Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-26
THAT KIDNAPPING CAsE.
The Story Of Another Laborer WHO Es.
capped From Pue,to Barrios-The At.
rocioas Oppression Practiced by the
Railway Contractors.
VIcksnune, Miss., Nav 25.

VIcKsBpRG, Miss, May 25.
James Early, an intelligent young Missis-
sidpian, about % years of age, of vicksburg,
who formerly resided at Batesville, Miss.
where he was deputy sheriff, returned to
Vicksburg a few days since from Guatamsla,
where he had been induced to 90 last sum
mer by labor agents and seductive ADVERTISE
ments. In an interview last night he said:
left Vicksburg in September, last. to 60
to Puerto Barrios, republic of Gustamala, to
work for Messrs. Shay, Cornice & Co., and
the Puerto Barrios & Guafamala City Rail-
road. landed there Oct "a, in the rainy
season, and went to work grading track, and
graded up to Jan %, when went with the
train gang and worked till February.
Twas hired for this work At New Orleans,
where We met man by the name of Parker,
who had an Office on Front street, near Claus
man. He was labor agent for Shay. Corn
ice & Co. In company with l69 others
signed contract to work At 81 per day. We
were to pay % for transportation out of our
first pay, and We were to pay $3.50 per week
for board upon our arrival at the place OF the
work. We sailed on the Steamer Ella
knight. We landed in the night while ii was
raining. The next day We put up poles and
covered them with MenaciA leaves, and these
shelters constituted our abodes. Il contin-
ued to rain for about two months. w, were
not allowed to stop for the rain, but kept on
working in the mud and slush. was soon
taken down with the fever, which would leave
me very weak the next day. When the fever
was on me could not eat, but the following
day always had ravenous appetite. They
issued meal tickets to the workmen, and we
could get nothing to eat withouta ticket. The
day after was sick went to the time
keeper, who gave out meal tickets, and
asked him for ticket. He said: "You did
not work yesterday; we feed none here but
those who work. Get out of here and go to
work, and We will feed you" was unable
to work aud had to go to the thickets and get
some fruit to stay my hunger until could
recuperate enough to work. After had
worked % days and had d ,ne sll 90 worth
of station work, I asked the time keeper how
stood. He tod n, that my passage was
$3.50. thai ny board was 81 SO per week,
ard hs' VAS hen indebted to the company
$l.j1. 1 told him thought he was mistaken,
and asked him for an itemized account.
He said: Il will give you an itemized state
ment Then turning TO a draw he took out
a pistol, and presenting it at me, said: 81
will give you an itemized account with this. :"
l soon afterward, in company with six
others, procured q small sail boat. and in the
night we escaped and made uor way to
Belize, British Honduras. From there we
were seHt home in the same ship we went
over in. OF the l60 who went over with me
there were not more than 80 left when es-
capped. For time they died at the rate of
seven or eight a day. Two companions of
mine died, and they were stripped of their
clothing and buried without cofiins in the
mud, and within an hour saw their clothing
displayed At the commissary department for
sale. The men who were unable to work
and not sick in bed. were forced by the sol
diers to go to work, and when on the works,
if they refused to work, they were arrested
on some trivial charge and placed in the
stocks. Very few Americans were put in the
stocks, but Germans were often thus pun
ished. My feet have been swollen ever
since l worked in the rain last fall, and do
not think ever will regain my health.
did not get dime or a stitch of clothing for
my work.