It is not an uncommon thing to see a chain gang of prisoners,
especially about the stockades. Sometimes they are marched to and from
their work shackled with handcuffs, while others are fastened with
clanking chains. There are also men to be found with iron bands or
rings welded around their necks, to which a chain is fastened with the
other end of the chain attached to a ball to prevent their escape.
These are generally the most desperate characters.
To those who are acquainted with such scenes it is shocking indeed,
and creates a feeling of pity and sympathy which calls for a more
humane treatment in behalf of the poor unfortunates. There are men who
serve almost an entire term of sentence in stocks or irons, or go to
their work in the chain gang, because of a lack of proper provision of
accommodations on the part of the state or government, or by unjust,
inhumane treatment.
Few men have fallen so low in sin and degradation, or have been so
hardened by crime, but yet have at least a spark of humanity or manhood
which can be kindled to a flame by proper humane and reformative
treatment; where, on the other hand, an undue amount of the imposition
of irons and chains causes them to grind with revenge, and seemingly
the little spark of manhood is seared over with a more hardened
conscience, leaving him still a criminal almost beyond redemption.
[Illustration: The Chain-gang.]