CONVICTS BURNED TO DEATH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 117, 19 May 1910, Page 7

CONVICTS BURNED TO DEATH.

GRUESOME STORY. THE LEASING SYSTEM. By TelcerapD.— Vtttt Association.-- Coayrlxht. NEW YORK, 18th May. Details of the burning of negro coni victs in the Centreville stockade, Alabama, show that the convicts had been leased by the State to the Red Feather Coal Company, and were confined in a large stockade, with armed guards. A negro applied a match to the stockade, hoping to escape in the confusion. The convicts tried to rush out when, the fire broke out, but the guards shot one of them, and the others, appalled, huddled back in the stockade. As the flames encroached the negroes made another dash for safety, and another volley was, fired which wounded •several. Many ol the negroes were burned to death while straggling through the blazing timbers. Gruesome details are given of the blasphemous shrieks andi the writhings of the convicts in the death-trap. Thirty-five were burned to death. Several were shot, and many were wounded. [In several of the Southern States of the United States there has grown up the system of hiring-out convicts — a system that has been described as "worse than slavery." In Tennessee convicts were first leased in 1870.] INTERIM DIVIDEND. NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN LAND COMPANY^ By Telegraph. — Press Association.— Copyright, LONDON, 18th May. The New Zealand and Australian Land Company has declared an interim dividend of 4 per cent, on ordinary capital, and carried forward £151,500. NEW WATER ROUTE. CANADA AND UNITED STATES. By Telegraph.— Press AsßOciatlon.-Copyrlght. OTTAWA, 18th May. The National Association of Maixurfacturers of the United States favours closer trade relations with Canada and an agreement for the construction of a new through water route from the Gieat Lakes south. A CENTENARIAN. LIVED UNDER SIX MONARCHS. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyrlgnt. SYDNEY, 19th May. A man named Perfect has died at Cootamundra, aged 109. He lived under six monarchs. RESCUE BY A LITTLE PRINCE. REWARD FOR BRAVERY. By Telegraph.— Press Association -Copyright. BERLIN. 18th May. A boat containing the Grand Duchess Marie of Macklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, capsized in Schwerin Lake. The Duchess's twelve-year-old grandson, Nicholas of Oldenburg, dived and suj ported his grandmother, who had already sunk, and brought her .to land. Ho has been awarded the Mecklenburg live-saving medal. AN ANGRY ARTIST. CAUSES A PANIC BECAUSE A PICTURE IS "SKIED." By Telesraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. PARIS, 18th May. . Jean Sala, a well-known Spanish painter, became very indignant becauso of a portrait of his being "skied" at the Paris Salon. Having failed to induce the hanging committee to return the picture, he visited the gallery, disguised with the aid of a wig and false beard, and fired foui bullets from a revolver at the picture. The shots caused a panic, and women rushed to the doors. Sala was arrested. AUSTRALIAN PREMIERS. A CONFERENCE. By Telegraph. — Press Association.— Copyright MELBOURNE, 18th May. Mr. Fisher, the Federal Prime Minister, will attend the conference of Premiers, opening on 17th June. There was a keen contest yesterday on the Hutt golf links for Mrs. Brodrick's trophy The winner proved to be Mrs. Wagg, with a score of 4 down. Mrs. Murphy was second, 6 down. For Children's Hacking Cough at night. Woods' Groat Peppermint ■ Cure. 1b 6d and 2s 6d.— Advt.