The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-18
NEED BETTER QUARTERS
DIRECTOR GOTTEN RECON-
MENDS CHANGES.
BOOKS ARE BADLY KEPT ON THE FARMS
A Number of Ways in Which the States Con-
tract is Being Violated on the TilIery
Farm. Bills that Ought to
be Collected.

be Collected.
At the meeting of the penitentiary
directors yesterday somewhat sensa-
tional report was read by Mr. Gotten, one
of the directors in regard to the condi-
ton of affairs on the State farms on the
Roanoke. Mr.. Gotten has visited these
farms at the request of the board, and
in his report Of that visit he tells of
conditions there that certainly should
be remedied.
The report submitted to the board
by him was as follows:
TO the Honorable Board, of Directors
Of North Carolina Penitentiary:
Gentlemen; In pursuance of a written
request from the chairman of the Exc,
cutiye committee of this board that
should meet Mr.. Thompson at Halifax
on September 25th and visit the State
farms on Roanoke River and report TO
this melting, l herewith submit the fol-
lowing:
The date appointed found me in Hall
fax, but Mr.. Thompson failed to meet
me, to my regret. On the Northampton
farm | found about one thousand acres
in COTTON which / estimate win yield
about six hundred bales; 1850 acres in
corn, which is fine, and about 10000
pounds fodder cured; 200 acres in Span
ish peanuts, fine; 75 acres in black peas.
found at this camp III conyicts, of
whom about twenty (20) are infrm and
of little use on farm.
Thirty seven mules were sent to this
camp last spring, they now have 30
mules among them, six too old for active
service ON a farm Also 33 milk cows
and 16 calves. AT this camp / found
a convict from Buncombe county serving
a term of five years, who is only thirteen
years Of age. His system seems to be
full of malaria and the surroundings bad
for so young n person. | recommend
that steps be taken to have this boy
sent to the Anson farm. j found the
hospital and prisoners quarters clean.
Unless the supervisor can be furnished
more laborers, it is my Judgment that
the crops on this farm will not be har-
vested before February 1t would seem
reasonable that the full quota of hands
which cudtivated the crops should be
held on the farm to harvest it.
AS the lease on this farm will expire
next January, and the question of detin-
ite action in this matter will come before
the board at this meeting | gave much
time to gaining an intelligent idea of
the situation. The present lease covers
about 2,7S0 acres, of which about 700
acres are subject to overflow. The
greater portion Of that which is subject
to overflow is known as Mrs. Longs
about ], 100 acres in ALL The remain
ing 1,600 acres, known as the "Urquhart
land" | consider superior to any land
/ have yet seen on Roanoke River. 1t
is above any overflow known in the his
tory of freshets. No better cotton,
grain or grass lands can be found in
Eastern Carolina. The drinking. water
is exceptionally good.
All the wood and timber lies on this
hand, therefore l would advise serious
of this matter before a
surrender is made of this val
uable property.
HALIFAX FARM.
At this camp found 36 male and %
female cOnyicts, fifteen convicts had
been sent elsewhere. Prison quarters
seemed to be fairly well kept. TO save
the crops more labor will be needed At
the time of my visit they had fifty hands
free labor picking cotton in addition
to the convicts; had about 70 bales Of
cotton picked. Supervisor Sherron seemed
to be doing all he could, but worked
under difficulties and much annoyed by
worn-out gin and engine, both unfit for
use. The gin was not running; stock
ade was in a dilapidated condition and
unsafe to keep convicts. Nothing but
the utmost vigilance will prevent the
escape of conyicts from this camp.
| found about $50 acres in cotton; 200
acres in corn poorly cultivated); POO
acres IN peanuts Prospects in cotton
for about 10 bales; % mules 4 colts, 4
horses, 3 colts tone year,; team generally
IN good condition.
CALEDONIA FARM NO. 1.
AT this camp found about 900 acres
n cotton which / estimate will yield 500
1ales; 1000 acres in corn, fairly Well cul-
ivated; 70 mules Of which % are infirm
md unfit for work on this farm; Is
lorses of which are unfit for work
lere, 39 convicts-1S just arrived
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