Chain Gang

The county chain gang was organized last Monday with six convicts. Four of these were sent from the circuit court and two from the Magistrates' court, on from Magistrate Gaskins of Lake City, and the other from Magistrate McCants of Trio. The gang has been sent to work on a bridge across Lake swamp about one mile from Lake City. Mr. J.S. Howle has been selected as guard and has charge of the squad. Supervisor Chandler has requested us to state for the benefit of the Magistrates that they may send their convicts direct to the chain gang and not to the court house as it will only be double trouble to send them here. Just have them carried to the guard who will take them in hand and attend to them.

The County Record, May 27, 1897

The Right Stuff

Supervisor B.B. Chandler is in Florence today looking after the chains, guns, etc. for the county chain gang. Mr. Chandler says there are several convicts from this county who are now in the penitentiary, whom he can have brought here to serve on the chain gang, so he will not want for material to organize a squad. The only trouble he anticipates is in getting a suitable man to act as guard. This man must be made of the right sort of "stuff," and Mr. Chandler says he cannot decide upon one.

The County Record, April 22, 1897