The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 25, 1902, Page 19

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, PRISON DIRECTORS TURN SEARCHLIGHT P MAY 25 1902. UPON POLICY OF FOLSOM’S WARDEN General Overseer Kyle Testifies That Many Convicts EX OLSOM, May M.—The Btate Board of Prison Directors met to-night in Folsom Prison and commenced its investigation into the charges of alleged in- cumpe&ency and misadminis- tration of affairs Under Warden Thomas Wilkinson's regime. Directors R. M. Fitzgerald, R. T. Devlin and W. R. Por- ter were the only members present, Direc- tors Wray and Wilkins not attending. The air of unrest and uncertainty that has hung over the prison since the ac- cusations egainst Wilkinson were first mede was rather relieved to-day when The Call published the more sensationel charges of forgery and theft agaiust Warden Aguirre of San Quentin prison. As soon &s the startling facts of Warden Aguirre’'s conspiracy to loot the State treasury became noised around Folsom, the officers, guards, and in fact every- body comnected with the prison, includ- 8 Warden Wilkinson himself, almest forgot their own troubles. ‘When the Prison Directors announced that they were ready to proceed with the investigation B. F. Bmith, clerk of the board, handed to Director Fitzgerald a rather bulky report, which contained a comparison of the amount of food staples used in San Quentin and Folsom. ONLY A MEAGER INQUIRY. Director Fitzgerald said that as all, of the members of the board were not pres- ent only & superficial investigation would be ettempted. It was plainly evident that Clothing and Aguirre was claiming most of their at- tention, and the alleged sins of Wilkinson did not look as black as they did before | the expose of the methods of the San | Quentin ring. Director Devlin suggested that they first take upghe charges as to the mea- ger food supply at the prison. Director Fitzgerald informed the board that he had instructed Clerk Smith to prepare a | tabulated list of the principal articles of food used in both prisons. Smith was called upon to testify, and said that he had received from the commissary of Folsom data as to the amount of food consumed by the prisoners during the last year of Warden Aull's administra- tion, and a similar table showing the consumption during the present adminis- tration. The table itself, ywhich was placed in evidence, showed that every prisoner in Folsom received/ thirty-nine solid pounds a year more than did the prisoners in San Quentin, and the di- rectors seemed to be willlng to accept Smith's table as sufficient proof that Warden Wilkinson was feeding the men under his charge properly. HIS CONVICTS HIGH LIVERS. Warden Wilkinson submitted several bills of fare showing the varlety of food dealt out to the prisoners at each meal. He said that the prisoners were given milk in theilr coffee. When called upon That His Requisitions Are Not Honored oners Warden Wilkinson . testified that they were given all they wanted to eat, that they were allowed to help them- selves to everything on the table and no Pestrictions were put on their appetites. ‘Warden Wilkinson admitted, under the cross-examination of Director Devlin, that the bread used on his own table was made by a private convict servant. Dy. B. A. Plant, prison surgeon, said that as far as he had observed the -food supply in the prison was all right. ‘Warden Wllkinson was recalled, and during his testimony provoked the ire of Commissary Fitzgerald by saying that the commissary fixed the amount of meat given each prisoner. Fitzgerald, who is a brother of the Prison Director, jumped to his feet and exclaimed that Warden ‘Wilkinson was mistaken. Major J. W. Kyle, general overseer, gave some rather spicy testimony. He swore that some of the men wers without clothing’ and that he was unable to pro- vide them with sufficient clothing on ac- count of the Warden's ruinous economy. Kyle testified that out of 110 requisitions he put in for convicts’ coats he succeeded in getting only fifty-seven. In rebuttal Warden Wilkinson testified that recently he discovered seventy-two -3 s prison yard, upon which the prisoners had been treading, he claimed, for months. SOME FORMS OF TORTURE. Captain Murphy, a stout, florid com- plexioned little man, was