University of South Carolina Libraries
THE STATE DISPENSARY. [CONTINUED PROM PAGE 1. j They will have to explain. Governor Kvans. I haven't had them. Only saw them. Mr. Barber said if any additional testimony was put up, Mr. Abney would be given the opportunity to reply, with that Colonel Mixson was called. M1XSOV3 STORY. Mr. Abney: When were you appointed Commissioner? Col. Mixson: I don't recollect the date, but was elected in January, 1895. but my commission dates from February. Abney: There has been some ques firm nhnnf th? IpHpp r?f int.pnductioil from you tollubbell of It. M. Mix son. What was the date? Col. Mixson: I don't know except from his published letters and they make it December, '94. At that time I had nothing to do with purchasing whiskey. Mr. Traxler was the Commissioner and I the Superintendent. I don't know of anyintlueuce that I could have exercised over him to in duce him to buy from any oue and didn't try to. I was a candidate for Commissioner at the time. At lirst Mr. Dukes of Orangeburg was my opponent and later Mr. Traxler decided to run. My elec'ion was not a settled matter. Up to that time 1 I*ad no control over purchases, xue Jetter of introduction tolluuoell wasgiven to my nephew, K. M. Mixson. Abney: Prom favors extended to your nephew by introducing him what could you make in return ? - Mixson: Nothing. 1 was simply k. superintendent and could not aid my Kfc- nephew. Abney: Evans refers to aconver sation with you previous to your election as Commissioner. Tell what took place. Colonel Misxon: I asked Evans to lake my boy in partnership in the insurance business, and nothing was said about the purchase of whiskey. Abney: Will you state positively and absolutely whether his statement is true according to vour views? Colonel Mixson: "It is not true. He was in business in Edgefield at the time and moved here after that. I don't know whether he applied for the Dispensary insurance or not, but 1 gave it to him. I did not sacrifice the interest of the Dispensary for him. He insured as cheap as anybody else. That was done in a fair and proper way. Abney: When you first came in office what firms were being bought from? CoL Mixson: The bulk was purchased from the Mill Creek Company. I made a purchase from them. I needed some Bourbon. 1 had seen Hub bell but he refdBBd to give me 5 per r cent off. I wired him to send twenty five cars of one and two X Bourbon each with 5 off. The next day he telegraphed that he would ship immediately. On Wednesday I received a ?- * ? ? Vknsl Vvnan Idler tuab mu uau ia^OU i sent because they thought I was in a hurry, but they couldn't take 5 off. I immediately ordered them to recall shipment, but they replied it had gone too far; for me to talce it and the 5 would be taken off. I never bought any more from them because they would not give me enough per cent, off. I have never seen Hub bell's reduced figures the Governor refers to. Gov. Evan3: I pulled them out of my drawer and we talked over them. Abney: So far as purchases are concerned, were the prices paid greater or lesser than those of your predecessor? Col. Mixson: The original price was less except on XXX, which was the same. In addition on Januaay 1 the Internal Revenue tax was increas ed 20 cents a gallon, and I got 5 per cent off which my predecessor did not. He paid for X Rye $1.50 and the tax was 90 cents. I bought better whiskey for $1.45 and got 5 per cent. off. That saved in eleven months about $20,00. Abney asked whether Live Oak whiskey was in demand? There is more call for it than any other, was the reply. The board now purchases it, but I don't know whether thflv riftv th? samp Mr. Abney-Who is this man White? Col. Mixson?He is a member of the firm of White & Cramer, a supply house of Cincinnati, lie claims to have started the dispensary off. He came to represent the Live Oak Co. and maybe Peebles. Did he offer you auy inducements! I ordered two bills of goods from him. About March or April he came in two or three days ahead of Yost and Peebles. Then he told me he was getting commissions on what he sold and he would give me half to purchase from him. 1 told Yost, which I can prove by Scruersrs, that he needn't send White here any more. I would not buy from him. Mr. ttorupgs said the statement was true. Mr. Abney: Something was said about a letter from Peebles inviting jou and "friend Tompkins" to come to Cincinnati. What'-s in that? Col. Mixsou retired and returned with a letter which ho read. In it Peebles extolled tnree brands of his liquor and asked Commissioner Mixsou to buy several car loads and he would be pleased with