USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Granby > Newgate of Connecticut : its origin and early history : being a full description of the famous and wonderful Simsbury mines and caverns, and the prison build over them > Part 9
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In 1851 he was convicted of burglary, and sent to Wethers- field prison for six years ; and at the time of the murder was serving his second term for a similar offence. There he made two attempts to escape, but was discovered by Warden Wil- lard; for this he swore vengeance against him. In some way he procured a knife-blade, which he secreted about his person, and which, in his cell on Sunday, he fastened to the end of a cane that had been kindly allowed him on account of his lameness. He then sent for the warden, and re- quested him to read from a slate on which something was written, and while warden Willard was thus engaged, Wilson stabbed him in the abdomen, inflicting a wound from which he died in about four hours. While in Hartford jail, during his trial for this murder, he tried to escape, and also made an attempt to jump from the wagon, on the way to the court- house.
Upon his trial he made an able speech to the jury in self. defence. He wrote a long petition to the General Assembly for commutation of sentence, and also wrote a curious letter to Governor English. He heard his death-sentence with a contemptuous sneer, for he declared he should never be hanged.
On account of his desperate adroitness he was confined in an iron cell; and seeing there no possible chance of escape, he tried to commit suicide by starvation. He refused to take one morsel of food for nine and a half days, and drank water but once in that time! He also tried the second time to starve himself, but after a fast of six days, food was in- jected into him, which prolonged his miserable life for the gallows. Determined to verify his vow that he never would be hung, he had taken out a piece of wire about three inches long from the rim of his basin, which he rolled in a piece of leather and hid in his body, and to which he attached a string
-
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTIUT.
for pulling it out when necessary. In the morning of the fatal Friday on which he was to be hung he took the con- cealed wire, which he sharpened on the walls of his cell, and drove it into his heart so deep that he could not withdraw it, which latter circumstance probably stayed the flow of blood from the heart, and prevented immediate death. In his weak condition he was carried to the gallows, and when in his last moments he was asked if he wished to say anything, replied, "I shall say but few words to-day ; a man with three inches of steel in his heart can't say much, nor be expected to!" Thus was this desperate fiend swung from the gallows, with the steel in his obdurate heart of steel-an anomaly in the records of crime !
Gerald Toole was convicted at New Haven, in 1860, of arson, and sentenced to the State prison for life, and in 1862, while in prison, he murdered the warden, Daniel Webster. For this he was sentenced to be hung, and a short time before his execution he wrote a history of his life, and the reasons which impelled him to commit the murder. His mother died in Ireland when he was a child, and in 1858, at the age of twenty, he emigrated to America, where for two years he roamed about New Haven, often being thrown into bad company, and contracting bad habits. He at length hired a small liquor-store, which was soon after set on fire and partly burned; a reward of $200 was offered for the dis- covery and conviction of the offender. Young Toole asserted that the hope of getting the reward induced others to swear falsely against him, to secure his conviction. On his trial he pleaded not guilty, and his counsel made an able defence, but it was of no avail, and he was sentenced, whether justly or unjustly, for life. At the prison he was placed in the shoe-shop, and for not performing his full allotted daily task (which he asserted was more than he was able to perform), he was severely flogged, and the same task required of him next day. Perceiving no hope of a cessation in his daily miseries, and goaded to desperation, he contrived to secrete a pointed shoe-knife about his person, with which
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
to kill the officer should another attempt be made to flog him. On the day of the murder he either wilfully refused or was physically unable to do the amount required of him; and the warden entering the shop near the close of the day and seeing his task not completed, ordered him to be again whipped. Toole then suddenly sprang upon Captain Web- ster, and plunged the knife into his chest and abdomen, inflicting wounds from which he died the next day. Toole was tried in May, 1862, and sentenced to be hanged on the 19th of September following, on which day the execution took place in Hartford jail. He was but 24 years of age.
The pamphlet which he wrote was extensively read, and enlisted much public sympathy in his favor. It also caused investigation to be made into the alleged cruelties of the prison, and produced, to some extent, a relaxation of the rigorous discipline which had been previously enforced.
