The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-24
SENSATION KNOCKED OUT.
Principal Keeper Jones Writes a Let
Ter About Alice Whites Escape.

He Tells Solicitor General Fraser that
He Finds no Irreguiarity or Sensa-
tional Feature Either in Alice
Whites Escape or Reoapture-The
Matter Investigated by Assistant
Keeper Wright-AHce's Conversion.
1t turns out that there was little
or no sensation connected with the es-
cape of Alice White from the convict
camp in Ebert county, but that it was
surrounded by only the ordinary cir
cumstances in case of such an occurrence.
When numerous rumors began circu-
lating concerning the wOman's escape,
most prominent among which were
strong and sensational intimations that
some Of the guards had, for good cause,
aided her to get away, Solicitor General
Fraser determined that the matter ought
to be investigated and though he could
take no action himself he
wrote both to Gov Northen and Princi-
pal Keeper Jones of the penetentiary,
calling their attention to these reports.
The solicitor thought that they should
be looked into, whether there was any
truth in Them or not. They were ru-
mors which many would believe unless
they were corrected, and On the other
hand if there was any truth in them it
was due that the guilty parties should be
sought out and punished. Accordingly
he wrote to ask that the reports be in
vestigated.
PRINCIPAL KEEPER JONES' LETTER.
On his return to the city yesterday af-
ternoon Solicitor General Fraser found
the following letter from Principal Keeper
Jones, giving the circumstances Of the
case as he had obtained them:
State of Georgia, Penitentiary Department
George II. Jones Principal Keeper. Atlanta,
Ca, July p. 1S93-Col. w. W. Fraser, Solicitor
General, Savannah, Ga; Dear Sir--Your let
ter referring to the escape of Alice White re-
ceived
Alice was confined in branch camp Of pen
itcutiaries Nos. > and 3, in Ebert county
owned and controlled by Col. w. II. MattOX.
He has all of the women cOnvlctS and works
them on his farm on the Savannah river The
particulars Of her escape as reported to Inc
are as follows:
on the morning of June 80 while the women
were being carried to the field for work. from
the stockadc, and about the time they ar
rived at the field. she together with one other
woman convict eluded the vigilance Of the
guards and disappeared, making good their
escape. They were traced to the river banks
by the dogs and there all traces of them were
lost. The search for them was continued
until they were recaptured
NOTHING SENSATIONAL.
I have heard OF nothing in connection with
her escape orrecapture the least sensational
1t was only the escape of two convictS and the
recapture of them after a race for liberty. If
there was anything irregular in it l know
nothing of it, and l believe there was none.
Col. MattOX, who has them in charge. is a
man we'll known to our people as humane,
well-meaning and highly respected. as well as
intelligent, gentleman, and l know he has
done his duty in this matter.
Col. Wright the assistant keeper. while on
his monthly rounds OF inspection, has diScOv-
cred nothing irregular in her escape He
will continue to inquire and report any and
all Irregularities Yours very truly,
GEO. II. JONES, Principal Keeper.
AS the above letter would, indicate Col.
Wright, the assistant keeper, has been 10
the camp from which Alice White es-
capped and has made inquiries among
the people there. His investigation,
it seems, has developed little beyond
the fact that the escape was moth
ing out of the ordinary run. Both the
principal keeper and his assistants are
competent and thoroughly reliable men,
and it is certain they would not rest UNI
der such reports, if they had any fOunda-
ton. The matter will not be dropped,
however, as long as there is a suggestion
of suspicion in connection with the case.
ALICE's CONVERSION.
1t may be interesting in this connection
to know that Alice White and Pearl Pen
vannah, are the only white women in
the state penitentiary. All the women
convicts are sent to Mattox's place and he
works them on his farm.
1t is said of Alice White that she has
been on her good behavior since she was
sent to the penitentiary. Some time ago
she protested religion at one of the meet
ings held at the camp. She was baptized
by white preacher and entered on the
membership of a white Baptist church
She is employed at sewing and never
has to leave the quarters. She helps
make the clothing for the prisoners and
keeps their limited and questionable
wardrobe in repair. Pearl says that she
is happy, and does not have hard time
of it at all. She has grown fat and is in
better health than when she was free
woman. Alice White was not so much
disposed to be orderly, and she was put to
work in the field as a punishment. She
watched her chanceand got away but was
captured and taken back.