The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-09
M'NEIL TOLD
 TRUE STORY DeplOrable Condition Of
 Convict Camp. DR. BRAGG MAKES REPORT Cnnfra If With Iauuiu 0c RrOc
DR. BRAGG MAKES REPORT
Contract With Jennings Bros.
 Is Revoked. :.
The Physician Inspector Tells Gov ernor That Mistreatment of State
  Wards in Monroe County Has Been Terrible.

Upon inquiry yesterday the State Ex- ecutive Department made public the report of pr. Shirley Bragg, Physician Convict Inspector, upon the result of his investigation into the condition of the convict camp of Jennings Bros., located at Manistee. Monroe County.
 It will be remembered that several weeks ago The Advertiser publish sd an interview with Benjamin McNeil os Sault Ste. Marie, Mich, in which he said that terrible conditions existed at this camp. McNeil acknowledged that he had been legally tried and con- victed of train riding. His only com plaint was his treatment by the County Convict Lessees. He was sent up from Escambia County and it is due the off, cials of that County to say that as soon as possible after the publication of the statements made by McNeil a thorough investigation of the Manistee camp was made and the contract which the County had with Jennings Bros. for the lease of convicts was can- celled.
 McNeil had served his time at Man istee when he passed through Mont gomery en route to his home in Michi- gan. He said he stopped here to re- port the matter in order that justice and better treatment should be &C., corded other convicts who were at the camp. He made a complete report of the conditions existing at Manistee to Governor Sanford who assured him that an Investigation would be made into the treatment of convicts.
 Acting upon instructions received from the Governor, pr. Shirley Bragg. Physician Convict Inspector, went to Manistee some time ago and investi- gated the conditions existing in the convict camp. His report to the Gov ernor which Is now public corrobo- rates every statement made by McNeil. He says the conditions at the Manis- tee camp are deplorable.
 Text of Dr. Bragg's Report.
 The text of the report made by Dr.. Bragg is as follows:
 Montgomery, Ala. May q. 1901. Hon. w. J. Sanford, Governor: "Sir-In accordance with your in- structions. I have visited and inspect ed the Convict camp of Jennings Bros. situated near Manistee. in Monroe County.
 These contractors do not work State convicts but work those sentenced to hard labor from the counties of Clarke, Crenshaw. Choctaw and Escambia. 'I find that nineteen prisoners are confined there and that they are now | under the charge of Mr.W. w. Brown who has recently moved from Florida and who is working them under an agreement. as I understand. with MT. Walter P. Jennings. who, he stated had removed from the State.
 "I regret to have to report to you the l conditions at this camp are deplorable from every standpoint. I found the cell to be frame building seemingly 4Ox35 feet in dimensisn. with two doors without a single window, without ven- tilation of any kind, with no provision for a water closet and as dark at mid day as at midnight. The makeshift for a bed was built on the order of trough to the side of the building, with no mattresses. a small quantity of hay to represent a bed. and few dirty blankets.
 Infested With Vermin. q further find this place infested with vermin and absolutely unfit for the confinement of animals much less human beings.
 q found no kitchen. but instead a crude shed built by the side of small stream fenced with a few slabs. a hole in the ground and few pots. I learn ed that the cooking had always been done in this manner, and certainty there was no evidence to the contrary. What was shown me as the dining ta- bic was simply two rough blanks, that seemingly were never cleaned. built In the open air without covering or seats of any kinds, and emitting an odor not calculated to increase one appe- tite.
 "From what I could learn in con versation with some of the conVlcts: there has been an utter disregard or hoth the law and the rules. governing tbis unfortunate class. Punishment, l fudge. has been severe and on the bare heck regardless of the rules govern ing this point.
 Cox Whipped the Men.
 CT examined one Ed. Ballast, and to,nd him scared from what was ap- narently the effect of a strap, which be informed me was in the hands Of one S T. Cox, whom I did not see and who is not now in the employment or the contractor. , ,,,.
 "I further found that these convlcts at times walked from six to eight miles to their work and return, ana tnls m Connection with their daily task is be- vond physical endurance for any length of time. ,,., ovts. inc at this place are not only inhuman
 "AIl of which is respectfully submit 'eN' Shirley Bragg, Insnectnr of ConVicts.