The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-01
THE CALLAHAN CONVICT CAMP.
The Facts in Respect to the Recent
Trouble There.

Trouble There.
Saffold, Ca, July 3O.-Editor Savannah
News; I notice in the issue of your paper
OF the 25th an article from Blakely upon
the strike in the J. w. Callahan convict
camp, near Cedar Springs, in Early coun-
ty. which strike, it is stated, resulted in
the killing of one convict and the dis
charge of several of the employees, and
thai the convicts refused to work because
of the small quantity and poor quality of
the food served them, and the rough treat
ment given them by the guards and whip
ping boss. 1t might be well for you to
know the facts concerning this affair.
When these convicts were brought from
Bayborough, Ga, I having leased them
from ]. NJ. Smith of that place, there was
seven, who had been allowed to go with
out shackles, and was what is known in
convict circles as a trusty. When he
reached my camp considered that was
responsible not only for him, but for good
order, and the safety and protection of
the people in the community, so far as this
convict camp was concerned. 1, therefore
instructed that this negro be shackled
along with the other convicts, which was
done. This negro convict reached the con-
clusiOn that the captain of the camp, he
being new man in charge of them, had
ordered him thus shackled, and thereupon
determined to create as much trouble in
the camps as possible. He succeeded in
working up this mutiny. The revolt was
not against the food furnished to the con-
Victs, and the treatment received by them,
but resulted solely and alone from the
Stacking of this convict. When the mutt
ny occurred, 1 telegraphed to the principal
keeper Of the penitentiary, and he, at my
instance and request, came to the camp,
and examined the stOckade and the con-
victs and after a thorough and critical
examination found that they were not
only well fed and properly housed but
that they were not cruelty treated, nor
were they subjected to any unusual pun
ishment, and to no punishment save and
except such as was necessary to preserve
good order in the camps. The convicts
did not go TO work upon the condition that
one Akin should be discharged. 1t is hard
~ probable that the officers of this state
would enter into any agreement with
lot of conVicts as to who should govern
them The truth is that neither Akin or
any other employe in connection with said
camp has been discharged by reason of
this mutiny.
OF course, I have nothing to do with the
captain or guards in charge of the con-
victs, as they are state convicts, and
simply pay for the work done for me by
| the convicts. The lessees furnish the cap
tain and the guards and pay them.
| As TO the killing of a convict that oc-
| Cured after the mutiny and had no con-
nection with it. When the convict was
! killed by order of the captain, it was be-
| cause of the desperate effort the convict
| was making to take the life of the cap
| tain, he having already stabbed him. as
/ well as having cut and wounded a con-
| Vict The captain realizing that his life
| was in imminent danger, ordered the guard
! 10 fire, which was done, and which result
| ed ia the death of the convict. This diff
| Guilty grew out of the fact that the con
| vict absolutely refused to work, and took
! his seat upon a log in the woods. and
when the captain ordered him to work he
| refused, and when the captain attempted
/ to chastise him for this refusal, the con-
Wet drew his "cutter" and attempted to
1 take his life
! These are the facts of this transaction
and the public will see that so far as | am
concerned l have no control over these
convicts whatever, and have no hand in
clothed and disciplined by the officers hav-
| ing them in charge.
As the article from Blakely casts Ie-
Election upon my manner of treatment of
! these cOnvcts, and upon humanity to them
! l ask chat you publish this in Justice to
myself, and in order that the public may
| see that | have no control whatever over
| these co1victs. j. w. Callahan.