called to testify about the methods of punishment in vogue in. the prison. He admitted having “triced up” a prisoner and also admitted that there were several offenders who claimed to have been crippled by being put into a straltjacket. Captain Murphy explained the solitary confinement process, and ended his testimony by say- ing that all processes of punishment were carried on under the supervision of the prison surgeon. Murphy was disposed to make his explanations as mild as pos- sible. He was not pressed for explicit answers as to the result of his methods under Wilkinson's orders. Major Kyle was asked to compile a table showing the amount of clothing fur- nished each prisoner last year, and also during any year 8f Warden Aull's admin- istration. He was instructed to have this table in readiness for the next meeting, when the charges will be again taken up. In reference to the charges involving ‘Warden Aguirre of San Quentin in the looting of the State treasury by appro- priating goods to his own personal use and that of his friends, Prison Director Fitzgerald said: NOT UNDULY LOQUACIOUS. :Are Without ing’s Call very carefully. T am disinclined to believe them. I am satisfied that nothing will be done concerning the charges until they are properly brought before us. I am quite satisfied that the Governor and War- den Aguirre will demand an investi- gation and have the matter sifted to the bottom. I do not care to discuss the sub- Jject any further, as I have no cognizance of the charges except what I read in The Call. I do not know what the disposition of the rést of the board is in reference to the charges against Warden Aguirre, and until I discuss the matter with them I would rather not say anything on the subject.” / “I do not believe there is any truth in the charges concerning Warden Aguirre,” said Director Porter.. “I never heard of them before until I read them in The Call.” I do not know what the board in- tends to do. I have not had time to con- sider the charges.” Director Devlin s.trnh'l. The directors went into executive ses- slon after closing the Wilkinson inquiry and when they adjourned it was announc- ed that they would meet again on June 21. In the meantime it is quite probable that they will investigate the published charges of corruption against the San Quentin ring. The directors will also consider at their next meeting an affida- vit by Dell Cann, a discharged guard, who makes some very serious allegations spoke in the same the serious charges against Warden | to explain his method of feeding the pris- | pieces of clothing in an old shack in the “I read the charges made in this morn- | against Warden Wilkinson. @ e e e @ PROOF PRESENTED THAT WARDEN A GUIRRE CERTIFIED TO FORGED BILLS PREPARED BY CONVICTS Continued from Page Seventeen. was one for $399 19 in favor of Levi Strauss & Co. Accounts Balanced. The Prison Directors, the Board of Examiners and the State Comptroller believed that they were paying the following bills, certified to as being correct by Commissary Foley and War- den Aguirre: 1901—1 bale cassimere 20 1901—2 bales of flanne! 1801—2 bales of flannel.. July 1, 1901—Bunting and duck -..$399 19 At San Quentin prison in the office of the clerk are two bills, receipted for by Levi Strauss & Co. on September 17, 1901, that |amount to $399 19. The bills | are made up of the goods bought | on July 9, 1901, consisting of ta- ible cloths, doylies, dress goods, napkins and night shirts. The receipted bills are as fol- | lows: | July 8, 1901— | Sunary goods, including nightshirts..$112 13 Item for July 1 for bunting and duck , written on the bill by a convict..... 738 July 9, 1801— |1 vale 8. P. flannel.......ceneeen ve... 15286 | Item written in by a convict as follows: | 2 bales §. P. flannel . 