Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ment placed him any nearer to Gibson. His movement was from the window towards the corner of the steps. There are three steps and Gibson was on the top one. The movement of. Sutton put him 110 further away from Gibson, nor do I think it put him any nearer. When Sutton made the movement, Gibson fired at him, and Sutton fixed for firing too. Hay worth was above the steps, G or 7 feet from Gibson. 1 did not observe Hayworth after the shooting. He had passed the steps, going up street. Gibson kept his eye on Hayworth. After the words between Gibson and Sutton, I took my eye off of Hayworth and took no further notice to him. Sutton and Hayworth were on each side of Gibson, each one five or six feet from him. Cannot tell the position of the hands of either Gibson or Sutton at the time Sutton moved from the window. It was but a short time between the two first shots. I saw four shots and heard three more in the post office after the parties got inside. Gibson was on the step when he fired, and also when Sutton fired. I could see a part of Gibson's body when he fired the second shot at Sutton. Redirect. When I first noticed Hayworth he was walking by the steps. When I last saw him, he was walking with his back towards both Gibson and Sutton. The uistol shots were fired in rapid succession. Mrs. Alice M. Cakothers, sworn. I saw this difficulty. I was in Durante store, in tort Mill, on the day it happened. Hearing the noise of the parties, 1 looked out. They were quarreling and cursing. Gibson was standing on the post office door. Heard him call Hayworth a d?d rascal, and said there were more around there, turning towards Sutton as he made the remark. Sutton asked, "Do you mean that tor me V" Gibson replied: ' If the shoe fits, you may wear it, "and he immediately fired at Sutton. My husbnml^war: in the store with me at the time. Cross examined. I was not married at that time. The gentleman whom I married was in the store with me. My maiden name was Alice , M. Paul. I saw Gibson talking to Hayworth. Hayworth was between Mr. Mills1 door and the post office door. Gibson was in the door, he and Hayworth facing each other. Gibson turned from Hayworth and looked in the direction of Suttoii, when he made the remark that there were more d?d rascals about here. Before Gibson turned round, Suttor was standing at the window of the post oftiee, his hands upon the window. When he made the remark about there being more rascals around there than Hayworth, he turned his free towards Sutton, looking down in front of Su tton on the street. When Sutton asked, "I)o you mean that for me?" Gibson replied: "J.f the shoe fits, you can wear it," and he fired at Sutton. Sutton was standing with his right hand on the window when Gibson made the remark. He did not move out from the window while I remained in the?door. At this time I was living on Pink Warren's place. On the evening of that day I did not tell R. Warren that Sutton fired first. I never told any one that Sutton fired first. In speaking of it afterwards I said that Gibson fired first. I am not related to any of the parties. Redirect. I am a native of this county, but now live in Lancaster county. When Sutton turned towards Gibson he left one hand remaining on the window sill, turning his face inwards Gil>son. When Gibson fired, I went into the house. In his talk with Hayworth, when Gibson made the remark about other d?d rascals, he turned and looked towards Sutton. By the Court. I saw Gibson draw the pistol, his left hand against the side of the door. Sutton stood with his hand on the window until Gibson fired. D. J. Carotiiers, sworn. I was in Durant's store at Fort Mill at the time of this occurrence. I am now the husband of Mrs. Alice M. Carothers. I saw Gibson standing in the door of the post ofiice. Heard him call Hayworth a d?d rascal, and say "there are more d?d rascals around here than you," turning his face towards Sutton as he made the remark. I don't know what Sutton had said before Gibson shot at him. After explaining the position of Gibson, while in the door, at the time of firing, the witness said he saw no more of the matter as he turned back into the store. Heard several shots, but saw no more of the matter. Saw no weapon in Hayworth's hand?did not see him with a weapon of any flihgQB tlirrp(j towards Sutton when he Cross examined. ir~?I ?? the post office steps when I first noticed him. He was stepping off slowly from Gibson, going up the street. Was perhaps ten feet from the doorstep, on the pavement. Gibson was on the steps. .The pavement is about eight feet wide ora little wider. (Illustrated the relative positions of Sutton and Gibson.^ Sometimes they looked at each other. Witness could see Gibson. Hayworth was above the steps?up the street?from Gibson. Hayworth's side was rather to Gibson's, as it api>eared to me. I did not notice where Sutton was standing at the time I sj)eak of Hayworth's position. Hayworth's right side was towards Gibson when Gibson made the remark about the d?d rasr-jils. Hp said it to Havworth. as I thought, because he was quarreling with Hayworth. The remark was to Hayworth ; hut as he said it, he turned towards Sutton. At the time of the remark, Sutton was standing at the window. I can't say what were the words that passed. Heard Sutton ask if the remark was intended for him. Sutton, when he asked the question, was standing at the window, at the end or side of the steps. He was about foment the window. I did not set what Sutton done. He did not go around to the front of the steps until Gibson fired. I did not notice the position of Sutton's hands before Gibson fired. Don't know whether they were in his pockets or not. Sutton's left side was next to me. I expected to see Sutton fall when the pistol fired. I am prepared to say that Gibson shot before Sutton shot, and that Sutton did not fire when Gibson fired. Sutton was facing Gibson. W. A. Mills, sworn. I now reside in North Carolina. Was living in Fort Mill, and was a merchant there, at the time of this difficulty. My store was twenty feet from the post office, on the same side of the street. I saw a part of the difficulty; saw Hayworth and Gibson quarreling. I was in iny store at the time. Hayworth was coming from towards Durant's store in direction of mine. I saw Gibson at the drug store. He was comiug down the street, or rather across the street. Hayworth was almost at my store before Gibson started across. They had some words, after which Gibson got u]K>n the post office steps, and then said he had been run over or imposed upon enough, and made some remark about rascals. Sutton then asked him if he alluded to him. Gibson replied that he did, if he took it up, and then fired at Sutton. (Witness explained, from diagram, position of buildings.) I went into my store after the tiring. Gibson stood up in the post office door, his right hand behind him, under his coat. When Sutton moved around, and asked the question, "IX) you allude to me ?" Gibson, replying, fired. Cross examined. Explained again, to coun' sel, from diagrams, position of buildings. Gib son was on the pavement when I first saw him, but when I had taken my eye from him, he had made a few paces towards my store door, where 1 was standing. My store is on an exact line with the post office. Gibson was on the top step, leaning against the door facing. The first of the conversation I heard was Hay worth asking Gibson when would be a sale. Gibson referred hitn to a notice on the door of the post office. I thought there would be a row and paid but