The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-10

When we, DR.. Jarnigan and I, reached the
camps the cunvirts complained, of having
been on short ratlons for several days and
were too weak to work, which was corroho-
by our foreman, Randolph. Wheeler said
the cause wns that TalbcrL sent supplies for
one month at u time from the penilentiary
ana they did not hold out. There was abso'
lutely nothing on hand for supper, SO lntli-
cd him 81 pounds of meat and two bushels Of
meal and DR.. Jarnlgan promised TO buy rn-
tions from his hrnher-in-law al Blenhcim
an d send them over in the morning. Before
this they had nothing but meal and meat, but
DR.. Jarnigan ordered cow peas III addition
The first time visited the camp after Tai
bert was in charge, Wheeler told me that the
rations were cut down and Limited TO bread
and meat and he was afraid that scurvy
would break out. Previously he had cnrte
blanche To order what he considered necessary
could change diet. Wheeler was always com.
planning to me Of The insufficiency OF the
amount rs well rs the variety Of food, and
on our way 10 Sumter showed ire from his
victs under Colonel Lipscomb out OF II detail
of l03 men only twenty-four days were lost on
| account of sickness, that Is the equal OF TWEEN.
ty-lour men one day or one m man ian twenty,ioulrr "
days. Last month under Talbert, out OF IS
men on the first to G7 men Oh the last, 'ts days
| were lost for sickness
| | have seen the meals cooked and served
and know that while the amount might have
been sufficient for men In confinement IL was
not enough for men doing hard work, anu
they have not held up at it, but have lost
| flesh very perceptibly.
AS to their clothing, don't think q single
garment has been sent out since the detail
| first came to us last August. About March J.
a large batch was returned to Columbia, and
forty-scven new ones were sent out 10 take
| their place.
I did not see the convict who died, except
| In the wagon while he was still alive. Wheel
er told me he had given n negro 81 to bury
| him. | was out there yesterday. but could
| Vince Ter know anything about him. An eye
witness told me yesterday that the sick con
vict was put in blanket and dragged from
| the camp to the river, about three miles, ano
| left lying In the sun while The wagons were
being loaded. The wagons were unable tt
get nearer the camp on account or the over
flow OF the Pee Dee. That night Wheeler
| borrowed $3.50 from me TO feed himself anG
guards on the route, claiming that the II ne
had paid the negro was all the money he had
| There was one meal cooked for the con vict'
to eat on the route, while they knew the5
could not possibly reach Columbia Till nooi
| next day..
Two of the guards passed through thi.
morning, and " Wheeler is also at the old cam
| ! had not seen Taibert's reply before seeing
| him. They told me that as soon as the state
ment was made to the board they were al
discharged, and now would tell diferen
tale. / saw Wheeler few moments NJ th'
depot Wednesday night OH his way back, nnt
! from what lie told me the statement published
was not the one he made. Yours truly,
Il. II. BAKER.
p. S-Since writing have met Il Mr. BYRD
who tells me that the dead convict was buriet
without blanket, box or anything, and prom
ises to meet me Monday morning with u6so
| lnte proof. II. IL. Is.