The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-15
WHIPPED SEVERAL TIMES.
HARRIS An UNRULY CONVICT AND
HARD TO GOVERN.

DR.. CharItOn's Conclusion That Ia
Was From MaInrinI Fever. After a
Post sIortem-COnvfcts 30 BE ExnmS
ined and a Certificate 20 he sent
with Them 10 the Gang-COrOner
Goette VIII Not Hold an Inquest
Unless Called on.
There has been considerable talk with
regard to the death Of the convict, Joe
Harris. at the hospital Of camp No. last
Tuesday night, especially in view Of che
fact that his mother Rachel Harris. az
ter making inquiries has come 20 the con-
cluston that her boy was whipped TO
death.
Harris was taken sick Monday after
noon and sent into the hospital. Tues
day night he died. and the next mora
ing Or. T. b. Chisholm. the county physi-
clan. reported the matter at the office or
the county commissioners. making the
statement it is understood. that in view
of the mans sudden death. an investiga-
ton should be had, as there was reason
10 believe the whippings he had received
had something to do with his condition.
There was consultation between Dr.
Chisholm, Maj. r. A. Blandford, the coun-
~ engineer. and Dr. T. J. Charlton, chair
man Of the chain-gang committee, al
which the question Of holding an inquest
was talked of. but it was finally decided
that a post norton examination should
be held.
A most norton was held by DR.. Charlton,
at which Chairman Dale and DIR. CHS
holm were present, and the conclusion
was reached that Harris death was due
TO malarial fever.
In view of the statement Of Harris
mother to the effect that her son had been
whipped TO death, the county authori-
ties who had the matter under invesu-
cation were seen with regard to it yes
terday
-'fhe man was not beaten to DEATH"
Or. Charlton said. Il made an examina-
ton and found that he had an old pleu-
rlsy in his lung, and that there were
decided evidences of malarial fever, which
was without doubt the cause of his death.
Il cannot understand why the state
rent of every discharged convict or per
son who knows nothing about the CIR
Cumstances should be paraded and an
nounced as a fact. Whenever these mat
tiers have been investigated il has always
been found that there was nothing in
them. If ] could catch one or those guards
committing an inhuman act would most
certainly see that he was punished 20
the extent OF the law as soon as posi-
BILE.
''This negro was whipped. it is true,
said Or. Charlton, land there were some
marks on him, but there Is no foundation
for the statement that he was whipped 70
death Malarial fever is often cause OF
death, and sometimes a person can die
from it in several hours.
Harris was an unruly negro. When first
taken to the gang he was put on the county
farm. He lay down on the ground and re
fused to work. He had to be put into wa
gen to be carried to the camp. He was at-
forwards transferred to the gang that was
working on the canal, but would not work
there, though he was given only boys
work to do. While there IS some evidence
that he was whipped two or three times
during his stay at the camp, there is posi-
lively no evidence that he was beaten to
death. Everything at the camps is watched
as carefully as possible, and where there
IS the least reason TO do so every matter
IS carefully gone into and investigated, at
all times
Mai Blandford spoke In the same way of
Harris who he said was an unruly and OBJ
etnate negro, who went to the camp with
the avowed intention Of doing no work. He
attempted on one occasion, Maj. Blandford
said, to take away the gun of the guard
at the farm and another time tried to cut
one of his companions with a hoe. He re-
fused 10 work and had to be carried to ana
from the camp in a wagon as he would lay
down and refuse to move when told to do
90. The last whipping he had Maj. Bland
ford said was on Friday. Harris then
worked q part of day Saturday, and on
Monday was taken sick. How often Harris
was whipped or by what guards Nal
Blandford said he did not know.
Whipping is the only mode of punishment
allowed at convict camps in cases where
the men are unruly or refuse to work
when told TO do so. Maj. Blandford says
the discussion about this matter and the
numerous reports from discharged con
yicts which are too often accepted without
Investigation are interfering with the DIS
cipIiRs at the camp, and making the CON
Victs more unruly and obstinate IMAM
ever
this would have been just such case as ne
xvo.lld be called on to investigate. A law
was passed by the legislature ana ap-
rroyed December, 1928, providing Tor cor
onerls physicians in all counties OF aV'-
0,aa ar moro inhabitants after the appoint
rent OF such an officer had been recon-
Tnended bv the grand jury. The grand
Jury of the superior court recommehueu
that such an officer be appointed ana the
county commissioners appointed com
Ipittee more than year ago LOT tie puI-
nose of holding competitive examination
Of applicants for the position. That com
ynittee has never made re-
mort and nothing further has been heard
from the matter, although the county
attorney decided that after recommen-
dation from the grand jury, 1t was the
duty of the commissioners TO make the
appointment.
An order has been issued by Chairman
Charlton of the committee on chain-gang
il IS understood, requiring that each prls-
oner sent TO the chain-gang hereafter
shall be thoroughly examined by the
county physician, and it shall be decided
inst what kind of work and how much
s,,cb convict is capable of doing. GER
tincate of the physician is to accompany
the commitment in each case, SO that nc
conyict can be assigned to work which
he ts physically unable to do. This has
been done to a certain extent hereto
core hut it is to be attended TO more
81 raFsFafAg ~