Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-20
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SLAVERY IN ANDERSON.
The Court Unearths an Outrageous Labor
Scandal.

| Scandal.
There Is a big sensation in Anderson
county as the result Of information
that has developed about the practice
of a shocking system Of slavery, con-
trary to the constitution and all forms
of law. The expose comes as the result
Of a Negro murder, and the enterprise
and courage Of a daily newspaper in
giving the facts.
It seems that not long ago a Negro
named Will Hull, was killed while at
tempting to escape from the convict
stockade of one Newell. Newell was
before the court on the charge Of MUIR
der. 1t developed that Hull had been
arrested for violation Of a labor con-
tract on a warrant sworn out by New
ell, issued by Magistrate Gilmer and
served by Newell and the magistrates
constable. Instead Of taking the pris-
oner to the Jail, as they should have
done, Newell and the constable took
him to Newell's stockade, where some
IS penitentiary convicts were held for
farm work. 1t was in attempting to
escape from there that Hull was killed,
and as the case was going before the
court Newell appeared to be guilty of
no higher crime than Of the shooting of
an escaping convict. The Daily Mail,
however, gave editorially, some addi-
tional facts in the case, and during the
trial it developed that Hull was being
held in the stockade under remarka-
bly, worded contract; that he had run
him back under the forms Of the law,
and that in attempting to escape the
second time, he was shot down by
Newell like a dog.
Upon realizing the enormity Of the
whole affair, having secured additional
information, Judge Benet recalled the
grand jury, gave it the benefit Of all
information he had gathered, and put
in motion machinery by which the slav-
cry business may be probed to the bot
tom. His honor read to the grand jury,
the form Of contract" that is in use
by a number Of prominent farmers Of
Anderson county, including some that
have no penitentiary convicts. The
contract begins South Carolina
Anderson county," and is as follows:
This contract and agreement for la
Dor on farm, made and entered into
this day between -, landlord, party
of the first part, and -, Iaborer,
party Of the second part, witnesseth:
THAT I, -, laborer, Of the second
part, do hereby bind over and
hire myself to - to do and perform
general farm work under the supervis-
ion Of said -, or his agents, for the
period Of - MONTHS, commencing
- and ending -, and as pay for
the said services I am to receive the
sum of 3 per month, together with
my board and lodging, which wages,
less -. or any advances made to me
- per day, is to be paid by me at
the expiration Of above time. I agree
at all times to be subject to the orders
and commands of said or his
agents, perform all work required Of
me. -, or his agents shall have
the right to use such force as he or his
agents may deem necessary to require
me to remain on his farm and perform
good and satisfactory services. He
shall have the right to lock me up for
safe keeping, work me under the rules
and regulations Of his farm, and If I
should leave his farm or run away he
shall have the right to offer and pay a
reward Of not exceeding $25 for my
capture and return, together with the
expenses of same, which amount so ad-
vanced, together with any other indebt-
ness I may owe -, at the expiration
of above time, agree to work out under
all rules and regulations Of this con-
tract at same wages as above, COM
mencing - and ending -.
9TH, said - shall have the right
to transfer his interest in this con-
tract to any other party, and agree to
continue work for said assignee the
same as for the original party Of the
first part.
Il, -, landlord, party Of the first
part, herebv agree with and hire the
said - for the above time, and pay
wages as above set forth and otherwise
fulfill my part Of above agreement.
witness our hands and seals this,
the - day -, 189-.