little attention. I don't remember hearing Hayworth calling Gibson a d?11 rascal. After Gibson had got 011 the stejis I heard words. The post office door is twenty feet from my store. Hayworth stood sometimes facing Gilison, and sometimes with his side to him. At the time of Gibson's remark Ilayworth's left side was towards Gibson. "When I first saw Sutton, he was standing by the window of the post office. Gibson was then on the upper step. I don't remember whether Sutton was leaning omthe window, or looking in. I did not see him step forward. I could see Sutton plainly when Gibson fired. Sutton's hands were down when he turned round. I don't know that he went any nearer to Gibson after the first shot was fired. Sutton fired after Gibsou. Sutton saw Gibson's pistol and then drew his own. Sutton commenced to draw his pistol before Gibson fired. Gibson drew his pistol and fired immediately. Gibson's position on the upper step was rather between me and Sutton. At the time Sutton drew his pistol, he had turned around, but did not walk towards the front step. I don't recollect of having said to R. Young that I did not see the difficulty ; I did not say so. When lie came to summon me for the preliminary examination, I did not say that I did not see the difficulty; but said I did not pay much attention to it, as I was in the store a part of the time, and I suggested that he could get other and more competent witnesses. I did not say I was in the house and could tell nothing about it. I told him that I saw a little of it, but was inside the house a part of the time, and could not tell very much. Redirect.?I saw II ay worth as he came across I the street. I did not see him have a weapon at I any time. Richard Young wanted me to go 1 before the coroner, and I told him that 1 wit nessed but little of the difficulty, and that he ! could get witnesses who knew more than I, i and asked him to let me off. I Adam Morrison, colored, sworn. .1 saw a i part of this difficulty. I live with Mr. W. II. I Stewart, and accompanied him to Fort Mill on ' that day. The first I saw of the difficulty was Gibson and Hay worth quarreling. Heard Gib! son say that he had been abused and trampled i upon by low down ;>eople as long as he expected to be; that there w'ere a ?ood many d- -d j rascals standing around. Sutton, who was j standing by the window of the post office, I asked if the remark was in allusion to him. i He replied, ''If the shoe fits, you can wear it." j He then fired at Sutton. Sutton then fired at | Gibson, and Gibson fired a second time, which | was the last shot I heard. I did not see where Hayworth was standing at the time Gibson fired. I had noticed Hay worth walking round and about Mills' store door. I saw no weapon in his hand. I was not exceeding forty-five feet from them. I am certain that Gibson j fired the first shot. I was looking right at Gibson. Cross examined. Hayworth was walking back and forth close to the post office, quarreling with Gibson. He was twenty-five or thirty feet from Gibson, when Gibson made the remark that Sutton took up. ITe was pretty much on the side of the street that Gibson was .y/.Ta?i.V'1 ^a^YJ^t,lj where he was standing when Gibson made the 1 remark ; Suppose he was twenty-five or thirty feet from Gibson. Sutton was at or about the window below the post office door. Gibson made the remark to Hayworth. He and Hayworth were quarreling. Can't tell exactly in what position Hayworth was to Gibson at the time Gibson made the remark. I know he was walking back and forth. To the best of my judgment Sutton was standing in front of the window with his right arm on the window. When Gibsou made the remark, Sutton turned slightly off from the window. I did not see Sutton draw a pistol. I was opposite the post office door. Sutton fired as soon as he could after Gibson fired. Gibson fired as soon as lie drew his pistol. a i \r a sii>i>Tv*no uwnrii T saw a nart of il Li ? .V k.-i mil vuj v ?? v? <* ? ? . ? tthis difficulty. On my way to the post office, for my mail, I heard loud talking at the front of the office. When I had approached nearei the steps 1 heard Gibson say, "I am tired of being run over by so many d? s? b?." 1 heard Sutton ask the question, "Do you mean that for me ?" As Gibson replied, 1 saw him moving his hand as if drawing a pistol. 1 had passed inside the door before any shot was tired. I was on the top step, or inside the door when 1 saw Gibson's pistol coming from his pocket. The tiring was almost immediately after I saw Gibson drawing his pistol. I think I saw Hayworth walking on up street. Heard only the words between Sutton and Gibson. Cross examined. When Gibson made the remark to Hayworth I paid no attention to it: don't recollect the words, only that the d? lie was used. I heard Gibson make the remark in regard to being tired of being run over, &e. Then Sutton asked, "Do you mean that for me ?" Gibson was facing theopposite side of the street. When Gibson began to draw his pistol he had not got the sentence of his reply to Sutton completed. As I went in, I passed Gibson's right. His right side was towards Mills' store. He was in front of the door. I did not observe Sutton particularly. He was standing in a careless attitude against the window, but I took no particular notice to him. After I got inside the post office 1 thought a ball went close to my head when the shooting was going on. Redirect. I was close to Gibson when he began to draw his pistol. I was behind, or had passed him at the time he tired. Gibson was standing on the steps when I first saw him, I think his hands in his pockets. I saw him draw his pistol from his hip pocket. Geokge G. Griffith, sworn. I live in Charlotte, X. C. 1 saw some of this diniuuit^j 1 am a traveling salenniilTI ii'lfl / nl i'III 'Iim in " rence. I had called in at Belk's store, and from there started to the post office to mail a postal card which I had just written. When I had reached about half way between Belk's store and the post office I heard Gibson make the remark in reference to other d?d rascals. Sutton was standing against the window, and asked, "Do you mean that for me ?" 1 can't say who tired first. Gibson was on an elevated place and my eye was on nun, inougn i cain say which fired the first shot. L was, I sui>I>ose, twenty-five feet from Gibson when he fired. Cross examined. Hay worth was about in j front of Gibson, three or four feet from him. when Gibson made the remark. He addressed the remark, as I thought, to Hay worth. Gibson then turned to Sutton after Sutton asked if the remark was intended for him. Sutton rather turned when he asked the question. I did not see his hands. I heard Gibson say something like, "Don't crowd me," after he turned to Sutton, and before shooting. After that the firing commenced. Sutton changed his position from near the window when he addressed Gibson. jRedirect. Gibson looked towards Sutton when he made the remark. Wm. II. Stewart, sworn. I was crossing Main street, near J urant's store, when I saw Ilayworth passing up the street, eight or ten feet in front of the jkisc office. Gibson was on the steps of the post office, and an angry conversation was going on between them. I heard Gibson say, "Don't put your hand on me," or "Don't crowd me," and about that time he drew his pistol and fired. Then a pistol fired below. I saw no more. I reside near Fort Mill. I have known Sutton for twelve years. I lis general character is that of a i>eaceable, quiet, good citizen. Cross examined. Jay worth was in front of the post office steps, eight or ten steps from Gibson, when