The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-12
a POLITICAL PRISONER
Writes Verses With Hands Handi-
capped by Handouts.
From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph,

From the Macon (Gd.) Telegraph,
Capt. L. b. Stevens, the travelling man
for Stevens pottery, passed through Macon
yesterday morning with two convicts on his
way to the pottery, near Milledgeville. One
was a boy, who told the reporter, who
asked him why he was a prisoner, that he
had stolen train, and when he went back
after the track he was caught Inquiry
developed the fact that his name was Dos
ter Hammond, was sent up from Albany
for six months for stealing pistol.
the other prisoner was Lew DeLacy, a
slack wire and tight rope performer, for
merly of DeHaven's circus, who has been
giving exhibitions for some time in South
west Georgia and Florida. He SAYS that he
was born in France, educated in Baltimore
and has been knocked about by the world
and ringmasters until he became roam
ing Snowman, whilom newspaper CORE
spondent and extempore speaker on all sub
jects.
AS to why he wore handouts and was on
his way to a convict camp, he saws that he
is not criminal but victim of unfortu-
nate circumstances. 1t seems that in Cal
houn county the ct and dry question is up
permoSt. On July there was demOnstra
ton at Morgan. The drys had a number
OF speakers, but the vets were without a
man who could or would stand up and ad-
dress the multitude. DeLacy, or as he is
known better as Rowing Joe, was running
his show business and being quite a
slick talker was pressed into service
by the vets ana requested t.
make a speech on their side Always ready
| for business, De Lacy mounted the pat
| form and they say he espoused the side of
the cause of the farmers alliance and the
wet men and rasped the lawyers and dry
goods men numerically. In order to get
| even. and to get rid of him, il is said that n
| job was put up on him in this way: A
man hirei for the purpose proffered to
carry his satchel if he De Lacy would carry
the mans pistol. This pistol was found on
his person, and he was given the full ex.
tent, twelve months in the penitentiary.
While in Jail De Lacy wrote several
| poems which were published in the Albany
NercS and other papers. As a specimen of
! what he could do in the poetical line he
dashed off the following at the depot yes
| terday with a manacled hand and dedicated
it to Capt. Stevens 1t will not be found
to be as elegant as Miss Orelia Key Bells
poem of the same title:
POOR JOE.
am a man that roves this world
And they call me Rowing Joe.
do not care, il the sky is fair
Which way the wind does blow.
I've crossed the western burning sands
I've slid DER northern snow:
And all goes well rs a marriage bell
There $ home for Rowing Joe.
I'm Lew DeLacey Rowing Joe,
AS onward through this world go,
BY the river or by the rail,
In the chain-gang or the Jail
IL all goes merrily with Rowing Joe.
I've been as poor ms a peddler's pack,
With not n coin ~ ring.
Aud then I've rode in a coach of gold,
Enough tor an eastern king
With Sweethearts fair and everywhere
Gay danes both young and old
I've blown cloud in the icy Alps,
I've chased the big raccoou.
I've drunk my Wine down in mine,
I've danced in u balloon
I've Travelled America DER and DER
Old Georgia 5 hills and dales;
I've also rovcd on Florida shore,
And slept in the woods of Wales.
And row they say I'm on my woy
To learn a brand new trade,
sleiSht. hand trick
At making brick
which leaves me in the shade;
Bnt III play my hand
And square III stand,
Ana stick the game Just so.
!! act on the square, and you may swear
III yet be Rowing Joe.
For I'm Lew DcLacy, Rowing Joe
As onward through the world go,
BY the river or by the rail
IN the chain gang or the Jail
All goes merrily with / owing joe
1t is said that Col Bill Harris Of Worth
county Is deeply interested in DoLacy and
VIII use his best efforts 70 have him par.
doned out.
rnE Minneapolis Tribune reports that