The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-05
Contend 1t Is Too Great a
Hardship to Be Removed
From Loved Ones
CLAIM THE COUNTY
JAIL is SANITARY
Among the Six Who Refused to Sign
Were Teck DUNCAN and Claude
49,. Ellard-The Letter to
DIR. Oates

| Fifty of the Sc white prisoners con-
fined In the Jefferson county jail have
singned petition protesting against their
removal TO the Etowah county jail, on
the grounds that they are being humanely
cared for here and have no cause OF
complaint for their treatment.
They contend that to remove them to
Gadsden would deprive them of thu only
ray of comfort they have and that Is 10
see their loved ones occasionally, which
would practically be impossible IL moved
from the county. The petition was quick
ly gotten up yesterday morning and was
forwarded at once TO DIR. William II.
Oates of Montgomery, state prison In
spector.
/ Among tho few who refused to sign
the petition were Teck Duncan and Claude
Ellard, both of whom are in jail charged
with murder in connection with the noted
Lewisburg cases. Neither gave any rea-
son for not signing the petition.
Jail Appears Clean
A reporter of The Age-Herald was called
to the jail yesterday and given a copy of
the petition. While there he awaited him
self of the opportunity to examine the
Jail. The jail has recently been painted
and was as clean as 1t could possibly
be. The best indication that sanitation
and cleanliness prevail is the absence Of
any disagreeable odor. The cots and
bedding are absolutely free from vermin
and everything is neat and orderly. The
ventilation Is much better than one would
expect in a building constructed as is tho
| county jail The kitchen is model OF
cleanliness and is well equipped
SO far as the treatment of the prisoners
is concerned and the cleanliness and care
of the county jail, Sheriff McAdory has
done his part and the prisoners all seem
satisfied with the conditions.
DO what you can TO keep us from be-
ing moved to Gadsden," said several OF
Jail.
The Jail is entirely too small for the
number of prisoners confined there, but
it appears that the best has been made
of existing conditions.
Petition to Oates
The petition which was gotten up by
the prisoners without the knowledge Of
ohefil McAuorfa anu WHICH mas peeu
forwarded to Dr.. Oates, is as follows;
Jefferson County Jail,
Birmingham. Ala, August A, 1912.
"Dr. William II. Oates. State Prison In
spector, Montgomery. Ala.
Dear Sir: In the issue of The Bir-
mngham Age-Herald of today appears
an artio,. staring hat h,, resso, 80 +be
l,.us... 60 80 ~ $50 -
iiiiiseiS "io oenei "ise oa'eetpuS W"
dition or this institution an order has
been issued from your office, directing
the removal To Gadsden of all nrisoners
,, oonenoz -. o. . .
rioo 'hah oo DAYS ana all otners await
ing appeals
LAS we believe you to be a fair-minded.
humane official, we, the undersigned. ap-
na.t 20 ,,o,, 20 ra,,o,,a .ata oraar -. a.
80. ~ 90 ~ sou 'iUe'' oA 'ho
ioi,omnis slouhos, ,o-Nt'
L. nhere ~ no epiaetnic among US.
mere 10 NOT even one case Oh an
inmate eohilhea 10 MS pea by Illness.
o. we are NOT oVercrowoeo'
T. ihe jan nus JUST peeh repaintea'
ana tne ar is whoiesome' lhe ventilation
- sooo.
20. such removal would positively be
lhnunahe' Tor many VINO now get 10
see their ioVea ones would De unable 10
do SO, We're the order carried out. Aged
motners' as Wen as wives and children
would suner IN being deprived or the JOY
they always nave In seeing their loved
ones on visiting Gays. Tne great state
OF Alabama would not pay their fares
ana expenses IN visiting their loved ones
IN Gadsden.
%. we are satisned with the conditions
existing mere.
Y. We have every facility for keeping
Clean and everything within reason is
done Tor our welfare