The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-06-09
The Southern Convict.

A great deal has been said about the
treatment of prisoners in the South. l
hardly think the subject has grown thread
bare. nor will it until there is change for
the better. Only by keeping the subject
before the public can anything be accom-.
plished to alleviate the hardshps of con-
victs in Southern states.
During a short stay in certain Southern
state l was an eye witness to what 1 shall
relate.
A young man, twenty six years old, was
arrested for the crime of forgery. He was
well educated and the son Of respectable
and well to do parents. He had lett his
home to accept position in drug house.
He was employed about six months when
he got into club house and there formed
the acquaintance of jovial companions. got
to drinking and leading a fast life, and
spent beyond his income. Thus he was led
to commit his first crime. On being ar
rested he was taken to the police court
where, passing through q farce" called an
examination, he was bound over to the
grand jury. He was taken to the jail and
placed in a cell with twelve other prisoners
-four negroes. three Indians and five white
men. This cell was 16x2O feet of solid
steel; he was given two blanketS-very
dirty. There was no fire. and this was in
the winter, no mattress or bed of any kind
He laid on the iron floor for two months in
this model Jail. with these model compan
ions, without a change of clothing.
He was tried, convicted and sentenced to
six years in the penitentiary. The sheriff
does not transfer the prisoners to the penal
institutions in that state; there is State
Agent who collects all prisoners after court
has adjourned. This young man was
shackeled, handcuffed. and an iron collar
was locked around his neck, with chain
attached to collar around the neck of an
other prisoner. Another chain was then
locked to the hands of this couple connect
ing them with the gang. In this manner
the twelve prisoners were safely trans
ferred by one or two agents. They rode
all day and night without food landing at a
railroad camp. Here our young mans trials
began. He got up at daybreak; ate piece
of corn bread and pork with cup of some
thing dark called coffee; then went to work
shoveIing in mud and water up to his
knees. At noon he got the same food ex-
cept the dark liquid; at night he got pan
of stew extra; he slept in freight car on
bunk with a chain locked to his ankle then
attached to the floor.
After he had worked himself down so he
could not do his work. he was sent to the
''walls" and there placed in wagon fac
tory. He was so weak he could not do his
task. He was first punished by riding a
wooden horse with iron weights to his feet.
next he was placed in the stocks q under
stand this has been abolished by law. He
was then given thirty nine lashes on the
bare back with strap four inches wide
dipped in water and drawn through the
sand at every stroke. Finally he was
placed in the hospital and treated for chills.
The hardships and trials he went through
in one year. had broken his constitution.
There were no books of any kind to read;
and three and four men were crowded into
a single cell. There was no discipline.
No matter what man did if he could do
his task that was all that was required of
him. His friends found him and secured a
pardon. l saw him two years ago and he
was dying with consumption brought on by
the treatment he received in this model
southern prison. WAY.