the twin hells(两个地狱)-第50章
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connection we must not fail to mention Captain Crump； who has been
connected with this prison for thirty…six years； but who was discharged
during the last administration because of his making statements to the
effect that the prison was run by a political ring。〃 He is now deputy
marshal of Jefferson City； and is a faithful officer。 He incurred the
displeasure of the contractors because of the grave charges he made
against them； because of their inhuman demands upon the prisoners；
requiring of them more work than they were able to perform。 Because of
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his humaneness； and because he wanted to see the helpless prisoner treated
as he should be； after thirty…six years of faithful service was discharged
from the institution。 In 1883 there was an investigation made of many
serious charges preferred against the contractors and some of the leading
officials。 The committee made their report to the governor； and some five
hundred pamphlets containing this report were printed for distribution。
When the Legislature met none of these books could be found； and the
whole matter was a specimen of whitewash。 The report contained some
very damaging charges； but nothing was ever done with the matter。 I
visited the office of the secretary of state and asked to see one of these
books； but even his office did not contain a copy of this State document。
The Legislature should keep a watchful eye over this penal institution； and；
while there should be good discipline maintained； the prisoners should not
be treated in a barbarous manner。
A PARDONING BOARD
The governor has the pardoning power。 He extends executive
clemency to a number annually。 He has not time to attend to the duties
connected with this prerogative。 There are 2；000 prisoners。 No doubt
many of them have excessive sentences。 If a thorough investigation was
made； many would be found innocent。 The governor has not the time to
attend to these matters。 There should be a pardoning board appointed to
investigate these cases and advise with the governor。 To show the
necessity of such a board； I have only to state that during the past year the
Pardoning Board of Kansas has advised executive clemency to fifteen
criminals who received their pardons on the grounds of innocency。 One of
the number being a Mrs。 Henrietta Cook； who was sentenced for life； and
who had served fifteen years of imprisonment； when； upon an
investigation of her case by the Pardoning Board； she was discharged；
there being no doubt as to her innocence。 The great majority of these
prisoners are poor and friendless。 They have no one on the outside to aid
them in securing their rights； and unless a pardoning board is appointed to
investigate these cases； many a man and woman entirely innocent； will
have to serve out a sentence in this prison。
It is but natural for the contractors to use their influence to prevent the
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men under their control from receiving pardons。 If a man is sentenced for
ten years； and has been in one of the shops for two or three years； and has
learned to do his work well； the contractor will want to keep him instead
of letting him go； and will； no doubt； in an underhanded way； do all
against the poor prisoner he can。 This strong influence in many cases will
have to be counteracted and overcome before the prisoner can receive his
pardon and obtain his liberty。 A pardoning board； when appointed； should
be men who would not be in collusion with the contractors； but be men
who would see that the prisoner had justice。
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CHAPTER XIX
NOTED CONVICTS
At the present time there are fifty…six females who find homes in this
living tomb。 Two…thirds of them are colored。 The greater portion are kept
busy making underclothing for the prisoners。 They are detained； during
working hours； in a room； seated at tables； with a lady guard watching
them。 They are not allowed to converse with each other； only as they get
permission from this officer。 They are not permitted to see the male
prisoners。 In fact there is no way of entering the female prison from the
male department。 The dormitory is on the third floor。 The female convicts
wear striped calico dresses； the stripes running lengthwise。 The female
prison is kept scrupulously clean； which reflects great credit upon those
having the management of this department。
In company with Doctor Lewellyn； the prison physician； I passed
through the dormitory。 Here I found a great curiosity。 It was a baby
prisoner； six months old。 The little convict was born in the penitentiary。 It
is a colored childits mother being a mulatto； who was sent to prison for
fifteen years for murdering two of her children。 When on the outside； she
lived with her paramour； a white man； and； as fast as children were born to
them； she would murder them in cold blood。 The white man was tried also
as accessory to the murder； but； owing to her refusal to testify against him；
there was not sufficient evidence to convict him； and he was set at liberty。
He often visits her at the prison； bringing her eatables； which are very
much relished in the penitentiary。 I saw also the notorious Sadie Hayes；
who was sent up from St。 Louis for killing a policeman。 She was under the
influence of strong drink； and； thus crazed with whisky； the officer tried to
arrest her。 She drew a razor； and began to slash away at the officer； and； in
spite of his club and large； muscular frame； she soon cut him to pieces。 He
expired on the sidewalk； where the engagement took place。 She was sent
up for ninety…nine years； and has now been in prison about three years。
She is one of the most desperate looking women I ever saw； and； when
crazed with drink； becomes an infuriated demon。 She is an adept in the use
of the razor。
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The oldest female prisoner is an aged German woman by the name of
Oldstein； from Gasconade County。 She has been in the penitentiary
thirteen years； and； doubtless； would get a pardon if she had any place
where she could make her home after securing her liberty。 The old woman
is entirely broken down and is a physical wreck。 She spends the most of
her time knitting。 Aside from keeping her own bedding clean she is not
required to perform any labor。 She was charged with a cold…blooded
murder。 She； her husband and daughter murdered her daughter's husband。
The old man was hung； the daughter was sent up for life； and died in a few
month
