous letter he took from his
pocket and said, Doctor, was wagon
load of beef rejected December "a ?"
One Load of Beef Rejected
eyes, the warden and inspected It
and decided 1t was too lean and not
up to contract. We frequently send
meat back. The warden is very par
ticular about the meat
DR.. Sheldon turned to Warden Has
kel1, who was in the room, and asked
him about the meat.
1--WE won't allow any old COWS to be
put in here" said Warden HASKELL.
here. Our board buys good grade OF
flour. 1t doesn't take the cheap grades
like nearly every place. don't accept
meat that is only At for canning"
Warden Haskell then told OF reject
ing oatmeal and other food at various
times.
Here Mr.. Coburn said: at had three
complaints from prisoners today and
rY1 - 1tz onI
bad meat and rotten onions were put
in the hash. What do you know about
the hash mahng?"
DR.. Kanavel informed him that the
prisoners prepared the onions and meat
and If it was bad they allowed 1t to go
in. Mr.. Coburn remarked that there
seemed to be more complaint about the
bad cooks than the quality or quantity
KanaveI about the tea. Miss Kate Ber-
nard. in her report on the penitentiary,
said that only three pounds were allow
ed for the evening meal
Weak Tea for Prisoners Health.
''I cut the strength of the tea one
half from six bounds to three" said
Dr. KanaVel. 81 would like to reduce II
again for the benefit of the health of
the prisoners. 1t was reduced solely to
aid their health"
the rnfne?" asked DR.. Sheldon.
sHThe men in the mine have the best
of health They are the most healtny
men we have The mine task of three
cars a day is not heavy"
The committee adjourned to meet at
10 O'Clock this morning, when f. l..
Jackson, attorney general, Is to be on
hand and the examination of witnesses
will be resumed
Women Prisoners Questioned.
The committee visited the womens
ward Here several of the prisoners
were questioned, including Jessie MOT
rison. Miss Morrison, as we'll as the
others, said the greatest kindness ana
was shown all women
prisoners, that the food was good and
and that everything was
done to make their lot as pleasant as
the prison rules would permit.
The board at noon without warning,
walked into the dining hall and ate at
the table with the convicts. They de-
,lared the meal as good as that OF
the average Kansas farmer.
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