Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-17
NEGROES WANT OUT.
MEMBERS OF THE SIXTH ARE try
ING TO GET DISCHARGES.
STORIES OF GREAT WANT At HOME.
Destitution Resulting from Retain
ing Them In Service Much Greater
Than I'm Cases of white Soldiers
To Brinu Back Insane Convict.

II seems that the conditions prevailing
in the Sixth Virginia Regiment (colored).
so far as the desire TO get out of the SER
vice and the urgency of the cases OF
men applying for discharges are concern
ed, are fully as bad, probably worse.
than those in the Fourth Regiment prior
10 the recent wholesale discharges and
the recruiting from among the discharged
men Of the Second and Third regiments.
1t was known for some time that the
men were dissatisfied, but Governor Tyler
had received no official information re-
garding the discomfort up to few days
ago.
During the past day or two, how
ever, the Governor has received many
letters from the enlisted men of the regi-
ment. asking him TO exert his influence 70
secure their discharges. In nearly every
case the writers tell affecting stories OF
restitution at home, caused by their alb
sence. OF course, there are few ways of
corroborating the stories of the writers.
AN OLD MOTHERS APPEAL.
Several mothers have called to see the
Governor with reference TO having their
sons discharged. One mother told a
story that was peculiarly pathetic. Her
son was a barber living here. prior to
enlistment in the army. He made good
wages and supported his old mother and
several sisters, some OF whom were at
work. He went away with the regiment.
and since his departure the family have
been suffering for the necessities life.
The mother said, when she called at
the Governors Office, that at that time
there was absolutely nothing in the house
to eat, and nothing to burn, though the
day was cold.
The old woman told in general terms
the story OF her life, that sounds odd
indeed, to the ears Of those of this gene
ration. She is an old woman, and was
born in Goochland county. She is one
of a type that has about disappeared
an "old issue" darby
When she was a girl che was sold to a
trader, who took her South, and she be-
came the property of a Mississippi plant
re She was sold repeatedly, and has
lived in Louisiana, Texas and several
other Southern States. When the war
ended and she was freed she was in
Texas. But she longed to come back
home, and after working for years she
managed TO get together the money and
did so. She married IL Goochland and
has several children. Her husband is
dead She has lived in Richmond several
years. She declares She will starve in
her old age unless her son is sent back
TO her.
STEEL TO BE BROUGHT BACK.
Governor Tyler and superintendent
Helms. of the penitentiary, after con-
sultatlon yesterday, decided that Hy
Steel, the negro convict from Tazewell
county. who has been confined in the
Central Hospital for the insane. at Peters
burg, should be brought back to prison,
as requested by the hospital officials.
AS recently published in the Dispatch,
Steel is serving an eighteen years SEN
tence for killing a colored woman. Since
being in the prison he has twice gone
insane, has twice been sent to the hos
pital, and has twice been discharged as
cured. A few months ago he killed one
of the hospital attendants. The physi-
clans think Steels insanity will recur.
However, there is no law by which a
sane convict-whch Steel is al present
can be kept in an insane hospital. and he
will be brought back to-day.
The guards at the penitentiary are not
feeling good at the prospect OF steel
return. One of them stated yesterday
that they did not like the idea of having
him brought back, but that he wiz. be
made TO understand from the start that
mo monkey business Will be allowed"
INTEREST ON STATE BONDS.
on January LIST $3.50 coo of interest on
Virginia Century bonds will be due. Urea
surer Hartman says there will be plenty
of money in the Treasury to meet ali
demands. County and city reasurers are
settling up very fast now.