the stuff. It wound i?n nu AvnvAooin^ iliA Iiahu tliof i J "w|'w v*mw Mi/fui nor Evans, Colonel Tompkins and Colonel Mixson would all visit Cincinnati. Colonel Mixson continuing in reply to a question said that he had never seen any letter iu which it was said that White's commissions must stop. He never received such a letter. t Mr. Abney: Did you hare any individual or partnership connection whatever which would influence or encourage you to purchase from him* Col. Mixson: No. Nobody. Mr. Abney asked did he know that Mr. Scruggs was really tho uersonal representative of the Governor, and was always on the alert, although appointed bookkeper by him? Col. Mixson: I did not. I entrusted him with everything. Nothing was kept secret from him. He opened letters in my absence and in my presence. I only knew of his trip to Cincinnati after his return. He had told me he wanted to go home for several days. A party came to see me on business which required his presence, and I tel egraphed to Greenville for him to come back. The message was returned undelivered, and I didn't know why Scruggs didn't return. I don't remember when he returned. Think it was February. My recollections of his return are: After coming from breakfast, I don'l recollect whether I went by the State House or not, but Tompkins sent for * me and told me Scruggs wanted to see ^his home. I went and he prime cf his find in Oincintftwi fla~i T*' * i I'''11J ^ ^ nati. That just knocked me up. Unnerved me. I never suspected such a a thing. He showed# me the figures. Nobody was present. I came back, and as soon as I could get off in the a afternoon Tompkins and myself went to the Governor and stated the case. E T inlrl Viim ?>vor?f 1 \r wliat ?U?rilf)WS had C' told me I hadn't seen my sons. The Governor told us to remain quiet; he'd b bring it out at the proper time, and would see if Scruggs would repot t. I think it was Tompkins who said we had reported the matter to the proper C authority, and it was in his hands. Everything was explained. Nothing ii was Kept hidden as to my connec- a tion or non connectionou with it. a Was that desk given you as an individual or for the Dispensary ? IT Mr. White said it was for me, provided I'd keep it where itcould banwii. Mr. Abney: I n February were you ci 1 r ? ? oit'Ati to W CUgU./.Ulll (II 'illy pir.mui.1 | your sou James? M' Mr. Mixson: Nothing ev-'epl ndi.v|ti mom! pin. Did you make auy purchases from b< Live Oak after Mcrugg's return. ni 1 think may be some special orders n< came in and were sent out by Brugge. When 1 discovered it 1 made him stop hi sending in special orders to them. Mr. Abney: Have you ever receiv- of ed secret commissions or rebates, directly or indirectly, had any influence rc exerted on you to favor one against anomer wmsKey nousej u? Mr. Mixson: Never. Ineverreceiv- m etl a cent. w Mr. Abney asked him from whom most of the Dulk whiskey was bought, hi and whether he had ever received any inducement from them? th Mr. Mixson went over the list. Ross Co., Baltimore, made no induce- re ments. He bought from Walters because Governor Evans asked him to. m He said their liquor was good. pi Mr. Abney: It is. (Laughter.) w Ullman. Goldsmith & Co., offered at no inducements. Bought from Francis Kelley because nj I had 2,1)00 empty barrels on hand li< and he promised to take all of them at ?1.25 less freight, if I'd buy cars of e\ one. two and three X each. IX Mr. Abney: Has anychsrge in writ ing or in tangible form ever been ti made against you of taking secret commissions or rebates and if so where is it. ? to Colonel Mixson: I've never seen any.' I had no knowledge of the oonduct of my sons. The letter of W. T. ai Mixson was read in which he confess m ed getting commissions. He had never received a telegram from J. W. Mixson from Atlanta concerning whiskey pi Eurchases. I had no connection with n< im in purchases and never received any telegram from him about such a "] a thing in 1895 or 1890. Mr. Abney: Can you tell how the w misapprehension arose as. to the tele gram as far as Mr. Scruggs is concern- to ed? Colonel Mixson: i know nothing of ki it. I don't recollect such a telegram in any shape or form. At Mr. Ab- tr ney's request Colonel Mixson gave the D board authority to inquire for the telegram from headquarters. E Mr. Abney wanted Senator Efird ex- ru amined as to the prices paid for li- w quors in 1894, he being a member of in the Legislative Committee. m Chairman Jones said that was unnecessary. The board admits that. th Mr. Williams: What amounts did si Scruggs report your sons as receiving? w Colonel Mixson: I don't