The Charleston daily news. (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, April 20, 1872, Image 1

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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A THE K?-KLUX TRIALS. THE FIRST CONVICTION FOR MURDER. Forming tbe Panel-Objections or the Government- Jhe Opinions of Jadges Bond and Bryan--Gunthorpe & Co Again on tbe Stand. The United States Circuit Court assembled at tte usual hour yesterday morning, Judges Bond and Bryan presiding, and proceeded at once to the trial of Elijah Bose Sapaugb, ot York County, Indicted for conspiracy against ''Tom:1 Boundtree and murder. The govern? ment was represented by District Attorney Corbin and Colonel Merrill; and John P. Ficken, Esq., by assignment of the court, ap? peared for the defendant. The defendant pleaded aot guilty, and the impanelling ot' a jury began. This proceeded quietly enough until the thirty-one names to be drawn from had been exhausted, and then the jurors that had been rejected by the government were ordered to be called again. The first ot these w. s Mr. Thomas S. Mills, of Chester, an intel Irgf?nt, due looking gentleman o? middle age, who bas been invariably challenged by the government in every case of conspiracy in which his name has been called at this term of the court. ' On this occasion he was subjected to a very severe and searching examination by the dis? trict attorney, with a view of proving him in? eligible as a juror under that clause ot the Enforcement act which provides "that no per? son shall be a grand or petit Juror who shall, in the judgment of the court, be in complicity with any such combination or conspiracy." . In reply to the questions of the district at? torney, and to the cross-examination of Mr.' Ficken, Mr. Mills swore that he was not a m-mber of the Ku-Klux organization and never had been, nor of any secret political organization. In regard to his connection with what the district attorney termed the raid on Chester, he said that on that night he was in command of a body of armed men, citizens of Chester, who were called together by Mr. Davega, the intendant of the town. The men were called together because a com? pany of colored militia were coming from Carmel Hill to enter the town. There were apme men there from Bock Hill, not In dis? guise. Dr. E. T. Avery was not there. Ire dell Jones was there. They came down on the train at about 10 P. M., and stayed till the next morning. Did not know whether they Were Ku-Kluxes. Knew nothing about the Ku-Klux Klans. Did not know who did the firing at that time. Was not connected In 1868 with the Ku-Klux Kiana, Council of Safe ty nor anj^secret political society, and never had been.. Old not know who shot the colored man that night. If he knew, would not hestltate to tell. Did not know whether Jerry Walker shot him or not. Did not think teat he did. Did not think that he was with the Bock Hill party that night Did not know Whether he was a member of any secret politi? cal organization. The company which be commanded was a body of young men called npon to resist the entrance of the company from Carmel Hill, and he (the Juror) was put in command by the Intendant. The Intendant, with the sheriff and Major Ryster, the major Of the militia regiment, had gone out to the colored company and asked them to disband. It was in obedience to the authorities of the town that his party had come together. The colored company was a regular militia com? pany. They were not on drill or muster. They -came to Chester to get ammunition. Did not understand the militia company came to seek protection. 'Was satisfied that was not the -case. The militia company in the town, com? manded by Captain Lee, was also called out by the Intendant, but were afterward dis? banded and sent home. The intendant and all the prominent citizens were anxious that no collision or bloodshed should occur. Believed the sheriff induced the ".company to disband because he knew that there would be a collision. His men . -(the juror's) were not called out until the ?ring commenced at the depot. There was no^rganlzatlon among them. They bad at one time tried to organize themselves into a company of the State militia, but the Gover? nor would not allow them. They came out .promptly at the call of the intendant, Justas the young men of any ote ? : town would come out under similar circumstances. He believes that during the next three or tour days there were four men killed. Did not know that there were seventeen men killed. Had no idea that there were. Had heard various rumors at the time. Had heard there were two hun? dred killed. His party did not continue un- . -der arms ai ter that night. The next morning the militia company left the town with a promise that they would disband when they had got five miles away from town, but they did not do lt. Did not understand that they were attacked by armed men. There was a great anxiety among the people at the time In the whole country. The people were con? stantly on the look ont for trouble. He was president o? the fire engine company In Ches? ter. The .party from Bock Hill did not go around and disarm the negroes that night. Judge Bond asked the district attorney if he had any testimony to show that there were disguised men in the town that night, or that any of the parties'Indicted tor conspiracy had been there in command. Mr. Corbin said that he bad witnesses in the city who could testify to lt, and he sent for two -of them. Jfeldge Brown, colored, was the first witness. He testified that he belonged to the Carmel Hill militia company, and had assembled on Sunday night at Pilgrim -Church, because the Ku-Klux had threatened them. While there a party ot disguised