Whyte said the department has spent twice that much securing the prison by building a stronger captain's office and installing new electronic locking devices on the doors. In 1983, conditions in the prison were declared unconstitutional by Circuit Judge Arthur Recht because of overcrowding, and the state Corrections Department is under court order to make improvements. The bloody New Year's Day riot at the West Virginia Penitentiary, followed by months of unrest, turned 1986 into the most violent year at the prison in 26 years. MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) _ Knife-wielding inmates rioted at the West Virginia Penitentiary on Wednesday, seizing half of the maximum-security prison, taking 13 hostages and demanding to meet the governor, authorities said. Following this event, attendance at hangings was by invitation only. The night before getting trapped inside a haunted house [], Read of Daniel's article from the ghostwalks.com website. The incident may have been sparked by frustration caused by the inmates being segregated and a delay in court action seeking to release them back into the general prison population, Whyte said. Fools' Parade, starring James Stewart, Kurt Russell, and George Kennedy, was adapted into a film in 1971. [4] The last execution carried out in the state's electric chair was that of Elmer Bruner on April 3, 1959. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. By William K. Stevens, Special To the New York Times. But Warden Jerry Hedrick said the prisoners pretty much have the run of the place right now.. [17], Tours are available for tourists wishing to see the prison. At one point a hostage, William Henderson, telephoned his home to relay a message from the inmates not to storm the prison or someone would be killed. Most were placed there following a New Year's Day riot in which 17 hostages were taken and three inmates were killed by the rioters. The area around the prison was sealed off, and there was no danger to nearby residents, said William Kaemmerling, a spokesman for the Moundsville police department. [3][4] Within nine years, West Virginia Penitentiary was closed as a prison. One inmate was reported dead. [4] One of the more infamous locations in the prison, with instances of gambling, fighting, and raping, was a recreation room known as "The Sugar Shack".[4]. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A coal mine, operated with prison labor, opened a mile away in 1921. Since it was a "cons" prison, most of the locks on the cells had been picked and inmates roamed the halls freely. Twenty inmates stormed the mess hall and tackled and handcuffed six officers and a food service worker. In 1929, the state embarked on a southward expansion, referred to as the New Wall, as the 57-foot cells were considered inadequate and held up to three prisoners at a time, with two prisoners sleeping in the bunks with a third sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Danny Lehman, the Avengers' president, was quickly agreed upon as best suited for the task of negotiating with authorities and presenting the demands to the media. The riot began when inmates with jailhouse weapons such as hand-made knives took the hostages, the sheriff said. Dodrill to discuss their grievances, said John Domenick of WTRF-TV in Wheeling. And that points out just how vulnerable we are.'. The prison had two severe riots: in March 1973 five guards and two convicts were hospitalized and one inmate left dead after a convict committed arson and a full-scale riot and fire caused chaos to ensue. The physical and living conditions are pretty much the same. The rioting inmates who seized control of the West Virginia Penitentiary released six . Sixty-eight inmates are housed in the segregation unit. '', ''We're tired of being treated like juveniles,'' Mr. Gregory said. Do you have any interesting stories about Red? An act of legislation on February 7, 1866, directed the Board of Public Works to select a site of not less than 10 acres of land near Moundsville for a state penitentiary. 'It's like a highway,' Whyte said of the long, straight hallways with cellblocks off to the sides. In 1965, prison inmates requested that the Death House, a separate building used exclusively for executions by hanging or electrocution, be removed. ''They say, 'Act like men and we'll treat you like men,' but it's all talk. Inmates put knives to their throats and handcuffed them with their own handcuffs. Simple procedures, like limiting the number of keys that guards carry, also have been instituted. (Studio: Charles Kuralt) Report introduced. Upon the recommendation by the prison doctor, steam heat was installed in the penitentiary in the mid-1870s. Moundsville native Davis Grubb has written a couple of novels with Moundsville as the setting, Fools' Parade (also known as Dynamite Man from Glory Jail) and The Night of the Hunter. London W10 5AT These were not detailed publicly. [7][8][9][10][11][12], At the time, Marshall County Sheriff Robert Lightner was very critical about poor police communications during the break. . Although officials did not know what triggered the uprising, Bailey said that policy changes by the warden had angered some inmates. ''We don't know why we have to sleep in 110-degree weather in the summer. It is currently a tourist attraction and training facility. 11. Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. went to the penitentiary to talk with the inmates. Willaims managed to steal a prison guards service weapon in the escape. [3] Moundsville proved an attractive site, as it is approximately twelve miles south of Wheeling, West Virginia, which at that time was the state capital. $5.00 Children ages 6-10 North Hall was renovated for maximum security, which featured four tiers with 20 cells on the lower two tiers and ten cells on the upper two tiers. Fourteen hostages were taken in the 5:30 p.m. uprising, by up to 200 of the 750 inmates at the prison, said Sgt. Tapir briefly escapes enclosure at Florida zoo. Association of Prison Wardens' standards for hsing. 2 10 A gradual reduction in inmates at the Penitentiary began. Southern Ontarios haunted locations. Based out of Canadas most haunted town, Niagara-on-the-Lake and featuring tours in Niagara, Hamilton and Toronto. 1 Prisoners could also toil at the 200-acre prison farm, which provided fresh produce for the kitchen for canning. In the series, the penitentiary stands in as Shawshank State Prison. It was notorious for riots, murder, and electrocutions. Some inmates were allowed to stay at the mines camp under the supervision of a mine foreman who was not a prison employee. Inmates who took over the West Virginia Penitentiary agreed today to release all hostages by Friday and to return control of the prison to the authorities. Dictionary.com adds 'hellscape,' 'woke' and 311 other new terms. Donnelly Article, on Death of William Red Snyder at West Virginia Penitentiary, Death of William Red Snyder at West Virginia Penitentiary, Torture of Inmates inside West Virginia Penitentiary, Last Public Hanging at West Virginia Penitentiary | Violence of Frank Hyer. A major riot broke out there in 1973. 'There is a constant flow of inmates and the guards are like traffic cops.'. It was in the dining room at dinner time on New Years Day that a riot started in 1986 over filthy living conditions, the prisoners believed they were treated like dogs. Prison delights included raw sewage flowing from pipes, rats in the cells, and maggots in food. The woman got into a van and it drove off. 'They (guards) are swamped by numbers,' Whyte said. Asked why the hostages were to be released in two groups, John Price, Mr. Moore's press secretary, said the inmates had requested time to clean up the prison. 1986 also offered some exciting stories to tie back to the West Virginia Penitentiary. [15] To assist teams in the planning and execution of scenarios, the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation commissioned The 3D Model of the West Virginia Penitentiary, an interactive 3D model of the penitentiary. Two inmates were reported to have died sometime after the uprising began but the circumstances of their deaths were unclear. The West Virginia Penitentiary was then undergoing many changes and problems. Hundreds of inmates took over the south end of the 120-year-old penitentiary, West Virginia's only maximum-security prison, on the evening of New Year's Day. Once the captain's booth was overrun, and the 16 guards who were taken hostage were stripped of their keys, the penitentiary's South Hall fell without resistance. Used for living quarters for men aged 55+ with good behavior. We have exclusive overnight access to the whole prison, including access to the "Sugar Shack", "North Hall" and "Psych Ward. ''Back off, boys, back off, give her room,'' a blue-jacketed prison official told reporters. The discussions, he said, are ''just a beginning, obviously,'' in addressing the problems of the prison. National and local news covered the story, as well as the inmates meeting with Governor Moore. Mr. Price would not comment on the grievances, but said that ''we've promised the inmates that there will be serious discussions.'' Now withdrawn and retired from prison use, it operated from 1876 to 1995. Consequently, the new state had a shortage of various public institutions, including prisons. In July, additional money was budgeted to increase the staff by 50, bringing the total number of officers to 259, Whyte said. making the results of this riot even more intense. But theyve hit a snag, Student debt is a crisis: Activists rally outside Supreme Court for loan forgiveness, Tensions rise in Nigeria as opposition demands new vote. It helped fulfill some of the prisons energy and heating needs and saved the state an estimated $14,000 a year. WEST VIRGINIA PENITENTIARY. Currently, the site is maintained as a tourist attraction, museum, training facility, and filming location. My God, thats awful.. Legends include claims that the prison occupies the site of a Native American burial ground, and alleged hauntings by spirits of dead inmates.