The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-17
The Alleged Convict Outrage I'm
Crittenden County, Ark.

To the Editors OF the Appeal
II is rather strange some men will
rush headlong into print ignorant Of
facts and make public a distortion oil
facts, or rather statements, as did your
"well known citizen OF Memphis" in
your issue OF the APPEAL OF the 14th
instant, over the signature OF "B."
relative to the transfer of lot of con-
viots from Little Rock to Crittenden
county, Ark. / wish only to correct
and state facts, as far as the public is
concerned-not word to the Gov.
eInor OF Arkansas. Let his Excel
lshcy, Gov. Hughes, investigate to the
full satisfaction OF all sentimental
lists" and the GOOD honor Of the State.
His Excellency knows too we'll that
the high moral standing Of the gentle
men lessees of the Arkansas State
prison would revoult, disabuse and
correct any outrags or cruelty to the
convicts as quickly as his own or any
other business gentlemen OF the State.
Your swell Known Citizen OF Mem.
phis" allowed himself to be duped or
cajo]ed by perverted statements, Of
which the only fact is the transfer OF
the convicts. The gentleman in
charge OF the squad, one OF the les
sees Of the penitentiary having deliv-
cred the same, dined with me on Sun
day last, while on his way back from
the Scamp Of the Intervals" to Little
Rock. He said he had had q hard trip.
That upon inquiIing the best route TO
the camp OF Murray and Scott, had
decided that to get of at Edmondson's
aud walk across ten or twelve miles
WIS their route. Mr.. Nelson, the con-
ductor on the Little Rock road, told
me he pnt them off at that place in
fine condition. The convicts having
slept all the way there, at 8 a. m. they
had breakfast, after which they start.
ed to walk across to the camp, with
one wagon, aud he hired another on
the way OF an ex'convict. who
expressed much happiness at
meeting him. At 7 O'Clock pm.
they had supper. II being bright
moonlight, he decided to finish his
march while it was cool, and did 81,
arriving at tn" Camp OF the Intervals
during the night. Now, Mr.. George
A. Leiper, the gentleman in charge,
in his summer weight, carries 25i
pounds, and the guards, who carried
breech loading, double bsrreled shot
guus (muskets are sorry arms walked
every foot OF the way aud ate the same
fare with the convicts. Arriving at
the camp Of Murray 4 Scott, he halted,
where in the morning he took in"
the "Camp Of the Inferna!s,"a camp OF
hired free labor. He decided his con.
victs should not remain there. So,
after treating them all to q drink Of
whisky, he marched them eight miles
TO high place ON the bank of the
river, established a camp, drove
well, besides having fine
spring OF water. Having estab-
lished his camp, Mr.. Leiper allowed
all, convicls and guards a day of rest,
he standing guard while they slept.
Here we see the gentleman lessee &C
knowledged hard trip. 1t proving
instead OF ten or twelve miles from
Edmondson, TO him who walked IL,
seemed forty, Instead OF allowing bis
convicts to remain at the" Camp OF the
Intervals" IA camp OF free labor aud
suffering such "damnable abuse" he
established one at which any Mem.
phis gentleman fishermen would like
to spend week. Being ignorant of
"B. ." efiusion to the Governor, OF
course it was not a luded to. should
like to know; the world would like to
know of the kindhearted gentlemen
how a lot OF slXty.fiye desperate aud
hardened men, convicted OF every
crime in the calendar and sentenced
to hard labor, could be removed such
a distance without guards or shackles.
OF the bloodhounds l know nothing
but think it wis., provision to have
them. Perhaps your sentl-
mental correspondent would at
have them shocked with tie vines and
licked with buttOnndire by some fair
hand, aud guarded by what-Gcd
only knows unless by such armI as
would convey fear OF death on q
break. ]. s. oARRuTHKRs,
MRNPHis, August Ia, 1885.