The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-04-13
LOCAL NEWS.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 1898.
At the State Farms.

At the State Farms.
Editor Hoyt, of the Greenville Noun
taineer, recently visited the State Farms.
and from lengthy and interesting article
in his paper We clip the following:
It is impossible to give an adequate de-
scription Of the operation and management
of the State farms within the ordinary
limits of this correspondence. but there are
many points yet untouched which we will
briefly mention, and every one interested
in agriculture or in the proper treatment
OF criminals would not fail TO proht ov
visit and inspection OF the farms. Inc
convicts prior to the purchase OF the Reeo
place we're kept entirely at the settlement
in the centre of the DeSaussure 1arm, ouG
when the 1880 acres were bought from
Mr.. Reed it was decided to make division
of the property so as to run two farLas.
with separate stockades and under differ
ent management. Both locations are
wisely chosen, about one mile apart, on
the most elevated points and within full
view of each other. Mr. John L. Cooley,
ofAnderson County. had been in charge
Of the farm operations and control of the
conyicts prior to the division, and he was
transferred to the new location on the
Reed place, where small residence and
some ancient structures were yet standing.
For time the convicts were housed and
guarded in such buildings as were at hand,
buta comfortable, well-ventilated stockade
was soon built, with every facility for
keeping the convicts in safety and caring
for their physical welfare. These features
of management are apparent IN every
direction, and show the wisdom OF Col.
Neal in dealing with the convict pro oblem
Able-bodied men, healthy and contented
laborers arc surely requisite to making a
success OF his work, and his thoughtful
ness long this line, aside from the humane
treatment which is prompted by an amla-
BILE disposition, inures largely to the
benefit of the State. The amount OF labor
obtained is in exact proportion to the
physical ability and condition of the con
victs, and every incentive dictates just
and careful discrimination IN their favor
Mr.. Cooley belongs to family noted for
snergy and perseverance, and he has gooo
Judgment and sound discretion, with much
experiencs in the management OF farm
laborers. He is firm as rock, and while
! requiring the convicts to perform their full
share of work, he looks after their com
fort in every respect. a number OF build
ings have been erected since the stockade
was completed, and the settlement now
wears the appearance of prosperous
plantation Of other days. One of the larg-
est and best arranged stables in the State
s has been huilt for the sleek, fat mules
that do the farm work. It is three stories
high, and the upper stories ale f1ilec with
corn, oats, peavine hay and other proven
der. The barn is one hundred feet long
and fifty fest wide.- with sufficient space
between the long rows Of stalls to drive
ri and wagon shed is admirably arranged,
so that the grain crops can be properly
kept, and where every manner of farm tool
or implement is carefully housed. Not
plow stock or tool of any kind is allowed
to remain outdoors, but there is careful
attention given to every piece of property
belonging to the State. A blacksmith
shop has been recently built, and corps
of carpenters are putting the finishing
touches on the largest cattle barn we have
ever seen in the South. Il has three apart.
ments for the shelter and feeding of cattle
and sheep, and abundant storage room
above for ali the hay and provender that
will ever be needed on rhe farm. All OF
these buildings are put up in the most
substantial style and with the facilities OF
cheap lumber and compulsory LABOR. the
cost is really inconsiderab!e. The bricks
used in the foundations are made at the
penitentiery in Columbis, but in the
future the cost Of transportation will 70
saved by the brick being made on the
farms. as suitable clay is found there in
abundance. The carpenters and brick.
layers Sre drawn from the convict force,
and when they get through with build
ing they become farmers again.
The DeSanssure place is in charge Of our
friend, Mr.. VIM. T. McGill. of Anderson
County, who has life-time experience in
farming and controlling labor, except the
years Of his childhood and the four years
He Is the right man for the position he
now occupies, and has well-balanced
Judgment that is invaluable as convict
manager. Sol. Neal has displayed good
discernment in tho selection of his lieu.
tenants. but he was well acquainted with
both Of them, and knew that he was max
ing no mistake In employing McGill and
Cooley, who are doing most excellent SER
vice for the State in the development and
management OF these farms. Each Of
them has about seventy-five convicts nn-
der his charge practically the same mum.
Der of acres to cultivate, like quota Of
nules, cattle, hogs and sheep to look after,
and in every respect there is an absolute
equality in the farm operations so that g
generous rivalry is maintained between
them.