The following statistics have been furnished for this work by the present efficient warden, E. B. Hewes Esq .:-
262 is the present number of convicts, March 25th, 1876. There are 12 more in the county jails under sentence, and soon to be placed in the prison, making the whole number 264.
White males, 221
Under 20 years of age, 29
females. 3 From 20 to 30 “ 147
Colored males, . 27
66 30 “ 40 42
females, 1 40 “ 50 20
Over 50
14
CRIMES.
Assualt with intent to kill, 12
Murder,
in 2nd degree, 18
Manslaughter,
5
Attempt at rape, .
7
Assault with intent at rape,
4
Rape, .
5
Assaulting a superior officer,
3
Burglary, 55
Burglary and theft,
5
Breaking and entering, 17
Burning a barn, 4
4
Bigamy, .
Drunkeness, disobedience of orders &c.,
7
Dersertion, 12
2
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
Horse stealing, 13
Arson,
3
Placing obstructions on R. R. track, 4
Robbery, 17
30
from the person,
12
Robbing mail,
1
Breaking jail, .
1
Mailing obscene matter,
1
Passing counterfeit money, . 1
There are in confinement for life twenty-nine prisoners, which is said to be a larger number proportionally than in any other penitentiary in the United States. Included in the above list are twenty-seven United States' convicts, for which the general government pays this state $2.50 per week for the maintenance of each.
DAILY ROUTINE OF DUTY PERFORMED AT THE CONNECTICUT
STATE PRISON BY THE OFFICERS.
At daylight the bell is rung for the officers, who immedi- ately repair to the guard-room. When it is sufficiently light, the deputy-warden gives the signal for manning the walls, and the overseers take their keys, go to their several divisions, and again wait the signal, when they unlock, and march their men, with the lock-step, to their respective shops. The con- victs immediately commence work, and also begin at a given point in the shop to wash, which each man does in regular order before the breakfast hour.
At 7 o'clock the bell is rung for breakfast, the convicts stop work, form into a line in their shops, and wait the signal of the bell, when they are marched into the prison yard, and form a line in front of their buckets. At the word right, each man turns to the right; the word up is given, and each man takes his bucket upon his left arm, when they form into sections in close order, as marched from the shops; and at the word forward, they march in the same manner to the hall, where they are seated to hear the reading of the Bible and attend prayers. Thence they are marched round the cells, take their kids containing their breakfast as they pass
Theft,
WETHERSFIELD PRISON YARD.
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
the kitchen, and are immediately locked up. Each officer then reports the number of men in his charge to the deputy- warden, who, finding it right, gives the signal of " All's well !" the watchmen leave the wall and repair to the guard- room ; all the officers then go to their meal, except one in the hall, and one in the guard-room, who are relieved in turn.
From half to three-quarters of an hour is allowed, when they are again, as above, marched to their work, and there "remain until twelve o'clock; the signal is again given, they are again marched upon a line, and in the same manner marched into and round the hall, the same as at breakfast, with the exception of service. Time allowed for dinner, one hour in summer, and forty-five minutes in winter. At one o'clock they are again marched to their shops, and work till six P. M., when they again form a line in front of their buckets; the word is given, " One pace in the rear, march," each convict steps one pace back; the officer having charge of each division begins searching, by passing his hands over the arms, body, and legs of the prisoner, and as each man is searched he steps to the front. When all are again in a line, the word is given to uncover, and each convict takes the cover from his night bucket; the officers pass and examine them ; the words, cover-right-up-forward! and they march to the hall, attend prayers, and go to their cells, as in the morning. The officer then in the hall lights up, examines each lock and door, recounts the convicts, and reports the number to the warden or deputy-warden. At half past seven the signal is given, and each convict retires to his cell; the officer again examines the doors, sees that all are abed, and is then relieved by the overseer, taking the first tour, which continues from eight to twelve o'clock. He is then relieved by a watchman, who takes what is called the middle tour, from twelve to four; the watchman taking the morning tour, then relieves him. The above officers are required, while doing duty, to be constantly on their feet, marching round the cells and upon the galleries to see that all is quiet and in
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
good order. If any sickness or disorder takes place, he calls the watchmen, who acquaints the warden or deputy-warden, who immediately repairs to the hall, and takes the necessary measures for relief of the sick or the suppression of disorder.