Gibson made the remark. My attention at the time was not directed to Ilayworth, but was attracted by Gibson's remark, and 1 was looking at him. The quarrel was between Ilayworth and Gibson. Ilayworth was about in front of Gibson. When these words were passing, I did not see Sutton, nor did I see him fire. I heard Gibson say, before he tired, "Don't crowd me." The shots were close together, and I can't say which was first. A. R. Banks, sworn. I reside at Fort Mill. I know the prisoner, Sutton, and have known him since 1870. He is a peaceful, law abiding citizen. He went to school to me in 1870, and maintained the character of a studious, orderly young man. S. J. Ormand, sworn. On the 9th of November, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, I went into the post office at Fort Mill where they were assorting the mail. As I went I saw Sutton coming up towardsDurant's store. I heard loud words, and someone ask, "When are you going to have that sale?" Ilayworth was in front of Mills' store, and Gibson was approaching in the direction of Ilayworth. Gibson replied to the question : "Look on the post office door and you can see the advertisement." Hay worth replied: "Any man that would treat another in that manner in his absence, is a d?d rascal." Gibson made some answer to this, and other harsh words followed. Gibson had on a sack coat and held his hand behind him. Ilayworth was moving about in front of Gibson. At length, in the progress of the quarrel, Ilayworth made tlie expression, "they had sworn to lies," at which Gibson seemed to get very mad and replied : "If you say I swore a lie you are a d?d liar." and turning towards Sutton said, "there are more about here besides you." To some question or remark from Sutton, Gibson replied : "Yes, d?n you, if the shoe fits you, wear it," and as he uttered the words he fired. Several shots were then fired in rapid succession. I did not see the firing, but locating the firing mtf onnoo nf lioornwr T uliAlllfl ?JIV tllP firsjf. I.'J IXIJ OUilQU VI ltu?il4i^^ X v?v ...WV | shot appeared to be in the post otiice door, | and the second one below the door. After i the first two shots, I saw Gibson further on in I the room. As the crowd pressed in the room, | feeling to be in some danger myself, owing to : j the i>osition in which I was placed, being pressi ed up against some large empty boxes, as soon I ! as the opportunity presented, I went out by i i the back door, and came around to the front, | door on the street, where I saw Sutton and ! j Hay worth. Hay worth advised Sutton to leave. j I went back into the post ollice and saw Gib- j son lying there death I saw no knife or other weajion in Hay worth's hand. On the left door , facing as you enter the door there is a mark that looks like a ball had glanced against it. j I It appears to be a fresh mark and would' appear that a ball, moving in angling direction, struck it. By the Court. Gibson was hit while standing about the door, and before he swung in. I think he was struck about the fifth shot in the order of firing. (Indicated, by taps, the intervals between the different reports.) Seven shots were fired. Cross examined. ("Witness indicated, by taps, the interval between the first and second shots.) About the time the firing first commenced I felt that my position in the room was safe from harm, but afterwards the crowd pressed upon me, and at one time, being hemmed in by the crowd on one side, and the boxes on the other, my situation was decidedly uncomfortable, and my sensation of danger was increased by the fact that for some moments I was so surrounded that I could not get away. I am prepared to swear that the first shot was fired in the door, and the second from down about the window. Such was the impression on my ear, as i am not see tne parties when they tired. There was but little confusion. The crowd around the door, considering themselves in danger, pressed in after the first fire. Up to the time the first shot was fired I had not been crowded of pressed. The sasli of the post office window was raised, but about the time the first shot was fired, it was lowered. As Gibson stood on the step his right hand Was behind liim, but I can't say whether it was in his pants or coat pocket. I did not see Gibson continuously. I saw I lay worth when the difficulty began, and heard his question about the sale. Hayworth stood nearly facing Gibson. Gibson passed Hayworth when lie took his position on the steps. Ilayworth was walking backward and forward in front of the post office. I don't tlLUtfLiltfy^prt). wns nrnyr than piHiffpftt. office until after the firing had commenced. Hayworth was at the post office when I first saw him. Gibson approached the post office from about the drug store. Hayworth was in about the line of Gibson's approach, and Gibson passed around him as he went on the steps. ,J. 13. IIuntek, sworn. I saw a part of the difficulty. I was one hundred and twenty feet from the post office, on the same side of the street. I saw Hayworth come up from the opposite side. He and Gibson met, and I heard them talking, but could not understand what was said. 1 afterwards saw Gibson on the top step of the post office steps, and while on the steps he addressed some words to Sutton. 1 then saw Gibson draw his pistol and fire at Sutton. When Gibson fired his second shot he had stepped back inside the door, and 1 could see only his hand as he fired. Cross examined. (Explained, from diagram, location of different buildings and his own position at the time of the occurrence.) Gibson was facing the street when I first saw him. Hayworth was above him, on the sidewalk. Gibson turned round and said something to the man at the window. Tiie man then moved out from the window. I heard the shots. Sutton did not draw his pistol, and Gibson's was pointed at him. Gibson fired, and while he was drawing on Sutton, Sutton drew his pistol. I heard several shots, at least four. Gibson moved round inside the door, out of my sight, after firing the first shot. When Sutton fired first, Gibson was standing in the door. Gibson stood on the top step, hit left side towards me. I was about one hundred and twenty feet away. I could see. 1 could see Gibson's right hand, and that itwat under his coat. I did not say to S. A. Hotch kiss that I had seen nothing of this difficulty, and that I was sitting on the back steps of mj house when the firing occurred. I said notli - - - - - - i *? a \tr ing of the kind to either notciiKiss or a. ?v Parks. Redirect. David White was sitting belov me at the time of the shooting. I was sitting between him and the post office. I said noth ing of the kind alleged to either Hotchkiss 01 Parks. ,T. E. Haile, recalled. About half past two November 51th, I saw Hayworth going up tin street. It was reported that he had left tin country, and on account of this report my at tention was more directly attracted to bin when I first saw him while I was standing 01 the piazza of Belk's store, where I am a clerk I heard the pistol fire. After Sutton fired, ! ran up and found Gibson dead. Gibson firet first. I saw Sutton fire two shots in the house Mfl onf .shot, from t)ifi iimiflf. mid litmvt from the inside. I am absolutely certain tha the first shot came from the door. I sav Hayworth with no weapon. Cross examined. I was some distance off on the same side of the street. I could not se< Gibson well from where I stood, being oni hundred and forty-seven feet from him. Hii left side was next to uie. 1 was on the railing of the piazza or platform of the store. Suttoi was at the window when I first saw thepartiei at the post olliee ; Gibson on the steps. I can not tell about the position of Gibson's rigli hand. The first fire came out of the door Sutton stepi>ed back a short distance from tin window as Gibson brought down his pistol. \V. S. Belk, sworn. 