The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-21

for exercise They are controlled 10
white guards, most OF whom are young
men or boys who receive an average wage
Of $50 to s25 monthly. The eonvicta 60
out to work in squads OF ten or dfkesn
men ench. accompanied by armed guards
in the proportion OF one to each four OF
five Of them. There is also a mounted
guard at the head Of each squad; while
at the head OF each camp is q eaptalh.
holding supreme authority, subject only
to the supervisor or manager. During
the day he rides from one squad to
another to superintend the work. Owing
to the wide areas In which the operations
of the various camps are carried on, the
laborers often work several miles from
their stockades. They start out at day
break, accompanied by their guards. car
rying their dinners with them, and dc not
return till dark
typical convict camp Is that ae Ui-
mer. two miles from Largo. on the west
coast OF the peninsula. where 80 or 80
convicts are employed All Of these wear
the regulation stripes. except two TRUSTEES.
stiller's assistant and an old driver. IN
spite Of their servitude, the lot OF these
men is by no means uncomfortable. ana
they are far better OF in health and SUI
roundings than they would be in a penl-
Tertiary Their diet consists OF wheat
and corn broad, beans, vegetables ana
one pound of bacon or a pint OF syrup
daily for each. Tobacco is supplied them
by the company. and two or three times
a month a hog Is killed for them. A bar
Der Is employed from among their num-
Der at a stipend of s. month. On Sun
DAYS they receive comparative freedom.
not only OF the yard within their stock
ade. but OF the camp itself, where, 90
long as they do not stray beyond the
watch Of the armed guards upon the plat
forms at opposite corners Of the stock
ade. they may roam at will. Some hive
guitars and mandoIins. and card games
are INDUCED in. By good behavior they
can gain 50 days a year on their sen
fences. Efforts at Communication are made
in the case of deserving prisoners. Upon
the expiration OF his sentence each man
receives SO and suit Of clothes
The laws OF Florida give excellent pro
lection to these prisoners. Flogglng, the
only method of controlling the unruly. is
permitted to. be inflicted al the discretion
os the captain OF the guards. but Is rarely
resorted to. and then only in the case OF
a convict who IS tnsubordinate or refuses
to work. At the Timer camp It Is In
hIcted In an Informal manner with a
broad leather strap. which leaves no scar.
Elsewhere more rigorous means are said
to be in use. An excellent provision lies
IN the appointment Of state inspectors,
who appear unannounced at Irregular IN
tervals and question each prisoner 10
turn. while the guards are ordered to
stand OF out OF hearing.
With such opportunities. attempts at
escape are made occasionally, but they
are almost uniformly unsuccessful The
actual dight has frequently succeeded.
for it IS easy to etude the guards while
passing from tree to tree. In such cases
bloodhounds, which are bred in the camp.
are set on the trail Of the fugitive; his
photograph and a notice OF reward are
posted in 800 cities Of the country, anu
his stripes. which are conspicuous. render
his prompt recapture almost certainty.
VICTOR ROUSSEAU.