men, between sixty and ?one hundred in number, charged up the road and shot at the company, who returned tim fire and drove them away. The next mbrnlng they went to Chester lor protection. There were seventy-five oj eighty men in the com? pany. They were met by Mr. Davega and .others before coming Into town, who told them to give up their arms and go back and they would be protected. They had no inten? tion of attacking the town, and did not bother anybody thal day. They came Into town and the people wanted to fight them, but Lawyer Brawley ordered them not to fight. They started back on Tuesday by Major By s ter's orders, and went out to Walker's mill, and up to the forks of the road within five or six miles of the Pilgrim Church. There they were met by Major Wiles and Dr. McCullom, who told them to disband and go home. Their captain said :. ?'What shall I do, the Ku-Klux say they are going to have my head ?" They stayed there that night, and went Into the woods, where the wltneBBgot "confernedly lost." The next morn? ing the Ku-Klux came on them. Witness did not know how many there were of them, but there was a "heap of 'em." The first man they shot waa Uncle Beuben Castle. Then the c?ptala made ;hem get up and "buckle their harness," and they got out on the 1 road, saw the men, fired at them, and t battle commenced. They lost two coloi men. ?. M. Good, white, next testified that lived in York County, was a Ku-Elux and I longed to Madison Small's Elan. They we ordered out at the time of the Chester rii and ordered to go down to Chester to "lo> for the milisb, and clean out Jim Wilke company." There were nine of them order out, three of whom had disguises. ' They on went about a mile, and were fired on by t negroes, and went back. That was on Sundi night before the fight at New Hope Churcb. Mr. Ficken then addressed the court, dali iog that Mr. Mills waa perfectly eligible as juror. He said that the attempt to show coi pllcity on Ms part witt?1 Ihe Ku-Klux orgai zatloo had wholly failed. The whole comm nity ot Chester at the time referred to was a state of Intense excitement. Mr. Mills wi a gentleman of high position ia the comm nity, and he and his friends assembled spot ianeously in defence of law and order. Thei had been a fearful dread of this visit ol tl militia company, and the peaceable citizens < the place in that time of confusion and di trust were looking here and there for safel and self-protection. The most that bad bee shown was that the Ku-Klux bad been in th neighborhood, but there was no Jot or tittle < evidence to show that the Juror had been 1 sympathy with them. He had known that a armed body of colored men were approacl log, and bad known of the bitterness bc tween the races, and what was likely to rc suit. T:.? citizens of Chester had, doubtlesi reasoned among themselves and round tha there were men In the community who wer impetuous and rash, and they felt lt their dui; to come out as a posse and standibetween tb' men on either side, who were ready to commi excesses, so as to preserve the peace. Tbi most that could be claimed by the govern ment was that there was a faint suspicion o a latent sympathy on the part of the Juror but there was no sufficient cause to Induce tb* court to find the gentleman unfit to serve as e Juror. Mr. Corbin replied that ii was not neceasarj for them to show that Mr. Mills was a membei of the Ku-Klux Klans. He bad sworn that he was not, and the government did not propose to go Into that question. The act! only re quired the court to be satisfled-tbat he acted In complicity with them, and he argued thal the evidence went to show that he did co op?r?t? with them on the night In question. Mr. Mills then asked the permission of the court to make one statement, andibegged that In view of the contention that had been caused and the attention that had been attracted to his case he be excused from attendance upon the jury. Judge Bond said that the object of tb/ law in Its provisions as to the qualifications of jurors was not only that the court might be satisfied that they were free from bia?, but that the public might also see mat they were free. The act excludes any one from serving on the jury who is an accomplice, or who advised or aided the conspiracy or combination. One count of the indictment in the present caae charged a conspiracy to prevent the colored people from bearing arms, and the Juror had testified that the colored militia in the town had been disbanded and their arms taken from them by the party whom be commanded. The object ofthat party was, therefore, the same as that of the party who attacked the militia company from Carmel HUI, and they assisted materially in the same direction. He thought, therefore, that the juror ehould be excused from serving if he wanted to be. Judge Bryan said that he thought lt neces? sary to express bis judgment upon the point. He would not desire to force the Juror to serve, but he thought from the oath that he had taken, and ?rom his evident candor and high character, that lt bad not been proved that be had in any just sense had any connection or sympathy with Ku-Kluxlsm. The oath thai he bad taken Indicated the meaning of the statute. The Juror must have known of the combination and conspiracy In order to have acted with lt as a confederate, and he had sworn that he did not know of the organiza? tion. So far as he could see, the conduct of the Juror at Chester was in the Interest of peace cr.d not of oppression. He said this from a sense of duty, and without any desire to insist upon his serving on the Jury. But If all the Intelligent men of the State were to be excluded on that ground, they would be unjustly excluded,.and the juries would not be fair and Impartial