The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-27

@. You say those men came here in
bad condition?
A. Yes.
DODGED THE QUESTION.
O. Do you think it was humane treat
ment to put them out TO work in weather
like that in that condition?
A. Well, they were not diseased, but
run down. They looked able-bodied
enough, but were still thin.
Q.Do you know when they were
brought there?
A. Only a few days before the cold.
@. What do you mean by few
days?
A. a week or ten days.
@. Did you not state that they were
in bad condition?
A. Yes.
@. Was Gabe Elliott put to work?
A. Yes.
q. Was that humane?
A TONIC.
A. No, Il think not. But he came
there saying he was complaining with
his bowels, and / gave him tonic
and he was eating hearty.
@. If you did not examine these pris-
oners how did you know
A. Well, / could Sc they were all rnu
down and torn up.
Q. Don't you think that was pretty
tough weather to put even well, able
bodied man to work?
A. | think it was too severe to work
anybody.
@. Under whose orders were they sent
TO work?
A. Mr.. Summerell's, the supervisor.
@. | ask you if Gabe Elliott did not
die within thirty days after that
freeze?
A. Well, | will tell you about that, He
was put to work and Z think worked
about half a day. He came over there
and / examined him and found he had
a little fever. / then examined his
lungs thoroughly and found that he had
assumption. He was put in the hos
pital and got the best treatment that
we could give him till he died in the
hospital
@. How long before he died?
A. About four or five weeks; and he
had this lung trouble when he came
there.
@. You state to this committee that
these men came there in bad condition,
as lousy as they could be; and then
you state that you did not make an
examination, but put them out in as cold
weather as ever came in this country :?
"A. | did not say that / made an ex-'
animation, but they came before me.
They were run down, and / gave them
tonics, and they We're put to work, and
then the cold weather came.
@. How many fingers did you ampu-
tate for Richardson?
A. | think l amputated all except
one thumb.
@. On both hands?
A. Yes.
Q. What is your opinion as to those
convicts, were they frozen at Northamp-
ton Farm? | ask you as a physician.
PINNED DOWN.
A. Well, in justice to every body, they
said they were cold hurt, bur do not
@. / did not ask for your opinion as
TO justice. My question was for your
opinion as a physician. You are sworn
to give the facts.
| A. | think they were frozen at North
iampton farm.
@. You think they were?
A. Yes.
@. You think if they had been cold
hurt before it would have developed
earlier?
A. Yes.
@. You stated just now that you
thought Summerell was humane man
in his treatment of prisoners, did you
not?
A. Yes.
| O. Your idea of humanity then is to
| turn men out when you say are unit
| to work, and let them have their hands
! frozen!
| A. / think there was mistake made.
Sometimes that way it may be colder
! than a man thinks.
Q.You think they did not realize how
cold it was?
A. That is what / think, yes.
| @. As a physician is it your opinion
that Gabe Elliott's death was FASTENED
| by being exposed in that cold weather?
A. 1t is possible it might have been
shortened.
@. ] ask you if in your opinion you
| do not think his death was hastened?
| A. 1T did not aggravate his trouble
so that he was confined to bed. He
was sitting UP every day.
GOOD FRIENDS.
@. Doctor, you and Mr.. Summerell
are good friends, are you not?
| Al. Yes, sir have always been.
@. You say YOU think Summerel made
a mistake in sending these hands out?
| A, | think it was too cold.
| @. DO You think it was a mistake to
hit that man over the head?
| A. think it was better to hit him
than to shoot him.