Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-10
S ENES AMONG C0NyICTS
SUNDAY SIGHTS ~ THE CHAIN
GANG CAMPS.

The "chaip-gang" is one of the most
peculiar OF Chatham county institutions.
1t was organized twelve years ago, and
has been found to work well. Among
the criminal class. particularly the
negroes, it is regarded much as Siberia Is
bv the Russian peasant. Only petty
offenders are sentenced TO the gang, the
terms ranging from ten days TO one year.
some few get TWO years, but the sentence
is on two charges, for each Of which the
prisoner gets "a year, or perhaps tour
charges, on each of which he gets SIX
months.
There are now about ITO convicts
on the force, which is divided into
two gangs. one numbering 80 under
MIR. SIMON liessey, has its headquarters
at the county all, aud is working south
and southwest OF the city, ditching and
repairing roads. These are marched out
30 work every morning between aud
o'clock, and they come back about dark.
Tue larger party containing 6o men ana
j. women, under MIR. schuman, is IN
camp on the lsle Of Hope road tour miles
from savannah.
Yesterday morning a NKWS reporter
and friend drove out TO see now sunday
is spent jim convict camp Two or
three lustv calls brought boy in loose
tittiug, broad striped suit 10 the gate.
PEEP INTO THE CAMP.
A white washed board fence, nine feet
high, inclOses the grounds Of perhaps an
acre and halt. AdOZen one-story frame
buildings are scattered around within the
stockade, Every one has fresh coat OF
lime, and, with the clean sand, gives the
place tidy appearance.
There are seven guards in the camp.
One was sitting in front of the mems
quarters with a d0ubie-barreled shotgun
living across his knees. A dozen cOnyicts
in the loud plaid suits were moving leis-
ureiy about. apparently as contented as
they ever were. over in one corner OF
the yard half a dozen women were
busy cooking dinner. One old Dinah was
stirring a big pot full Of rice, which was
sitting out on the ground on some blazing
logs. Other large iron pots were on the
IRE. one was filed with peas and
another with bacon, and corn bread was
baking in third. The batter was mixed
in tub and dipped from that into kind
OF pan, which was placed inside the iron
kettles. A close cover ttt-d on these and
a shovel full Of embers was thrown on the
cover. A dish Of peas and painful of
smoking bacon were turned out on
tidi0us appetite would not be sighted by
8 hungry man.
THE GUARDS QUARTERS.
The guards quarters are only a couple
OF rods from the prisoners. 1t is not a
SNOWY residence either outside or within.
IL might make a bath house il near water
bnt as summer residence tits not much.
Mattresses we're strewn around, and two
lmprOyised hamm0cks swung from the
raiters. Sh0t-guns were cOnspicu0usly
displayed and gave the place the appear
ance Of an arsenal One corner near the
door is fitted up with shelves, which are
filed with quinine, calomel, camphOr and
other kinds Of medicine, enough 70 stock
q country drug store.
After looking through the build
ing guard led the way to the
mems quarters. The building is perhaps
~ feet long by % wide Running the en-
tire length on each side within is plat
form about feet wide. Between the
platforms is space S feet in width.
Scarcely had the Wis tors entered before
they were recognized by some of the in
mates, who We're anxious 10 know what
was going on in the outside world.
SCENES INSIDE THE sTOCRADE.
The picture inside presented some of
the stTaugest phases OF human lite. The
were fastened 70 posts with chains hooked
in rings around the ankles. The chains
are such as are used for traces, i've feet
long and Weighing two pounds. Each
has a mattrass and pillow, aud half of the
prisoners were lying down, trying 10
sleep. The other halt were trying TO
amuse themselves, Each prisoner gets a
plug Of tobacco six inches long, Sunday
morning. Every few feet there was a
group of half-a-dozen bending over the
bunk playing the negroes favorite game,
the skin game" All were deeply in
terested. II is not known that any white
man ever understood the game. 1t is
something Ike poker, but no chips are
used.
The gamblers cut their tobacco in halves
and quarters, and put il up in lieu of
chips or coin. The dealer held the pack
face down, and, with a deXterous nip,
threw the top card on the boards with the
face up. They would raise" one another
from quarter TO a half or whole plug,
for there did not seem TO be any limit.
"a quarter section ante, no limit" ap-
peared 70 be one OF the governing rules.
GAMBLING FOR "PLUGs."
"Quatah plug on de queen" said one.
"De deuce am bettah'n queen" cried
another, fiinging down a chunk.
II 90 you on de jack" said third.
fSeUen spot am lucky Iur me. salQ
fourth. And SO IL went around Aces,
kings, nine-spOis, fours turned up in pro-
voklng succession.
II raise um 10 a half" said the one
who was betting on the jack.
just then the deuce Of clubs Tipped up,
and the second better seOoped IN the pot.
He had two pockets fun already, and
could hardly lind room for his winnings.
Ppm ruined. Pm busted! Who wants
u play fur Chews 20 sighed one, as he saw
bis last piece swept away.
Two OF the group were boys, one Of
whom bad considerably more of the weed
than when he began. AS he played he
nOnchalantly whitfield at a cigarette fJr
minute and passed il to another player
who. after few putfs, handed lt TO a
third. MetaphOrically II might have
been called pipe of peace, for the ut
most good humOr prevailed as il passed
around the circle. When "a player lost his
last piece be generally moved away with
"A LOOK Of disgust, dragging his clanking,
Tattling chain from under the feet Of the
others.
PICTURES FOR A MORALIsr.
The scene would perhaps have shocked
the stern mOralist who believes In send
Ing innocent missionaries TO convert
cannibals. Card playing Is the eOnyicts
great recreation. aud gambling goes on as
long as two prisoners have any stakes.
The guard mentioned one case OF pris-
oner who started with a single plug as n
rfutfa anI al ae hfa Lao