recollect. I was worried. I don't challenge the correctness of his statement. JV Why did the Live Oak Company give your sons this money ? r.1 I don't know nothing about it. Mr. Williams: You know the sup- ~ position of the public. You know st they wouldn't give that money unless ai they thought they had influence. ni Mr. Mixson: They may have . thought so but I had no reasoi to think they were getting money. . BA.RBKR QUESTIONS. lr Will irnn ctafA what inrluppil VAll to ^ write a letter of introduction for R. M. Mbrson? He asked me to do so. lie knew I f. knew Ilubbell. lie did not state his 111 purpose. He may have said some- ,w thing about shipments. Hubbell was 111 a large shipper to Macon and Mixson wasn't getting any of the business for ni his road. I had nothing to indicate cs that he was going into the whiskey m business as he seems to have done. ?! Didn't know it until this letter was ^ published. Hubbell told Governor tc Tillman about it. He never told me , verbally or otherwise. j" As to J. W. Mixson's trip to Cinciu- 10 nati, he says ho went the day before I left for Old Point. I knew he was going to Cincinnati on bicycle business, tu He went to see the Peerless Manufacturing Company. When I came w back he was at home. I had been ni gone eight or ten days. 1 didn't know w W. T. contemplated going in the liqu- a{ or business. pi In his letter W. T. speaks aboutyou advising "against it." What was that? w He asked me about representing Myers, Pitts ?fc Co., Baltimore. Don t n remember whether it was subsequent tc or prior to my appointment. Never I knew anything about W. T. or J. W. k receiving money until L'crvggs told n me. n WHO OFFERED REBATES. Ditl any other but Hubbell oiler you inducements? tl White oirered me half his commis- I sion. il/ahalovitch, Fletcher ?Sc a uo. oi uincinnau onerea reoaies ^ to me individually. So did Mr. lilanck of Charleston, who said h he represented the Purity Distill- ~ ing Company. 1 purchased some after " that from Mahalovitch and Live Uak, 11 but never got any rebates. Got ad- s' vantageous prices from them. When- a ' ever they oll'ered me a bait 1 took it. d I mean by that special inducements in n prices. No beer concern has ever offered me personal or private induce- si ments to buy from them. I never had an oiler font Peebles. tl Have you ever received private or ft personal gains in purchases'? ^ No. t; i Did you ever get rebates or commis- n sions on supplies! a No. a Did Tompkins try to use his intlu- t< i ence with you to get you to purchase c from any one/ v i Only once. There was Major Mc- I Uann who was on Gary's stalF. He b 1 asked me to give him an order if 1 S could, but his liquor didn't analyze s! right and I didn't buy. n Do you know any other Dispensary a otlicials who got rebates.' a I do not. n Governor Evans next asked ques. tions. d ' Don't you remember, he asked, that b ' we discussed Hubbell' price and told n > you they were f? cents a gallon cheap- n er? r I believe we did. Ill Did I order you to buy from him 1 fterthat:1 i No. : Did I evor order you to buy from nybody? Yes, you told me to buy from 1 [ubbell, but I said I'd have my head ; ut off first. ' Wasn't that before he attempted to ] ribe you ? . Yes. j Did I ever try to interfere? j No. Ycu only asked me to buy from J !ranston. j Wasn't it about the time you went ' 1 office that White tried to bribe you 1 ml didn't you buy supplies from him ( fter wards' S Yes, i bought tin foils, corks and 1 lactones. i Wero presents of silver made you? ( j;ecicer gave me a piic'ier ana two ips. I only purchased from Becker ' hen he baited me. I told him if his quoi- did not come up to sample I'd J irn it on him. j Isn't his house an unreliable Jew 1 Duse? It is a Jew house, but good { lany.Jewsaro in the whiskey busi- ' ess. I got no more presents. Didn't I tell you i didn't want to * urt an innocent man? You might have told me .-.oraething J ' the kind. : Remember what I said about your J isignation? 1 I offered to resign but you told me c at to. I offered again and you told } e not to. Afterwards I heard you ' anted me to resign and I refused. Didn't 1 tell you I didn't want to J irt an innocent man? * I think you said something liko J lat. ' 1 Have you ever heard of my getting s ibates? a I may have. 1 have heard of Till- J an, Traxler, you and me and the 1 esent board. (Laughter.) But I'm 1 illing to swear that you never got 11 ly rebates. ^ Mr. Nicholson (somewhat indig- ' int.) Have you any reason to be- F sve the boord got rebates? 