1 live at Fort Mill and am a merchant. I was in my store, desig nated as Belk's store on the diagram shown ii court, and saw the latter part of the difficulty I was either in the door, or on the step of nr store, when some one remarked that there wai a fuss at the post office, and on turning, I sav Sutton moving from the window, and heart him say something to the effect that "if tha is what you mean, you can get what yoi want." The first fire came from the door soon after Sutton moved out from the window Sutton fired next. Cross examined. I think Sutton said: "I that is what you mean, you can get what yoi want," after which Gibson fired. I could no see Gibson, but the first tire came from tin door. K. G. Pearson, sworn. On the 9th of las November, I was in Fort Mill. While stand ing on the front side of Massey's drug ston I saw Hayworth, on the same side of thi street, about half way between Durant's an< the drug store. Gibson had come along am passed on by me at the well. When he ant Hayworth had approached each other, Hay worth asked Gibson, "When are you going t< sell that property V" They went on to the pos office, talking angrily to each other, though ! paid but little attention to what was said Could hear them talking after they had goi to the i>ost office. Heard Gibson's voice, " Yoi are a d?d liar." 1 heard apistol fired, but die not see it. After the first pistol fired, I turn ed my eye in that direction, and saw Suttoi raise up and shoot. I did not recognize Sut ton until after he raised to shoot. I don'l know who fired the first shot. I did not set Sutton fire until after I heard the first report Cross exwnined. (Explained by the diagram, location of buildings, &c.) Saw Ilaywortl come up Main street and pass Durante nearlj opposite Mills'. Gibson had passed me at tin well, and was half way between me and Hay worth when Hayworth asked the question About this time Gibson was getting off tin pavement and towards the post office, Ilay' worth being near Mills'. I did not see tin first shot, but heard it, and after hearing it, 1 saw Sutton raise and shoot. (Indicated by taps the succession of the two first shots; interval two seconds.) Sutton's left side was towards me. He was two or three feet froir the window. I only heard the first shot; did not see it. I do not know what Sutton was doing immediately preceding shooting. I are a brother-in-law of both Hayworth and Sutton. Redirect. I think Hayworth left the side walk, to cross over, before Gibson, as to reach the post office he had the farthest to go. 11. II. Massey, sworn. I am well acquainted with James Sutton, the prisoner at the bar. 1 have known him ever since he was a small boy. He has always borne the reputation of being an industrious, quiet, orderly man. L. X. Dinkins, sworn. On Sunday previous to this occurrence, Sutton and his wife came to my house. After dinner they left, in the direction of Mr. Bradford's. After they had left, I went down to the house in which Hayworth had formerly lived, and while I was there, Hayworth's wife, and Sutton and his wife came up and asked if any one would put two trunks., belonging to Mrs. Hayworth, out of the house. I took the trunks to be removed for safe keeping. About that timcGibsonanu Lute Bradford came up. Gibson entered the house by a window, and after he came out asked the crowd if they did not know it was a penitentiary offence to remove goods after they had been seized and levied on by an officer. Sutton denied having been in the house. From that they got to quarreling, Sutton having taken offence at being charged by Gibson with a penitentiary offence. Lute Bradford was following Sutton up with a knife, though Gibson seemed to be giving way. Sutton and Gibson finally got in holts, or close together, when Gibson apologized, and the difficulty appeared to be ended. But as the parties were sejiarating to leave, Lute Bradford or Gibson one said that this thing had to be over again, I i and Sutton replied tbtft could be over again, even at preaching, ^weapons were seen by j me, and no blows w& passed that I saw. Sutton went on homend Gibson and Bradford went to Fort Mi 1 Cross examined. .Jftvorth's house had been entered and a levy nle 011 some articles in it, and I had chargof the house. Gibson claimed that he had ide thelevy. I was on the place when he nie the -levy. The levy was made at the instsce of Roddey, and was claimed to have bee; made by Gibson as a constable. Gibson id said, in reference to moving the trunks, tit the removing of them was a penitentiary jffence, and intimated that Sutton had meed them. The trunks had not been levie^on. Sutton said that Gibson had to take bbk the charge. When Gibson threatened tha jt had to be over again, Sutton replied that it puld be, eyen at preaching. There were preset, besides the persons already name, two colred men'. I have heard that one of the Bradfod brothers was bound ? -? J hnc over as a witness in u.s case, aim nine nc gone to Florida. I m a orother-in-law oi botli the prisoners. j Redirect. The truiks belonged to Hayworth or his wife. TJev had not been levied 011. 1 Jim Camprell, eoltred, sworn. On a Sun day evening Lute Bradford and Gibson cann to Hayworth's house. I saw them when the: drove up. Lute prized oi>en a window anc helped Gibson into the house. Lute tliei went around to the east side of the house About that time Mrs. II ay worth, Sutton, am Mrs. Sutton came up. Sutton asked Gibsoi if he had accused him of a penitentiary offence and said if so that lie had to take it back They then clinched, buMiibsoii withdrew hi - ram-ll-lf fiiwl Sinful frf Yvfcrn should be over agaJ^ipBJrvroWfinrijplied tha it could be liad over again, even at preaching Cross examined, I don't know which caugli the other first. ,1 did not take close attentio to it, as it was a difficulty between whit persons. I turned around and walked awa two or three steps. My only reason for tun ing was that I didn't want to see the difficult] Before 1 turned I saw them in holts. The met, but I don't know which touched tli other first. Parks Moore, sworn. I live near Foi Mill. I knew Nat. Gibson. On the evenin of the same Sunday of the occurrences na rated by the last witness, I met with Gibso and Lute Bradford in the old wagon camp i Fort Mill and talked with them for a whili Also, heard Lute and Nat Gibson talking. Question?Did you hear Gibson make threat of any kind, during tliis conversation, and so, what was the nature of the threats ? Objected to by the Solicitor. The further examination of the witness w< suspended until 94 o'clock to-morrow mornin] in order to allow argument on the point raise by the introduction of his testimony. Charles Bodgers, sworn. On the Mo: day before the shooting, I saw Sutton ar i a lady drive into town, in a buggy. Gibsc was out in the street when Sutton drove u 1 Gibson then went into his house and got pistol and went in the direction 01 ouuon. i Cross examined. I saw Gibson go into h house and come out. He put a pistol in h [ pocket as lie came out of the door. He was > constable and usually carried a pistol. Win Gibson saw Sutton driving up, he, Gibson,w at the livery stable going in an opposite dire > tion from Sutton. Sutton had just pass< along before Gibson went into his house. , heard no threats, nor any talk of threats. ' Redirect. After Gibson came