New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-02
"CLOUDED"
BY CONWCT'S DEATH
Georqe w. Blake Finds bad
Spots" in the Prison. but
Praises Warden Kaiser.
PUTS BLAME ON COL. SCOTT
Suffers Investigator Recon-
mends That Law Authorities
Inquire Into Details of
How Prisoner Died.

Albany. June CONTRARY opinions
expressed "a TO the cause Of the death
Of John Heffernan, a convict, in Clinton
Prison last August warrant a thorough
investigation Of the case by the District
Attorney Of Clinton County In the
opinion of George w Blake. who has
been investigating state prison affairs
by direction Of Governor Sulzer. Hef-
fcrnan's death. Mr.. Blake says. "is
cloud on the administration Of the
prison that Warden Kaiser is anxious
10 lift
Henernan was locked in a cell for
disobedience and on the morning Of
August IA was released by Hallkeeper
O'Brien and told to report to Principal
Keeper Coultry.
one story is that Heffcrnan struck
Coultry and that Coultry fclled him
by a blow over the head with his cane.
Another story is that after he struck
the principal keeper O'Brien threw him
10 the floor
Hencrnan was then locked I'm dark
cell. on August 1G he was dead.
There was blood on the plank in the
cell and on the walls. Walter y.
! Thaycr. jr.. one OF the prison physi-
clans. declared before the Coroner that
he believed Hcffernan had committed
suicide BY hanging.
some Of the convicts," SAYS the re-
mort. ARE certain that the blow from
Coultrv's cane caused the death Of Hef-
fernan. The civilians in the prison
familiar with the case are just as Ger
tain that no serious damage was in
nicted by the blow Coultry struck. |
suggest that the testimony in this case
be sent 10 the District Attorney Of Clin-
ton County, with the request that
thorough investigation be had
Bad Spots in the Prison.
Commissioner Blake criticiscs the
management Of the prison industries
and waste IN the commissary depart
mont. but says the prison seems TO
be conducted along lines as humane
and capable as the conditions permit
Warden Kaiser. the investigator says.
works constantly at his job and has
made tho prison clean
"Thcre are bad spots in the prison.
hr v1a
~ admitted them and made no attempt
TO bclittlc them or 10 cover them up.
He sought. on the other hand. to talk
about them and he displayed eagerncss
to do what he could TO get rid Of them.
81 am Of the opinion that Warden
Kaiser strives 10 conduct the prison
along honest and decent lines He is
kindly. active and humane. The in
mates of the prison are among the
most desperate criminals in the world.
J Nearly all Of them arc third tcrmcrs
and many Of them are lifcrs. num-
Der of them are so desperately wicked
that they are constantly plotting the
death or injury Of the officers and their
fellow inmates. Some Of the guards
bear physical testimony Of the ferocity
Of the convicts.
Refractory prisoners are placed in
dark cells. but, unlike the rivet headed
iron floors in Auburn prison. the floors
here arc Of cement, and a smooth board
is placed H. the cell for the prisoners
TO lie on ........
"The physicians make daily eXamina-
tions Of the men, and If their physical
condition seems TO be unequal 90 bear
Continued third page. hfth column.