1 No sir. lleports are the same with c roi-irhnilw uihn InufhAc limini* I'm ' V*J WVV.J " "nMW" ? ? jsitive Governor Evans got none. Chairman Jones: Aren't you posive about the board? (Laughter.) I believe I am. (Laughter.) Mr. Williams: Can you state who Id you the board got rebates? No sir. You can hear anything. Mr. Nicholson: It must have made 1 impression on you since you reember it. No sir, it did not. Mr. Weston: Did the Governor exess an opinion as to your guilt or injcence? I'm not positive, but I think he said Mick, don't think you did wrong." Did you hear any reason why he ; anted to rssign ? Nothing except Mr. Tompkins came me from him. Governor Evans denied thatTompns went to Mixson from him. Mr. Abney asked was it possible to ace rumors of wrong doing in the ispensary. Colonel Mixson said it was not. ven the hands wouldn't tell when imors were out that some of them ere taking whiskey. The air seems factious with idle, meaningless ruors. Mr. Williams jocularly asked wheier he couldn't recall who cast asperons on the board, for the board ould hold him responsible. J. W. MIXSON. Mr. J. W. Mixson was the next witass. In reply to Mr. Abney's ques on about the telegram, he said it dn't in any way or form relate to quor purchases. He went through tlanta on his way to Cincinnati and opped about an hour. He never sent ly telegram and never signed his r* nta To moo ? Knf "T w " la t*U10 U UUi\Al| MM* VI ? T B. B. Evans: I saw the telegram, t was signed J. W. Mixson. I Mr. Abney: You received $090 t om the Live Oak Company. What t as that for? s That was commissions on whiskey I ippose. I suppose W. T. Mixson was n ie general agent. I collected it for \ im. I was going to Cincinnati any- r ay and he asked me to collect it for im from Yost. After he told me it as commissions on whiskey I told im he better let it alone, as it might r luse pa to give up his position and ( e lose mine. I asked W. T. whether y father knew of it and he said he c d not and he didn't intend for him r > t Have you had any agreement, un- s ?rstanding or partnership with him ^ > receive any of the commissions? r No. J I nroftn'l VtAnA inlio n Q/iPiirrnra VA. * X- TV Ulli b UVl*> n UI.II MUl w * imed. This was absolutely my only t mnection with it and I don't know t hether my brother has received any tore. He promised me not to. L ^ ent to Cincinnati to see the Southern 3 jent of the Peerless Bicycle Com- j inv. ( What about au entertainment there? I met the agent, Mr. Eckert, and f as with him all day. We went to \ 10 theatr eat night. About 12 o'clock j ext day Ireceived a note from Yost 1 call on him at the Live Oak oilice. j went there and with another gentle lan we went to what they called Co- , ey Island. Thatisall the entertain- ( lent I know of. , What about an interview? , A newspaper man called on me at ie hotel and asked me about politics, didn't know much about it but talked } bout Tillman, the Constitutional , 'onvention and the Dispensary. Examined by Mr. liarber: 1 sent o telegram to fattier Irom Atlanta, idn't send one to W. T. Mix?on; idn't give Yost any receipt for the loney. I simply handed him the s Latement given me by my brother \ nd lie paid me in currency. Father idn't know anything about it from le. ( Mr. Abney: Tell about that diamond lud. , Mixson: 1 don't mind telling, but ? tie board has no right to ask me. In larch or April Yost was hero and 1 ras in my farther's ollice doing some j ypewriting, having then no otiice of j ly own. Yost asked me to write him | list of Dispensaries and Dispensers | ddresses. I promised to do so. I x>k a copy of them on paper and j opied them on a typewriter when I , ras in Sumter and sent them to him. j got a letter asking me where I would j e soon and replied in Columbia. ] oon after he sent me this diamond hirt stud, which I wear. I expected ] o remuneration'and didn't look on it , n a UmiUa T /l/\n H lrnniir on /? a a UI'lUC, X uuu i auurr auj iiiau^ j bout any contract with whiskey men < ly brother has. Questioned by Governor Evans: I idn't tell my father about my brother j ecause he promised not to do so any ] lore. 1 paid my own way to Cincin- i ati. 1 borrowed $25 from your Sec- < etary, Q unter. 