The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1919-08-08

declined
Some folks may have curiosity how
I know so much about Florida's pris-
on farm.
have been there.
On July Fourth, I was at Starka,
Florida, celebrating independence
Day, and while there met Sim Bitch,
superintendent of this great farm,
who invited me to be his guest and
/ see and Inspect this institution.
I accepted. and am glad that op-
portunity vas extended,
There are approximately fifty negro
female convtets and five white fa
males
The white females are used TO sew
and make, clothes for the inmates
The negro females are used princi-
paIly as hoe hands, it being a welt
known fact and verified by any plant
er that negro. women are the best
hoe hands that can be found.
One negro @oman was sent about
one year ago from Washington coun-
ty to serve sentence OF seven years.
About three months after her incar
ceratiOn a baby was born to her.
Superintendent Bitch asked the
board OF state Institutions. as to dfspo-
sitiOn of this baby.
The matter was fully considered by
all members OF the board, and they
finally instructed Superintendent
Bitch to let it stay in Floridas pen
itentiary with it's mother.
All OF the colored female inmates
simply love this baby TO death.
1t never lacks for attnetion
Governor Cats was a visitor at the
same time that | was and while we
were going through the various dor
mitOries we reached the dormitory
occupied by coIofed females. This
prisoner asked the governor and my
self to honor her by looking at her
baby.
She was honored-We looked at it.
The little piece OF humanity grin,
ned.
wonder why?
After leaving the dormitory I ask
ed Sim Bitch if it were a boy or
girl
He said he didn't know
It is a dead moral certainty that
Sim "aint" got any. curiosity,
Punishment at this great institu-
ton is not often NECESSARY.
During June only six punishments
were inflicted.
There is larga auditorium for
amusement
Picture shows are given IN lis
building every Saturday night and
lectures are also held there.
Religious services are conducted
every Sunday morning at II o'clock
A minstrel show is pulled of fire.
QuentIy which the prisoners aSjoy.
The greatest punishment that can
be inflicted upon any prisoner is co
deny him or her tina privilege Of wit
Messing these minstrel or moving pie
tUre shows
There are fewer state prisoners
now in Florias psnaI institutions
than there have been during the past
ten years
Pr0hlbicionists, go TO it!
TO those who read this. remembsrt
the uatort1naoes. that are confined
and when you have book a period.
cal o. other Iterature that you have
read send it to Superintendent
Bitch. whose address is Raiford. Fla,
and thereby aid your mite that the
unfortunate man or woman will be
benefited.
Mister Farmer, or Mister Fruic
Grower, there are times when the
northern markets are congested so
to speak, and you are unable to dis
pose of your crops to financial advau-
tage
These products can be sent to Raj
ford which Is nearby or in the state.
They can oe. sect freight collect pro-
vided a tiglt-wad streak hits you at
the finish Of your generosity,
However. when you give anything,
give it right by preparing the ex-
press or freight charges.
In doing khis you will have the sat
sifaction Of knowing that you have
done a good deed and contributed
some happiness to unfortunates in
stead of letting your products spoil