Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-06
CAN THIS Re TRUE
The Awful Picture Drawn by Alleged
White Slaves in n West Virginia Camp.
Ns,r y0rE Sun UgrcJ

Seven B0hemianS who were sent
from an employment agency in Green
wich street TO labor on the rail-
road near the Pocahontas coal
mine in West Virginia have writ
ten letter to a Bohemian newspaper
in this city that is like a chapter
from the blacklist records of slavery.
They arrived, with immigrants of sew
eral other nationalities, at Elkhorn, w.
Va, in the latter part of November
under the impression that they were to
receive Sl.2O a day and an allowance Of
~ L month for board. They signed a
paper, which was not read to them, but
which bound them, they afterward
found out, TO Servitude.
I'VE We're tut on 4 train at Norfolk
after our arrival FROM New York." the
letter reads, land taken to POcahontas.
After leaving the train we were told
that we would have 10 travel one day on
foot, and that we would have to leave
our trunks behind. Instead of travelling
one day we travelled three. The cold
was so severe, and most of our shoes
gave way, so we were almost barefoot
W. ~ W 0iADuA 0S We Ntit Ioiutd "
two young men VINO rode on mules and
were heavily armed. The agent carried
a pistol in his hand. They compelled
MS at the point OF their weapons 10 wade
through icy water. Those who objected
were hit on the head What happened
10 us after we reached our deStina
ton is SO dreadful that it may seem
incredible To you. We are helpless
here, As We are watched and guarded
like prisoners. We did not get trunks
until month after We got here, and
our bodies were covered with yermin.
The food is always the same-bitter
black coffee ana bacon three times a
day. Whether man is Ill or not, 1t
makes no difference to our masters. He
must 90 10 work. and when hc is not
able To work he Is logged until he is
blue, and told that lac has signed the
contract and must abide by IL. We have
received no money. aud when We ask
for il we are told that we owe SO FOR
railroad fare and Sll for board. AT the
store we are charged double for what
We get, SO that we have debts amount
ing TO S35. Our labor is in vain, hard
aS il is; we are hungry, and our nights
are SleepleSS because Of the cold and
dirt. We eat breakfast at five o'clock
in the morning and go Immediately to
our work, which goes far into the night.
1.-TWO men tried to escape on January
Is. One was a Russian jew and the
other a Pole. They were caught and
brought back. For punishment they
were compelled to wade in water up to
their waists aud draw large boats after
them. After this their coats were taken
of, and they were whipped Until they
begged on their knees for mercy. AT
night they were chained together 80
they could not escape. When we asked
about our trunks aud received an un-
satisfactory answer we refused TO work.
We were confronted with pistols, and
told that we would be shot down like
dogs unless We resumed work.
1--WE have been sold like slaves. Is
there no help? Oh, if We could flee
from here and save other from Il similar
fate. Perhaps this letter may be pub
hshed. and. through Providence, we
may yet be saved. We sign ourselves,
very respectfully.
"WILLAM HOFFMAN,.
"JosErH LANCER,
- L. MAYER,
"MlKE HRANNo,
-. MRAX.
- GERRY.
"Our address is Elkhorn, Mcdowell
county, W. Va, care of j. Bowel, Pnr-
cells Camp no. ~