1900 - The situation at St Helena.
....Reuter's correspondent at St Helena, writing under date August 11th, says :—Preparations are being made for accommodating additional prisoners on Francis Plain, a level piece of ground at the head of Jamestown Valley. Quantities of water may be obtained there within easy distance from the main stream which supplies the town. To provide a guard seems to be the chief point, and I am informed that another regiment of militia has been telegraphed for, as the present number of the guard at Deadwood is hardly sufficient. Including officers and non-commissioned officers, there is hardly one man to every five prisoners, which is the proportion necessary under the present conditions. Another 500 could easily be accommodated at Deadwood. If a larger number than this arrives before more guards can be got here it is difficult to know what they will do, as the present guard cannot be split up for duty in two places unless the guard which accompanies the prisoners is detained. The prisoners are having an unenviable time at the camp just now. Up to a month ago the present year has been unsurpassed for mildness of weather and absence of rain, but for the past four weeks we have had rain every day, accompanied by high winds. As may be imagined, it is very cold and bleak on an open, unsheltered place like Deadwood, and consequently but little is seen of the prisoners, who prefer to keep their tents. The amount of traffic has converted what was once a green sward into a lake of slush, and everywhere one sinks ankle deep in it. As soon as the weather settles it is intended to shift the camp. Deaths from fever and pulmonary complaints are rare now, but two deaths have taken place since last mail—one from heart disease, and the other—an American—from apoplexy. There are not many in hospital now, and nearly all of them are convalescent, and will be returned to camp in a short time. About eight or ten Boer prisoners (Europeans) are permitted by the authorities to go to their respective homes on condition that they do not return to the Transvaal. They have booked passages by the coming mail.
The Evening Telegraph [Dundee], Wednesday 29th August 1900
