University of South Carolina Libraries
I __ Ik ? ' s, VOl,. XVIIL KINGSTREE, S. C., THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1902. NO. 13 ! Positively No New Di IB I HIT SUCH ISTHE VERDICT RENDERED BY HIS COUNTRYMEN. * r-" kit f?vrit?W Unnrsce dented Interest Throughout ' Williamsburg County. Seldom or never in the history of Williamsburg county has a trial in court excited such widespread interest or attracted so I a rue a croA'd as lite caso of the State against Mason Davis Nesmilh for the killing of Eli Sauls at (Jades, ?S. (J., on the afternoon of February 7, 1902. which was began on Wednesday morning of last week and concluded Friday afternoon. Many circumstances combined to make this an unusually interesting case. Both Nesmith and Saul* represented prominent families in the county... The deJvndaat is a yeusg man on the threshold of his career, and as was conclusively proven frern the evidence adducled in court, it would he a difficult task to find a A * I- I ? man 01 his age wnu * wuci icijutatiou or who enjoys the esteem nod friendship ef a greater number of people. Then, loo, the powerful counsel on both sides increased the interest in the case. With such men as John S. Wilson, J. Monroe Johnson and LeKey Lee ( conduct the prosecution and ex-Judge Joshua II. Hudson and John A.Kelley representing the defense, a hard-fought intellectual battle was anticipated, atid a contest involving the clash of brilliant minds arouses an interest second only to the actual din of a physical combat. Those who expected a battle royal between the distinguished advocates were not disappointed, for the arguments presented to the jury by them on Thursday and Friday were among the finest ever heard in our historic eld "Temple of Justice." Each side ieught - - ? stubbornly tor every poinr, ana each speaker in turn was listened to with the most profound attention. The jury, which was selected at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, was as follows: J L C Moore,foreman; J D Cox, Lennie Howie, 8 8 W Courtney, W H McUhee, I L\ Mouzon, J ACockfie!d,J A8cott, It E Blakelev, W C Tutle. J Ed Coker and R B .Smith, and it is generally conceded that as a whole it was an exceptionally intelligent body of men. The evidence was concluded Thursday rooming and LeRoy Lee, Esq., led off for the prosecution. in a speech of 30 minutes Mr. Lee presented his side of the case ably and well. He reviewed the testimony and claimed that the course of the bullet itself contradicted the position Sauls is said to have taken when shot? with one hand reaching toward his hip pocket. Although at leant a score of years younger than the othtr attorneys Mr. Lee's speech according to its length, compared favorably with any of them. Following Mr. Lee came Capt. Kelley for the defense. Of late years Capt Kelley's services have been pretty well taken up with civil business so that it has been some time since he addressed a jury in a criminal case. On this occasion he showed that he has lost none of his old time vigor and eloquence and those who know him best say that this speech was one of the finest efforts ef his lile. Certainly it made a most profound impression n Doth the jury and the crowded court room, lie held ap in contrast the character of Nesmith and Sauls; a veritable host of isplay Advertisements VI witnesses having testified as to < the one being quiet, peaceable and law-abiding and to the other as vioient, quarre'some and tur- 1 bulent. Is it probable that such I a man as Nesmith would shoot 1 down a man like Sauls without < provocation? He referred several J i ' AL.. /IinliMnm'oKexrl ^AllVitnP I HIIICS lit II1C UIBIIII^Uinucu O'Jmvmvi of the 4th Circuit, whose ability ? as a prosecutor was recognized by i everyoae, and under the terrific 1 Ore of whose cross-questioning an i angel from heaven, invested in all 1 itn habiliments of purity, would I be made to appear to a human c jury as guilty of equivocation, c Mr. Kelley then reviewed the testimony. All the witnesses save one testified lavorably to ftesmith. That one exception he could account for