The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1906-04-12
Grand Jury Report.

.
The Grand Jury for the March
term, 1906, of the Circuit Court in
and for Holmes County, Mississippi,
beg leave to submit the following as
their last and final report,
We have been in session nine days;
have examined two hundred and ten
witnesses: found asd returned fifty
one true bills. Have examined the
State Farm and find everything per
tanning thereto in excellent condition,
as shown by the report Of committee
hereto attached. Examined the Coun-
ty Farm and have no recommendation
to make with reference to condition
and management other than is shown
by report Of committee hereto at
tached.
We have examined the County
Poor House and recommend certain
improvements, repairs. etc, AZ shown
by report of committee hereto at
tached.
We have examined the County Jail
and find the prisoners we'll cared for
and the Jail in perfect sanitary condi-
ton.
The books Of the County officials
examined by us. were found to be all
right in every sense of the word.
Having no other business requiring
our attention or investigation, with
thanks to the court officials for cour-
tesies shown uswhile in the discharge
of our duties, we beg leave to be dig
charged. R. N. GwIN,
Foreman Grand Jury.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
To the Grand Jury of March Term,
1906, of the Circuit Court of
Holmes County, Mississippi.
We, the undersigned subcommittee
appointed to visit the State Farm,
Belmont" and the County Contrac-
tors Farm, operated by W. W. Perry,
respectfully report:
Our inspections of the county farm
shows the physical condition and the
food there served, to be wholesome
and plentiful, and the prisoners made
no personal complaint to our inqui-
ries. The prison seemed large enough,
but the bedding was not as good as it
should have been.
We found that two prisoners died
this year: Will Williamson, in Febru-
airy, 1906, and Win McGee, in Janu-
ary, 1906, and that one, Allen Durant,
was killed by a guard, under the d.
rections of the raaiIS,seF, while at
tempting to attack the guard, and,
under the circumstance, to us would
seem justifable on the information we
gathered. We find that no inquest
was held over any of the deaths, nor
was the matter reported to the sher-
if. We think that the contractor
should report any and all deaths to the
sheriff and should hold inquests over
the same.
We Furthermore think that the courts
should have the power to appoint a
competent person to inspect all ma
gistrates' books and see that the fines
and sentences are just and not excess
sive, according to law.
Our inspection of the State Farm,
Belmont" shows it to be in fine con-
dition; prisoners looked well and
healthy; their sleeping apartments
excellent, and their treatment admir-
able. The buildings are large and we'll
ventilated, and from a sanitary view
are fine; their provisions are good,
and their treatment in all other re-
spects is above criticism Mr.. Ed.
Walt, the manager, seems to be the
very man for the place, as he is very
kind and humane to the prisoners un-
der his charge. The hospital was in
good condition and there the sanitary
arrangements were also good; the
buildings will soon be supplied with
good artesian water and sewerage
system. We have not heard of any
complaints nor of anything that could
be complained of in regard to the
management of this farm, MIR. Walt
tells us that he has not had a convict
to die in the last three years which
also speaks we'll for his management
AS far as our Judgment goes, it is g
model convict farm.
W. H. SUTTON,
J. 7. DowNER, Com
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