Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-02

account for the wound on the right side
on the theory that the prisoner fell down
several times, and that he must have In
tured himself during one o. these falls.
This wound was never noticed until atten-
ton was called to 1t by the attending physic-
ian at the Coroner's inquest. The deceased
was whipped the last time with
out clothing, on the bare back.
The deceased, John Andrews, died with
shackles on. He was changed to the wheel
barrow. The chains were about six or eight
feet long.
STATEMENT OF HEssER.
Simon Hesser, the guard referred to in
the testimony, made the following statement
voluntarily:
To-day two weeks ago took the deceased
out on the road and thoroughly instructed
him regarding his duties; always do so with
every prisoner; having given him a wheel
barrow, he complained that his hands were
too soft, and requested other work; then
gave him grub hoe and took him to
my own squad, so as to allow him
an opportunity to get accustomed to work.
Friday, after he entered the convict roll, he
again complained of not being able to stand
the Work; be would frequently drop of OF
the run, pretending to be sick; l noticed
him as he fell off the run; l
thereupon jumped from the planks
and gave him several cuts with rod he
jumped up, grabbed the spade and made
several strikes at me; jumped aside; by this
time the Chief came along and took the spade
from him then struck him with strap !;
upon his promising to work the same as the
rest. let him go; several days after the
above occurrence the deceased complained
OF being sick, when Mr. Fennell gave him
some medicine; he (Andrews) would pass
out OF the ranks about fifty times a day,
and l several times found out that
he was trying to kill time. and that there
there was no necessity for his leaving the
ranks. Last Monday afternoon he
started his old capers again; several times
he fell In grubbing hole; thought he was
pretending to play sick, whereupon l Or
dered him to move off the run. went in
town that night to bring out some prisoners
In the morning; as soon as / arrived at tn e
camp again In the morning was Informed
that Andrews was attending to mis- work;
Immediately upon his noticing my return he
again began to stagger and fall down; the
Chief called to him to come over
replied he was unable to do SO. ordered
Houston to bring him to where the Chief
was; after consulting together, we con-
cluded to try few lashes. / gave the
deceased about twenty or thirty lashes with
this strap | had him carried over on the
other side and laid him down; this was
about IL O'Clock. had the deceased shaded
with wheelbarrow. He died about half
past O'Clock Tuesday afternoon.
This was all the testimony taken, and the
jury retired for consideration. After due
deliberation upon the facts presented, the
jury returned the following
VERDICT:
We, the undersigned jurors, find that the
deceased, John Andrews, colored, came to
his death from cruel treatment at the con-
Wet camp at Cuyler swamp, Chatham coun-
ty, Ga, and, in our opinion, at the hands OF
Simon Heeser, and, moreover, respectfully
request the County Commissioners to make
such change in conducting said camp as to
ensure the humane treatment of prisoners.
JOHN r. MCINTYRE, Foreman.
B. II. DREYFUs.
JAS. H. UMBACH, JR,
l.. B. PIKE.
j. A. SANTINA.
II. 6. GONZALEZ.
A. w. YoEGE.
We the undersigned dissent from the
above.
JOHN NICHOLSON.
Z. f. BATES.
s. L. GERsT.
Y. PROVIDENCE.
POST MoRTEM.
After the inquest DIR. Sheftall made a
post norton examination on the body. He
found the brain congested and also the
stomach.
HELD SUBJECT TO GRAND JURY.
Under the verdict, as rendered, Hesser
will be held subject to the action of the
grand jury of the Superior Court, which
convenes on Monday next.