out of li house, he walked on down in the directit . Sutton went. I did not see where either Gi son or Sutton went. This was on Mond: ' belore the occurrence. ' To the Solicitor. My wife is a niece of Sr - ton's wife. Both Sutton and Gibson we! r towards the business part of town. Court adjourned until o'clock to-morrc , morning. I Friday, March 31. j On the convening of Court, argument w 1 heard on the point raised yesterday eve ing by counsel for defence, that uncommui | cated threats may be received as testimony 1 show the animus of the deceased. After a gument by counsel, and the citing of authc j ities and sever?! Mfi/lfH^ns the Con ixA >?v flip defence was admissible r when Parks Moore was recalled. Resuming the i>oint of interruption yesterday, he saic I lieard Gibson remark that if ever Sutt< ! crossed his path or spoke to him again, i would kill him if he was the last man in t 3 State. This w:is on Sunday before the killin T Cross examined. This remark was made j the evening ; the sun was an hour or half i s liour high. Gibson, Lute Bradford and Ze . Bradford were present. Gibson's words wer I If Sutton ever crossed his path or spoke him again, he would kill him if he was the la i man in the State. Gibson, the two Bradfor and myself were present. Dr. S. A. Kell, sworn. I reside at Fo 1 Mill. I was acquainted with Gibson, the d , ceased ; knew him about six years. Tie re: ded at Fort Mill. ' After a ruling by the Court as to the admis: s bility of testimony touching reputation of d ceased, the witness proceeded? j" It is difficult for me to draw the line in I case requiring so nice a distinction as I am i j stricted to ; but I would say, from his genei reputation, that he was regarded as a dang( ' ous man. Cross examined. Q. Without qualificatii f would you say that he was regarded as a da j gerous man ? t Ans. Yes ; from his general reputatio a I could not say that he would be dangero without provocation. He did not have a re ( utation for treachery; but he did have t reputation of being a promoter of broils ai g contentions. g Q. Whom did you hear say so of him V j Ans. Mr. Haile, liev. Mr. Covington? j Q. Previous to this transaction i j Ans, I don't know that I can readily reci names previous to this occurrence, as I nev 3 charged my memory with the matter. But (. can mention persons as having spoken of hi [ in this connection previous to the killing, M Ilaile ; R. S. Warren ; and at Merritt's hou? I previous to this occurrence, I heard a numb j of ladies discussing Gibson's character, ai I they said that from their husbands' statemen to them Gibson was doing a great deal of bar j in the community. In answer to other questions witness co k tinued : I never knew or heard of Gibsc > shooting or killing any -body. I have assist) in preventing him from using weapons. I once admitted to me that he had knocked | man down with a chair. I never knew hi j prosecuted for any act of violence. J. R. Haile, recalled. I knew Nat. Gibso 1 the deceased. Ilis-general reputation in tl community was that of a violent, dangeroi i man. [ Cross examined. I knew of prosecution fi , fighting being commenced against him in 01 [ case ; but it was compromised. I never kne p him convicted of any act of violence. It. T. Bailey, sworn. I reside in Fo I Mill township. I knew Nat. Gibson. II , general character was that of a violent, da: gerous man. j Cross examined. I never knew him trie i or convicted of an offence against the peace < the State. I am connected by marriage wit the prisoner, Sutton ; his mother is my wife > aunt. J. Okmand, sworn. I knew Gibson. II general character was that of a violent, dai gerous man. I am no relative of Sutton's. Cross examined. Three years ago I lived i Fort Mill. If Gibson was a policeman at tin ; time, I do not remember it. I never heard < his being prosecuted or convicted of any o fences against the State. John IIaiuus, sworn. I am a neighbor < James Sutton. Have lived within two mil< . of him for twenty-fiye years. His charact< in the community is good. He is regarded s | a quiet, industrious, peaceable man. Cross examined. I am not related to eitht | Sutton or Ilayworth. I have heard of Sutto | having small difficulties?one with a brothi of the deceased?and some other small, trivis difficulties ; but have never heard him charge mnnlr Ai* ifinlonf IW1UJ UClll? 4U1^/IV luaipci cu VL tiv/ivm.. Redirect. I have never heard him charge | with acts of violence only when defendin ,! himself or when they were forced upon him. rrisoners' statements. William Hay worth, sworn. On the da i of this occurrence, I and .Stephen Sutton wei I walking together up the street. While w j were walking along, I was whittling a stick as is a custom with me. .Stephen was calle ; away, and I proceeded alone a short distance | when I met Gibson, having previously close my knife. I had no other weapon about m but that Barlow knife, and I took no pai whatever in the quarrel between Gibson an James Sutton. Cross examined. Gibson turned to cross the street somewhere near the well. I turned nearly opposite Durant's store. I turned off first, and started to Mills' store. I left that side of the street to avoid meeting Gibson. But on meeting, I asked him when he was going to sell my wife's clothing. We had always been very good friends up to that time. Stephen Sutton and James Sutton came with 'me to Fort Mill that day. James and I were on our to way Rock Hill. I turned'to cross the street. I had no knife in my hand after I crossed the street; nor did I have a knife in my hand at any time while I and Gibson were talking. James Sutton, sworn. I was standing at the post office window, waiting for the mail to open, when Gibson took his position on the post office step. I had heard the quarreling between Gibson and Hayworth, and when I asked him if in a certain expression he had made he alluded to me, he drew his pistol and fired at me. I had been at the window for lrt mmn fn + ho qf nriq t wj1s i some time ucluic uc tame ^ _ ! there waiting for my mail, and also had gone for the purpose of mailing a postal card. (The card, addressed to Burwell & Springs, Char[ lotte, N. C., and bearing date of November 9th, and also the stamp of the Fort Mill i>ost - office, was produced and identified.) I did not ; get the card mailed, at that time, 011 account j of the difficulty, but a friend mailed it for me 1 that night. Gibson came up aud took his poI sition five or six feet from me. When he made . the remark, he turned around and looked at i me. When I asked him if he referred to me a he fired at me, before I could get out my pis !, tol. He shot three times ; I shot four times . I did not empty all the chambers of my pistol 8 Inside the post office he tried to shield himsel l*ehipd some barrels. When he turned to mov ? balls passed through the skirt of rhy coaif. U1 ;. was not my habit to carry a weapon ; but Gib it son and I and Bradford had a difficulty on th II Sunday before, at Dinkins' house, and thougi ,e I thought the difficulty so far as I and Gibso y were concerned was over with, I carried th I- pistol because I was in dread of Lute and Zet f. Bradford. They had made threats against me iy and I had consulted Mr.