juries. Judge Bond announced that the court would excuse the juror. The next name called was tbat of Ebenezer M Wells, white, of Cheraw, Chesterfield Coun? ty. He was also examined at-some-length by the district attorney, and replied that In case of a defendant charged with murder, if the evidence was clear to bis mind, he would, of course, bring him in as guilty. He was not conscientiously opposed to capital punishment; had expressed no opinion, and had no blas In regard to the case. He had no complicity with the Ku-Klux, if there were any. Had never seen any Ku-Kluxes, and knew nothing about it. Had not known of any colored men bav. lng been whipped in Chesterfield County, and had never beard of such a thing. Never bad declared that the court had no jurisdiction In these oases. He was accepted and sworn in. Mr. Campbell W. Getty, white, of Charles? ton, was next called. In reply to questions by the district attorney he said he had never denied the jurisdiction of the court. Had never subscribed to a fund to employ counsel to defend the Ku-Klux cases-- and had Derer seen or heard of such a subscription. Ile was not opposed to capital punishment; and ll a party should be found guilty of murder would be one of the first to want to have him banged. This appeared satisfactory and the juror was accepted. Mr. Alexander F. Black, of Charleston, bad been on the jury that had disagreed upon the last, murder case, and was peremptorily chal? lenged by the district attorney. Mr. Andrew M. Moreland was next called, and after a brief examination was accepted. ThiB completed the jury, which ls composed as follows: James Fillebrown, white, Cheraw, foreman; Thomas W. Berry, white, Columbia; Jacob Mills, colored, Charleston; Stephen Hare, colored, Charleston; James F. Green, white, Charleston; Matthew Wilson, colored. Cokesbury; Lee Brewer, colored, Chester? field; Alfred .Birch, colored, Che.-terfleld; Robert Howard, Jr., colored, Charleston; Ebenezer M. Welle, white,Chesterfield; Camp? bell W. Getty, white, Charleston, and Andrew M.'Moreland, white, Charleston. Six white and six colored. The indictment was then read to the jury, and Mr. Ficken filed a formal plea of objection to ttie Jurisdiction of the Circuit Court and to the right ol the court to try the charge of murder. j Mr. Corbin then briefly addressed the Jury, j and called, as the first witne.- for the cover ment, Kirkland L. Gunn. Ur. Gunn repeat? the same testimony that he had given a seo: of times before at the last term of the com describing the Ku-Klux Klan and bis corine tlon with it. On cross-examination the fai was brought out, as it had been brought ot before in Columbia, that the witness had goo to Attorney-General Akerman to tell hil what he knew about the Ku-Klux, and tat Ur. Akerman had given .bim two bundre dollars. Thomas L. Berry was next called, and h also recited* his former testimony about th Ku Klux Klans, their constitution, by-law; grip?, oaths, countersigns, &c. Neither c these witnesses knew anything about th defendant, and had never seen bim before. The next witness was Shuford Bowen white. He testified that he lived In Clevelani County, North Carolina, half mlle from tb South Carolina line, and wa3 nineteen year old. He belonged to Frank Eilis's Ku-Klu; Klan, and was on the raid against Ton Roundtree. The party met at Uoore's Mill on Buffalo Creek, in Tork County, about tei o'clock at nlgr*. There were seventy 01 eighty In the crowd. They went to within < quarter of a mlle of Bound tree's house, when they left their horses, leaving four men tc take care of them. Then the party, with th? witness, went to Boundtree's house, Jumpec over the fence and surrounded the house Witness threw some rails off the fence to give Roundtree a signal to make bis escape. Some body fired a gun; didn't know whether lt wae Inside or. outside of the house, and then a good many of the party fired. Turner Spen? cer and the witness then broke in the door ol the house and ran in. Did not find Round tree In the house, but eomebody said he waa up in the loft. By this time the witness, a man named Humphreys and the defendant, Bapaugh, were standing in the entry. Some? body fired up into the loft, and Roundtree ran Lo the edge of the loft and fired down into the crowd and hit Sapaugh, the d?? tendant, in the breast and the wrist. Boundtree then Jumped out of the window and ran. The witness ran around the house, heard some shots fired, and saw Roundtree drop. Witness and another man took hold ot him and helped him up. Roundtree had sev aral guns and pistols In his house, and they told him to show them where they were, and he said he would, some one then told Henry Sapaugh, brother' of the defendant, that Roundtree bad shot his brother, and Henry 3apaugh drew his bowie knife and went out to Roundtree. Witness was afterward told that he cut bis throat. Then they heard some? body sing out, "Here are the Ku-Klux," and the party went to their horses and rode away. Roundtree was a colored man, about thirty live years old, and had a family. None of his family were injured. Witness saw the de? fendant In the house, and saw him at the ren? dezvous. Witness had been on one other raid. That was on John Moss, la York Coun? ty. The party met at night In an old field, went to the house, and dividen Into three squads. One- squad went to Jane 3kates's bouse, but did not find her. She was a white woman. Witness and bis squad then ?olned the party going to Moss's house. Wit? ness ordered the door to be opened, and called for the Wright boys. Saw three persons run? ning away. Tben went back to Jane Skates's house and tore lt down. It was a small frame sabin. Then tbey went to Jane Mehila's house, surrounded lt, went in and found nobody