The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-08
THE PRISONERS IN RICHLAND JAIL.
answer TO Sheriff Frazee-The Pris-
oners Speak for Themselves-"here
are the AMdavfts
rFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
q AIaznxahax

Mr.. Sheriff Frazee, In the papers of this city,
with denial of the truth of my statements.
Now, have no desire to place Mr.. Frazee in a
false position before the people, but at the same
time, in the interest of Justice and truth,
must declare that his assertions are untrue,
and that the statements made then were true
in every particular. What improvements Mr..
Frazee may have introduced in the condition
of the cells and the treatment of the prison.
ers since my visit to the county jail, l know
not; but will show by the testimony OF disin-
terested witnesses, who visited that institution
about the same time did, that their state
ments in reference to the treatment of the pris-
oners, and the condition OF the cells IN Whlch
they are confined, correspond exactly with
mine.
The certificates signed by the United States
prisoners from Union, now In jail on tne
charge of murder, and the prisoners, "iate OF
Charleston Jail" represented by Mr.. Langley,
who are serving out two years imprisonment
for stufing the balotboxes of Beaufort Coun-
ty. will have nothing to do with, as did not
mention one word about them IN my letter
to THE NEWS. So that settles that part OF Mr..
Frazee's refutaton. Now let see what
strength there is in the part which refers 10
the oas: bs IN nRnp gos
eNNS
script TO his letter:
"The correspondent of The NEWS alluded to
states that there we're forty-two prisoners con-
fined In six cells, and 1t Will be seen by the
annexed aff1davits that there were only
twenty. OF them from Spartan
burg, and four United States soldiers"
MT. Frazee, it will be noticed, states. IN the
above paragraph that aff1davlts were made by
the prisoners as to the truth of their state
ments. Is 1t not very strange, then, that Mr..
Frazee did not publish the name OF the judge,
Justice or notary before whom the aff1davits
were taken Why Is 1t Because he knew,
as well as I know, that the prisoners never
made afidavits to their statements. l DOUBT
II they ever signed their names TO tnem. Mr.
ness for them. gentleman connected win
one of the papers published In this city told
me that the statements and two-thirds OF tne
signatures were written by the same person,
and when he was shown the hand
writing of ex-Sheriff Williams, OF Beaufort
County, who is now an assistant OF MIR. Frazees,
he declared II was precisely the same.
ed culprfts from Spartanburg who are ready
to hang their neighbors, II their oaths be
sufficient to do 80, would sign or swear TO any
thing at the shortest notice. But to nave
them convicted Of swearing to lie 80 soon, OF
course would not do, as 1t might tnjure thelr
testimony when the proper time came LOT
them to swear away the liberties and the lives,
perhaps, of their comrades and countrymen;;
But withal, until Mr.. Frazee gives the name OF
the official before whom the afhdavlts OF the
prisoners were taken, will believe what IS
Currently reported and believed In this city,
namely: That the names Of the SpartanDurg
prisoners were used by Mr.. Frazee, to save
himself from public scorn and reprooation,
without their knowledge or consent. When
he does this, will admit there was nocog-
ging on his part, but not till then.
might stop here and not write another
word on Mr.. Frazee and his refutation, as
am satisfied that the weakness OF his defence
ia already demonstrated; but to end the dis
puts at issue and to show more fully and con-
cusiyely what game Frazee did play, Will ask
space for two extracts from Republican papers.
Icould cite number of other witnesses irom
the Democratic side, but LOT OBVIOUS reasous
choose the former.
The Union Of this city was the first to speak
out. and in Its issue OF October 26, 1t said:
s.We would also suggest that during these
hot murky days the quarters are TOO narrow
for health. The cells are only eight oy Twelve
feet, and are ventilated only by the door. Eacn
of these Is occupied by six men. The corridor
is narrow, and is shared by thirty men. Marsoal
Jehnson would consult the health Of the pris-
oners and would doubtless be justified oy
humane government in obtaining a suitable
room In which those who have surrendered
themselves can be placed. Some consldera'
tion Is certainly due SUCH"
The New York Sun spoke next. A cores
pondent OF that paper, writing from tnlS ci'y'
ssThese Columbia prisoners are huddled IN
rooms like sheep, thirty and forty being as
signed to each room. The apartments are
fiiIhy In the extreme. Not table or chair, or
a single article of furniture Is allowed, and the
prisoners have no other bed than oianket
stretched on the bare floor: Add TO this tae
brutality Of their keeper, ana the picture ol
Arcadian bliss is complete"
Any person of common intelligence will at
once see that my account of Mr.. Frazee's In
stitution agrees with the descriptions given IN
the above extracts.
But whilst Mr.. Frazee is endeavoring to
make us believe that he keeps first class jail,
the Spartanburg prisoners get out an appeal
to the public behind his back, which SOUNDS
rather doleful, coming from men who are, II
we are to believe Mr.. Sheriff Frazee, the best
treated criminals In the State: The following
is the appeal, which I find In the Columbia
Phoenix, signed by the prisoners:
.'R1CHLAND COUNTY JAIL.
COLUMBIA, November 3, 187l.j
To the Editor of the Phanir:
Strive, the undersigned, men from Spar.
tanburp, and now confined In The above named
Jail for alleged violation of the act known as
the "Ku. Klux Act" are greatly IN need OF 10
bacco and soap, and would respectfully request
our friends to supply our wants In these par
ticulars. A few towels also would be gratefully
appreciated"
Here, then, in filth, penned up like swine,
and fed on the offals OF the butcher markets
and the bakeries of c ,lumbia, are men-Wlt-
nesses for the State ,gging their friends TO
send them soap to wGsh with, that their hands
and faces may be little clean from the dirt OF
the floor on which they have huddled together
and slept on nightly since they came 10 this
city, and this, too, under the eye OF the sheriff,
when few cents worth of soap daily would
be ample for the use of all the Ku-Klux prison
ers under his charge.
have condescended to notice Mr.. Frazee
and his prisoners statements, not out OF any
respect or consideration to either party, but IN
Difference to The NEwS, It's readers and my
self.
Moreover, want 1t remembered that did
not demand or advocate In my letter better
treatment for the wretched prisoners from
Spartanburg on account of themselves.
could not conscientiously do 80. detest law.
breakers, lntormers and spies too much for
that. I did 1t simply for the sake of humani-
ty and out OF respect for the high, noble, gen.
erous character of the American people. That
was all.
SWIFT RETRLBUITON