DUTIES OF THE SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.
The Deputy-warden takes the principal charge of the inter- nal affairs, under the direction of the warden ; spends the whole day in visiting the several shops and departments; sees that every officer performs his duty; attends to the wants and complaints of the convicts; and has a constant supervision of all the internal operations.
The Clerk assists the warden in keeping the books and other writing: attends generally to the transportation of convicts from the county jails ; and when not thus engaged, performs such other duties as are required of him by the warden.
The Overseers, after performing the duty of marching the convicts, as above described, to their shops, remain constantly in them, with their men. They are not allowed to sit down, but must not only remain on their feet, but also exercise the utmost vigilance in seeing that their men work diligently, in order, and silence. In case of sickness or disobedience, they are required to send immediately for the warden or his deputy ; they also report in writing, before nine o'clock A. M., all who express a wish to see the physician.
The Watchmen are employed, all the time, in duty upon the walls, in the guard-room hall, and hospital, and in wait- ing upon spectators who visit the prison ; they are not allowed to sit, read, or write, while upon any post of duty.
The Gate-keeper has the care of the gate leading into the yard, and takes charge of the out-door hands and work.
The convicts have at all times free and unrestrained access to the warden, and can, whenever they desire to do so, see and converse with the director, or directors, when they visit the prison, but not in the presence of other convicts. All punish- ments are inflicted by the warden or his deputy. No
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
subordinate officer is allowed to leave the prison day or night, without permission of the warden, or in his absence, the deputy-warden.
DAILY RATIONS.
For breakfast, six days in the week, hash.
dinner on Monday, corned beef and potatoes.
66 Tuesday, pork and beans.
" Wednesday, soup.
" Thursday, corned beef and potatoes.
: 66
" Friday, fish.
" Saturday, fresh meat stew.
6: supper, mush and milk, or mush and molasses.
Coffee each morning, and sufficient bread to each ration.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF EAST GRANBY.
This town includes within its limits the old Copper Hill caverns, and contains many of the relics of the copper- mining operations. Here were enacted all the tragical scenes of Tory imprisonment during the Revolution; and for fifty-four years afterward this town furnished the sole prison for Connecticut State convicts. It was set off chiefly from Granby, and in part from Suffield and Windsor Locks, in 1858; Granby having been set off from Simsbury in 1786, and Simsbury from Windsor, in 1670. Thus it appears, these towns were incorporated at periods respectively about a cen- tury apart.
The early history of East Granby is involved in that of the bordering towns, so that a general sketch of them all might seem proper; but the prescribed limits of this work do not admit of very extended mention of each, however desirable it might be. Being one of the youngest towns in the State, its official archives do not afford material for voluminous history.
The ancient Indian name of that portion of East Granby, Granby, and Simsbury lying on or near Farmington river, and embracing Copper Hill, was Massaco (Mas-sah'-co). It certainly would have been no disparagement to those towns
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
had the ancient name been continued; and the Tunxis river* which runs through that section would have flowed just as sweetly and sounded as euphoniously as by its later christen- ing, Farmington. It is gratifying to know that in later years, with better sense, the old and honored Indian names have been retained in the settlement of many of our western towns, states, and territories.
The fertile valleys in Massaco, the abundance of fish- especially salmon-the great quantity of game, and the up- land productions of pitch, tar, and turpentine, attracted at a very early period the people of Windsor ; and they were the first colonists who settled in Massaco.
In 1642-about six years after the first settlement of Windsor-the first sale of Massaco land is recorded as fol- lows :
It is ordered that the Governor and Mr. Haynes shall have liberty to dispose of the land upon that part of the Tunxis river called Massaco, to such indi- viduals of Windsor as they shall see cause."
In the early disposition of large tracts of land by the infant colony the price was merely nominal, and often a free grant in consideration of the advantage of outpost settle- ments as a protection against Indian intrusions.