on the ground of por- . sonal feeling and business rivalry 1 between him and the Nesmiths. I Dying declarations are only to be taken as other evidence even in 2 V A the best circumstances, in mis r case the deceased had made three v ante-mortem statements, and was besides under the influeace of ( morphine at the time. ('apt. ] Kellev closed his argument with c an effective peroratien. T Solicitor Johnson spoke next 'j for the prosecution. He made a j powerful appeal in behalf of the t dead man. The blood of Sauls j cries out to veil and his helpless v widow and six little children loek ] to you for justice. The honor of c the State is at stake and it rests v with you to vindicate it.' The im- J pression that in South Carolina a c prominent man can shoot down another and go free is a mistake, although as a matter of fact human life is too cheap here. ^ He then took up the case and gave his theory of the homicide, ingeniously lining one circum- j stance into another and weaving them into a chain, lu a criminal j court Solicitor Johnson is one of the most logical reasoners ir j South Carolina and his effort was brilliant and elaborate on this occasion. At the close of Mr. Johnson's speech, which lasted until after dark, the court toek a recess until Friday morning when Judge Hudson spoke tor ihe defense. He said he was no stranger here, having been presiding judge on his last visit. Now he come occupying a position than which j there is none more responsible in human affairs, in that it invelves < the issue of life and death. He took up Solicitor Johnson's argument and addressed himself to re- j plying to it. He declarel that there was as mnch sentiment on Mesmith's side as on the dead ( man's. He felt sorry for Mrs. Sauls and her six fatherless chil- j dren but are net the prayers of a widowed mother and the teach ins devotion of a twin brother equally as conducive to sentiment? The tacts in the case would excuse the homicide and he cited numerous authorities to sustain any legal ground that he took. Judge Hadson's speech was character ized by feeling, close reasoning and a thorough familiarity with the technical law involved. His speech took well and many of hitnf old friends here were delighted to 1 *? ? ? n t?/? tri trAf_ see mm sv uaie, u?n> nuu out and in the lull possession'Df his extraordinary faculties as a jurist. The last speech for the prosecution was made by Solicitor John S. Wilson. Those who know Mr. Wilson j are fully aware that he never ' shirks a doty or responsibility. In { this case he was, -as usual, thoroughly ia earnest, and tor nearly two hours held the jurors' closest attention, lie emphasized every point brought out in the prosecution, aid when the dead man's rill be Received, or Old clothes were produced the scene was dramatic. At exactly 3:27 o'clock the jury went into the room after the judge bad delivered his charge, which *88 clear and concise and differentiated closely between murder, nanslaughter and self-defense. At 6:30 o'clock the jury returned i verdict, of "Not guilty," and the waiting crowd began to applaud. 1'heir demonstration being nipped n the bad they crowded around dr. Nesmith and congratulated lino most fervently. Thus ended a :ase that is destined to be me rotable. ? Cades Chronicles. Mr. L. Hatchel, of Effingham, s on a visit to friends at this )laco. Mr. J. A. Campbell of Elm City, C., has been relieving the ope ator, W. A. Creech, for the past veek. W. M. Smith and W. C. Mum, if this place went up tj Evergreen Friday to take in the closing sxeriises of the Evergreen school vhich took place Friday night, rhe entertainment was given by diss Margie Righam, the efficient. eacher. The admirable manner a which the occasion was carried >at reflecled much credit on Alius 3igliam and her pupils. We se:ured a copy of the program for rou, Mr. Editor, it yoj can find pace for it. It will deubtles be >t interest to your readers. Welcome, by the school. Evening soii^ and praver. Recitation?"The Little Pet iirl." Recitation?"A Gift." Song by school ? "Hold Your iight Hand Up. Recitation?"Good Afternoon