there. They took up the boards and found Jake Wright, John Mosa and John Wright ander the floor. Took them out, and took them up the road about three hundred yarcjs, made them strip, and whipped them. Then went back to Jane Mehila's house, took her out to the road and made ber ile down, and the defendant daubed her person with tar. Thea witness ordered her to be gone from the county within three days. The witness was cross-examined by Ur. Ficken, and said he Joined the Ku-Elux In 1869. Was not eighteen years old then. He had not been in sympathy with the object of the raid. Robert Moss, another of the parry, had said he didn't want to have the man killed. Did not know whether the defendant was In sympathy with the raid or not. Witness bad understood that the woman, Jane M eh ll a, was it woman of bad character. That was the ru? mor through the country. Witness was spokes? man of the party, because his voice was not known in that neighborhood. Witness order ad the defendant to apply the tar to the wo? man. Witness was not certain whether lt was lie that ordered the woman to lift up her jlotbes. Everything the defendant had done ie had done by orders communicated to him Dy the witness. Did not know whether be nbeyed the orders unwillingly or not. At the raid on Tom Roundtree witness supplied the lefendant with a gun and ammunition. Wit? less had a small revolver of his own. John B. Ferris, white, was next sworn. He esilfled that he was thirty-nine years of age, ind had lived in York County until February 12,1871. Knew Tom Roundtree. He was a roter, and always voted the Republican ticket. Saw his body after he was killed. His throat was cut, asd there were thirty-three shots on his body from bullets and Duckshot. An Inquest was held on the body on the Uonday after he was killed. Witness was raided on on the night ol February 10th, 1871, and he described it great length the circumsiances of the raid on himself. On cross-examination the witness testified that he knew the defendant. Did not know whether he \ras among the party that raided on him, and bad no reason to believe that he was. Witness was captain of a militia company which had been disbanded, and had fifteen or sixteen guns in his house which had belonged to the company. William Bras was next examined, and testi? fied that he lived in York County and knew Tom Roundtree. Roundtree was about thirty five years ot age, was a voter,and had always voted the Republican ticket. Nb cross-exami? nation. This concluded the testimony for the prose? cution, and at hall-past three o'clock the court took a recess uutll 7.30 P. M. EYEXIXQ SESSION". The court reassembled In the evening, and Mr. Ficken began his address to the Jury. He a'luded to the position ol the defendant stand? ing alone before them, charged with the gravest of crimes, and with his own lips sealed by the laws of the court in his o wa be? half. He called the attention of the Jury to the disturbed, chaotic condition of affairs In this State at the close of the war. Govern? ments were made and unmade in the twink? ling of an eye. Not even the best lawyers of the State could always tell where they 6tood. There was co need to speak of the barn burn? ings, the acts of Incendiarism, and other acts of lawlessness, for the jury were familiar with the history of that time. He would admit that secret political organizations were wrong In principle and wrong in effect, but they did exlBt. The body politic had its diseases, Just as the physical frame has Its aliments, ! They were confined to neither party. An the Republicans was the powerful U League, with Its widespread Influences, this time another organization was fort and became popular among the people of up-country. It was not universal, bu was widespread, and lhere was e< palliation and excuse for Ignorant men be drawn Into it. . He called attention to the : that all ot the witnesses had said they w duped Into Joining the organization. They w humble men who had been In the habl receiving their opinions at second-hand. '. history of the people lu that county sh< that they have long been Influenced by leading men of the community, and they w told by such men that this movement * right and proper and necessary. The defe ant did not deny that he belonged to the ord but he denied the great mass of charges tl had been drawn up In the indictment, if erred In following the advice and Influence leading minds In the community, they mi admit that be erred naturally. Referring the first count of the Indictment, he asked lt could be believed that the defendant, Joining the organization, did so with an int? tlon ot going into such a fearful conspiracy was described. In another count it vi charged that the prisoner combined, certain date, with the avowed purpc ot preventing Thomas Boundtree from vi ing on a certain day rn October, 1872, day which bas not yet dawned and which t prisoner nor the long list of persons Jolm charged with him might never see. Next, is charged that this poor man, Bound tr? was punished because he had roted mont before, but no connection had] been shot between that outrage and thal act of snffrag Another charge was of conspiracy to preve Tom Boundtree from exercising the right bear arms, but no panicle of evidence hi been brought to show that the defendant e tered into any such conspiracy. By the la of conspiracy the defendant would be clear guilty ot any crime that might be Involved what was agreed upon at the time of his Jol lng the body. The basis of that organiza tlc had been shown in Its constitution, which ht been put In evidence, and the limits of tl conspiracy Into which the defendant entere were found In the objects stated in the const tutlon. The prisoner had undoubtedly bi longed to