The first Indian deed of land in Massaco was given by the Indian chief Manahanoose to John Griffin, in 1648; and the consideration was that the Indians had destroyed a quantity of pitch and tar owned by Griffin. But, as in other Indian bargains, the title seemed to have been as uncertain as the boundary was indefinite; for soon after, it appears that Mr. Griffin obtained another conveyance of the same territory from three other chiefs who also claimed ownership. From various circumstances it would seem that the area thus pur- chased comprised a large part of what is now East Granby, Simsbury, and Granby, extending northward to "Southwick Ponds," and the term "more or less " was very liberally construed. This grant from the Indians of so large an extent of country seemed to trouble the other Indian sachems,
* Indian signification-Little Crane River.
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
which induced Griffin some years later to endorse over his title to a committee of the plantation at Windsor-which town claimed a general right to the whole territory. This committee was authorized "to lay out all those lands that are yet undivided at Massaco to such inhabitants of Windsor as desire and need it." The General Court of the colony granted two hundred acres of this to Griffin again, in con- sideration " that he was the first that perfected the art of making pitch and tar in those parts."
This, with other large grants, comprised many hundred acres owned by Griffin in the region of the Tunxis, making, it is said, a tract three miles square, which is known, even at this day, as " Griffin's Lordship." It lies within the present limits of East Granby, Salmon Brook, and Tariffville. Mr. Griffin was a man of considerable note, was a sergeant in the " train-band," so termed then, and held some civil offices. He carried on the pitch and tar business in the pine-forests for many years-sometimes in company with others-finding a ready sale for his products to the British, for use in their navy. This branch of business in the colonies was encour- aged by the mother country, while nearly every other kind of manufacture was encumbered with taxation, so as to pre- vent competition with her artisans at home.
Whether by accident or design, the savages set fire to Mr. Griffin's pitch and tar. To intimidate them from further depredations, it is said he called them together one day and positively assured them that if they gave him any further trouble he would burn up the Tunxis river and destroy all their fishing! To prove his miraculous power he dipped a bottle of spirit into the river, pretending to fill it with water. Then, with certain incantations, pouring its contents on to a log, he set fire to it-which wonderful deed inspired the sav- ages with such a fear of his omnipotent vengeance, that they manifested a due respect for him ever afterwards.
The Indians in East Granby and other parts of Massaco and Windsor were generally friendly to the white settlers- their confidence having been gained by kindness and usually
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
fair treatment in all business transactions. Their prevailing passion for hunting was very useful to the colonists, who employed them to hunt wolves with which the country was then sadly infested. In January, 1669, it was-
" Voted, to allow the Indians for every wolf they kill and bring their heads in, wampum at 6 a penny 10 shillings; and they that pay it to them must take up in our pay among ourselves with 5 shillings."
So that it appears the wampum of the red-man was con- sidered as rather below par-perhaps bearing a relation to our present paper wampum, when estimated by the standard of gold and silver.
The Indians were conscious that their most dangerous enemies were the powerful, warlike tribes living in Rhode Island and Massuchusetts, and they felt that their security in part depended upon making common cause with the settlers against them. The latter made a treaty with the friendly Indians in 1675, stipulating to pay them two yards of cloth for the head of an enemy killed by them, and four yards if delivered alive.
In the spring following several towns in Massachusetts were pillaged and destroyed by the Indians, and many of the people were massacred. This alarmed the settlers of Mas- saco, for they knew not in what hour the dreaded war-whoop might sound in their ears. The people were ordered to work in companies, armed, and to carry arms to service on Sun- days. Two or three houses (or forts) had been built at East Granby, the walls of which were filled with brick to resist attacks from the savages. To these the people fled for safety at every alarm.
The danger finally became so imminent that all the settlers in Simsbury fled to Windsor for safety ; and the savages came down from Massachusetts on the 26th of March, 1676, (200 years ago) and burned nearly every house in that part of Massaco, with all the furniture, crops, fences-in fact, everything they could not carry off. This roused the spirit of the settlers, and they resolved to subdue or exterminate them. Several companies of volunteers were organized in Windsor, Massaco, and neighboring places, and with some
5
BORALT
KING PHILIP.
