The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-15


der OF their natural lives
When they told the people OF Rosednle
what they had seen thrill OF indignation
and horror ran through the village, and
the wave of popular indignation grew and
grew until it eliminated the next day in
the telegram to Gov. Lowry which is
print ii above.
Nh. WALTER M'LAURN BEGAN MS INvEsTI-
CATION
OIL Friday, December I, at the convict
camp in Beulah six miles from Rosedule,
and on Sunday, December o, rode up to
the latter town aud invited the gentlemen
who had telcsraphed 10 the Governor to
accompany HIM in his further invcstiga-
ton. They did 50, and all proceeded in Il
body to Beulah, where singular rcccp-
ton awaited them.
They found Joe Lomax, the Sergeant, on
the lookout for them. He was pacing up
aud down along the sides of the convict
car and evidently in an Infatuated condi-
ton OF mind, or, according TO popular coli
loquialsm, very hot in the collar. lie
stool in his shirisleeyes, the better to give
prominence to the formidable looking re-
volycr which he carried bucklcd to his
belt. Around him and on ali sides of him,
ready TO obey his slightest behest, were
stationed his guards, armed with Win.
chester rifles. When the committee APP
preached near enough to enable them TO
hear what he said, this staggering bully
tilted back the soft felt hat which
covered his head and delivered him
self of the follow ng beautiful and
chaste sentiment "Any man who says
that | treat these convlcts brutally is a
Cd d-n lying So OF b.. This was
done in the presence OF Comms ,ioner
Walter Mclaurn, MIR. lluchins, rail-
road official OF prominence, and other wit
ncsses. The delegation from Rosednlc were
not accustomed to such language, and, in
spite of the disadvantage OF their position,
one OF the committee plainly informed
Lomax that they had come to investigate
the condition OF the convicts, and that
neither threats nor abuse would deter
them from a faithful execution OF their
duty. Then Mr.. llutchins and Mr.. Me
Laurn interposcd their pacific offices. and
the threatening manner OF the offensive
swash.buckler was for the moment modi-
fled.
After inspecting the interior Of the con-
Wet car the committee expressed a desire
10 see the bare backs Of the prisoners. The
request was communicated TO LomaX,
who, approaching the door Of the car,
shouted: Come out, you -- --,
and show your black boards; they want TO
see them" the conyic;s came out and
barred their backs, all OF which were
scanned, and SCARED, aud striped so lhickly
that hardly an inch OF skin seemed 10 have
escaped unscathed.
rltF SIGHT WAS sfCRFNINd,
but tho convicls explained that none OF
| the scars were recent but had been inilict-
ed on the ship Island road. The COM
mittcc accepted the statement without
protest. but after the examination caused
two ailidavits TO bc made ont against
LomaN, charging him with assault and
| battery.
The cases were tried the next day at
| Rosrdalc, before Squire w. :. Sidham,
an old gentleman who believes that the
oath Of office which he TOOK when he
unnhhed rs magistrate WIS something
| more than q mere form. Squire Sidham
! i not only conscientious but plucky. lrm
aud shrcwd, and too sensible a man TO be
swayed from the line Of duty 10y an
eyancsccnt public sentiment The old
Squire had had little tastco Of the LomaX
methods himself lie informed the writer
! that on Saturday he went down 10 the
works about I o'clock In the afternoon.
! The men were working very hard aud lac
wondered II they could keep II mp.
| While looking at the men one ot them
] had two Of his fingers 80 badly smashed
! that the blood sputcd to some distance
around him. but the man never quit
work. lie did not dare 90. lie knew
what a momcntary cessation Of his assigned
| task would have cost him. LomaN was
present and could not have failed to have
seen the accident. some days nitCTward
the mans two iingenCquircd amputation
aud were amputatcd.
The ali layiis upon which the Sergeant
was tried were sworn 10 10y i. T. Divers,
Virgil shelby, J. +. Prcsgrovc aud Warren
! Caichinys. q. G.. McGuirc aud Walter
SlleN represented the State aud l.. A.
! WciSugur the defendant. The court room
was crowded and conspicuous In the NUT
titude we're number oi convict guards,
and among Others Spaniard Of ifuculcnt
aspcc, and menacing mir, who carried q
concealed pistol aud east threatening look.
and ominous scowls az the pros culOrs.
Mr.. prcsgroyo sworc substantially ~
above recorded. Mr.. T.. 7. Diycn swor,
that In company with Virgil Shelby II,
went out 90 where the conyicts were work
ing on or about November ~. Was there
not exceeding iory.hyc minutes Saw
Iomax strap the same convict from three
10 live times. also saw him kick the same
convict On crO.s-cXnminaiion hC said hi'
latntion was attracted by seeing the sam,
inan struck twice, and Shelby remarked {,
witness "Ihat fellow must have n bpii,
against the old nigycr." Witness and
shelby were from fifteen 30 thirty steps
from Tie convirts, aud there was nothing
30 obstfuct their view.
Virgil shelby was the next witness, ant
couObomicd Mr. Divers la every particu
lar. Tho APrEAL correspondent visited
Mr.. Divers nj his store near Bculah bcior
leaving Bolivar County aud found hin
% bc m intelligent merchant Who ox'
crrscd remarkable care In making state
mcnls. lie said no saw LDmaX, within
iorty-Gvo minutes, strike the same con
Wet from two 10 four times about the hen,
and shoulders with strap. This was ~
pcalcd at iutcrynlsirom three 10 five times
Saw nothing In the mans work 20 proyok,
punishment. Never went there again.
IuE DrrESsE MADE OFT 4 LANE CAsE.
Every witness but the doctors oithc
stood In fear Of LomaX or desired 10 vii
biz favor
Mr.. q. Moshcr testified tha, he was ON
, ploycl 90 see The cOnyicis properly treatc,
and attend 81 their grievances. lie though
they had no reason 10 complain Of thci
treatment. When asked II ho had eve
communicated 10 cOnvicis that he WI
, there to correct evils aud listen 10 com
. plainta. lac replied No"