THE HORRORS OF A CONVICT CAMP IN LOUISIANA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2130, 27 October 1885, Page 2

THE HORRORS OF A CONVICT CAMP IN LOUISIANA.

A report has just been received of a horrible butchery in the convict camp at Crew Lake, La., on the Vicksburgh, Shreveport, and New Orleans Railroad, It lias leaked out that Philip Riley was whipped so unmercifully that ho died from the effects of the beating he received, Riley, who was about 18 years of age, was sentenced in New Orleanß to one year's servitude for larceny. H e protested his innocence to the hour of liisdeath, and it was reported that he was to be pardoned by the Governor. There are about 371 in the camps, who aro employed in working on the railroad, wheeling dirt, and raising the road-bed. The camps aro under the control of Capt C. T. Husted. One of his lieutenants, a man whose heart is as hard as stone, is Joe M'Quarters, who is known among tho prisoners as 'Joe the Butcher.' It is stated' that ho whipped young Riley after he had Mien at his work, sick and faint fron; weakness, The boy pleaded with M'Quarters in vain for mercy. While the laßh was being applied four negro conyiptp jiold the victim down. Young Riley was carried from the pillory to what is called a hospital. He became speechless, and death soon took him beyond tho reach of the inhuman wretches at Crow Lab, The stories told of the horrors of the convict camp are almost incredible, but there is good reason for believing that the worst has not been told. The "Legree" of slavery times was a philanthropist compared with the convict contractor. The prisoners are worked sixteen hours a day. They are half-famished for Want of food. While the convict lives, the contractor is determined to grind the largest possible profit out of his bones; when the convict dies the contractor loses not a penny, as the supply of thiß kind of labor is at all times equal to the demand. At one place, where the Crew Lake convicts, were housed for a few weeks, twentythree newly-made graves are to be seen. Protests are being raised in many quarters against the muderous barbarity of the contractors, but the Legislature of Louisana is proof against public opinion, and it is quite likely the outrages incidone to convict camps will be tolerated by law for many years to come,

TRYING TO SELL & HORSE. " " What tfo you think of that horse ?" asked a Wall-atreet banker of a friend at: an up-town boarding stable after the close of business the otiier afternoon, as he pointed: :to a thin-legged specimen of horseflesh which a hostler was hitching up to a road wagon. . "Looks,, a trifle aged," replied the iriend, as lie gazed at the animal with a knowing look. " Whosecrowbait is that?" enquired another friond, who joined the couple at that-nioment. •: " What do you think of him ?" asked one.' ■ . : "''What do I think of him 11 fie was a respectable, plough horse once. Is he yours "Yes,":.' " What,are you going to do with him ? Sell him'to a street car company ?" . " What's the matter with him ?" Can't you tell," replied the other pityingly. I thought you understood horses. He is foundered. _ Listen to him breathe." ■ " What Korae are you talking about ?" asked another acquaintance. " That bag of bones?" "Yes," replied the owner. " Why don't you finish got a good framework there. All you need is to put the weatherboarding on, then send him around to the upholsterer's to have some hair put on." " When did you feed him last?" asked another acquaintance. "He looks rather shaky," " He has windgalls on his hmd legs," remarked one of the party, "I wouldn't give 5 dollars for him." " He's forty years old, if ho's a day," said anotlier. '' Why don't you send him to a museum?" " He's got the bots," said another, " I had a horse once that had the bots, and a horse that has got the bots ain't worth shooting." "What will you give me for Mm?" asked the owner, when the horsemen had finished expressing their opinions. " Will any gentleman here give me 500 dollars for him?" "Five hundred dollars for 1 a horse that's got the heaves ?" asked one of the party. " Why, I wouldn't give you 800 cents." " Will you give me 250 dollars ?" "Nosir," said another. "That'stoo much for a wind-broken, wind-galled piece of bric-a-brac. Why don't you have it stuffed and varnished ?" " Will you give me 100 dollars ?" asked the owner, who began to look as if was sick of his bargain, "Heisn't worth half that," said the former speaker with decision. " What will you give me, then 1 ?" " I"ll give you ten cents if you'll throw in the harness, and pay the funeral if he dies before 1 can drive him out to the fertilizer's." " Well, gentlemen," replied the owner, as he stepped into the waggon, and started to drive away. "I see I can't make a trade 'here." "That's a mighty good horse," remarked the proprietor of the stable, as the waggon rattled out of the door. " Good ?" replied the others in derision. ■ "Yes, rather." " How old is he?" they asked. " Six years old." "Yes, but he is all knocked up." " Sound as a dollar." " In bad condition, though ?" "Neverin better. Made a record of 2.24 last week." " The dickens! How much did he cost?" "Seven thousand five hundred dollars. He's a full brother of Jay Eye See." ..The next time the broker offers his horse for salo for 500 dollars he will probably get a taker.—New York Sun.