Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-30


the city," said District Attorney Fred
erick VanNuys, who is conducting the
investigation.
INVESTIGATION GOING
ON FOR SOME TIME.
Federal officials have been making in
quiries as to Jail conditions for several
months and brought their findings to a
climax in court today.
Otta Mckay, the first prisoner called
on to testify, told of his various trips
from the Jail and exposed other sensa-
tionaI conditions.
He said Jack Hampton. cell boss. and
'Puss' Harry Minert, former employe of
the Evansville street department. acted
as apparent go-betweens in operating the
poker game.
Minert, according to Mckay, took the
rakeoff from each game which was in
turn given to Hampton and from him di-
vided among jail officials.
He said guards Of the section were in
the room when the poker game was in
progress and also stated that the prison
ers all quit playing when they found
the house" was getting all the money
and they could not stand the drain"
After this, he said, they were all put
at hard work.
Mckay said his wife sent him large
quantity Of fruit, jam and provisions,
and that he did not get one mOrsei of
the food.
He also testified that he had more
trouble to get in Jail than he did to
get out during his recent outside trips.
Uncle Charlie agreed TO let me bring
the food if I would split with him" he
said, ''but when it was brought did not
get any of it. 1 was the only man nI
jail for five months who did not pay for
a bed and a mattress"
Mckay said he had obtained mattress
ut one time from Ollie McCrocklin, but
that prisoner, named Jim Boner, beat
him up when 1t was found in his posses
sion.
''asvard S'Ier released prisoner, testi-
fed and said "Puss" Mlnert told him he
sp,Itclng the proceeds of the poker
game downstairs.
JUDGE SUGGESTS
COURSE ON JAILS.
Il think Minert made more money
while IN sail than he ever did before in
his life during an equal period Of time -
said SiIer.
He said he was going to lay out his
line and cost.
I'VE ought to have a course in our
schools and colleges for prisoners so
way when placed in JAIL, commented
Judge Anderson on the above statement.
Siler also said he had left the Jail aNd
was one of the men working in the
furnace room with Mckay when the fire.
quent deliveries were made
Charles Bernstein Of Indianapolis said
he was the man who figured out that the
jail was getting all the money from the
poker game and caused the men TO quit.
He said he spent $50 playing poker and
that the game ran seven night in the
week, including Sunday, it being a 80
cent limit game.
SENT DOWN TO
DO THE WASHING.
After he had induced the men to Quit
Bernstein said he was sent down to do
the washing, although two fingers on his
hand were badly cut.
Charles Eyeritt, a released prisoner
who is merchant in Mount Vernon, Ind.
said lie existed for seventeen DAYS in the
jail on bread, apples and water.
He said he had $500 while in Jail three
months and of this sum $40 was paid In
fines, the rest going to the poker game.
Il figured that the Jail made 5000 profit
from the poker game during the three
months ] was there" he said, 1.-THE kit
tie ate up practically all the money we
had.
I'VE had to contribute 1915 for case
of toilet paper and when l offered to buy
it for SO the offer was refused.
II was peeling potatoes while in Jail
and for 175 prisoners, including officials,
| peeled one bushel Of rotten potatoes,
per day.
"on Dec. 20 and 30 they brought US
decayed meat 10 serve and it,was neces-
sary to throw it away. -
Il was afraid TO maBea complaint
as Uncle Charlie threatened to throw
me in the black hole"
Several prisoners testified that ''Uncle