the organization, but he had abai doned lt as soon aa be could, and* had volui tartly surrendered himself to the authority of the government as soon as the made their appearance. As to tb more serious charge of murder, one < the witnesses had testified that going to th house of the poor man, who was killed, he ha thrown down the rails to warn the victim an allow him to escape. The prisoner, perbapi had done the same, although by the law of th United States be could not go upon the stan and say so. The two counts charged the. d( fendant, first, with the shooting of -Thoma Boundtree with shot-guns, and, second, th cutting of his throat; but all the evidence the had been brought showed only that the di fendant was In or near the party by whlc these acts were done. Mr. Ficken careful! reviewed the testimony, pointing out the die crepancles and the character of the witnesses ali of whom were, by their own statements gullly of the. same crime that ls chargei against the prisoner, and one of whom hat been paid two hundred dollars by the attoi ney-general of the United Stales without an; apparent reason. In regard to the abuse of i woman that had been charged, that aurel; was not a conspiracy against a voter, and wa not an offence of which the court could taki any cognizance. It was a fiendish outrage however bad the character of the womat might have been, and lt should be punished but it was a crime.with which that court nae nothing to do, and which was not for the Juri to consider. As to the charge ot mur der, how did lt come that the verdie of the Jury upon the Inquest had not been pro duced ? That was au important dooumenl which should have been produced, and Its ab? sence left them In the dark. Mr. Corbin replied on behalf of the govern? ment. He said lt was not a case in which thc prosecuting officer''could find any pleasure, but lt was a stern duty on the part of thc Judge, the Jury and the officers of the gov? ernment. The law was necessary for the pres? ervation of society and civilization, and the law said to every man who commits a murder "you shall die." While they might have sym? pathy or pity for the man who can be led Into the commission of murder, they should also take Into account the case of his victim, who was cut off lu a moment, and whose family were left, unprovided for and destitute, to mourn bis tragic.end. He then proceeded to review the various counts of the indictment, and claimed that they were all clearly proved, and spoke of the horrible nature of the crime, and of the duty resting upon the Jury to find a verdict of gullly, however painful the duty might be. Judge Bond then briefly charged the Jury. He said lt was not necessary lor him to speak at great length upon the first count as he had BO often charged in regard to lt. The |ury was to discover whether any such conspiracy had been proved, and that they could discover either by the testimony of the witnesses who Bald they were members of it, the constitution of the order, or by the conduct of its members as given in evidence. The second count charged the same conspiracy, and that in the prosecution of that conspiracy a murder was committed. The crime ot burder was easy of d?finition. It was the premeditated killing of a reasonable being with malice aforethought, expressed or Implied. The term malice did not mean, in the seuse of the law, any per? sonal hatred or malignity toward the person killed, but it meant that condition of heart that Indicates a person devoid o.f social leel iDg or without regard for social duties. If a man points a gun at A, and Ares with the in? tention of killing A, but misses him and kills B, that man is guilty of the murder of B. As to what degree of participation is necessary to make a party a principal, the Judge charged, that ail are principals who go out together to do an unlawful act. It was not necessary that the parly do the fatal act. It was only neces? sary that he should be present, standing by and ready to give assistance ll need be. The Judge gave various other Instructions upon minor points ol the Indictment, and the Jury retired at 10 P. M. Aller an absence of exactly fifty-five min? utes, the Jury returned with a verdict of guilty, but recommending the prisoner to the clem? ency of the court and the Executive. Mr. Ficken entered a motion In arrest of Judg? ment, and the court adjourned until this morn? ing at ten o'clock. More Indictments. The grand Jury yesterday returned true bills of Indictment for conspiracy against Ellas Burnett, Barnett Bussell, James Kimball, John Chapman, Creighton Pope, Benjamin Strickland, James Calvin Moore, Pluckney George, Bryant Bonner and John Barnet. In f the case of W. M. Falt?n, ot York County, Indictment returned on Thursday was for conspiracy, Instead of conspiracy and mur der, as before reported. On motion of Asher D. Cohen, Esq., Mr John P. Hood, of fork, a gentleman sixty years of age, charged with conspiracy, released on ten thousand dollars ball. On motion Of the district attorney, charges of murder were struck out of the In dlctments against Walker Dawson, Walter P Antony and Joseph Lackey. The court ordered that B. J. Trent be re moved from Charleston to Yorkville to serve the remainder of his term of service. The Ku-Klux In Columbia. The Columbia Phoenix gives the following report of the proceedings before the United States commissioner on Thursday: The case of Dr. Thomas McCoy and Major John A. Leland, charged with murder and conspiracy, were taken up. Several witnesses were examined upon the part of the govern ment. Messrs. Jaeger and SlmpsoB, for prisoners, made a motion to either discharge or allow the prisoners to enter into recognizance either before the commissioner or be dis charged