Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-10
PRESIDENTS ISLAND WORK.
HOUSE.
The Botany bay or Van Defmau's
Land Of shelby COunfy-ROw the
Con vzets Ltve-Rtc.

The Botany Bay o. Van Deiman's
Land of shelby COumfy-ROW M
Con vzets Ltve-Etc.
Since General Forrest made a con.
tract with Shelby county % take all per-
sons sentenced to the work-house, Presi-
dents Island has become the scene of
their labors and their imprisonment.
Presidents Island lies in the river, four
miles below the city, nearly opposite
Fort Pickering. The island contains
about 5000 acres Of land, two-thirds of
which is above overflow. Colonel Billy
Mitchell owns about obe-third of it, in
the center Of the island, and his plauta-
ton contains the choice portion of the
arabic land. On the north end of the
island General Forrest has established
his work-house, having put up suitable
buildings, etc. From the Knoxville Age,
of the 9th inst, we take the following
correct and interesting description Of
convict life and labor:
The convicts sleep 10 large, comforta-
bic hunks, with each a good mattress and
pillow and plenty Of blankets. They re-
tire at 8 o'clock at night, up to which
time they have lights and fires, and are
allowed to chat, read and sing; they are
aroused at daylight, are marched % the
well, wash and eat breakfast. Shortly
after sunrise they are marched under
guards 10 the fields and put to work, one
guard TO twelve hands. They are not
allowed to talk, nor to create any disor.
der. Mild punishment is inflicted for
slight ofenses. but for serious breaches
OF discipline they are strapped with a
leather strap, not exceeding twenty-five
ticks at a time, aud never in the pres
ence of others.
On Sundays they have a sermon and
Sunday-school all day, aud many Of them
make rapid progress in learning. All
are well fed, and are allowed to eat Just
as much as they want, no matter how
much it may be.
All convlcts are compelled to work
out, not only their term Of sentence, but,
at twenty-five tents a day, the costs Of
court, and the cost OF whatever under
clothing they may choose to accent or !
absolutely need, which rarely amounts,
40 far as clothing is concerned, to more
than two or three dollars.
General Forrest says that be finds this
labor very manageable, as everything is
under perfect control, and ell hands are
moved by the direction of one warden,
and governed by the clock. He pays
the County Court ten cents a day for
every able bodied hand. and nothing for
the old, weak and sickly.
He feeds, clothes, gives medicines.
and nurses while sick; furnishes house,
fuel, beds and bedding, and pays the
guerds. He finds it profitable, and says
that the system be adopts is very reform.
atory. Many come broken down With
debauch aud drunkenness, and dilapi-
dated with venereal disorders, but, BY
kind and vigorous treatment, with proper
food and outdoor work, the worst cases
are soon on the mend, and all improve
physically and morally.
In the center Of the island is a lake a
halt mile long and over one hundred
yards wide, and eight to ten feet deep.
1t is clear water and full of fish. lie
intends to seine it thoroughly, in order
to catch and kill all CARS, pike, turtle and
catfish, and then stock it with fish of the
best kinds, to raise them for Memphis
and other markets.
He has sent TO Western Texas for q
drove Of not less than a hundred Mexican
mares, none to be less than fifteen hands
high, and these he will put, by the first
Of the year, on Presidents Island for
work stock and breeders, and be is max.
ing provision, in addition, for a large
stock of cattle, hogs and sheep of the
best breeds.