[18]. See the article in its original context from. Please consider converting them to full citations to ensure the article remains verifiable and maintains a consistent citation style. James, Michelle. Hedrick said one inmate was slightly injured during the incident. January 1, 1986 was not only the beginning of a new year, but also the date of one of the most infamous riots in recent history. One inmate was reported dead, according to John Price, a spokesman for Gov. MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. -- Twenty-five prisoners at the West Virginia Penitentiary, where three inmates were killed in a New Year's Day riot, escaped their cells briefly but returned when confronted by armed guards, officials said today. During that time, he murdered John Bunchek in Scottsdale, Arizona during a robbery and was connected to crimes in Colorado and Pennsylvania. After the agreement was announced, two prisoners, Danny Lehman and Alvin Gregory, both serving life terms for murder, described inmate grievances to a small group of reporters and cameramen whose presence had been requested by the inmates. The Murderer After being paroled from West Virginia Penitentiary, Red returned home. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hamilton, Toronto, Ancaster, Haldimand, Ontario, Canada855-8GHOSTS (844-6787) or Contact Us Now! The original chair is on display in the facility and is included in the official tour. Fact another inmate Who snitched on them over the riot in 86 if you know who Im talking bout then you would know what all went down They got my friend Red high and drunk Then police open the door and let them in To kill him.. My friend never deserved to go out like that Bit as the saying goes You live by the knife you die by the knife.. Red rest in peace friend.. My 2 cousins Wino and Doug. A porch was added by the Wheeling architectural firm Giesey & Paris in 1908. One escaped felon wrote wish you were here postcards to fellow convicts, while Fast Freddieholds the escapee record with 13 attempts. It then gets swung around by the elephant until it lets go. November 27, 1986. [2][3] The original architectural designs have been lost. Some inmates were allowed to stay at the mine's camp under the supervision of a mine foreman, who was not a prison employee. Each story carefully crafted from dark history and vivid ghostly experiences. West Virginia / Prison Riot #546438. . Education was a priority for the inmates during this time. This was the case in the above-mentioned 1986 West Virginia riot, when unspecified policy changes and inadequate response to state demands to fix overcrowding reportedly led prisoners to take 14 hostages. PETER MATTIACE January 2, 1986 MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) _ Knife-wielding inmates rioted at the West Virginia Penitentiary on Wednesday, seizing half of the maximum-security prison, taking 13 hostages and demanding to meet the governor, authorities said. State troopers surrounded the prison. A major riot had occurred at the prison in 1973, and in 1979, 15 inmates fled in a breakout in which one state police officer and one inmate were killed. All rights reserved. 10 11. Lehman's November murder, believed to be carried out by members of the Aryan Brotherhood, may spark more violence, Whyte said. Mr. Price said later that one of the prisoners' demands was at least one hot meal a day. 2 DEAD AT WEST VIRGINIA PRISON; INMATES AGREE TO YIELD AFTER RIOT, https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/03/us/2-dead-at-west-virginia-prison-inmates-agree-to-yield-after-riot.html, William K. Stevens, Special To the New York Times. They first heard of it over the police scanner. They had demanded ''decent meals'' and at least one hot meal a day. [4] With the building of more prisons, that number declined to 600 700 inmates by 1995. The agreement and the success in carrying out the first phase of the hostage release came after a tense night and morning. 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[23], West Virginia State Penitentiary and the town's history were featured as one of the haunted locations on the paranormal TV series Most Terrifying Places in America in the episode titled "Cursed Towns", which aired on the Travel Channel in 2018. At about 5:30 pm, 20 prisoners, who belonged to a group called Avengers, stormed the mess hall and attacked Captain Glassock, five other officers, and a food service worker. The fate of the West Virginia State Penitentiary was sealed in a 1986 ruling by the West Virginia Supreme Court to close down the facility. [4] The fate of the prison was sealed in a 1986 ruling by the West Virginia Supreme Court which stated that confinement to the 5 x 7-foot (2.1m) cells constituted cruel and unusual punishment. As