altogether, as the testimony adduced before the commissioner was not sufficient to retain them. The commissioner reserved his decision un til to-day, at ten o'clock, when the court ad Journed until ten o'clock A. M. to-day. THE WAR CLOUD BLOWS OTEE Prince Bismarck's Dispatch Friendly and Pacific. LON'DON', April 19. A special dispatch to the Daily News from Berlin says that no ultimatum, as alleged by the Dally Telegraph yesterday, has been sent to the French Government by Bismarck Count Yon Arnim, the German ambassador to France, did convey a dispatch from Prince Bismarck to the Government at Versailles, but its tone was very pacific and highly flattering to Thiers. The Premier in the dispatch stated that he was convinced that peace was secured between the two nations so long as the pres ent executive of the French remained in power. Ia the same - dispatch Prince .Bis marck complains of the distrust ol the good Intentions of Germany manifested by the peo pie ot France. _ MYSTERIOUS MES. MASON. The Beautiful Brunette Cornea Before the Arms Committee. The Washington correspondent of the Baitl more Sun, under date ot the 15th, .says': The woman In the case of the purchase of French arms appeared and testified before the Senate special committee to-day. A full com mlttee room, Including several ladles, listened to her testimony, which was entirely devoid of the exciting Interest that was expected. Mrs Ada Mason is her name. She ls a native of Alexandria, Ya., and until recently was a resi? dent ol Washington, though she was South during the war. She Is a bright, handsome, dashing woman, and was fashionably attired. She read from manuscript her direct examination, which was simply to the effect that she had been told by New York parties lu the fall or 1870 that she could make money by buying arms of the ordnance office and selling them again on commission. She replied that she could but try. The witness then added: "They then sent me a list of the ordnance they would want, Enfield, Springfields, ammunition, Ac, to tbe amount of $100,000 or $200,000, or more. I went to the ordnance department and saw the officer on duty* General Dyer was absent. This gentleman told me the terms the arms were selling for, and he saw no difficulty in the way of a lacy purchasing arms, if she was able to buy. U pon General Dyer's return I again presented myself at the department with a letter of Introduction. General Dyer gave me the sacie information the officer had given. He added the government required a certain per cent, in advance, a margin ot twenty-five per cent, on all purchases, before tbe guns could be delivered, . to secure themselves against losses; moreover, he could not give me tue refusal of the guns, as be had to protect himself against street speculators; this I wrote to New York; thereupon Mr. Peck presented hi m self at my house with a letter of Introduction as a party who wished te get the arms; he told me he represented' Mr. Norman Wlard, who, being au enemy of General Dyer, he could not be known in the matter, and he (W.) was buying for Mr. McKenzie, agent of the French steamers, and be (McKenzie) bought arms for Gambetta. All the Influence I had with General Dyer was the faith I had In my capacity to accomplish the same others had done. I have made money In legitimate spec? ulations, and I did not see why I could not In the speculation of buying arms. General Dyer treated me the same as he would any other trader who came Into his office-with the natural consideration a soldier and a gen? tleman would extend to any woman." Mr. Schurz. Did you, at that Interview, satisfy them that you could get the arms? Witness. I thought I could get the arma If they put up the margin $25,000, and it would have to be put up In my hands, as I made the transaction. Q. Was General Dyer at the Hoffman House when you were tn New York ? A. No, sir. I knew he had gone to the Springfield armory, and I telegraphed from New York to ascertain If he was there. I re? ceived an answer that General Dyer was In New York. Q. Did General Dyer ever ask you for whom were you purchasing arms? A. Ye?, sir; and I told him for Mr. McKen? zie, an agent tor the French; he said that the only agents the French had to purchase arms were the Bemingtons; be seemed to think that Mr. McKenzie was not an authorized agent. Q. By Mr. Schurz.-Mr. Peck, In hts testi? mony, says that you deceived bim. A. My failure hinged upon his failure to put up the money as I desired. I really believe that if he had put up the money I could have got the arms. This ended Mrs. Mason's examination. THE COURT OF CLAIMS. WASHINGTON, April 19. In the Senate to-day the deficiency bill was taken up, when Morrill, of Vermont, offered an amendment providing that the Jurisdiction of the Court of Claims shall not extend to, or In? clude, any claim for abandoned or captured property received or collected either by the civil or military authorities of the United States, under the act of March 12, 1863, unless lu cases commenced within two years after the sup? pression of the rebellion, and where the claim? ants have proved to the satisfaction of the court that they have never given aid or comfort to the rebellion. Cole moved to lay the amend? ment on the table on the ground that lt was not germane to the bill. Lost, yeas sixteen, nays t went}-five. PRESIDENT GRANT AND, THE KU KLUX. WASHINGTON, April 19. The President sent a message to the House to-day giving the full details of his Informa* tion regarding the Ku-Klux Klan in several South Carolina counties. His lalormatlon was mostly oral, except that derived from Akerman's " report, which asserted, among other things, that these combinations embrace two-thirds ol the active white men,'and