The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-01
SCHUMAN HAS HIS SAY.
He DENIES ALL OF THE CHARGES
AGAINST HIM.

Their Investigation OF the Convict
Camps-ChiefG Guard Schunan Makes
a tatement-"Chucky" Bacon's Saw
ory Testinony-The Collins Case to
be Taken Up To-Day.
The Board of County Commissioners re-
sumed the hearing of testimony yesterday
morning at 10 o'clock in the invest gation
of alleged mismanagement of the convict
camp by w. $. Schuman chief of the
camp. ThefuI board was present, as well
as Attorneys SauSsy and Neldrim and So
licitor duBignon.
The first witness introduced was Mrs.
Rosana McGure. who keeps a grocery and
saloon in Yamacraw, the resort of women
of the Cooper Shop lane variety, ex-con-
victs and toughs generally though Mrs.
Mcclure claims to be a respectable woman
herself She testified that "Chucky" Bacon
told her that Daniels had offered her money
10 swear her child TO Bill Schuman.
Henry Schuman, n brother, swore that
Schuman's drinking habits had improved
since he became a convict guard.
Mr. Saussv asked the board if he should
fNrlher question witnesses regarding Schu-
mans treatment of prisoners The testi-
mony seemed uniform in this particular
and it but took up time and burdened the
records
Mr.. Meldrim insisted on a continuance Of
the questions upon the point, as it kept up
the continued chain of evidence of Schu-
mans competency. His request was
granted.
Resumng, the witness, Henry Schuman,
said he hadn't good opinion of Daniels,
but would not say he would not believe him
on oath
DR. Dupont saw the camp every day
while the gang was at work near his place.
He thought Schuman was humane to pIis-
oners and that he could not be replaced.
John WATSON, a laborer, visited the con
Wet camp to see his brotherin-law on bust
ness at different times, and saw Schuman
in the camp drunk. Hnd also seen him
drunk outside of the camp, but believed
he was not then connected with the camp.
Mai Tebeau, al his own request, was re-
called to make a statement IN regard TO his
testimony of Yesterday when be said that
Commissioners Estill and Dorset were di-
recting the work of the gang in the sunni er
of 1885 He acknowledged being mistaken
in the statement.
Commissioner Casey-Who gave you the
order to go to the Isle of Hopei
Witness don't remember You were
not here at the time.
any orders at any time to do work at Isle
of Hope or Bethesda.
Witness-You did not.
Commissioner Fstill-My object in this
matter is to establish the fact that | pur-
posely refrained from directing any work
at Bethesda. because of my connection with
that institution.
Chairman Walker to witneSs do YOU
think it was right to Ike p cruelty to a con
.vf.,t 10 nf Iaxy
the knowledge of the Commissioners
never heard Of the instance you mentioned
before yesterday.
Witness made no official report of the
matter, but gave notice of it at the office
of the board.
The matter was here dropped and the in
vestigation proceeded with the intro
duction Of Peter Mcdonald, who gave the
very frank testimony that he took a drink
every tins he felt like it, aud thought Mr.
Schuman was the same kind of man. He
had taken many drink with him
J. Stokes, who lives on Schuman's place
on the Pine Barren road, gave favorable
evidence for Schuman.
William Allen, Jr, had been a convict
guard and gave the same testimony as the
other guards had He had seen Schuman
drunk at various times but never on duty
Prisoners had gambled but they were
shacl1ed at the time. King was boss in the
absence of Schunan. To Commissioner
Lawton the witness said that Schuman
would stay in the camp when he was drink
ing and never go on the works in that con
dition. The work did not suffer by his
absence from it.
Commissioner Estill-You mean to say
that an inexperienced man could ia Ike hold
of the work and do it as well as Schuman.
Witness He was absent from his work
such a short time that | couldn't saw il made
any difference.
John Meyer a barkeeper on Lovers
Lane, testified that Schuman had tax en-
drinks at his place frequently in passing,
but he had never seen him particularly
drunk, and thought his work never suffered
therefrom.
Commissioner Estill wanted to know who
summoned the witness.
Witness did not know.
Commissioner Estlu-The reason | ask is,
that there appear to be great many bar
keepers summoned. Ii seems to me that the
only object III the testimony of so many
barkeepers is to show Schuman's ability to
drink in all the bar-rooms in the county,
and vet be able TO attend to his busine, ).
He seems to have a wonderful capacity.
Mr.. Meldrim-The barkeepers have not
been summoned by this defendant
Henry Sack lives on Second avenue, but
has farm which adjoins Schumans camp.
He said he had heard of Schumans drink
ing, and on several occasions had gone to
Commissioner Ca ey and informed him of
what he had heard Once at Schuman's
request, he had gone to the camp and
stayed there, because Schuman said he
was not in condition to take care of it.
While there Brady showed him note from
Mr.. Casey saying he BRADY would have
charge of the camp. Witness LETT the next
morning. He had frequently, as
to the Commissioner and informed
him of his conduct, but it didn't seem to
do any good. Afterward Schuman was dis
charged. He had made application for
Schuman's place because Commissioners
Lawton and Casey had told him that
Schuman could never have the place again.
He knew Brady would never keep the place
because he was not competent
Commissioner Casey-Didn't you tell me
not to let anybody know your name in con-
nection with the matter!
Witness-Yes, / did, because did not
want any hard feelings with Schuman.
Commissioner Casey want to say right
here that have no confidence in any man
who will go behind another'S back TO injure
him.
This seemed to excite the witness some
what, and his loud voice in German accent,
indicated disposition to resent what the
Commissioner had said. He exclaimed II
came here as a public-spirited citizen to
give testimony in this case. i am not afraid
of Scbuman or anybody else. The reason 1
didn't want to be known in the matter was