1 did have a pass over t lie Seaboard Air Line to Atlanta* which I used that far. I haven't got ne i pass now and haven't had one for a so year. Sc W.T. MIXSON. hj A suggestion was made that W. T. at Mixson be called, while the board t0 ; waited for Mr. Tompkinks, who had w aeen sent for, in order to let him th nake a statement. Mr. Abney thought it would be un- t0 find to ask him to testify to matters le had already told. The confession n( aas been made and it would be humi- w iating to make him go over it. The vi joard. of course, can do as it pleases. sa \.fter a little consultation the board lecided to hear him and Mr. Mixson m aid that to the best of his knowledge ^ lis father had never received any com- w nisaions. His father never knew his th ;onncction with commissions. Some to ,ime in December mentioned some;hing about me going in with Barney ^ fivans. He said he intended to give t0 Liarney the Dispensary insurance. I ie ]/\t<i\iniSnA/l 4/% r\ !m ? i- n n m n nnljtMn .? unci Luiucu. iu gu m it tuj my auiary ^ lad been cnl oni-half in the Superin.endent of Education's oifice. I men- as ioned the matter to Barney and also w ,he brokerage business which my fath- re sr said nothing about. I did this bo:ause I saw St. Julian Yates getting q, jommissions from the Pennsylvania W1 jUass Company. He was clerk of the joard. It put me in mind of the ^ jrokerage business. I thought if I c0 :ould get a good house my father jje vould give me the preference. I lidn't see anything wrong in it. Su While talking to Barney about it in eiT he Senate chamber he said: "Don't W( alk so loud. Somebody will hear a] rou." I talked to my father about it >ut he advised against it but didn't ne ;eem violently opposed to it. I made i contract with Meyer, Pitts & Co., nc ind Live Oak Company. My father jia old me to drop it; that he would have jn lotbing to do with anybody I had fai invthing to do with. 10( 1 never said nnythg, more about it. f0 fost was down here and when I first jn nade the deal I didn't tell him to keep af t secret. But when he came the sec- ^ >nd time I told him to tell no one? tot even my father. I had put all I lad in the bicycle business and was ce lard up for money. I hesitated to rust my brother with my secret but Tc leeded the money and gave him the re tatement. Then he told me to let it ilone. I promised ,to do so. He he >rought back $650. 1 knew the amount >ecause I was a privileged character in 1 ny father's office, and got the amount bo ?ut of the invoice book. I never talked 8 o my father except indirectly about th< jive Oak Company. My commissions ^ vere $1 for a barrel of X, $2 for XX m, ind $3 for XXX. I examined the inroica books about dinner time when tobody was in the office. I got the 13.300 odd dollars and that was all. ~ ?he last payment was in January, rr jiquor was bought in February, but I ;ot nothing for it. ~~} My father never recei vred a cent of nese commissions. Mr. Abuey?Do you swear positive y that your fathei knew nothing of it vj mtil you made your confession? . Mixson?I am under oath. . Mr.Abney?But I want to remind rou of its solemnity. Mixson?He certainly knew nothing q rom me and I don't suppose the Live )ak people told him. Examined by Mr. Barber: The ffrst money my brother got. ?he next was eotten at the Atlanta ,j Exposition, I having written to Mr. jv fost to meet me there and told him jj hat a package of labels would be ap ? >reciated. He replied that the labels vere in the hands of Harry Gilmore J? ind I could get them. Labels meant jj ash. The last payment was collected j >y myself in Cincinnati. After I got .1 ?ack my statement didn't agree with L1 . i?AOA 1 T ULU uy $OV WHICH UO UV?OU UIO. X JJUb vr: 11,290 from Qilmore. My first con ^ ract was made in Atlanta wilh Mr. ? 'eebles. I was to sell the liquor to i-, he dispensary. My father had been >uying from them and I heard him ? ay it was good liquor. Mr. Barber?Then in return for this aoney you were to use your influence vith your father, which you say you ^ lever did except indirectly. ou Mixson?Yes. uu Questioned by Mr. Williams: _ What indirect remarks did you q( nake to your father in favor of Live tx )ak? la: Mixson: Yost wanted me to get an of trder for 50 barrels of XXX. I re- B1 narked to my father a few days after Bj hat that Live Oak was pretty good 0u tuff. Everybody liked it, and if I on vas him I'd buy all XXX. lie could lot suspect anything from that. He mew nothing of my going to Cinciniati. I have collected commissions . wice since my brother advised me not 111 o, but he knew nothing of it. ffr Questioned by Governor Evans: se kVny did you think it would influence rour father to say that Live Oak was Oi rood liquor, when he knew you didn't of Irink!" h< Mixson: Well wheu any body praises ^ inything it has an effect. I made ovjrtures to. the whiskey men, telling ,hem I could influence my father. j~ ?ost claimed to be employed by the Board of Control. ? Governor Evans: lie bad nothing whatever to do with it. He assisted Hunter during the Legislature, and "V whatever pay he ?ot came from Gun- ? :er. n< 1 don't know what I did with the an