Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-05-07


general condition in the peniten-
as | have found them.
am well pleased with the ex-
cellent beginning made on ali
our farms this season; practical
ly all the cotton and corn is
planted and is coming Up nicely,
and quite a lot worked out.
| have spent the greater part
OF last month on the Parchman
place, and have tried to get in
touch with the convicts and their
keepers, so "a to famiIiarize my
self with their conditions and
methods the better TO understand
their numerous needs and wants.
The thoroughuess with which
| have gone over things here has
convinced me that our present
system would be hard 10 improve
upon. and believe that | have
the situation fairly we'll before
me.
Parchman plantation is a great
big proposition within itself. more
than one man can well handle.
In taking over the supervision OF
the penitentiary for a short time,
at the request of the superinten-
dent, have been enabled to see
more intimately the inner work
ings of the institution, aud am
struck with astonishment at the
amount of painsiaking care and
attention that DR.. Gathings has
given this immense business; in
short it is marvellous TO me that
he has engineered and accom-
so many improvements
on this vast estate in the face of
great and continuous obstacles
and opposition.
Here we have 1900 acres of
the finest fertile land. nearly all
under cultivation. split up into
.welve farming camps. besides
he gins, brickyard, saw mill.
hospital. building gangs, "a well
As a camp especially set aside for
The women, each under a sepa-
tate sergeant aud his assistants.
l have made 4 special point Of
mixing with the prisoners. going
from camp 10 camp talking to
groups and individuals, inviting
condolences. and find few COM
plainants; at the majority Of the
camps. none.
There are about 400 negro
convicts here who, as n rule are
IN good condition, living to-day
much better than a great many
free folks.
The building crews are busy at
present erecting a new commits
sary Of brick to replace the old
one recently destroyed by fire.
and the w-rk will be pushed
rapidly to completion, and is To-
Gated much more convenient to
the depot than was the old one.
Mr.. Maxwell, our c~ommissary
is a most efficient officer,
constantly and untiringly on the
Job. His work has been done, so
far. under rather rough circum-
stances because his office and
storerooms are Temporary affairs,
nevertheless you will find him
unfailing in good temper and
courtesy under most annoying
conditions.
We are having q great deal oil
trouble due to goods and supplies
falling short OF samples submit
ted to us, and therefore recon
mend that in the future we con
fine our purchases to the NOR
reliable firms, people who vii
deliver just what they sell aceor
ding to sample
The last fire sustained at tn
Parchman farm destroyed gi
No 1 right at the depot. and wa
a bad loss of about $4,000. TIL
fire occnred about 3 p. m, o
Sunday April 10, 1911, and 5
Ear We have not been able 10 &c
count for its origin.
\ few escapes occurred durin
April. but the negroes we're a
! recaptured aud returned in sho
( order to their respective camp.
: There Is very little sicknei
among the prisoners. and Il
stock on this farm IS doing vel
y we'll indeed.
At the Rankin farm | four
: everything in fine condition, Il
inmates healthy and busy, u
measles having disappeared az
> not a man reported sick. As
3 treatment heard no complai
whatever, beyond the fact that
good many expressed a desire
: be pardoned, and from what
can learn, in some OF these case
. IL would be an act OF mercy To
lp them 90 home.
Mt The cages, dining rooms a
Kitchens all seem very clean al
in a sanitary condition, a
Judging from the cooking goil
on these Rankin folks are W
9, fed. Along with other growi
crops, inspected a fine oat Gre
and was pleased to note ii
il farming was progressing all aIo
the line.
Go The stock was in good conc
:; ton, cattle improving and q
a ting in good shape. | saw
,ts herd Of good looking you
:. calves. The new cattle bous
of Mr.. W. j. Davis Of Jackst
and Mr.. 2. Fl. Anderson of He
N. Springs are all doing we'll.
,r- This farm is ably managed
oh Sergeant Z. J. O'keefe.
At Oakley farm in Kinds cot
ty We have two camps, a hosp
On camp and a mixed farm. !
o. later, under the management