The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-19
WHAT THEY SAY AT ANSON
MORE OF SUAIMERELI'S BRU-
TALITY REVEALED.
OFFICERS AND coNWcTs CONDEMN HIM
Reinhardt, Supervisor, and Blake, Steward, at
Anson, Tell Investigating Committee
that his Character is Bad. Off
for Halifax Farm,
for Halifax Farm.

for Halifax Farm.
Wadesboro, N. c., Sept. 1S.-(Special.)
The special committee appointed by
the Legislature to investigate the con-
dition and management of the. State
penitentiary met today at Arson farm,
near here, and resumed the examination
of witnesses. Eight witnesses were ex-
amined, as follows:
r. F. Reinhardt, supervisor; G. r.
Blake, steward; e. S. Ashe, physician,
and FIVE convicts who had spent some
time on Northampton farm. The taking
of this testimony consumed the whole
afternoon.
Supervisor Reinhardt testified as to
certain details in the management of
his farm, and told some secrets in re-
gard to political deals whereby efficient
men We're turned out and inefficient
ones put in. Steward Blake's testimony
and also that of DIR. Ashe dealt entirely
with the condition and management of
the farm under Reinhardt. All five of
the convicts, two white and three color
ed, told of the brutality of Summerell:
how they had both experienced and
seen it while serving under him. Not
one of them had good word to say
for him, and all expressed the greatest
horror of ever having to return to his
farm.
The tales of cruelty related by some of
them We're horrible. Both Reinhardt
and Blake gave Summerell a bad char
acter.
The committee left tonight for Hall
fax farm, where they will take testi-
mony Wednesday and Thursday. Thurs
day night they will return to Raleigh,
and spend Friday and Saturday there
examining witnesses and inspecting the
penitentiary.
The investigation today, certainly so
far as the convicts We're concerned, was
a surprise Not even Supervisor Rein
hardt had been notified of it, and it was
ascertained by questioning each convict
that he knew nothing of the committee
or its purpose None of theIh had ex-
pected to be called on for evidence and
no one had talked with them as to
what evidence they should give.
They We're taken separately, no wit
ness knowing what testimony the others
had given, and yet all told substantially
the same tale of horror on the North
ampton farm. As to Reinhardt they
were all-convicts aud employees alike
unanimous in declaring his adnlinIstra-
tion a good one, both as to his treat
nent of convicts and his business man
agement of the farm. The committee
tonight expressed themselves as very
much gratifed at the excellent showing
this sfarm has made.
SUMMERELLS BLOODY RECORD. /
The first witness examined was 7. 4.
Britain, a white man, sent to the pent.
tentiary from Catawba county A year
and a half ago for larceny. He was
first taken to the central prison and
then sent to the Northampton farm. OF
which Summerell is supervisor.
''Were you ever punished thereY
Several times.''
'Who whipped youT"
"Summerell or the overseer with
Summerell's permission"
The first time, Britain said, was a
few days after his tBritain's) arrival.
He was hoeing peas. Summerell didn't
like the manner in which he was doing
it. and jumped out of the cart and
fogged him severely.
Had he said nothing to you?'
Yes, he had whipped several near
walking forward chopping; he told me to
walk backwards | was little behind
TOO"
The next time, Britain said his pun
ishment was eight lashes for cutting
ZIP a hill Of cotton accidentally And
the third togging was to punish him
for talking while at work. This was
violation of prison rules, but Britain
said he didn't know ii, as he had never
read the rules or had them read to
hlm. He received twenty-five Iashes
this time, the leather strap bringing the
flood.
He said he believed was planning
to run away. but if / did so I'd go with
sore back"
THE fourth whipping SummerelI gave
me I've always considered the most
outrageous. When | first went to the
penitentary / worked in@the shirt fac
tory under Mr.. Mott. Soon after |
got TO Northampton Mr.. Mott came
down and was, in company witt, Mr..
Summerell and the steward, looking
over the farm. lie came up 10 where /
was and Mr.. Mott spoke to me and be-
gan talking. | answered as politely as /
knew how and they all went on. Next
morning after Mr.. Mott had gone Sum
merell called me up and struck me
fifteen lashes for talking to him. 1t