noncv. Home was put in my business. rhe rest was spent?it's hard to say iow. I nover bothered the invoice jooks in Scruggs1 presence. q Scruggs: He certainly never looked it them in my presence. I don't allow my body to do that. Nicholson: If you had no perm is rion to look at the books, what right ^ nad you to look at them. You were >n an illegitimate mission. Mixson: Well, I don't know about ' ,hat. (Jovernor Evans: Who gave you ,he privilege of being a privileged per- m son in your father's ollice' Mixson: No one. ^ Nicholson said he simply wanted ,o bring out the fact that neither Col. Mixson nor Scruggs had given him T: permission and he was simply an in- ^ .ruder. tr Mr. Mixson said that when he was _ told that he had been found out he ~" tvas completely demoralized. He was in his ollice when he wrote the letter 1,0 his father. No one was with me. [ had no one to consult. Colonel Mixson being recalled said le didn't remember his son's recom- , uendation, but he only bought one jar load of XXX. Don't remember >xactly the date. COLONEL TOMPKINS. Kt Colonel Tompins was called. Mr. 3. (Vbney asked him about the letter from L'eebles asking him and Mixson to vist to Cincinnati and whether he had jver tried to induce Mixson to buy inv liquor. Colonel Tompkins: I never did. I ' . - . V - ~ , sver had anything to dowith Mixn's purchases. He then told about jruggs informing him of what he id discovered in Cincinnati. He id Mixson went to the Governor and Id him. They saw the boy alterards and he confessed. After that e Governor told me he had told ilmap and he thought Mixson ought resign. I told Mixson and he said ) would resign whenever the Gover)r wanted. The Governor afterards told me that he had adsed Mixson not to resign. I never w anything to implicate Mixson. rhen all the facts were fresh in my ma l never saw any circumstance at would indicate that he had done rong. I was willing to fiad anying, but didn't know where else to go. Governor Evans told me that ixson's boy was trying to make a ial with whiskey b uses. Hubbell Id Tillman and I told Mixson not to L him have anythiug to do with em. Mr Williams asked Mr. Tompkins a member Df the Board of Control, hy the Governor wanted Mixson's signation. The reply was the only thing the Dvernor said to him was that he anted him to resign on account of s boys. The Governor asked was ere really anything for the board to nsult about it? Mr. Tompkins said i had eiomArl cnmA nf dis ' *"b " - w . ? ? ling license. He said he never would jn a paper to license distillers. Govnor Evans then went on to say I here ^AfW A F fllA KAOM/1 A :io icw mccuuga %jl tuo waiu uuu l that was done was perfunctory. Mr. Tompkins asked whether it was cesjary to call the board together to ke away Columbia's profit. Cover >r Evans then said that the profits id been taken away before he came office. Governor Evans and Secrery of State then had a lengthy ool quy about the responsibility of each r acts af the board, which had nothg to do with the investigation and ter a time the chairman called them order. In reply to Mr. Barber he said he lew nothing of any commissions exptas to Mixson's boys. Chairman Jones asked if Colonel unpkins had ever heard anything [lecting on the presen board. Mr. Tompkins: Oh, yes. I've ard talk. (Laughter.) ^ ^ ACTION DEFERRED. ^ ^ There being no further witnesses the ard went into executive session at 30. After several hours' session, ey announced that all action had en deferred until the next regular seting in October. Spain to be Held Responsible. Washington, Sept. 1G. ?The State apartment has taken steps to have a orough investigation made of the cumstances surrounding tne Killing Charles Govin, a young American companying the Cuban revolutiony army in the capacity of corresndent for a Florida newspaper, ildavita procured bv counsel for the nily of Govin go to show that while was with a force of rebels under ijor Valencia at Corredas, near Hana, last July, a strong force of anish troops was encountered, and jvin, who was unarmed, and, it is serted, was a non combatant, surodered to the Spanish* colonel. It alleged that although be was supied with an American, passport and pers to establish kis newspaper conction, he was executed on the day [lowing his oapture, without an op rtunity to. claim and exercise his jhts under treaty as ah American izen. Cansu) General Lee will enavor to ascertain all of the facts as e bams for further action by the ate Department directly through inister Taylor, but the work is, necjarily slow, as is the case in many such affairs, because of the great OQculty experienced in