The Brookhaven leader., 1884-02-14
Report of the Lincoln County
Grand Jury.
To the Hon. ]. B. Chrisman:

U tue num- d. d. NHIISIhdl'
The Grand Jurors appointed to inquire
into and true presentments make of the
violations of law within the county of Lin
coin for the last six months desire to make
the following report:
We have been dilligcnt in our inquiries.
Although our Investigations may seem to
have been dilatOry and tedious, yet we
feel that we have discharged the respon-
sible duties imposed upon us conscientious
", and with as much dispatch as circum-
stances would allow. Our inquiries have
been extensive and multitarious, and eX
ccedingly perpleNing; and of conrse re-
quired time. With regard to the results
of our labor, we beg leave to state, LIST, we
have found in the aggregate 80 bills of i'll
dictment, divided as follows:
Unlaw iul cohabitation, including adul-
terv, fornicatI0n, incest, etc, IL: carrying
concealed weapons, 10; selling liquor with
out license, A. murder, 2; assault and bat
terry, s. burglary, 2; disturbing public wor-
ship, /: gaming, 4: shooting on public
highway, /; dispensing of mort gage proper
ty, /; issuing marriage license to minors, |;
larceny, 2; maltreatment of cOnVlctS, >:
total, 80.
We visited our county Jail, and found it
kept ir a fair condition. But the water
facilities, both for cleaning the prison as
we'll az for drinking purposes, are deficient,
owing to the want If pipe to connect the
water tank on the outside to the pump
within the walls. The condition of those
confined within the Jail is not so good as
we had hoped ana expected to find. To
instance: Their bedding, il is true, WAS
sufficient, but their clothes were Ill, ny.
Some of them We're infested with vermIn
known as body lice. Some of them com
planned that their rations were very mea-
gre. This complaint we are disposed to
think is we'll founded.
With regard to the treatment of the
State prisoners, or penitentiary convicts
we remark: From our inquiries and in
vest.ations into this matter, there is
much wrong on the part of the lessecs or
their subOrtlinates. Some OF the prison
ers have been very scantily clothed and
shod during the cold weather; their bed
ding has been insufficient in quality and
quantity; their rations are meagre, I'M
wholesome and badly cooked; they have
been subjected, i'll some instances, to cruel
and unusual punishment. Again some of
the leSSeeS have used them either for or
without compensation in running their
saw mills or drying lumber, on the Sab
bath days, thus trampling under foot the
laws of God and the State. These abuses
and violations of law call loudly for re-
form, and the Board of Supervisors should
investigate the matter speedily, and take
steps to abate the evil.
| We report, with pleasure, that there
have been no rows, popular outbursts,
bulldozing or Intimidation in the county,
but peace aud harmony prevail, so far as
we are apprized, among The different Gas
SEES and races of our population.
2nd. 1t affords us much pleasure to refer
! to the ability and fidelity of our county
and district officers in the discharge OF
their respective duties As far as our i'll.
vestigations have gone i'll that direction
their conduct has been exemplary, faith
full and worthy of commentator. In this
connection we would refer with pride t.
our worthy Judge and District Attorney,
as eminently faithful and conscientious III
the discharge of their official duties, hold
ing with steady hand the scales of justice;
melting out to each one his due without IA
vor, affection or partialty.
Before our final discharge We wish to
| express our qualification at your reap
pointment to the eminent position which
| for SIX years past you have so satlstactorl-
IN filled. We know that the only reconI-
mendations offered to the Executive fol
your appointment were your merits as
man and ability as Judge; and we con-
slider your disappointment as an lllustra-
ton OF the principe tnat uutS, Wen PCT
formed, will usually meet with its reward.
We congratulate you, on being the reeipi-
| ent of your second commission, which IN
our opinion, is the highest testimonial OF
the satisfaction which your judicial con-
duct has given; and We, further, congratu,
late the people whose laws, liberties and
property are guarded by sueh just aud
upright Judge.
Sigued, in behalf of the Grand Jury, by
our Foreman, Feb. 9th, 1884.
IRVING MAGEE, Foreman.