* Wilson, lawyer a ie Bock Hill, to have them bound over to kee the peace. lie advised against my taking sue i; steps on account of their relationship to m< g suggesting that it might only make mattei r- worse. I carried the pistol that day because n thought I might meet the Bradfords, havin it heard of their threats. It was the fear c e. them, and not of Gibson that caused me t have the pistol with me. I had laid it awaj ts and not carried it since the law against carr if ing weapons. When I fired at Gibson' thought my life was in danger. I made no a tempt until Gibson drew. When he made tl is objectionable remark, both my hands were 0 g, the window sill. I followed him into the po; ;d office because I deemed it necessary for m own protection, he having the advantage ov< II- me by shielding himself behind the door an id firing upon me in the open streets. He firt >ii at me once while he was behind the keg i). Hayworth had nothing whatever to do wit "a the fight between me and Gibson. Cross examined. I had been at the windo is some little time. There was no quarrelir is when I went to the window. I did not s< a Hayworth and Gibson meet, nor did not hej m them talking before I took my position at tl as window. I do not know whether I or Ha c- worth went to the post office first. When id went up the street, I called first at Durant i store on business. I then stepi>ed over to tl post office. This was after I left him and n lis brother at Russell's store. I first notice m Ilayworth, after I went to the post office wii b- dow, some twenty-five or thirty yards up tl ay street. I went to the window for my m;1 and to mail a postal card. I did not mail tl it- card then; but Mr. Ormand mailed it for n nt that night. When Gibson made the remar and when I asked if it alluded to me, n iw hands were on the window, and I did not tal them off until he drew his pistol. He fired me before I got my pistol out. He did 11 say "Don't crowd me." Redirect. I surrendered myself to tl as Sheriff early the next morning, starting fro n- home for that purpose and going part of tl d- way that night. I surrendered myself at ti to jail about 8 or 9 o'clock Thursday mornin My reason for endeavoring to get away fro )r_ Fort Mill was that I preferred surrenderii H't iniovii- uv ... . 1 ?iiftrs".? Defence closed. at IN REPLY. Richard Young, sworn. I know W. j jm Mills. He said to me at Fort Mill that 1 1 e heard, but did not see the difficulty. I w lie summoning witnesses, and he said there w ? no use in summoning him, as he only hear 111 but did not see it. P Cross examined. I do not remember that 1 D; said that he knew only a little about it. I ?: said he couldn't tell anything about it, as 1 10 only heard, and did not see it. j S. A. Hotchkiss, sworn. I know J. ] as Hunter. He said to me that he was sitting ( the back steps of his house during the time .'y the difficulty, and did not know anythiv . about it until he heard the shots. 51" Cross examined. He said he sat on the ba< . steps of his house, but did not say how Ion before he went up. I have no feeling in th le" case. I said to Miss Parmentothat I thougl the killing of Gibson was a great outrage. .a Q. Did you say or not to Miss Parmen e" that if you were a lawyer ydu would ple< ^al Mr. Gibson's case for nothing ? 5r" Ans. I do not know that the words were that effect. I had no ill feeling for Sutto I can't now remember exactly what I sai n" Miss Parmento was rejoicing over the death Gibson. She seemed to be very vindictiv n* and in the conversation I said he seems to 1 us friendless, and if I was a lawyer I might vt ;P" unteer my services on his side. Redirect. A person sitting on the back ste of Mr. Hunter's could not have seen tl UllllUUltjr* A. W. Parks, sworn. I know J. B. Hit ter. lie said to me at Fort Mill that he w; glad that he was not in that scrape, as he w: l" on the back steps of his house at the time ar knew nothing about it. A levy had been ma< 11 on Hay worth's property the week of last Oct m ber term of this court, by virtue of an attac' r* ment issued by Trial Justice Culp, at the i: ie> stance of W. L. Roddey & Co. I was actii e!j for Gibson, who was here at court. "We wei lcl and made the levy on what was pointed out i ts Ilayworth's property. Everything was left i m charge of Dinkins. In a few days anotln warrant at the instance of R. A. Foulke wi n" issued against Mrs. Ilay worth, and I went ar levied on her property. Roddey had a lien c | some cotton that was there. I closed the houi le and left the key with Dinkins. Afterwan a Bradford told me the house had been broke m open, and I referred liirn to the bonded office Gibson. n> Cross examined. I levied on Mrs. Ha; ie worth's property about a week before the o JS currence of Sunday at Dinkins' house. Hui ter said, on Saturday after the shooting, tin 3r it was one scrape he was out of; that he di not see it; that he was on the back steps < w his house at the time. His wife and childre were present when he said it?in the evenin . of that day. 13 R. H. Warren, sworn. I know Mrs. Ca fl" others, formerly Miss Paul. I heard her sa; . at her mother's house, in my presence, tin !(* Sutton fired the first shot, y- Cross examined. She made the remark i ,l the presence of her mother and me. She sai 8 that Sutton fired first. I advised her again: talking about it, as it might be the cause ( 18 her being a witness, and having to atten court; and she said Durant, in whose stoi she was at the time, advised her, during tli y difficulty, to turn her back. I don't think I sai lj; this would hang Sutton and send Ilaywort y- to the penitentiary. I was not under the ir ' ? ' ? J l l-.-i. 1. ~ ,1 4-1, " nuence 01 nquor mat uay, uut u?u uecu m day before. I don't know what stage of tli * fighting she was alluding to when she sai ^ Durant advised her to turn her back to tli }r parties. Mr. Swann came up to Mrs. Paul' 13 house while I was there, but not until afte our conversation about the difficulty was ovei iV I think Swann is now in Pineville, X. C. n T. G. Culp, sworn. I knew Gibson ; ha 5*j known him seven or eight years. I am a tris 11 justice under appointment of the Governoi " Gibson's reputation was good. lie was a con stable at the time of his death. He had bee; d a policeman of Fort Mill for about three years ? and acted as such occasionally up to the tim of his death. Gibson went to Hayworth' house by my official direction after I was in y | formed that it had been broken into, e Cross examined. I sent him down on Sun e J day. He had 110 warrant. I have heard o j him having some personal difficulties, bu d | mostly in connection with his duties as a po ?,! lice officer. I do not remember to' have heart d of his drawing a pistol on any one on electioi e : day. I have heard of his having difficulties t! but they were generally connected with his du d j ties as an officer. As to his difficulties witl I Vandihoof and Leonard, I cannot say. Recalled. L. II. Bradford was bound over > as a witness in this case. Cross examined. He and a part of his fam-1 ily have moved to Florida. A. W. Parks, recalled. Of Gibson's gener-! al reputation I never heard any complaint. | The only complaint I recollect, as to personal i difficulties was in connection with his duties ! as policeman. Cross examined. I may have heard of some difficulties not connected with his duties as policeman. I never heard that he had tried to shoot Leonard, but heard they had a disagreement in a business transaction about some cotton. The Foulke difficulty was also the ! result of misunderstanding in a business trans-1 action. Of the Vandihoof difficulty I never heard until during this trial. Mrs. L. It. Girson, sworn. I am the widow of X. T. Gibson. I can say positively that Mr. Gibson did not take his pistol out of the house on the day of the shooting. A. W. Parks, recalled. When Ilayworth started across the street to meet Gibson, he took his knife out of his pocket. The State closed. Arguments were made for the defence by Messrs. C. E. Spencer, W. li. wnsoii, oi., , W. B. Wilson, Sr., followed by Mr. Solicitor ; Gaston for the State. While the arguments ; of the junior counsel were brief, they showed > no lack of preparation and their due concep tion of the interests of the cause they pleaded, i The argument of Mr. W. B. Wilson, Sr., ; was a masterly effort, as marked for the deep , sympathy and kind consideration of the be reaved living as for his zeal and devotion to . the cause of his clients. The State was ablj . represented by Mr. Solicitor Gaston, whosf f conduct of the case throughout wo# marked e with ability and characterized by the determi* faithfully discharge his high obliga h task might!