securing rerts of the facts when the killing ocrs outside of the larger towns. Two Outlaws KIU0& Birmingham, Ala., Sept. 16.?Bart irasher, the notorious Bibb county itlaw, and his palv Dock Panther, it whose real identity, is unknown, :re killed by Deputy Sheriffs Henry )le and J. Bali, of this city, near erse Creek, Walker county, at dark st evening. Ever since the murder Deputy Sheriff Griffin Bass, at octon, three weeks ago, Cole and ill have been on the hunt for the itlaws, for whom a large reward was itstanding. anon aud Organs?Price* That Break the Kecorri. Times change, values drop, purchasg power of gold or silver become eater.' Look at the way bicycles are lling t .Ius< about one half old pricf Same is true as to Pianos and ftqans. See the astouishiug Pall fers just advert:sed by the great >use of Ludden & Bates, Savannah, o tttVii;r?V* Haa Konn /Irnnrw hiiainaca in e South for a quarter of a century id is as reliable as the Bank of Eognd. Pianos for only $183 that have sen $300, Organs for $57 that once Id at $85. Ludden & bates are pro essive, sound business men, who cognize that old methods and old gh prices will not win trade in these ose times, and accordingly lead oft making New Prices, which meft the ;eds of all buyers, liead their strong I. WRITE THtfM. A Miners' Tragedy. Victor, Col., Sept. M.-Chas. Moovern, Ohas. Otoolo and Cleo. Stevis have been found dead in a cabin ven miles from Victor. John Doyle id Jno. McDermot had been occupyg the cabin for some time and have ien drinking heavily. The two latter we neon arrested on the suspicion of >isoning their comrades. It I* Said That of all the diseases that allVct unkind, diseases of the kidneys ar. e most dangerous aud fatal. If this i so, how important it is that the dneys be kept in a healthy eoiuM3n." The use of Hilton's Life for the iver and Kidneys will do this. It is e "ounce of prevention" in the3e oubles. The trustworthy euro for the Whiskey, jium, Morphine and Tobacco iIa!>iU. tr further information addriws The soley Institute, or Drnwor 27, Oolinuliift, SEE HERE. IS If OUR LIVrR Al L RIG T? Ar- your Kidneys in a healthy ondithn,? If so, Hilton's Life for the Liver and Kidneys will keep thein so. If not Hilton's Life fo the L ver and Kidneys will make them so. A 25c bottle will convince you of this fact fnrt.iUrlit q ftar iviaalo if ia an owl fn 1 U tic LI ICgUimiJ ???o? Uiyuio IV 13 MU Uiu I v digestion, cures habitual constipation, and thus refreshes and clear* both body and mind. SOLD WHOLESALE BY rn? Murray Drua Co. COLUMBIA, S. C. AND L)r. E. BAEK, Charleston, S. 0 Advice to mothers. We take pleasure in calling your att?n tlon to a remedy so long needed in carry* lug children safely through the critical stage of teething, it is an Incalculable blessing to mother aud child. If you are disturbed at night with a sick, fretful, teething child, use i'itts' Carminative, it #111 give instant relief, aud regulate the bowels, and make teething safe aud eisy. it will cure Dysentery aud Diarrhcsa, Pitts Carminative is au instant relief for colic of inTants. It will promote dlgestiou, give toue and energy to the stomach and bowels. The sick, puny, suffering child will soon become the fat and froliofciug joy of the household. It is very pleosaut to the taste and only cost '25 cents per bottle, dold by druggists and by THE MUKBAI DBUG CO., Columbia, S. C. iiPianos Down Go Prices \\ \; Clean to Bed Rock. * \ < ' o < > A Revolution in the Piano and < > Organ Trade. Old Prices bur-J \ Z led. New Fair Offers that J $ Break the Record. # O o 4 > Elegant Ne* Upright Piano, only $183 o 11 Best Pianos, Old Makers, only $237 4 > , ( Mirror Toy Parlor Organ, 11 stops, $57 4 ( t * Superb Organ, Richest Case, only $63 < > 4 i Sample bargains?Our Kntire Line Reduced? 4 > 4 > Lowest Prices ever known on Standard Instru- 4 1 < > ments?TUmumuuIs of dollars saved Buyers. 41 4 1 Leaders always, we hi t the pace in Low Prices 4 ? < 1 ?Thia Ad. mentis business, better answer it. o ! I Stmt tor Ne? Special Offers, Fall 1896. o |!