The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-06-05
WORSE 1nAN SLAVERY.
Young Men From This Country Enticed -
Gsutemala and Inhumanly Treated.

WORSE THAN SLAVERY.
Keang Men From This Country Enticea -
Gautemala and Inhumanly Treated.
vICxsBURo, Mss, May 28.-James Ear
Icy, an intelligent young Mississippian.
twenty-five years of ago, who formerly 10
sided at Batesville where he was for long
time Deputy Sheriff, returned . few days
ago from Guatemala, where he had been in
duced to 60 by labor agents and seductive
Advertisements last summer. In an inter
view lastAight the young man said: 81 left
vicksburg in September last to 60 to
Puerto Barrlos, in the Republic Of Guate-
mala to work for Shay. Cornice & Co., on
the Puerto-8arrios & Guatemala City Rail-
way. landed there October 81 in the
rainy season and went to work grading the
track and laboring up to january % when
went with the iron gang and worked there
till February. At New Orleans 1 met .
man named Parker who had an Office on
Front street, near Clausman,
WHO WAS A LABOR AGENT
for Shay, Cornics & Co. In company with
1ss others, signed . contract to work at
50 per day. We were to pay 50 transporta-
ton out of our first pay and were to pay
So. per week board upon our arrival at
work. We sailed on the steamer Ella
Knight When we landed, we were put
ashore in the night while it was raining,
and had no camp or place to 60 into. In
the rain, the next day, we put up some
poles or forks and covered them with mena-
cha leaves, and these constituted our shell
ter. 1t continued to rain for about two
months. 1t would rain for an hour and
then the sun would come out hot on us.
We were not allowed to stop for rain, but
kept on i'm mud and slush. was sooD
taken with fevers, which would lay me up
for day and leave me very weak the
next day. When the fever was on me
could not eat, but tho following day al.
ways had a ravenous appetite. They issued
meal tickets to the workmen when meals
were ready, and we could get nothing TO
eat without a ticket. ! went to the time
keeper who gave out the meal tickets and
asked for ticket He looked over the list
of those who had worked the day previous
and said, You did not work yesterday
No l was SICK answered. WELL said
he, we feed no one here except those who
work. Get out of here and 60 to work and
we will feed you.' was unable to 20 to
work and 1 had to go to the thckets and
get some fruit to stay my hunger until
could recuperate enough to 60 to work. 1
worked twenty-five days and had done
s11.90 worth of station work the days when
was
UNABLE TO PUT IN A FULL DAY.
went to the timekeeper and asked him
how stood when he told that my passage
was $3.50; that my board was $3.50 per
week; and that was then indebted to the
company sl.50. l told him thought he
was mistaken and asked him for an item.
lied statement. He said L will give you
an itemzed statement Then turning to
drawer he took out pistol and presenting
it to me said 4 will give you an itemized
account with this l soon afterward i'm
company with six others procured a small
sail boat and in the night we escaped and
made our way to Belize, British Honduras.
From there we were sent home in the
same ship we went over in. OF the 1863
who went over with me there were
not more than ninety left when l escaped.
For time they died at the rate of seven o,
eight day. Two companions of mine died
aud were stripped CT their clothing and
buried without collins in a nude state, and
within an hour / saw their clothing dis
played in the commissary for sale. Men
who were unable to work and not sick in
bed were forced by soldiers to go to work,
and when on the works if they refused to
labor they were arrested OH some trivial
charge and placed in stocks. Very
FEW AMERICANS WERE PLACED IN STOCKS,
but Germans were often thus punished.
A number of men ran away and attempted
to escape, but they had charges put against
them and the bare-footed soldiers arrested
them as convicts and brought them back.
when heavy fines we're put against them in
every case. Some of the men appealed to
Ir. Sarg, American Consul at Livingston.
lbout nine miles from where we were al
work. He said he could do nothing for us.
The Consul at British Honduras, in company
with some ladies, heard Of Our condition |
and he came over to see for himself. After |
wards he reported the matter, and the Uni |
ed States man-Of-war Swatara went over |
md brought the Americans away. l had |
left, however, before their arrival. and only |
card this from some of the boys who came
Dver on her and who are now on charity 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. |
did not get dime or a stitch of clothing |
or my work while there"