*, f I1 s^rgu e was clear, able and logical. At the conclusioi h of the Solicitor's argument the judge delivere< n an exhaustive and exceptionally clear anc e comprehensive charge to the jury, who retire< >. to their room at o'clock P. M., and afterai 5, absence of 36 minutes returned a verdict o it not guilty. p h Saturday, April 1. }, Court convened at 10 o'clock A. M. Th s only case tried during the day was that of th I State vs. Jackson Ilelmes, white, charged witl g rape. A jury was obtained from the regula )f pannel, and Messrs. T. J. Bell and W. B 0 Wilson, Jr., were assigned by the court a r, counsel for the prisoner. The alleged victir i- was a little white girl, Elizabeth Shoemaker 1 thirteen years old, daughter of Caroline Shoe t- maker, and the defendant was charged witl le having enticed her away, by false represents n tions, from the people with whom she was li\ st ing in North Carolina, inducing her to retur iy to her mother's home in this county, and tha 3r while she was thus tramping over the countr id with him the deed was committed. Such is ;d brief statement of the case. The defendan s. established the character of being an inoffer ill sive, industrious man, of not bright intellecl and this probably had much much to do wit w turning the scale in his favor on the principl ig of giving him the benefit of every reasonabl ie doubt, the jury returning a verdict of nc \r guilty. le In the case of Sol King, colored, in ja y- charged with being accessory to felony, a I order was granted for his discharge, the gran 's jury having failed to find a true bill again: le him. iy ?d Monday, April 3. The Court was occupied during the ds 10 ?n r* nnana .Qfofn VQ .TuplfSfl iVy >V1U1 UIO lUllUWUlg tftoco, wmwv t??. v?.v?wv Helmes, carrying concealed dirk. Pleade guilty. ae State vs. John Stewart, William Stewa: kj and Dolly Stewart; selling liquor without iy license. William Stewart pleaded guilty. No ke pros, as to John and Dolly, at State vs. Wm. II. White ; breach of trui ot with fraudulent intention. Prosecutor?Joh Ramsey. Mr. J. C. Chambers for the defenc lie Mistrial, the jury failing to agree, m State vs. Elias Falls; obstructing publ he road. Prosecutor?J. E. Love. Ilart & Ha he for defence. Case withdrawn from jury wit! S out prejudice, and continued until next tern m The following sentences were vowd: Charles P. Jackson. er?",ia larceny penitei '* Intry rvx- vtrv juii s." J^em Garner and Jack McKendrick, colo ed, receiving stolen goods; each in the pen tenitary for six months. A. Annie Brian, colored, arson; penitential he for life. as Bob Ward, colored, accessory to the crin as of arson (above case) after the fact; penitei d, tiary for nine months. Andrew J. Stewart, assault of an aggrav: lie ted nature; in default of the payment of Ie fine of fifty dollars, six months in the penitei lie tiary. Wm. Stewart, selling intoxicating liqu< B. without a license ; in default of the paymei >n of a fine of two hundred dollars, six months i of the county jail. lg Jackson Helmes, carrying concealed dill in default of the payment of a fine of twent ^k five dollars, three months in the penitentiar g, John Woodruff alias John Woodson, colo is ed, carrying concealed weapon; three montl ht in the penitentiary and forfeiture of weapoi Same, larcency; nine months in the penitei to tiary. id Walter Anderson, Thomas Anderson ar John Starr, colored, burglary and larcenj to Walter Anderson and. John Starr, five yea: n. in the penitentiary. Thomas Anderson, tv d. years in the penitentiary. of Walter Nelson, colored, larceny of grai e, from the field ; one year in the penitentiary, be The Court of Sessions was then adjourn* >1- sine die, and the Court of Common Pleas opej ed. ps The Court of Common Pleas will adjoui ie probably to-day or to-morrow. mmmmmmmgmmmmmammmM J" ITEMS OF GENERAL NEWS. as ? A circus agent visited the assassin Guitea id in his cell at Washington jail on Friday, an le purchased two suits of clothes from bin o- For the suit worn by Guiteau at the time 1 I), shot the President $250 was paid. For tl ii- suit worn by Guiteau during his trial, an ig when Jones shot him, the agent paid $10 it Guiteau did not hesitate to part with his clot! I fBn onifo Tirol IS (VUU ? i It'll lUIUl UJCU L1IUU UIC aunt} 111.1 ill to be exhibited on plaster casts of himsel er now being made for the circus proprietor, h as was much elated. It tickled his vanity, an id the chances are that if the agent had bee m smart he could have oecured the clothes fc 3e nothing. Is ? The story goes that William Estes, tli :n sheriff of Stokes county, N. C., was killed o r, Thursday night last, while robbing his ow safe. He had left home under pretence of lx y- ing absent for several days, and on Thursda c- night returned home disguised, and demande l- from his wife the keys of his safe. She gav it him the keys, and gave the alarm to a mal id guest, who was unexpectedly sleeping in tli )f house that night, and he cautiously approacl n ed the room in which the sheriff was and she ig him. ? The wife of Sergeant Mason is described a r- rather tall and slender, between 25 and 3 h years of age, with dark hair, blue eyes an< tt with a gentle and modest air. Some two o three thousand dollars have been contribute n for her relief, and efforts will be continued t d secure at least a commutation of Mason' >t sentence. jj- ? The receipts of cotton at all interior town d last Saturday were 34,589 bales ; receipts fror e plantations, 33,599 ; crop in sight, 4,985,752 '? total visible supply of cotton for the world , 2,952,835, of whicli 2,130,041 was American 11 against 3,018,778 and 2,394,548 respectively las e >'ear? Miss Helen M. Louis, of Charleston, S. C. 1 j became stage struck while in New York, am has been swindled ont of $500 which she gav ,g a fellow named Schwab to purchase for her i necessary stage wardrobe. r< ? The revenue raiders who murdered oh man Hicks, of Gwynnett county, Ga., hav cj been discharged on merely nominal bail, il ?Rations by the hundred thousand are stil . being ordered by tl i war department for tin i- Louisiana sufferers. a ? A Philadelphia judge has ordered Keele; i, to explain the celebrated but heretofore mys e terious Keeley motor. 3 ?The county commissioners of Richlaiu county, S. C., have been presented by the gram jury for incompetency and irregularities. I ? Georgia has seventy-odd gold mills at work f One is giving a monthly product of aboul I 17,500. I ?The Utah reconstruction convention wil j meet on the 10th inst. it ?Prom Morgan City to Chucahoula, La. . nineteen miles, the country is under water. Ii ? In Mississippi the waters are falling rapid ly and farmers are preparing to plant. $he fwMIe (Stoquiw. YORK V1LLE. S. C.S THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 6, 1882. nrtiiTinu. PRftSF.riTTIONS. 