46 82 Total comesessssanssssn 000 10 The reason that some of the | items of accounts were written on other bills by convicts was for the purposc of securing the bill- | heads of Levi Strauss & Co. on which Aguirre’s criminal assist- | ants might forge the statements to be sent to Sacramento, so that they might appear as com- ing from the well-known whole- sale house. Books Falsified. In the past few days, representatives of The Call have examined the jumbled and falsified books at San Quentin for the purpose of tracing the bill of goods bought on July 9 of last year, which in- cluded table cloths, doylies and night- shirts. Commissary Foley was perfectly incap- able of explaining any entry, but he call- ed vpon the convict clerks to explain. Both Foley and the men who work under him were well acquainted with the fact that the bill of goods referred to. was de- livered to the Warden's house. The commissary stock book shows that in July last year an entry was made of “bed furnishings” recelved for $11213. This item was credited on the same line as ‘“Issued to furnishings and fixtures,” on July 22. The books show that where goods are issued from the commissary department to the Warfien's house they are charged to “W. F. & F.” These letters stand for “Warden's house furnishing and fix- tures.” The criminal transaction on the part of the San Quentin ring in obtain- ing goods by fraud and forgery was covered up in the commissary books by charging the item to “furniture and fixtures.” ‘When Foley and his convict assistants ‘were asked to explain why the goods had been charged to ‘‘furnishing and fixtures’ and not to the “Warden, furnishing and fixtures,” the answer forthcoming was that “it was an error.” There are dozens of men in San Quentin prison, known by numbers and wearing felon's stripes, who received punishment for similar “‘errors” of which the leading members of the San Quentin ring have been gullty and in which they have been detected. Guilty of Crimes. Of the frauds carried on at San Quentin prison by the ring in control numerous in- stances can be cited. In exposing this one transaction of the goods purchased onduly 9 of last year, Warden Aguirre and his cronies are guilty of fraud, forgery, obtaining goods by false pretenses, misappropriation of public funds and malfeasance in office. Warden Aguirre, who is a single man, certainly had no use personally for the property obtained last year by felonious acts. The law allows him a salary and the sum of $100 per month for subsistence. Food supplies, wearing apparel, household goods, etc., have been secured by forgery and fraud by the San Quentin ring and traced to Warden Aguirre's residence. Governor Gage and his family have been frequent residents at the Warden's home, and they have been the beneficiaries of | stolen property. They have, including Governor Gage, slept on sheets obtained by fraud and forgery; slept in night robes filched from the State and obtained by forgery and fraud; eaten food stolen from the public stores and charged to prison departments and sidewalk repairs, and | quaffed costly wines secured by the aid of convicts in a felonidus manner. Will Furnish Proof. The Call will furnish the people of the | State of California with further proof of the criminal acts of the San Quentin | A satisfactory every day suit 19 DR. KILMER’S SWAMP-ROOT. ‘W. F. Lohnes, a prominent business lowing strong endorsement of the great tor of the Springfield, Ohio, Republic: it was promptly sent. I was so to the drug store and procured a supply. liver and kidney complaints. in this case I cannot speak too much in for me.” (W. F. Lohnes) 43% West High Street. / The mild and extraordinary effect of remedy, Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root, is s wonderful cures of the most distressing EDITORIAL NOTE.—If you are sic new discovery, Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Roo well they will help all the other organ You may have a sample bottle of thi absolutely free by malil, also a book tell many of the thousands upon thousands and women who owe their good health, gve properties of Swamp-Root. In writ Call. Kilmer's Swamp-Root, and the address, be sure to say that you read this generous offer in The San ¥ HAT A SAMPLE BOTTLE OF SWAMP-ROOT DID. To Prove What the Great Kidney Remedy, Swamp= Root, Will Do for YOU, Every Reader of The Call May Have a Sample Bottle Sent Free by Mail. man of Springfield, Ohio, writes the fol- kidney remedy, Swamp-Root, to the edi- Springfield, Ohio, Feb. 21, 180L “‘Having heard that_you could procure a sample bottle of Swamp-Root, free by mail, I wrote to Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y., for a sample bottle and pleased after trying the sample bottle that I sent I have used Swamp-Root regularly for some time, and consider it