The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-02-27
Slavery n Anderson.
The Court Unearths an Out.
rageous Labor S candsl.

ton that has developed about the
prsctice of 8 shocking syetem @
slavery, contrary to the constitution
and all forms Of law The expose
| comes as the result of Negro mus
der, and the enterprise and courage
of a daily newspaper in giving the
facts
1t seems that not long ago Negro
named Will Hull. was killed While
| attempting to escape from the con
vics stookade of one Newell Newell
yss before the court on the charge
of murder 1t developed that He'll
had been arrested for violation OF a
labor contract on warrant sworn
ont by Newell, issued by Magistrate
Giimer and served by Newell and the
magistrates constable. Instead OF
taxing the prisoner to the Jail, as they
should have done, Newell and the
constable took him to Newell's stock
ade, where some Is penitentiary con
victs 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 editorialiy. some
additional facts in the case, and dur.
ing the trial it developed that Hull
vas being held 10 the stocksde under
a remarably worded contract; that
he had run away; that the msgis
trate had sent him back under the
forms of the law, and that in attempt.
ing to escape the second time, he
was shot down by Newell like dog
Upon realizing the enormity of the
whole affair, having secured addl'
tional information, Judge Benet re-
called the grand jury, gave it the
benefit of all information he had
gathered, and put in motion machi-
nery by which the slavery business
may be probed TO the bottom. His
honor read to the grand jury, the
form of a contract" that is in use
by number of prominent farmers Of
Anderson county, including some
that have no penitentiary convicts
Tie contract" begins "South Caro-
iiDa-Auderson county" and is as
follows:
ssThis contract and agreement for
labor on farm, made and entered into
this day between -, landlord,
party of the first part, and
leborer, party of the second part,
witnesseth:
s.That I, -, laborer. of the sec
ond part, do hereby bind over
and hire myself to 20 do and
perform general farm work under the
supervision of said -, or his
agents, for the period OF -
mouths, commencing and end
ing -. snd as pay for the said
services am to receive the SUN of
$-per month, together with my
board and lodging, which wages.
less -. or any advances made TO
me from time to time, sDd lost time
at per day, is to be paid By me
at the expiration Of above time. ]
agree at all times to be subject to
she orders and command of said -
or his agents, perform all work re
CURED 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 aud perform good and eatis
factory services. He shall have the
right to lock me up for safe keeping
work me under the rules and regula
tons of his farm, and if I should
leave ais farm or run away ne shall
have the right to offer and pay 8
reward Of not exceeding S25 for my
capture and return. together with the
expenses Of same, which amount SO
advanced, together with sny other
Indebtedness | may owe at the
expiration of above time, l agree to
work out uoder all rules and regula
tious of this contract at same wages
as shove, commencing and end
ing
The said - shall have the
right to transfer bis interest in this
contract to any other party, and
agree to continue work for said
assignee the same as the origiDaI
party of the irst part.
II. -, landlord, party os the
first part, hereby agree with and hire
she said - for the above time, and
pay wages as above set forth and
otherwise fulfill my part of above
agreement.
ssWitness our hands and seals this