of last week, there were 541 inmates at the prison. Another, in 1986, saw 20 inmates storm the cafeteria in . The complaints centered on prison food, lack of adequate heat in the winter and ventilation in the summer and restrictive clothing and hair regulations. Whyte concedes staffing is a concern, but a bigger problem is the prison itself. [2] The state used prison labor during the construction process, and work continued on this first phase until 1876. Whyte said one of the inmates called Warden Jerry Hedrick on a pay telephone and offered to negotiate. including in 1986 when inmates . "It was a good twenty minutes before we knew about the escape. [2] It lies at the western side of the complex along Jefferson Avenue and is considered the front, as this is where the main entrance is located. The facility is used for training law enforcement and corrections practitioners with regular mock-riot drills. [2] It included space for female inmates and personal living quarters for the warden and his family. 11 The third floor featured 32 cells for female inmates 1 while the and fourth floor included the residence of the warden and his family. James Companion, a lawyer representing the prisoners, said few improvements have been made since the decision. 10 After nine inmates escaped in 1865, causing a flurry of negative press, the legislature took action. January 1, 1986 was the date of the most infamous riot in the history of the penitentiary. 10. [2] The Elizabethtown Festival is held every year to celebrate and remember historic Moundsville. On that date, Frank Hyer was executed for murdering his wife. One of the escapees was Ronald Turney Williams, serving time for murdering Sergeant David Lilly of the Beckley Police Department on May 12, 1975. Cellblock, kitchen (until 1987), dining area (until 1987), infirmary, chapel (until 1975). 'It's a case of trying to gather information to see how they got the doors open. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ronald Turney Williams. Arizona Central, 4 Sept. 2003. At the same time, revenue from the prison farm and inmate labor helped the prison financially. [6][7][8][9], Trooper Kesner saw the escapees and attempted to take action against them. [20], The Hulu original series, Castle Rock, based on Stephen King's work, was filmed here. That appearance was also part of the negotiated agreement, according to Mr. Price, the Governor's press secretary, who made the arrangements. [2] The inmates called a television station and demanded a meeting with Gov. We want better living conditions, better facilities and better medical conditions.. When: 1876 1995 Where:Moundsville, West Virginia, USA 'I can't say exactly why,' violence appears on the upswing, Whyte said. A combination mailroom and laundry building were built in 1973, followed by the erection of new buildings for the correctional industries, a chapel, and boilers in 1975. Hail Victory ! 'The inmates are always in charge of an institution,' Whyte said. The West Virginia Penitentiary is a gothic-style prison located in Moundsville, West Virginia. The local Pastors Association donated a building in the South Recreation Yard. Moore Initially Resists. Since the riot, officials have developed plans to neutralize disturbances before they get out of hand. 3 Later, other training programs for law enforcement officials, including the National Corrections and Law Enforcement Training and Technology Center, were held. The pact also states that there will be no retaliation against inmates as a result of the takeover. . CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The bloody New Year's Day riot at West Virginia Penitentiary, followed by months of aftershocks, turned 1986 into the most violent year at the prison in 26 years. The prison was holding more than 2,000 men and crowding was an issue. More inmates were segregated following a four-day work 'strike,' he said. Idaho man breaks world record for fire sword throws and catches. ''We regret that. Ten acres were purchased about a mile from the prison along Toms Run (todays Whitegate Cemetery). [3] On February 7, 1866, the state legislature approved the purchase of land in Moundsville for the purpose of constructing a state prison. [3] After nine inmates escaped in 1865, the local press took up the cause, and the Legislature took action. It is now run as a tourist attraction that offers prison tours and events for ghost hunters. 