iolks." Recitation ? "What I have ^earned." Recitation?"Little Midget." Recitation?"Tight Times." Song; by school?"Scatter Sunhinp." Recitation?"Catch the Sunihine." Recitation?"Something New." Dialogue? Week's Workers." Dialogue?"P'ay'rg Store." Dialogue?"The Biggest Lie." Recitation?"The Two Little 2abes." Song, by school?"Jolly Old St. Nicholas." Recitation?"Joseph us." Dialogae ? ki Tom s Practical foke." Dialogue?"Oh! D.ar." Dialogue?"Miss Fdith helps hings along." Dialogue and sor.g--"Which lad van rather be." Song, by school -"Follow Me." Queen and May-pole dance. Dialogue?"Parting Levers." Fan drill. Recitation-"Biil Mason's Ride." Song, music and song. ~ V Tu a VUAF , J ^ ^C>n J el|f?J ijj preserves Rr. i plcklo ad R5 !C3 a thi a c.allii n? I FUSE BER?*D I 1 mmnt I u?*Tul in n dozen other a> .bout the ^ bouee. Full dtrtctloin l:i pacfca?e. gl Ones Changed, Later Tha: S5.000W0RT At 25 Per Cer We have decided to retire from thf we may devote the entire time to the ] Business, and in order to close out our: our entire stock of Clothing and Gents' We would also impress the fact upc our stock of Staple Dry Goodi Shoe: Was never mo. We will give personal attentl W. E. JENF Ma ?i i as | Patronize Hon To the Truck Growers of} joining Counties? *1 am running my Veneering Machine on full time and have now on hand 7,000 STRAWBERRY ( Am prepared to supply all deman now working from twenty-five to thirt; manufacturing Bean Baskets, Crates for Squa Vegetable raised for Si Send In your Order* and they will /D^"Mesrss. Green A Epps are my age trusted to them will receive prompt att I I A/I />C Ui u- ivi* var Observed at Outland. k? Yc Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Uhem and little daughter left March 10th sa] fer the Ivory City to take in the in? CI uueiuui:. Miss F. Edith Conner, of Char- an lesion, after spending some time cw with Mrs. F. Rhem,returned home '<>? on the 11th, to the regret of her many friends and admirers. Married, at Muddy Creek church a Sunday, March Oth, at 11 a. m., Mr. Charlie Barrineau, of Georgetown, and Miss Lottie Huggins, of nn Venters. Messrs James Munnerlvn and in L. F. Rhem of Choppeo and thi Rhems, respectively, alter pur- wa suing a business course at Rough- Jo GRAND OPENIN SPRING CLOTHIN f U A TC AMn Mi/-If k-7 /li T tr FURNISHINGS. You will find here the very newest up-to-date Suits, Furnishing Goods Hats. We make a specialty of extra-size j and Slim Suits. On receipt of your letter we will i you swatches of Suits if you are inten | in any. In our tailor department we 1 i over 500 samples for you to select your or extra Pants from. I Suits made to your measure from $15 t< ! Pants from $3 to 12. j All Mail Orders promptly attended) ~ special salesman. ' i^r Mo Birowci : GBANITE CLOTHING HOUSf i I Opposite Academy of Music. ! 224 Klag Street, CharleiUn, S. CJ n Tuesday Morning. ICL0TIDT6 it Discount. I > i Clothing business in order thai Dry Goods, Shoe arid illinery stock of clothing quickly We offef Hats at 25 percent discount m our Williamsburg friends tha s, Millinery, s and Notions re Complete. Ion to all orders sent ns. CINSON. nning. S, C. , rf_ , . , i ?i ne Industry. } Williamsburg and ad - ' <1 e at plantation near Cades, S. * * URATES AND CUPS. . .J ,ds and meet competition. Am y-five employes daily.- I am also XI tsnes ana Tor every oiner lipping Purposes. ^ a \ be Filled ok Abort 5r?llee< >nts at Lake City. All orders enention. mHAM, Cades, S. C. ep*ie business college, New >rk, are at home again. Mr. D. W. Simmons, a popular esman ol Messrs W. C. Hem;way & Co., hts accepted a si I ion with Messrs, Cook & Co. d will be pleased to serve all stomers.?Cor. Georgetown Out >k. M Vinegar as a Solvent for Glue For all the fish glues vi negar is ;ood solvent. When gluing a jce of woodwork, if any particles glue get on places where it is t desired, wet a bit of cloth with legar and rub it off. If the glue the bottle becomes too thick, in it with vinegar rather than iter.? March Ladies' Home urnal* n ,? ? m' G, ? HHft I \ - H iI a l/NF'v sult I A m \ ?jj, \ K 5? I ' 1 !, '. ' * v * s 1 '