Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-10
CHATHAm,s GREAT CANAL.
A Visit 60 the Convict Camp and In-
specJIOn of the CuyIsr swamp
Canal-The Work Progressing
FIneIy-The Benefit TO be Derived.

Our readers are aware that the GROWING
work 10 the system OF drainage for Chat
ham county, which, to the extent It
has been carried out, has been Of such
great benefit, is the construction Of
the canal through Cuyler swamp. The
magnitude Of this work can only be con-
ceived by those who have seen what has
already been accomplished, and who have
examined the route surveyed and the sur
rouudings. We have on several occasions
referred to this great enterprise, but in view
OF its importance and value to the city and
county our readers will necessarily be in
terested In all that concerns its progress.
We were, few days since, one OF party
that drove out to inspect the work, and as
certain what had been done since our last
visit, some two months since. We struck
the working force at point something over
a mile from the head of Vernon river, the
commencement of the canal not quite a
quarter OF q mile from the entrance Of the
swamp, and we were pleased to note how
thoroughly and skillfully the work has
been done. The labor employed, as is gen.
erally known, is confined exclusively to
those convicted by the courts Of minor Of
lenses and misdemesnors, and, under the
admirable system adopted, Is found very ef-
icient. The force at work comprised about
thirty-six convicts, although frequently there
have been as many as fifty and over. They
all looked hearty, and as cOntented as could
be expected under the circumstances, being
well and kindly treated. The point
at which the force are now working is nota-
bly, the worst, or rather the hardest and
most difficult on the entire line. A few
feet below the surface is struck q stratum
of ground which, in railroad engineering
psrlance, Is called "hard psn," and it
is most aptly denominated. The earth is OF
brownish red and is about as hard as rock,
and pickaxes and good strong muscle are
required IN cutting It away. This, we learn.
is the hardest earth that has yet been struck,
aud necessarily the work at this point ts
slow. Fortunately, there is not much OF
this TO pass through, and in short while the
swamp will be struck, and the progress
through that will be comparatively easy, the
men being enabled to accomplish more than
twice the distance in q day than now.
The canal has been finished TO distance
of over a mile, and, as stated, the work has
been thoroughly dore, and the county
authorities who are experimenting 1t are
well satisfied with the result. Commits
stoner c. c. Casey is giving special atten-
ton to the work, aud his interest and zeal
in it are entitled to the hearty appreciation
of the community. Mr.. j. McCrohau coz
tinues to occupy the position OF Superin-
tendeut, and the county Is fortunate
10 securing one so thoroughly efficient and
reliable, as the responsibility is great. He
has under him four guards, who have been
selected with special view to their fitness,
ard when occasions require 1t utilizes the
''trustys." One of these was on duty at the
time of our visit, and seemed fully con-
scious of his importance. His post was on
the outskirts Of the wood, some fifty yards
from the canal where the excavations are
delivered, and any inclination on the part OF
the "striped boys" who pushed the bsrrows
of dirt down the line OF plsnk-Way, to seek
the solitude Of the forest, as 1t were, is
met with a stern, "Get back dsr, you fellar;
I'se here fur de buckra, and yer needn't
tink yer gwine ter git away" Naturally the
''trustT" is not popular with the "striped
boys,1 who sigh for freedom. 1t is proper
TO say, however, that the majority of the
conyicts are we'll disposed, and seem cor
tented to work out the terms for their mis-
deeds cheerfully and without trouble. We
were struck with one remsrka-
BILE discovery, and that was the
fact that the majority of the members OF this
brigade got themselves in trouble through
uncomfortable belligeFent proclivities. We
had imagined from the records OF the court
that not few had secured this free board
at the camp from an Inability to define the
difference between nlettnl et team, but an in
ouiry from a number as to the cause of
their CONSUMPTION, elected the response that
"We's in for fghtin'." So It would
seem that the bump of combative-
ness is very fully developed in the Uranium
of the average colored citizen, inasmuch as
It appears to be the principal cause Of all
their trouble.
At six o'clock the signal ~ eeage work
was given. and shOvels and piek-aXes were
pitched with aiacritY into barrows and the
procession was formed for q march to the
csmp-a little over half mile distant.
Jumping into our buggies we preceded the
gang, who, in single file, wheeling their bar
rows, took the feotpath through the woods,
singing as they walked the refrain OF some
plantation ditty, and reached the quarters
IN sslyance, where we found preparations
making for their coming.
At the entrance to the cook shop, an open
shed, in front OF which fires were burning
and various large skillets, containing food,
were being kept warm, was noted another
"trusty," brawny, gOOd-natured looking
Oakley in striped pants and red flannel
shirt, who had been promoted to the posi-
ton of cook, and who was preparing
the evening meal for the convic's,
who were heard coming through the woods,
their sonorous voices borne upon the gem
ing breeze in measured tones OF that lively
refrain. 1t was evident that the involuntary
boarders were well fed, as in answer to an
inquiry from one of our party as to what ne
had for supper, the cook lifted the cover of
huge skillet ard displayed pile of most
delicious looking corn bread, crisp and
brown, the very sight of which in an instant
recalled recOllectfons of the eventful period
between '6l and '65, when nice corn
bread and fat bacon, after q weari-
some march or hard fought battle,
was greeted with enthusiasm and devoured
with voracity. In addition to this corn
bread, which, from its appearance, would
not have seemed out Of place on any table,
the bill Of fare in the camp allows good
hominy, white meat, potatoes, greens
aud coffee, spportioned to the proper
meals. 1t Is, therefore, certain that this
unfortunate class sTe yell fed, though, as
the s'trustyn cook remarked, when asked
II there was any complaint about
the eating, "Well, yer see, boss,
some folks would grumble eff deY got ham
and eggs an fried ehicken,p az intip9tion
that there were some fault finders In the
camp, and without cause. This same cook,
however, proved specially worthy Of notice,
as he was not like all the rest, sin for fight
ing" Ready and polite In giving informa-
ton, he replied to the question Of one OF our
party, that he had been sent up for six
months and had only twenty days to serve.
That he was now one Of the "hnanee COM
mittee," and had the position Of trust pre-
viously having served in the canal digging
squad, but he greatly preferred being on
the finance committee and serving out the
pFOFendeF.
'Whst brought you heres' inquired
one of our party, to which the "trustyn
responded with refreshing frankness, "only
walking off with something that did not
belong to me-" We mentioned that he
seemed the only one who had not been in for
a fight, at which he laughed and said that
eff Teller does wrong there's no use lying
about it, a very sensible and wise remark.
The gang had meanwhile arrived, and
were marched to their quarters in the camp,
barrows, picks, shovels, etc., were properly
s'ored awsy, and they retired to the
"dormitory," where they were served with
their supper, after which they found conso-
lation in their clay pipes, and we drove
from the camp as the shades CT night were
falling and they were settling down for a
rest. The management ct the convict
guard is excellent and humane. The hours
of work, from half past six in the morning
to six in the evening, with the needed hour
for the midday meal, and the men seem to
be better satisfied to work than to remain
ing cooped up in the illy-construeted jail.
There Is now no sickness in the camp, and the
place seems to be remarkably healthy.
We can now close this account OF our trip
with few remarks In reference TO the canal
upon which this labor is employed. Its
completion will undoubtedly be of immense
benefit to Chatham county, and will open
up to successful cultivation hundreds of
heretofore valueless acres of land, and,
without advancing any prophetic claim, we