The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-10-04
VOL. xxx.
P.esentment Of the Grand Jury.

State of South Carolina,
County of Lexington,
Court of General Sessions.
September Term, 1899.
To the Hon. James Aldrich,
Judge Presiding:
We, the grand jury, beg to make
this our report.
We have examined and passed
upon all indictments handed out to
US by the Solicitor.
We herewith present the report OF
| our special committee, endorsing the
same and making it a part of this
report.
We find the cost Of the chain gang
from Jan. l to July 3, 1899, six
months, to be 1924 q, making an
average per month of s1O4.O4. We
also find the average number of con-
victs during that time to be y per
month, making cost to the county
OF sl3 81 per month to the hand,
which We think too heavy.
We find, from what Mr.. Koon, the
County Supervisor, tells us, the chain
gang is now benefit to the county,
but we recommend the ration ex
penses be curtailed, for we are
satisfied from the report of the aver
age amount of convicts 1900 pounds
of bacon in 6 months is entirely too
much.
We suggest that an average Of 4
pounds per week a convict is suf-
fcient and all other ration supplies
in proportion.
We are glad to see the Magistrates
are sending convicts to the chain
gang and not running the county to
the expense Of feeding them in Jail
without receiving the benefit Of their
labor. Mr.. Koop, the Supervisor,
reports he has worked four 80 day
and three Is day prisoners this year,
who, if confined in the county Jail,
would have cost the county $40 so
and without any benefit.
1t has been reported that the
Waters Ferry road, in the lower part
of the county, is in bad condition.
We recommend that the same be
looked after by the County Super
visor at once.
We find the poor house in good
condition, and the inmates satisfied.
We find the new barn, mentioned in
our former presentment, under con-
struction. We find the crops planted
in connection with the poor house
will compare with the surrounding
crops and that it has been we'll
worked. We also find the stock be-
l66eiIg TO the poor house in good
c0ndf}ion and we'll cared for.
There is one thing that has been
needing at this court house for the
accommodation of those parties who
have to attend court and has been
for long time. It is public water
closets. We therefore recommend
that the County Supervisor erect the
same for the accommodation of both
male and females before next Feb
ruary Court, and in sufficient size to
meet the demand. We further
recommend that the same be erected
on the south west corner of the Jail
lot. Aud that they be erected
with the view Ct being kept clean
and in a decent condition.
We have examined the Jail ard
find it we'll kept, the building is in
good condition, except the piazza
floor to the wooden part of the build
ing requires repair, this we think
should be looked after at orce.
The water supply for the sewerage
We find is insufficient, and frequently
none at all.
We recommend that a good well
be dug and first class wind mill
erected, with pump to furnish this
water, which will be cheaper than the
water rent the county is now paying
and not getting the supply necessary
We find the tables in the court
room are in bad condition and we
recommend that they be repaired al
once. We also find that the accom-
modations for the petit jury rooms
in the way Of seats are very poor. We
recommend that they be furnished
with chairs, like those recently fur
nished for the grand jury room.
Thanking the court and the officers
thereof for courtesies extended to US
We respectfully submit this our re
port. S. P. YouDginer,