CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE MURDERED OFFICIALS
The murdered
deputy warden, Henry Wagner, had been connected with the prison for over eighteen
years. For many years he served as guard, was then promoted to steward and
rose to be the deputy warden: He was a quiet, kindhearted, generous man and
a good prison man. He believed in strict discipline, played no favorites
among the inmates who all looked alike to him. Mr. Wagner was
a widower and had no relatives in the state. Mr. E. G. Heilman,
the veteran usher, had been employed at the penitentiary for
over five years - first as chief clerk for two years. When Warden
Smith was appointed and his chief clerk did not understand the
prison system of bookkeeping, Mr. Heilman was retained as usher
and looked after the most of the books besides. He also served
his county as clerk, and served the state as assistant secretary.
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He was a good accountant, a fine penman and a man
of high education and refinement. He possessed a sunny disposition,
always happy, always jolly and in good humor. As a young man
he fought for his country, and had he not been shot down unexpectedly
by the murderers' bullets, he too would have given account of
himself. What a pity that a good and brave man should lose his
life in such a manner. Mr. Thomas Doody had also been connected
with the prison for many years, first as guard and later on as
cell keeper. He kept the big cell house clean and in good condition.
He is a fine fellow, good-hearted, generous and humane. The inmates
liked Mr. Doody, for he treated them like men. His wounds were
serious and we did not expect him to live; but through the care
of Doctor Spradling, assisted by Frank Dinsmore, he pulled through
though crippled for life.
The legislature appropriated five thousand dollars for Mr. Doody
as a reward for his
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