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
friendly Indians the war was prosecuted with vigor. Ten or twelve expeditions were made by the colony in less than four months. The results of that campaign are well known. Two hundred and thirty Indians were killed or captured ; quantities of grain and muskets were taken ; King Philip, the chieftain warrior, was pursued to Mount Hope in Rhode Island and killed; his only son was sold as a slave to the Bermudas ; and his once powerful tribe was swept from the face of the earth.
But other hostile tribes still remained in this region; and for nearly half a century afterwards the inhabitants were in constant dread of attacks from the red-skins. As late as 1724, houses and fortifications were maintained in a state of defense at Simsbury, Salmon Brook, and East Granby. At the latter place a garrison of nine men was kept on duty, and a line of scouts was kept up between there and Litch- field to guard against surprises from the Massachusetts tribes.
The following illustrates some of the peculiar methods adopted to hunt down the Indians, by which it appears that the canine race were in better favor than the breeds of gen- erally worthless curs of these days :
"It is ordered and enacted by this Assembly :-
"That there shall be allowed and paid out of the publick treasury of this Colony, the sum of fifty pounds in pay, for the bringing up and maintaining of Dogs in the northern frontier towns in this Colony, to hunt after the Indian enemy, and to be improved and ordered for that end by the Committee of War in the county of Hartford, according to their discretion, as soon as may be, who are to procure as many dogs as that money will allow, to be always ready for the Colony's service against the common enemy."
The following interesting narrative was written by the late Noah A. Phelps some years ago. It illustrates the state of constant apprehension endured by our ancestors while the crafty, vindictive lords of the forest were prowling about the country.
CAPTIVITY OF DANIEL HAYES BY THE INDIANS.
In the fall of 1707, Daniel Hayes, at the age of twenty- two years, was taken by the Indians and carried captive into Canada. He resided at Salmon Brook, now the central part of Granby, which, being at that time the northern point of .
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
settlement in the town, was peculiarly exposed to sudden invasions by the Indians. The circumstances attending this transaction, as preserved by tradition, are as follows .*
Some two or three years before Hayes was taken, he was at a house-raising in Weatauge, when, very inconsiderately, and out of mere wanton sport, he cut off the tail of a dog belonging to an Indian, who, a stranger and entirely unknown, happened to be present. The master of the dog, though he uttered no complaint, manifested such emotions of ill will and revenge, that Hayes, before they separated, deemed it prudent for himself to attempt to pacify him. He sought therefore a reconciliation, by proposing to drink together, and offered, moreover, reparation for the injury. But the Indian rejected all overtures, and left the ground, evidently in a surly and unreconciled mood of mind, and, probably, with malice and revenge deeply impressed upon his heart. Nothing afterwards being heard of the Indian or his dog, and the circumstance if not forgotten, became unheeded. But the events which follow were supposed to result from this affair.t
On the evening before his capture, there was a corn-husk- ing party at the house of Mr. Hayes, when in the course of conversation, he remarked that early in the ensuing morn- ing, he should endeavor to find his horse, which was feeding in the forests, and, as supposed, westerly of the settlement.
*The materials from which this account is compiled, were obligingly com- municated to the author by Samuel H. Woodruff and Arden B. Holcomb Esq'rs, of Granby. Of the general correctness of the narrative, no reasonable doubt can be entertained,-as the facts have been derived, not only from the descendants of Mr. Hayes, but also from several aged people, all of whom concur in their statements regarding the main and important features of the transaction.
t Thus goes the story. But the author must be allowed to say for himself, that he very much doubts whether this affair had anything to do with the capture of Hayes, which took place some years afterwards. The Indians, it is well-known, were incited to such decds by the French in Canada, to whom they carricd their captives, and by whom, as is supposed, they were rewarded for the service. The more correct supposition probably is, that the captors came into this weak settlement, to seize and carry off any person who might be thrown in their way, and that they would have taken as readily any other person as Hayes, if an opportunity equally as favorable had occurred.
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NEWGATE OF CONNECTICUT.
This conversation, as appears from the sequel, was overheard by Indians who were at that time lurking about the house, and who it is supposed from the information thus obtained, devised their plans of operation for the next morning.
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