unsurpassed as a remedy for torpid liver, loss of appe- tite and general derangement of the digestive functions. due to too close confinement in my business. I think my trouble was I can recommend it highly for all I am not in the habit of endorsing any medicine, but praise of what Swamp-Root has done A ¢ . (4 the world-famous kidney and bladder oon realized. It stands the highest for its cases. k or “feel badly,” begin taking the famous . because as soon as your kidneys are S to health. A trial will convince anyone. s wonderful remedy, Swamp-Root, sent Ing all about Swamp-Root and containing i:ftzes{ntr}\‘m’nlal letters received from men ‘act their very lives, to the great cura~ ing to Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binahamton. N. rancisco Sunday If you are already convinced that Swamp-Root is what can purchase the regular fifty-cent and one-dollar size bottl, e everywhere. Don’t make any mistake, but remember the name, Swamp-Root, Dr. es at the drug stores Binghamton, N. Y., on every bottle. ring, of which Warden Aguirre is the head, of which Governor Gage is the bene- ficlary. In presenting the first installment of proof of its charges The Call asks War- den Aguirre and his bosom friend, Gov- ernor Gage, to explain the following proposition. In the past fifteen months Levi Strauss & Co. have supplied the following articies to San Quentin prison, the same being pald for by public funds: Towels, Napkins, Doylles, and officers recently have about closed up their business and the reports that were presented were decidedly favorable. ——————— : UNITED MODERNS. n the 18th inst. California L. the United Moderns entertained uosdf:ex:f bers and friends in its lodge room with a delightful programme of music, songs, recitations and vaudeville numbers. There Was a goodly attendance and the evening assed most pleasantly. After the serv- Bic of caes oot light refreshments thers was dancing until late hour. This lodge ve work in the initiator: at_its next meeting. - San Francisco Lodge at its last held Doz. Doz. Doz. | meeting admitted several strangers into | thy e e 5 b= e order, through the Initiatory process. ; O r 7 5 O Comilisasy” . THE WOMEN OF WOODCRAFT. ~ The folly party given in Native S 2 ment, for use of of- Hall on the night of the 22d fnsv. by xgen;- ' = o . ¥ 5 8 | wood Circle of the Women of Wooderaft For $15 you can get a stylishly cut sack suit in most any Was a very pleasant affair that attracted Jute mill account.... 1 s -~ a goodly number of people, who were at- tired in fantastic costumes and 'made up store. But to get one for half the price is the question. But Can Warden Aguirre explain how it here is the answer, right in the merchandise, which is conclu- sive proof of the fact. Cur $7.850 suits are cut just as styli-hly | happeéns that he has enough charged to his house to give him one new » 4 2 towél per day and dozens of officers and towels | a grotesque combination when they moved in the grand march. It was under the direction of the committee of arrange- ments, composed of Mrs. F. A. McMahon, Mrs. A. Steineart, Mrs. T. T. Wilder, Mrs. R. Corhnehl, G. Sweinhard and A. Kos- r. Dr. McMahon, who was attired as an Eastern prince, was the floor manager. —_—————— “Our, cashier has grown very dark since he went away on his vacation trip. He must have roughed it in the wind a good deal.” “Yes; I wonder where he picked up that copper color?” “Copper color! Say, I never noticed ft. He'll have to let copper alone in every form or send in his resignation.” leve- land Plain Dealer. 4 as our $1g suits, for both values are :he height of style. Even .as;?z% garment can have no more style to it than these suits at Of course, the material in th: $7.50 suits is not as go-d as in the higher priced goods, but the cloth is all wool, the pat- terns are neat summer designs and the garments as a whole are full value for the price. O.r “maker-to- wearer” plan of selling places $10 values before you at $7.50. Muy we prove it to you ? oAy ; } | £ half his supply? ! What has Warden Agufrre done with | \\ | | dozens of napkins and doylies in a home \ which is that of a bachelor? The Call will explain this later. DEMANDS INQUIRY ' Watt Asks for Prob- ing of the Charges- Against Gage. i : guards have had but’ a little more than '7‘7/“1’1.