Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-28
A TALE OF swINDL1NG AND BARBARITY.

A TALE OF sWINDLING AND BARBARITY.
James Early, about twenty-five years of
age, who formerly resided at Batesvlle,
Miss, where he for long time was dep
uty sheriff, returned few days since from
Guatemala, where he had been induced to
20 by labor agents and seductive ADVERTISE
ments last summer. In an interview he
said: left Vicksburg in September last to
90 to Puerto Barries to work for Messrs.
Shay, Cornice & Co. on the railroad. |
landed there October 27, in the rainy sea-
sou, and went to work grading the track,
and graded up to January %, when | went
with the iron gang and worked until Feb
Iuary. At New Orleans | met man by
the name of Parker, labor agent for Shay,
Cornce & Co. In company with 100 others
I signed contract TO work at 81 per day.
We were TO pay 50 transportation out of our
fast pay, and We were TO pay $500 per
week for board. We sailed on the
steamer Ella Knight. When we landed
we were put ashore on rainy night
and found NO shelter. The next day we
put UP poles on forks aud covered them
with menacco leaves. 1t continued to rain
for about two months. 1t would rain foran
~,
We were not allowed to stop tor rain, but
kept on in the mud and slush. was soon
taken with fever, which would lay me up for
day and leave me very weak the next day.
When the fever was on me | could not cat,
but the following day l always had araven-
Gus appetite. They issued meal-tckeis to
the workmen when the meals were ready,
and we could get nothing to eat without a
ticket The day after was sick | went to
the timekeeLer, and asked him for Il meal
ticket. He looked over list of those who
worked the day before and said
"You did not work yesterday"
mo- was sick"
"Well," said he, tive feed no one here but
those who work Get out of here and 60 to
work and we will feed you"
[ was unable to work and had to 20 10 the
thickets and get some fruit to stay my hum
ger. worked twenty-five days and had
done $1190 worth of station work.
One day when | was unable to put III
full day went to the timekeeper and asked
him how l stood, when he told me that my
passage was $3.50, that my board was $4.5O
per week, and that was indebted TO the
company $3.50. | told him l thought he
was mistaken, and asked him for an item
lied statement He took out pistol, and,
presenting it at me, said:
II will give you an itemized account with
this"
| soon afterward, in company with six
others, procured a small sailhoat, and in the
night we escaped and made our way to Bel.
ize, British Honduras. From there we
were sent home in the same ship we went
over in OF the 160 who went over with me
there were not moro than 90 left when | es-
capped For time they died ut the rate OF
seven or eight a day. Two companions of
mine died, and they were stripped Of their
clothing and buried without collins in a
nude state, and within an hour saw their
clothing displayed in the commissary for
sale, and saw the same disposed of on account
of some to the men. Men who were unable
to work and notsick in bed were forced by SOL
diers to 60 to work, and when on the works, it
they refused to work, they were arrested on
some trivial charge and placed in stocks.
Very few Americans were put in the stocks,
bnt the Germans were often thus punished.
A number of the men attempted to escape,
but the soldiers arrested them and brought
them back, heavy fines being put against
them in every instance.
Some of the men appealed to Mr. Sarg,
the American Consul at Livingston, about
nine miles from where we were at work. He
said he could do nothing for us. The Con-
sui at British Honduras heard of our condi-
ton, and in company with some ladies came
over to see for himself Aherward he re-
ported the matter and the United States
man of war Swatara went over and brought
the Americans away. had left, however,
before the arrival, and only heard this from
some of the boys who came over on her. and
who are in the Charity Hospital in New
Orleans. My feet have been swollen. ever
since worked in the rain last fall, and do
not think will ever regain my health. l
did not get dime or a stitch of clothing for
my work.
A WEDDING UNEXPECTEDLY PosTPoNED.-A
telegram from Elmirs, N. Y, says: prominent
ca>x.az mi, Canistnn wont to that