The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-10-19
CHARGES FLOGGING
IN CONVICTS CAMP


evil exists at the Sumter County
chain gang camps has been revealed
by an investigation covering several
months made by the State Board OF
Public Welfare. These camps are
under the management of Foreman
John Holland and of County Engi-
neer j. E. Jeffords, acting under the
supervision and control of Sumter
Board of County Commissioners.
On June IS the secretary and as
sistant secretary of the Board of
Public Welfare found a prisoner in
the State Penitentiary whose back
was literally covered with scars made
by whip or similar instrument. In
several places the skin had been beat
ell from his body, leaving abraded
surfaces that were raw and discharg-
ing. The prison physician stated that
he had treated these wounds and that
they had improved since the date Of
the commitment to the penitentiary
June 10, 1921. The revolving condi-
tion of this prisoners body was caus-
ed by the unmerciful whippings he
had received while serving sentence
upon the Sumter County chain gang.
After several preliminary investiga-
tions the assistant secretary of the
Board of Public Welfare in company
with three members of the Sumter
County Grand Jury visited the chain
gang camps on July 18th.
= Mr.. Brearly, in his report of the
visit says: At Foreman Jesse Hol-
lands camp ten prisoners were
foundto have been whipped so Sc
verely that the wounds still showed
upon their bodies. The condition of
one of these men was especially pitt
able; upon his back were five Or six
unusually prominent scars, indicat-
ing that the decorations causing
them had been both large and deep.
The foremen admitted having beaten
all of these prisoners.
The men at Foreman John Hol-
lands camp were also examined by
the assistant secretary of the Board
of Public Welfare. Three of them
were found to have scars upon their
bodies. Approximately fifty men
were at the two camps; about thirty
five of them were examined.
Following these discoveries the as
sistant secretary of the Board of
Public Welfare together with the
foreman of the Grand Jury appear
ed before the Sumter Board of
County Commissioners and asked
that steps be taken at once to pre-
vent further brutality. The Commits
.sseRers ordered that no more whip
ping Of prisoners be done except in
the presence and OF the instigation
Of the county engineer.
On October 7th, however, the as
sistant secretary of the Board Of
Public Welfare visited the "Cage"
at Foreman John Hollands camp
and found there a prisoner who had
been beaten so cruelty that he had
since been unable to work and was
receiving medical attention. On his
body were two large unhealed scars.
The whipping had been given BY
Foreman Holland m tie presence of
county Engineer Jeffords, because
the prisoner had not taken bath at
the time he was instructed to do 50.
The foreman of the Grand Jury
and the Chairman OF the Board of
:. County Commissioners then visited
the camp and examined the body of
the prisoner. The foreman promised
to bring the matter to the attention
of the Grand Jury and the Chair
man stated that the Board of Coun-
ty Commissioners would take proper
action in the near future.
Secretary Williams letter to Gov
ernor Cooper, is as follows:
Enclosed you will find report of
Mr.. H. C. Brearley, our assistant
secretary, concerning his findings at
the Sumter chain gang camps. Mr..
Brearley's report shows a deplorable
:. state of affairs existing there. Such
unmerciful fogging as is recorded in
tbic roport is not on1v apainSt the