1 H L I'l/lJl > ivnu * The indications are that the Grant policy is to he restored to the country, and, as has been the rule heretofore, the field of active operations is to he the State of South Carolina, which is to be made the scape-goat of all alleged violations of election laws, as we hear of no similar wholesale prosecutions in other States, North or South, where political purity, perhaps, is at 110 greater premium than within our own borders. That the Garfield policy, under which the country was at peace and sectional hate rapidly disappearing, is to be 1 departed from by the Arthur regime, and the ' days of Grantism to be attempted over again r in the South, the political prosecutions to be 5 heard in the United States Court which conl vened in Charleston on last Monday, clearly indicate. Through the wholesale prosecution of men dragged from every part of the State ! <*nd arralgne<l at. Charleston Is the Democracy i of Soui\. ^uyolina indicted, and in this prose1 cution every section of the State is interested 1 alike. 1 The State Democratic Committee has issued * an address to the people, for which we have not the space to insert, but from it we make the following extract : The purpose in view is too plain to be inise understood. He who runs may read. When e the hand of the assassin struck down the Prest! ident of the United States it dealt a blow r under which the people of the South are yet staggering. The change of policy towards the s South, as unmistakably indicated within the n last few weeks, should warn all lovers of good . government to be vigilant and active. The decree has gone forth. The white people of h South Carolina must avow the principles of i- the Republican party or be declared criminals. * *- - ? A1 - Jo frt YMin. r. ? ne ODjeci 01 muse in uuujuiu/jt 10 uun w n isli for alleged crimes in the past, but to make t adherence to the principles of the Democratic y party impossible in the future. The time for a this action hjis been fully chosen. On the t eve of a State election our people are told that they must submit to a return to Radical rule - or bear the prosecution of officials who are h aided by all of the power of the general governe ment. le The time has come for an indignant people to rise up in their might and protest against this unwarrantable invasion of their rights, jj If we fail in our duty our civilization will be n lost. The foe and stranger will again rule d South Carolina. The oppression and tyranny -* which marked the history of Republican rule in this State will again disgrace our civilization and bring disaster on our people. In this situation of affairs no true son of the State can doubt as to his duty. Let us y stand together as one man, and, while con,, fronting the common enemy, preserve for ourselves and our posterity the peace, the justice and the security which under Democratic nile all classes of our citizens have enjoyed since , the grand revolution of 1876. They whose ' only offence is fidelity to the welfare of the , State must not be permitted to suffer as crimn inals* In view of the facts here recited, the duty of our people is plain. Let them respond to ic the call of the committee by contributing to rt defray the cost of competent counsel for their b" fellow citizens, and let the contributions be Q* made promptly and cheerfully- They can be n, made to Mr. W. B fimich, county chairman, or no any person whom he may designate, and r- will be promptly forwarded to the Chairman i- of the State Executive Committee. In this connection, we append the following "J circular addressed by the State Democratic )e Executive Committee to Democratic county 0. chairmen, and which fully explains itself : You are earnestly urged to at once raise as a. large an amount as is possible in your county, a to be used in the defence of those of our peoa_ pie who are being tried in the United States Court in Charleston, for alleged offences against 3r the United States election laws, and who need money for the daily expenses of themselves in and their witnesses. The State Executive Committee is daily receiving appeals for help c. from those counties whose citizens are being Y' prosecuted, and is absolutely without means to y4 to respond to these calls, which should be met rl at once. Please push this matter with alldil1S igence, and remit weekly all such sums as may be collected, to the Central National Bank at n. Columbia, for the Executive Committee. By order of the State Executive Committee, id , James F. Izlar, Chairman. ^ JUDGE* COTHRAN. to We are fully conscious that since the purification of the bench of South Carolina it has :n been regarded as a work of supererogation to ^ speak in complimentary terms of the Circuit ;1_ Judges, while even the practice of indulging such laudation is condemned by a portion of n the press. But when an official discharges his duties faithfully, with credit to himself and to the eminent and unqualified satisfaction of the public we can see no objection to stating the ,u fact, even though the subject of commends id tion be vested with judicial robes. It is not a 3- lowering of the high position of a Judge of a J? Court of Justice for the press to award comd mendation for worth, or to repeat the public 0. estimation in which such an official is held, i- It is, therefore, with a sense of no indelicacy e that we allude to the admirable manner in ^ which Judge Cothran discharges his duties as ^ presiding officer of the Court. Learned in the n law, prompt and firm in his rulings, but >r courteous and affable towards all with whom he comes in contact, he has made a most faie vorable impression upon our people. His fine n reputation as a jurist, which preceded him here, " has only been confirmed by his presence. Duy ring the multifarious work of the first week of d the term, his charges, rulings and decisions, e promptly made, gave no cause for exception, e and his charge to the jury in the murder case, e though oral, is pronounced masterly by all k whom we have heard speak of it. Our reporter made a verbatim report of the charge ; but . 3 after eliminating every possible redund0 ant word, it would occupy a column and a d half of the Enquirer, thereby precluding its r publication with the proceedings of the trial, a fact which we very much regret. 3 MEETING OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERY. g The First Presbytery of the Associate ReQ formed Synod of the South, met at Sharon ; church, in this county, on Holiday, the 3rd instant, at 104 o'clock, and adjourned on the af1 ternoon of Tuesday. Rev. J. T. Chalmers y was elected Moderator. About forty representatives were in attendance. The reports from ] the various congregations revealed the fact B that, notwithstanding the unprecedented i drought of last year, the congregations met all their pecuniary obligations with marked ; 1 punctuality. Except in a very few cases, B the salaries of pastors have been paid in full, and in many instances more was p...J than was . promised. A petit.on for the moderation of a call was . presented to the rresuytery Dy ine congrega. tion of Steel Creek, recently made vacant by the resignation of Rev. J. T. Chalmers, on acl! count of the infirmities of age. 1 j Rev. J. P. Marion demitted his pastoral J charge, and asked and obtained a certificate of j ministerial standing, to connect with thePresj byterian Church. The congregation of Chesj | ter, thus made vacant, asked and obtained a supply of the ordinances of God's house. The ordinary routine business being trans! acted, the Presbytery adjourned to meet at . Back Creek, Mecklenburg county, N. C., on Monday after the first Sabbath of September,