The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-07-31
They Testify Under Oath to
lnhuman and Cruel
Treatment.
WERE BUlLlED
AND WHIPPED
One Man Given 40 lashes for At.
tempting to Escape.
FIVE MEN INDUCED TO LEAVE
NEW YORK BY REPRESENTA-.
TIoNs OF LABOR AGENT TELL
OF THEIR EXPERIENCES IN
ALABAMA LUMBER CAMP
TRIAL CONTINUED TO FRIDAY.

uI Dut traction OF testimony adj
duced before United States Court
Commissioner F. w. Marsh yesterday
Is true, the condition of many OF the
11en employed at the camp of the
Jackson Lumber Company at Lock
hart, Ala, is but httle better than that
OF the serfs of Russia before eman-
cipation, and the fact that such con-
ditions could exist is blot upon the
nation ard a slap at the constitution
which declares the freedom OF aid who
live and have their being under the
stars and stripes.
In accordance with the promise
made to Deputy United States Mar
shall III. Wolf on the occasion of his
recent visit TO the Lockhart camp,
Robert Gallagher, woods superintend-
ent, and Mr.. Porter, bookeeper fog
the Jackson Lumber Co.. against
whom charges of peOnage have been
fled and for whom warrants had
been issued, surrendered themselves
to the United States authorities yes
terday morning and at II o'clock the
preliminary hearing was commenced
before the United States commits
sioner.
Six Witnesses.
Six witnesses for the government
were heard dCring the day, five OF
them being young m2l residents OF
New York city who had been induced
to accept employment with the lum-
Der company by Frank & Miller, EN-
ployment agents, located at POI East
Second Street. New York City, and the
sixth being Hungarian named
TTurich Mihaly, who is unable to
speak English. and who was secured
through the same firm. The names of
the young men are William Keller,
Joseph Davis, Harry Lyman, John
MoGinnis and Louis Abrahams. The
defense was represented by W. A.
R,ount Jr., and Scott NJ Loftin
United States District Attorney Shop
pard handling the case for the gov
eminent Emil Lester of Birmingham
president of the German immigration
Association and German Vice Consul
Rolls were also present during the
hearing. The former making copiousi
notes of the testimony
William Keller.
William Keller who stated that he,
resided at Ala East Ninth Street, New
York City was the first witness.
Keller testified that he had left New
York during June for Dockhart, Ala,
it having been represented to him by
the employing agent that men were
needed to work in a saw mill. He b.
signed contract to work for the
lumber company at wages OF $3.50 per.
day and two other young men signed
contracts at the same time In CON-
pany with several other men who had
been engaged he was taken TO a.
steamer and shipped to Savannah.
the labor agent stating at the time
that the fare was paid.
The party which consisted Of q men
was met at Savannah by Robert
Gallagher and taken to LOckhart
where witness, on the second day af-'
ter arrival, was put to work saving
logs: the name of the foreman IN
charge of the work In the woods was
Brown. Witness said there was
nothing in the contract relating to pay,
DAYS and that he had had no settle.
ment with the company either while
there or when he decided to leave.
Witness stated that he had left Lock-
hart last Saturday night. Queried re-.
garding the treatment men received
at the camp witness said:
Gallagher Had Gun.
'1 saw a man who was brought back
after trying to get away; he was
pushed into a car; it was while we
were at dinner and l had been there
about two weeks then. He was
brought back and pushed into the
door and was kicked and punched.
This happened a short distance from
where was Only one man was with
him and that was Gallagher. | heard
Gallagher say: You want to run
away do you? I'll run you away
Gallagher had revolver in his hand
I don't know where that man is now
but he was there when left. He was
a very old man and could not speak
English"
witness stated that he and COM
panion made their way to Svea when
they left the camp. afterwards coming
to Pensacola.
Tried to Escape.
Relative to the triV-from Savannah
to Lochhart the witness stated that
five of those who came with him from
New York decided to leave at Fort.
Valley, Ca, but that they were over
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