The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-28
EEa:iE.sx. Bail.

At he last term Of Halifax Superior
Court, one Van johnson, a cOlOred man
whose t1lal for rap committed Oh his
own daughter I'VE believe). had been
moved from Edgecombe to Halifax, was
| acquitted.
The Sou:herncr, under the head Of
"Acqui ted bat Punished" said:
The verdict of the Jury was doubtless
Just. but if j. was not Johnson has been
punished. The jail at Halifax is a dis
grace 10 the nineteenth century ciyiliza>
ton. 1t is poorly ventilated, dark moi
some and filthy. Rhcn Johnson was
brought into court, he was 30 weak he
could not stand. Emaciated describes
! not his condition near 80 well as skele-
ton. On him preyed verEnin numerous
ana large.
! The grand jury of IIa flax should see
that the jai! is properly kept, that it is
properly ventilated, and not breeder of
| fifth, vermin and disease.
The county commissioners should first
be made to do their duty, and then the
/ Sheriff his.
There is too much intelligence, too
much humanity in that COOL county to
| let his continue longer
The editor ofthiS paper has visited thej all
when neither the jailer nor any one else
g as aware that we would be inHalitax.
The charges Of the SOUtherHer are unjust.
The jail is not ''poorly ventilated, dark,
nciI0me and filthy" 1t is well ventila
ted. has plenty Of light, and since Fan
johnson has been ont IS not nOlsOme and
filthy. I've IN Mr.. r. G. Reid on the
streets Of Halifax and said to him we de-
ircd to look into the jail. He went at
once, opened it. The jail is in good con
z hn oh n = q
they fare well and are comfortable since
E1n Johnson LETT. lie was highly otfen>
siye with disease he had contracted be-
fore he was put into the Jail, and was sc
filthy that DR.. Furge1 son would not pu
his bare hands on the prisoner, but KEEP
his gloves on while in the jail. 1hOS'
who were in Jail with him say that he l:
the meancSt, tilthIcst, and most low
down character they have ever seen
The statements of theSOutheTHermu hay,
been made On Van JohnSOn's authority
for Mr. Reid says that no man frOmEdSe
combe county his seen Halifax jail IN sew
eral months,
There is a strong opinion that Va
johnson ought to have been hanged. A
evidence of his depraNity and iadeScIi5
able meanncss we subjOn letter t
l Sheriff AIlsorook from negro in III
/ StaIc pIlSOD, VIII III tA " nus ltSCil'
STATE TENITENTIARY,
Raleigh, \. c.. Feb. %, 1885
SHERIFF HALIFAX COUNTY,
Halifax, \. {.
+ Dear Sir:-I understand that Va
l johnson is in jail in Your county senten'
ed to be hanged. am a prisoner IN tn
= penitentiarv serving term Of 20 year
all on account Of Van Johnson's false s'oea
ing, Would you please see nim for N
. and ask him 10 retract or make COZ
rcssIon t0you. God knows-l know ar
Van knows that he swore falsely again
= me. If he il hung or dies without tell1r
some responsible person the truth--ln a
i probability | will have to die in prise
for that ! never did. have already bee
= in prison or years too long for n
thing. lfJohnson will tell you the tru
+ please take 1t down in writing 1cltneSSe1
and | sill try to arrange 10 satisfy W
l for your trouble. Address, CAFE OF Cap
J. NJ. Fleming and oblige.
y LAFAYETTE SUMMERLIN.