Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-08-03
THE AMERICAN SIBERIA.

Few people have an idea OF the real
nature Of the Georgia prison camps where
several hundred prisoners were recently
In . state Of muiioy for alleged mis,rest-
ment The following description. from
the pen Of . gentleman who has visited
them, and who has made study Of the
prison system Of this country. will be OF
interest;
"On the northwest corner OF Georgia
lies the county Of Dsde. This Is known
TO the neighboring regions as the free
State OF Dade. owing no, only To the
Wild and mountainous character OF the
region, whose few aud scattered inhabit-
ants are Ia keeping 9th their surround.
ings. but bee. use. dariog the war Of the
rebellion they openly seeded from the
State Of Georgia aud the Confedsraey.
and managed TO secure freedom which
they virtually maintain to-day. Through
this county extend. the sou,hsra prolong-
A'ion Of the Allegheny coal field. the
workable bed. OF which are near the sum
mi, Of the high and almost inaccessible
mountains. In this Wild region are sit
uaied the camps where the oonvie,s are
employed in mining aud coking the coal.
These prison camp. are peculiar 10 them
selves. there being nothing like them In
civilized countries. excepting Siberia, save
10 one OF two % the nsighboring States.
They are the wor, form Of the Southern
prison system which !, undoubtedly the
mos, inhuman and barbsrous in America.
Thi. system IL . resul, Of the impovefi'h.
men, Of the Southern States aud the ina
bili,y Of the newly.fresd aud degraded
negroes 20 sceus,om themselves 20 the
blessing. o. freedom. and I, distinguished
from the other systems Of the United
States, chiefly ia this: that the entire
peronsl control Of the pri.ooer 10 relin.
pushed TO the contractor ~ho. Ia consid.
Grafton Of 80 much year for the entire
oonyie, body. take. them. feeds. clothes.
guards and maintain. them. and in re-.
turn makes ell he can on, u them The
only real responsibility to the State i to
pay the amour, annually sgfeed upon.
In no o.ker prl'on system 10 the United
States !. the State. oon,rol over the food.
clothing. m deal attention aud discipline
Of the prisoner 50 completely relinqai.hsd.
No prisoner !. ever TUNED overfor days
labor 20 the contractor sHesp, With the
sanction Of the State. immedi.ts agents.
who q, all times have hi. bodily care in
their hsnd..
"saeh /. the theory Of the Southern
lease system Of eonvie, labor I, !. read
lily seen that the margin for abuse is
enofmou. bat ~hat are the facts
Without ,x'gsera,ion. these abuses are
the mos, outrageous that ever blaekened
q people. history. The lessses. usually
men Of gr,s, influence in political life,
have within their hands. -iih no real re-
spon.ibiliiy. The entire oontrol Of the ] fs
and death Of any wretch whatever who
may be oonhlsd 20 their keeping. The
prisoner !. looked upon and treated msr-
y a. source Of money. making. and be
!. worked 10 ki- utmost. upon the cheap
e., aud mo.t un.sni,sy food. 'eaniily
and improperly clothed and housed, -
chained ffiy 10 gang. In the mos, un'
hygienie manner. men,slly aud physical.
ly. tina, can b. imagined The death
rate seldom !. ls.. than In per cent. Of
the population. and IL often exceeds 20.
The deaths are usually from chronic dys.
sn,sry. the r,.ul, Of improper food; ,y'
phoid fever. the resul, Of improper ani'
,a,ion consumption and other pulmon,.
ny complaints. the re'ul, OF improper raj
msni. shelter and ventilation.
"The D.de county mines practically
oonsi., Of three prison camps. two upon
the mountain top. At Castle Rock aud
Cole City respectively. and one in the
valley. Thee camps oonsls, Of huge
.,oeksde Of log. stood side by eide around
a square. In which are numerous log
house. wherein the prisoners sleep. Sta
toned around the clearing are little
boxes. 10 each Of which stands brutal
guard With heavily loaded shotgun. who
too often murders some vile wretch while
seeking the freedom Of the woods 90
,emp,ingly near him. The eonyicis are
mostly isnoran, negroe. and low whites.
Upon their entrance TO the camp each
one !. given q striped suit and a 'haekle
4. riveied around hi. ankle. Attached
20 this i. trace chain. in the end Of
which !. small ring. This chain !.
never removed until bis death, unless by
accident he survives bis term Of sentence.
lie get. hi. food-oorn bread and bacon
in pail, and ]. pa, TO work 10 damp
mines OF at doors Of the ho, coke ovens.
At nigh, . lsg chain !. run through the
ring on the end Of the one attached TO
hi. ankle. together with hfty Others. and
IL. end locked on the outside OF the
building. These fifty wreteh,' chained
in q bunk aye allowed to indulge in sv'
cry evil that such association can bring.
No school. or attempts at reform are
ever made. The hours when idle are
spent in their bunk. gambling. bias
pheming and INDUCING in every license
iha, the length Of their chain will per.
init. A fire would :remaie the whole
10, in few minutes. for there would be
no escape.
"The hospital is a miserable place
,ha, would make a well man sick to gaze
upon and usually kills The sick who en-.
ter. Not . comfort OF convenience and
the CHASTITY crowd Of eonsump,ives and
,yphoids are enough to turn heart OF
stone TO see them there. where In the
healthie.t mountain atmosphere OF the
world there Is no shadow Of excuse for
their existence except the ,iles, unhygie-
mic and unsanitsry conditions"
GuARDrsG GARrIELDs ToNB-Lieu,.
Clarence n Eiuards An orderly seyveznt