have the sympathy and countenance of a majority of the other third. They are connected with similar combinations in other counties and states. Akerman accuses tbesa people of sys? tematic perjury, whereby the prosecution of the members ls defeated. SPARKS FROM THE WIRES. -The Mexican General Trevino has plenty of men, but no food or forage. -The civil service bill was recommitted In the House of Bepresentatives yesterday. -Gavazzl is seeking money, and says Plus IX will be the last Pope. . -Earthquakes In California continue. An island ls rising in Mono Lake. _A tram was thrown from the track, near Crystal Springs, Miss. One lady dangerously hurt, and fifteen slightly Injured. -Tho Czar has settled Catacazy's hash by sending bim to Paris with a pension of three thousand roubles to be withdrawn If he makes any publication or ls again found out. GREAT LOSS, OF PROPERTY Hi CO LUMBLA AND CHESTER. Fall of th? \ew Market-House In Iambi?-Th? Handsome Ballding Mass of Rain?-No Lou of Life ported? [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NSW8.] COLUMBIA, 8. C., Friday, April 19. The great blow of Thursday, some ol effects pf which were described In my dispatch of yesterday, was fortunately of short dara tion, and, except In Colombia and Chester, the blustering winds contented themselves with uprooting ' trees and laying fences low. Co lumbla was reached in the evening, the storm travelling In a westerly direction. A driving rain accompanied the gusts of wind, whioh snapped trees in twain and did some damage buildings In course of erection. All these minor losses were, however, dwarfed into Insignifi? cance by the fall of the new market building This made but a short resistance. The wood work fell in with a terrific crash, and settled mostly within the area occupied by the build lng. All the brick work also toppled down excepting that at the north and south ends The building was nearly completed, but lt was found that lt would not stand any extreme pressure, as the ponderous roof stood upon iron posts .unsupported by braces. No one was burt by the fall. The huge timbers were broken and rendered useless, and the whole structure will have to be rebuilt. This will be a heavy loss to the contractors. A trestle eighteen miles below the city, on the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Ball road, was smashed by falling Umber, and the cars were detslned several hours. SALUDA, Th? Storm In Cheat er?-Slity.two Houses Kn tl rr I y Deg troy ed-Four Fe non ? In. Jared-?Hil?? of Fencing Blown Down -The Los? $50,000-A . Meeting In Chester to Take Mean? for Believing the Suffer erg. - [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS.] CHESTER, S. C., Friday, April 19. The total number of houses, of all kinds, entirely destroyed by the storm ol yesterday afternoon, ls sixty-two, and a great many other buildings are seriously damaged. No person was killed. Paris A. Liles, David Jones, Lucy Jones and Pauline Stokes, all colored, were injured by falling bouses; the first named seriously. . All the outbuildings on the plantation of Hrs. Gooch, four miles to the east of Chester, were entirely destroyed; also the outbuildings on the plantation ot Hrs. Rodan, four miles to the west of the town. Hiles of fence along the track of the storm were levelled to the ground, and thousands of the largest fruit trees were torn up by the roots, and in many cases carried to considerable distance. The total loss cannot fall short of fifty thousand dollar', and falls mostly upon people In very limited circumstances. A public meeting of the citizens of the town presided over by the Rev. L. C. Hinton, was held la the courthouse this afternoon. A committee of fifteen was appointed to raise a fuud for the relief of the sufferers, and a com mittee of five to ascertain the extent ol the injury and the names of the needy, with in s tm ?tions to report to an adjourned meeting ot citizens to-morrow afternoon. The house occupied by Judge Mackey was rendered almost entirely uninhabitable, and his furniture was badly damaged. Trna house was Just in tbe track of the Blorm, but being a sub? stantial houee was not blown over. The handsome ?rounds of Major George Melton were seriously injured by the uproot? ing of the large forest trees which conBtltu ted Its chief attraction. CHESTER. THE STATE CAPITAL. Cloting the Schools for Want of Fonds. COLUMBIA, S. C., April 19. There js a prospaot that all the public schools In the country counties will be closed for want of funds. The Legislature squandered the public money, and the colored people are thereby deprived of the means ot education. __ SALUDA. JOTTINGS ABOUT THE STATE. . -Mr.-William H. Harrison, or Greenville, died of pneumonia a fe w days ago. -A number ot workmen fell from an Aiken scaffold. They axe now aching. -The Court of General Sessions ls sitting in Camden. -Mrs. Hary Edmonston died In Aiken last Tuesday, In her 83d year. -Governor Scott bas appointed 0. S. Curtis atrial justice for St. Paul's,Parish, Colleton County, vice Evans Brown, removed. -Bethel Lodge,-No. 12, of tbe Independent Order of Good Templars, was instituted at Yorkville last week. -Captain W. H. McDowell, lately [en gaged in manufacturing phosphates In tbls State, died at Cincinnati a few days ago. -There was a noisy row iq Chester on Sa? turday night between some citizens aud some soldiers. Nobody burt. -Mr. J. Oss?r Harley, son of Hr. Edward Harley, died of appolexy, at the residence ol bis father, near Barnwell, on the 13 th Instant. <. -The Palmetto Fire Company of Greenville make a fine show on parade, and are always prompt al fires. -On hunday night the stable of the Misses DeCholseul, near i ne Episcopal Church, Green? ville, was burned by