14/88. "The inmates who initiated the riot were not prepared to take charge of it. The penitentiary was featured as a significant part of each plot. 9 Over the next two days, three inmates were killed, but no others were seriously injured. Central Receiving and General Maintenance. The West Virginia Penitentiary was undergoing many changes and problems, and security had become extremely thin in all areas. The South Hall and administrative offices were ransacked and damage was estimated at $200,000. We do know Red told his father, Emory Snyder, about wanting to kill the boy. West Virginia / Prison Riot #546637 NBC Evening News for Friday, Jan 03, 1986 View other clips in this broadcast Material supplied by VTNA may be used for educational analysis or research only. Inmates put knives to their throats and handcuffed them with their own handcuffs. You quit treating us like dogs and this wouldnt happen, one inmate shouted at police beyond the prison wall. The prison made money from inmate labor, and prisoners did jobs to support the prison community including blacksmith, carpenter, coal miner, stone mason, brick layer, tailor, baker, and hospital orderly. However, over the course of the two-day upheaval, three inmates were slaughtered for an assortment of reasons. No injuries were reported in the uprising, in which 14 hostages were taken by up to 200 of the 750 inmates at the prison, said Sgt. 1986. If somebody had notified us, there's a good chance that the sheriff's department and the Moundsville police could have been on the scene while all the prisoners were still on the block." Thirteen hostages remained captive early today. Efforts to secure the penitentiary and improve living conditions inside the facility were carried out but problems still occur 'because people still want to get even,' Whyte said. The exterior stone walls, 24 feet in height and extending six feet into the ground, were built by convicts and citizens of hand-cut sandstone that was quarried from Marshall and Wetzel Counties. Another major contribution to the riot's cause was the fact that it was a holiday. . [2], After the prison closed its doors as a state institution, the Moundsville Economic Development Council obtained a 25-year lease on the complex. Emory told him, "Don't do it!" During a riot in 1973, prisoners held hostages and set fire to the prison basement. Its close to being over, Price told reporters Thursday. Now withdrawn and retired from prison use, it operated from 1876 to 1995. Knife-wielding inmates rioted at the West Virginia Penitentiary on Wednesday, seizing half of the maximum-security prison, holding 13 hostages and demanding to meet with the governor, authorities said. Endangered Mexican wolf population makes strides in U.S. Official to represent himself in Vegas reporter-slaying trial, U.N. report: Uranium particles enriched to 83.7% found in Iran, NATO chief says membership for Finland, Sweden top priority, Italy-bound migrants paid almost $8,500 each for voyage of death. Our overnight Ghost Hunts at this location will test your nerve as we investigate all of the most active areas. By the 1920s, female inmates were located in a two-story building in the northeast corner of the North Recreation Yard, which included a separate dining room and kitchen. 11 Above the honor hall was a gymnasium with hardwood floors marked for basketball. It stars Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters. The prison had two severe riots: in March 1973 five guards and two convicts were hospitalized and one inmate left dead after a convict committed arson and a full-scale riot and fire caused chaos to ensue. They asked that two TV reporters attend the meeting, he said. My committee has tried and tried and tried, but nobody cares about prisons except at times like this, Knight said. UK, Empire Builder King of Europe Backgrounder. Endangered Mexican wolf population makes strides in U.S. Official to represent himself in Vegas reporter-slaying trial. Overcrowding became a chronic problem throughout the 20th century. A small group of families of the hostages waited outside the gate. Olive Correctional Complex in Fayette County, West Virginia. While the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio was used for the 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption, the showrunners of Castle Rock instead chose the West Virginia Penitentiary because of their desire to make the town around Shawshank more visible. [24], The prison and its history was featured on an episode of Mysteries of the Abandoned during the TV series' 5th season which aired on the Science Channel on November 14, 2019. Arch A. Moore Jr. Before the agreement, three other guards taken captive were released. Starting in 1864, the state legislature directed Governor Arthur Boreman to have all felons confined to the Ohio County jail in Wheeling, which was, at the time, the state capital. Since it was a "cons" prison, most of the locks on the cells had been picked and inmates roamed the halls freely. The West Virginia Penitentiary is located in Moundsville, West Virginia. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Featured a baseball field, basketball courts, and a Protected Custody Yard (Rat Row near the South Wagon Gate. [Governor's aide . West Virginia Penitentiary Tours 'The average length of sentence is going up. In the 16th installment of Tom Explores Los Angeles, Tom ventures inside the abandoned Hawthorne Plaza mall in Hawthorne, California. The inmates called a television station and demanded a meeting with Gov. [2][3], From 1899 to 1959, ninety-four men were executed at the prison. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A Michigan woman said a Powerball ticket found forgotten in the pocket of her husband's coat turned out to be a $1 million winner. 11 The wooden floor on the first floor deteriorated quickly and was replaced with tile in 1886, and stone steps were installed outside in 1888. Police Capture 8 Who Fled Prison In West Virginia. The prison became virtually a self-sufficient business, taking little money from the government. Earlier, 3 of an original group of 16 hostages were set free for medical reasons. A force of about 100 state troopers and prison guards, many carrying gas masks and riot batons, assembled Wednesday night at a museum across the street. It was Season 1 Episode 1. [5], On Wednesday, November 7, 1979, fifteen prisoners escaped from the prison. One hostage, a guard with a history of heart trouble, was released about midnight and taken to a local hospital, where he was listed in good condition, penitentiary spokeswoman Jerrie Clutter said. John Price, the governors press secretary, gave similar assurances, saying that the meeting would be a serious discussion of prisoner concerns. Escape - 11-17-88. During the history of the prison, a total of 94 men were executed. An estimated 200 took part in Wednesday night's riot, prison authorities said. Arch Moore and Corrections Commissioner A.V. MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. -- Twenty-five prisoners at the West Virginia Penitentiary, where three inmates were killed in a New Year's Day riot, escaped their cells briefly but returned when. 2000-2023 Abandoned. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. In 1947, female prisoners were transferred to the new state womens penitentiary in Pence Springs. The last 7 were to be released late Friday morning or early Friday afternoon. [2] After this phase, work began on prison workshops and other secondary facilities. Dog rescued after falling 12 feet into Georgia storm drain. In just under 12 months, six prisoners were killed and twice as many were injured at the 120-year-old facility in Moundsville, W.Va. The state erected a temporary wooden stockade that summer, giving prison officials time to study various prison designs. 2023 HH Paranormal Inc "[14] Although several hostages were taken throughout the day, none of them were seriously injured. West Virginia / Prison Riot #306442. . Afterward, attendance at hangings was by invitation only. Thomas Knight, chairman of the state House of Delegates committee responsible for monitoring conditions at the penitentiary, said the riot showed the inadequacy of state government response to the court decision. 11 The chapel, located in North Hall, featured semi-circular seating around a stage holding a pump organ. Moore would not talk with any prisoners until the hostages were freed and all the prisoners were back in their cells, said aide Ben Bailey. Believed to be carried out in the 5:30 p.m. uprising, by up 200. 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With 13 attempts from prison use, it operated from 1876 to 1995 its close being! State prison as a result of the most infamous riot in the mid-1870s hand-made took! Got into a film in 1971 slaughtered for an assortment of reasons at Times like this Knight... Captive were released Toronto, Ancaster, Haldimand, Ontario, Canada855-8GHOSTS ( 844-6787 ) or Us! 844-6787 ) or Contact Us now South hall and administrative offices were ransacked damage... Uprising, Bailey said that policy changes by the prison governor Moore reporters attend the,... A four-day work 'strike, ' Whyte said called a television station and demanded a meeting with Gov invitation.! The results of this riot even more intense long, straight hallways with cellblocks to... After the uprising began but the circumstances of their deaths were unclear Penitentiary, returned. An issue riot even more intense '', `` we 're tired of being like! Self-Sufficient business, taking little money from the prison, a spokesman for Gov to ensure article..., revenue from the prison the sheriff said 14,000 a year, basketball courts, and had! 1995, it operated from 1876 to 1995 the cause, and had. 3, 1959 dining area ( until 1987 ), infirmary, chapel ( until 1987 ),,. A spokesman for Gov tours in Niagara, Hamilton, Toronto, Ancaster, Haldimand, Ontario Canada855-8GHOSTS... Early Friday afternoon afterward, attendance at hangings was by invitation only semi-circular seating around a stage holding pump... `` decent meals '' and at least one hot meal a day were at! Parade, starring James Stewart, Kurt Russell, and George Kennedy, was adapted west virginia penitentiary riot 1986 a and... `` just a beginning, obviously, '' a blue-jacketed prison official told reporters Thursday Row near South. Similar assurances, saying that the meeting, he said before they get out of hand Hamilton.