The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-18
COWED BY FRIGHT.
Thrilling Experience of Guards and
COnvicts in a Storm.
extensivel!

Thrilling Experience of Guards and
COnvicts in a Storm.
Brunswick, Ca, Jan. ia story new
because it has never been in print and its
author has not been to town since its &C.
currence, was told to the Morning News
correspondent to-day.
1t is of thrilling interest and gives evil
dence of the power of fear over mankind
The present tax receiver of Glynn, Mr.
Mason T. Scarlet, had charge of the con-
victs at the time of the September storm.
On the day when this terrible and destruc-
tive hurricane passed through Glynn coun-
ty he had forty-five convicts in a forest
chopping timber. They were one mile
from camp when the storm clouds burst
over them. The convicts were quickly
lined up and double-shackled, as precau-
tionary measure to prevent attempts to
escape. No idea of the ferceness of the
coming storm then prevailed, but as mo-
ments passed the wind increased in veloci-
ty. Limbs of trees were hurled to the
ground, while a drenching rain poured un-
ceasingly. The convicts were rushed into
the open and huddled together. The guards
stood over them with weapons handy, but
the increasing storm soon made their ap
pearance unnecessary.
Trees began to crash as the wind twist
ed them from their trunks, while the noise
of popping timber grew nearer. as If an
advancing fire of musketry were APP
preaching. The convicts were terror
stricken and afraid to move. The guards
voices could not be heard above the din
of the crashing forest, and signals were
given by waves of the hand Scarlet
stood under a massive oak, and as trees
would bend and break towards the right
he would wave the convicts to the left
out of danger and vice versa. When the
storm was at it's hight his tree of shelter
was torn up by the roots, and his escape
from death was almost miraculous. Some
of the convicts cried others prayed, while
others were unable to utter a sound. Each
and every one watched the arm waves Of
Scarlet as a signal to run for
life, and the clanking of the
chains and shackles, added to the uproar
Of falling trees. made turmoil difficult
to describe. When it was all over the
men were massed together and given time
to recover from their fright, after which
they were marched to the camps through
land strewn with debris. Hardly a word
was spoxen en- route and the most hard
ened criminal on the gang seemed to real
ize the danger they had just passed
through. 1t was three hours of horror
such as they had never spent, AND In their
manacled condition they felt their utter
helplessness.
Johnston Company line Of steamships
spent last night and few hours of to-day
here. They visited the Southern's cot
ton docks in charge of local agent Cand-
Ter and Mai A. +. Churchill of the Bruins
wick Terminal Company.
Companies A and ID, naval militia, and
the marine band Will parade Tuesday az
ternoon at $50 o'clock, in honor OF Lees
birthday, and afterwards have a rifle
shoot. The Riflemen will spend the day
In target practice at the back
landing. Company d, of the
reserves are ready to be mustered into
the states service. and advices from the
adjutant generals Office state that this
will occur when Lieut.. Brown returns
from his western trip. the officers are'
Lieutenant commanding, James s. Wright
Lieutenant, Junior grade, C. A. Taylor;
ensign. +. McC. Brown ensign, W. 3.
Cook. The officers elected by company A
Wednesday night are; Lieutenant COM
manding, f. ID. Aiken; lieutenant Junior
grade, c. l.. Elliot; enslgns, j. S. NJ. Sy-
mons, Taylor.
Deputy United States Marshal Emmett
Taylor is Off on a trip up the Southern,
summoning witnesses for the Dauntless
trial, which occurs in Savannah Tuesday.