‘ M fle ‘ f - Solid b.ue serges and mixed tweeds and chevicts in all the norma! sizes. Striped worsted trousers in a great variety of patterns for % N 1 only $1.95. ° ” | | ] J. Alva Watt, at a meeting of the Re- ! publican State Central Committee yester- jday, took up the matter of The Call's charges against Governor Gage and the administration of the State Prison of San | Quentin and introduced a resolution call- ing for a special committee of five mem- bers to investigate the charges and re- port thereon at an adjourned meeting of the State Central Committee to be held at Goiden Gate Hall on Saturday, June 7. The committee decided to take no action in the matter. Swell Little Sailor Suits, $3.50 Any boy from three t) twelve years of age looks wel. in a sailor suit. The sailor is the most pop .lar garment ever devised for boys’ wear. Every season it is th: favorite. Styles come and go, but the sailor remains. We are Q/Jw selling some unusual saior suits for g $3.50. The extreme valué makes them unusual. S.ch bargains are A\ > 1 | rare. These are blue serges tastefully trimmed with black or white COMPANIONS OF THE FOREST. soutache; ages 3 to 12 years. There was large attendance at the folly party given by Sherwood Circle, Compan- jons of the Forest, in the social hall of the Ancient Order of Foresters’ building, and a well arranged programme of é‘;;‘l‘:eeswlfider the direction of the commit- tee of arrangements, consisting of Samuel ! Severance. chairman; Llllie Severance, Mrs. M. A. O'Brien, Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Elkus. The prize winners were: First ‘prize, handsome silver tea set, for best dressed lady, Mrs. Raymond; second prize, glove order, best dressed lady, Mrs. H. Jingels; third prize, most original lady character, dentistry work, Miss Emma Follk, ivy leaf dress; gents’ most original | character, Irishman, George Monk, fancy ccat hanger; best sustained lady's char- acter, Mrs. Emily Webster, Aunt Jemi- ma; best sustained gentleman character, J. Horsfeld, soldier. This circle will give an apron and necktie party on the Tth of June. —————— INDEPENDENT FORESTERS. At a meeting of the Board of Deputies of the local courts of the - Independent |] Boys’ Furnishings Boys’ Pajamas, made of madras, various stripes, ages 6 to 16 years, $1.00 a suit. Three thread knee and foot and four thread heel and toe hosiery, fast black, sizes 6 to 10, 25¢ a pair. Tan hose, light and dark shades, 9, 25¢ a pair. Boys’ wash suits in a number all prettily trimmed, price 50¢ suit. Boys’ sailor wash hats in many materials, very swell; prices from 45¢ to $1.50. Boys’ wash caps, 25¢ to 45¢. Boys’ straw hats, different shapes, $1.50. Children’s all-wool sweaters, years, BOC each. Derby ribbed underwear, natural, drawers button on side, ages 3 to 8 years, 50¢ a suit. Sanitary underwear, drawers button on side, ages 3 to 8 years, $1.00 a suit. Blue derby ribbed underwear, ages 8 to 14 years, BOC a snit. Balbriggan underwear, in ecru, ages 6 to 14 years, $1.00 a suit. Fine natural wool years, $1.00 3 suit. Natural wool sanitary underwear, covered seams, ages 4 to 14 years, $1.50 a suit. Shetland wool underwear, natural, ages 6 t 14, $2.00 a suit. f ages 1% to 4 Four Spécials for This Week Only. Solid oak parlor table, twenty- sizes 6 to four-inch top........8$1L.30 Guaranteed solid oak chair, brace arms, cane seat.80¢ Solid oak sideboard, French plate mirror, swell front drawers ..........$12.50 Single or 3 white enameled iron bed.....c.....8$2.50 of to materials: $3.50 a underwear, ages 8 to 14 50c to 2 | f Foresters there was an interest- Write for our new Out-of-t. Order o y ~of-town or dds on the subject of Forest: 1 lustrat: d catalogue, S s %‘;m:;,:m:: Supreme Court y sninid We give you liberal credit. «Attire for man and . OO D lers filled for men’s n this city, by reme Treasurer S boy.” Is free to W) Jr N s e S s e 0y . s g or boys’ clothing courts ip this city and In the lower part a Durationg, rest ; ; of the flzma. after which he will return FURNITURE CO > to this/city to attend the session of the . dents. arket Strect. ’ hats or furnishings, Trcperial Temple of the Shriners, of which he is a member. The committee that had charge of the reception to the Supreme Court delegates 338-342 POST STREET, Opposite Union Square.