| UDDEN& BATES, i> 4 Savannah, Ga, {[j * > All Sheet Music at ITalf Price. * 1 J * Small Instruments at Wholesale Kates. < J ENGLEBERY RICE HULLER. Tiie only machine that In one operation will CLEAN, HULL AND POLISH rough rice, putting it in merchantable condition, ready for table use. SIMPLE AND EA.S* to niansgfi. Write ror prices ana irrmi. AIJSO (Jo'n Mills, Saw Mills, Planing Machlues, an'l all kinds of Wood working Machinery. Talbott ami JJddeil Engines and Boilers on hand at factory prices. V. O. Badham, General Agent, COLUMBIA, s. c. TWA V/"ITT DRINK BEES, LJ V/ X V7 LJ Anybody and everybody can make their own lager beer at a cost of 10 cents a gallon. Looks like lager beer, amella like lager beer, tastes like lager beer?and it if Uuitr berr. A healthful, re , freshing drink. Can be made without violating the United States excise laws or State laws. If you want to know how to make it send us 'Ji> cents for the receipt and full instructions. Address I! AY DEN & CO., Box 122, Orangeburg, S. C. BARGAIN LIST I have in stookln thirough repair , rei foltowi ng second hand Engines and Boilers One 1 2 H 1' Portable T >/.ir Engine and Boll One GBP Portable T >c ;r Engine and Bo One GBP Portable Tozer Engine and Bo One G 11 P Portable Tozer Engine and Bo One 8 11 P Portable Ooeida Engine aad B One 12 H F Portable (J & G Com?rtr A <Jo E One 8 H P Semi-Portable Ame* Engine an One 7 H. P Semi-Portable \Viod, Taber A 1 These Engines and Boilers have been Works, and are in as goo I n i'iiVtiuo: as It i:t Ing to have your ontor, I .un, Youra /XlVYttyS in BMJUK, i\ LUU CVUV U1 1 prices. REPAIRING* OK ALU KLVl>tt i: firs . ' " ! ... * . " * x A ~ BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: doesn't always meau a cliaace to get work. It's a basinet opportunity to have a ehauce to sftve njoaey ou the necessities of life. V ou can find a chance llfie that at our store. We are now offering WELCH & EASON'S PERFECTION FLOUR Superfine Quality at |4.60 barrel Beat Patent Flour at 4 25 barrel Cholco Family Flour at 4 00 barrel BEST GRANULATED SUGAR Id 100 pound sacks at -5c pound In smaller quantities at ~5^c pound GOOD GRANULATED SUGAR In 224 pound sacks at 4pound In 100 sacks at 4%c pound lu sinailler quantities at 5c poabd KICK At 40, 50, 64, 70 and 80 <?uts a peck. GOOD T0MAT0K3 In 2 pound cans at ...5c a CAQ...60C a dozes In 3 pound cans at ...Gc a can...72c a dozen PURE LAKD-BBSl' QUALITY." 50 pound cans per can $3,00 20 pound cans per can 1.25 10 pound cans per can 75 5 pound cans per can 40 3 pound cans per can 25 - COMPOUND LARD. 50 pound cans per can f2.75 20 pound cans per can 1.15 10 pound cans per can 70 5 pound cans per can 35 3 pound cans per can 25 Good Rio Coffee 18c pound Ruat- Win (Viffaa 91V* nmirul Higher grade Coffees at very reaAOtubie price?. - ? CANNED MEATd CHEAP. Corned Beet 1 pound cans 10c Corned Beef 2 pound cans 20c Boast Beef l pound cans. loc Boast Beef 2 pound cans -18.: Potted Ham, small cans, 5c can, 50c duzj* Potted Ham, iarje cans, 103 can, fl.00 dcz. Potted Tongue, small, 5e can, 50c dtz^u Dried Beef, Amour's, l pouud, 18c cau? 12.00 dozen. Dried Beef, Armoui's, % pound, 10c can-, fl.20 dozen. Teas at 25' 50, 75 and fl.00 pound. Every style and variety. We make it to jour advantage to birr your Groceries of us* Try us Get a copy of our Prices list. It is a bandy and neffsy little boob.. WELCH & EASON, UNIVKKSAL FROV1DJCK5, 185 and 187 Meeting 117 MarU<*'3tfc' CHARLESTON, a C A $25 Cooking Stove | WITH A COMPLETE OUTTTT VM ] ONLY $12.00. Delivered to your railroad 6*pet* *11 freight charge* paid. Road tMi deacription carefully. Tkia ^InM Cooking Stove ia No. ; kaa four i inch pot holea; 16x16 inck om; II inch fire box, 34 iMbM bifft; sua inch top; nice smooth nartlsf, I have had this store made tor Mf trade, after my own idea, oombistaf all tbe good points ef all lsedtsi priced ?*.)*??, and learinf eut the objectionable features. Beyond all doubt the beet If*. I Cooling Stove made, for the pete*. Kitted with 2 pots, 2 pot eoven, t sk el lets, '2 griddles, 3 bakisf ml i joint* of pipe, 1 elbow, 1 orlUf, 1 lifter, 1 acraper, 1 cake polish, 1 in* j Uta kettle, 1 shovel. We was* te ! make customer* and friends Is iwq | part of the South, for the povpasa | of introducing our business te mv people, and to renew our a?fuM- j ance with old friends. * We will ship this splendid Oeetfctg Stove and the above described ?w to an y depot, all freight ohaqpa paid, for only $12.00 whe* ?* cash eotaes with the artier. A* store is a good oae, wall ftlU, Mi will give entire sattafaettes. Ow illustrated cAtalofue *i f uirtsa Stoves and Baby CarrUgoi ini lies Address I JLi. T' I I I liiio.in vriBja*, Ay?u*r?, *.1 B JOHN A. WILLIS, I MANiiP CTLiR&K OF H Tozer Engines^ 1 paII ted sairh tin haw, and complete, tbd ler * Price |500 Casb B Her Price 390 Cash j| i ler Price 300 CastL_^B iifti" Price 290 Cash oiter - Price 280 Cash Hj Ingine aud Boiler Price 270 Cash M d Boiler ?. Prce 290 Cash H ior.se Engine & Boiler Price 240 Cash H tboioatftny overuauiea unu itwuiu m, mj possible for second hand jobs to be. Hop-^^H respectfully, Hi JOHN A. WILLIS, Columbia, S. C. ; KNU1XE-J AMD BOlLKRi. Write tot 'ROHPTLY EXECUTED.