The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-12
DEATH PUT END
To HIS SENTENCE
MINISTER-CoNvICT DROWNED
WHILE WADTNG IN THE VERNON
RIVER WITH ANOTHER.

Rev. It. o. McSiem, COIOred, Sank
Before Help Could Reach Him.
Had Been Given Permission to
Wade and stepped Out beyond
His DeptII--DrONvning Occurred
Yesterday Morning-Actfng COrO-
ner Naughtin Gave Permission to
Bury the BOdy-Remains Inferred
on County Farm.
Rev. T. O. McSiem. a colored
preacher doing time on the county
chaingang for bigamy was drowned
shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing at point directly opposite the
seven mile post on Wylly avenue.
As soon as the accident occurred
the guard in charge of the gang on
which McSiem was working hurried
to telephone and notified Supt.
Chaplin, and the commissioners office.
Word was at once sent to Acting Coro-
ner NJ. Naughtin. AS soon as Justice
Naughtin was informed that there had
been several witnesses to the accident
he gave the order for burial and Nc
Stem was buried in the afternoon on
the County Farm.
The inquest will be held this morn
ing. The stories of the convicts and
guards who witnessed the drowning
all agree that the death was purely
accidental. and the carelessness of
cident. The prisoner sank, and be-
fore help could reach him, death had
ensued.
McSiem, together with a number of
other prisoners, was employed in load
ing shells that are to be used for
paving Wylly avenue. The gang had
worked hard during the morning and
shortly after 10 o'clock there came a
lull in the work. McSiem and an
other convict went to the guard and
asked permission to go into the water
and wade about. This was granted
and the two men started off.
Got in over Depth.
The two men waded about near the
shore for some time and appeared to
be enjoying the water highly. Despite
the fact that the chains were on both
men, they grew careless and began
wading out further and further from
the shore. The prisoners were among
the best of the convicts and compare
lively little attention was paid to them
by the guards, as there was no danger
of their attempting to escape.
Suddenly McSiem took a step a bit
too far forward and disappeared. His
companion screamed for help, as did
several of the convicts who were sit
ting on the bank. Without delay the
attempt to rescue began. The convict,
however never rose after first sinking,
and when the body was finally recov-
cred life was extinct.
The body was stretched out on the
bank and every effort made to revive
the man, but without avail. The
superintendent and the acting coroner
were then notified of the accident and
shortly after the permission to bury
the body was given.
Under Sentence for Bigamy.
Rev. T. c. McSiem was under SEN
tence for bigamy. He had been con-
victed nearly a year ago. but appealed
the case and furnished bond. He was
then released until the Supreme Court
gave its opinion. or affirmed the judg-
ment of the lower court
Chief Deputy Sheriff T. ]. Sweeny
re-arrested McSiem on a Sunday night
Immediately after he had finished a
sermon. The preacher recognized the
officers as they entered his church
and shortly after concluded his SER
mon and went to Jail again. He was
sentenced in June last to serve twelve
months on the changing. He had
worked out but two months of this
when he was drowned.
During the two months that he had
been on the gang the minister biga-
mist has been an ideal prisoner. He
has worked faithfully and has been
carrying on religious work among the
conNicts after working hours.