Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-10
IN THE HOSPITAL.

Eight or ten men were stretched out IN
the intrmaTy. When they get SICK they
do not have to work, but the African likes
company, and unless he Is sick is not apt
10 stay in the "hOspita" TO shirk WORK
much as he detests labor. one fellow
candidly admitted that he played on y
sick one Gay 10 get out OF work, but when
he went into the infrmary he got sick
sure enough.
During the inspection the gate would
open every few minutes and anold woman
or man, sometimes both, would trudge IN,
carrying a basket on their arms.
"What is that, auGtyE" asked the guard,
pointing TO a small bundle.
"JeS' a shirt. sab, TO- de ole man."
search it," said the keeper, but search
revealed on.y some clean Undertaking.
Her basket contained bread, cakes,
peaches, and a small Tin pail filed with
cooked vegetables The ring around her
husbands ankle was unlocked and he
walked out, and they went of by them
selves.
Those whose terms are almost out are
allowed much more liberty than those
who are in with a long term TO serve. 81
believe could let 0ne-half Of them loose
with perfect safety said Mr.. scnuman,
"but don't know which half to trust"
ONE or THE REGULARS.
Pointing to a boy Of Is or %, who was
walking across the yard, ne said; "That
boy has spent the greater part Of the last
six years in here. lie rarely stays out
more than two weeks. His last sentence
was one year, and his time will be up
next month. He SAYS that il he can keep
out two weeks this time he will try to eX-
tend il 10 two months.
A colored clergyman is engaged to
preach every Sunday. The boys call him
"Beecher" because he is so eloquent.
The county pays him $25 a year. Occa-
si0nally a preacher is sent out along with
the convicts, and there is now among
them preacher who is doing six months
for vagrancy.
Escapes are frequent, but they are gen.
orally recaptured. Not long ago one got
away and walked along the shell road
into the CITY and through the streets dur
ing the day. He was found NJ night with
his convict suit on with some friends. He
said thai he met two policemen who
looked at him pretty hard, butd'd not say
anything. some are trusted and sent
miles ON errands which they faithfully
perform, and return when they have fin
ished.
WHERE THE CONVICTS WORK.
The camp has been on the present site
two years. The convIcts are now work
first enacted they were used TO work on
the public roads, The statute was
changed IN 1874 or 1875, and their con-
troll passed into the hands OF the County
Commissioners. In the last few years they
have done "A great deal of ditching. drain
ing the county east and south of Savan-
nah, and thereby greatly improving the
sanitation Of the city. The canal which
drains Cuyler swamp, four miles south OF
the city, is the most important piece of
work constructed by the convict gang.
Replying TO a question one OF them said
yesterday that they are worked pretty
hard. They 90 out early in the morning,
but are allowed two hours at noon, their
food being taken to them. Those at the
camp ride TO their work on the City and
Suburban railway, wearing their chains
about the body, but are not fastened to-
gether. One guard is left at the camp all
dav. and the others with guns and
pistols take the prisoners to and from
work.