Incendiaries. -Plenty of candidates in Greenville-two for State senator, two lor clerk and forty for sheriff. All Democrats save one. -An old English halfpenny, of date ot 1775, was picked up near Aiken, by Mr. J. PeloL It ls a very rare coln, and is quite highly prized by the fortunate tinder. -Mr. 0. C. Jordan, a crack rider and one of the proprietors ot the Aiken livery stables, had a fiery animal to run away with bim. Neither the rider nor the horse received any Injury. -The Rev. A. J. Stokes addressed the SODS of Temperance lu Camden last Monday. Sev? eral persons Joined the order alter the speak? ing. -For intendant of Hamburg, P. E. Rivera received 136 votes; Y. D. Arnim 43 rotes, and Mortimer May ams 5 votes. Rivers ls a Scotllte. -On Saturday last, Hr. Julian A Selby, of the Columbia Phoenix, was robbed of a gold watch-and chain, ??Bjp in money, and some valuable papers, In a sleeping car near Balli? more. .> -Dr. A. Q. Bradley, who is on a visit to Chester, informs the Reporter that the troop of cavalry ordered to OpellKa lately waa for the suppression of llliclc^distilJIng-not for Ku Klux iruub'ea, , , , . -Mr. Laban Ferguson, formerly a citizen of Laucaster, died at his residence in Missouri, of pneumonia, on the 24th of March last. The de? ceived emigrated to Missouri a few years ago. He was a good man and hiuhly respected. -The Darlington Agricultural and Mechani? cal Fair Company organized on Monday. Ed. McIntosh, president, and T. P. Lide, vice president. The directors were authorized io purchase grounds at once, and erect perma? nent buildings for holding the fairs. -County auditor J. M. Brawley, of Chester County, on Friday, made a settlement with the State auditor, the first settlement ibat bas been made for the year lt is stated. Mr. Brawley slates that the taxes for 1871 bave been paid up very closely. -Tue Rica Hill Division, Sons of Temper? ance, ls la a growing and flourishing condi? tion. It uow nua?v%over thirty members. Mr. Cephas J. Kee hf Lie worthy patriarch for tbe current quarter. The division meets reg? ularly on altercate Saturdays. -We learn that on the 5th Instant, at the saw mill ol T. J. Dyson, on Saluda, a negro man named Wealey, Georae waa shot and kill? ed by another, named Wash Williams. Tbe decision or the jury of inquest was in accord? ance with tbe fact we state, A woman, we are told, was the cause of disturbance. -A large number of cattle have lately died in Marlon County of a bind of murrain. The disease seema to be incurable. Ic attacks old and young alike, and seldom, fails to pro? duce death. Already the - number : destroyed by this epidemic is estimated to exceed one thousand head. -Up to this date the amount of guano're? ceived nc Chester depot during the present season is fifty-four hundred sacks. Allowing tea sacks to tbe ton,the quantity ls five handlea and forty tons. The Reporter has no dc ubt that the quanflty received at Blackstone's, 8mlth's, Lewis's, and Bock Hill, for farmers In this county, is more .than double the amount received at Chester. -The Aiken Journal says: "Up to the 15th. of April, 1870, eight hundred strangers had visited Aiken that season. Last year up lo the same lime there were twelve hundred, and this season it gives us pleasure to an? nounce sixteen hundred arrivals, and the iiea Bon Is not over by any means. Both hotels and many private boarding houses are still full, white visitors are arriving by every train. There must be still more than' four hundred strangers In the place. Owing to the pressure of the season beiore last summer, Mr. Chatfield added seventeen more rooms to Highland Park, and this summer we learn that he contemplates adding another entire building of flt ty rooms to his aireidy large hotel. The proprietor bf. the Aiken howl* spent several thousand dollars last summer In improving the looks of his house, and will no doubt make still further additions this sum? mer. OD the whole, there Is every prospect that Aiken ls going ahead, and tho only Thine ls for the people of the place to. keep the bau In motion as much as possible. THE POLITICAL WOHLD. A Strong Pennsylvania Delegation to Cincinnati. PHILADELPHIA, Aprl? 19. The following gentlemen have issued' an address to the people of the State, and an? nounce their determination to attend the Cincinnati Convention: John Hickman, Da? vid Barolay,_W. w. Irvin, Wm. Painter, Tho*. J. Warrell, Wm. H. Armstrong, Wm. M. Ball, Jas. W. Cake, E. Syle, Chas. Wl?tar,-Hein? rich Wehler, Bob t. Morrie, W. W. B?ther/?rdt-* J. C. Bamberger, Jae. M. McClure, Jay Cald? well, Samuel Evans, Hiram Sutherland. H?ory L. Cake, Morrow B. Lowry, A K. McClure, J. B. Sypher, Wm. L. Dennis. 8. Darlington, Caleb H. needles, J. Bayard Wood, Geo. D. Cblney, Jonas M. walker, A. W. Bailey, E. Tv Chase, Charles F. Ballinger, Chas.. Hoover. Joshua Earner, B. F. Etter. .Theo. Herr, Dan'l D. Dinmore, Jr., H. t. Jadgeon, J. M. Boyer. The Philadelphia signers to the call meeton Saturday to appoint a committee to arranger tor excursion rates for delegates to Cincinnati and to transact such other business' as may' be presented. 'J' " The Union League In the Field. ' " NEW YORK, April 19. - Governor Kewell, of New Jersey, ls elected obalrman of the National Elective Committee of the Union League. The resolutions pledge, the support ot the League to the nom?neles of the regular Republican Convention. ? West Virginia Moving. PARKERSBURG, April 19. ? At a conference ot leading Liberal Repub? licans and Liberal Democrats, held In this city yesterday, it was resolved that the Liberal Republicans of West Virginia who may attend the Cincinnati Liberal Republican Convention be requested to use ali honorable means to secure the nomination of Chief Justice Chaser to the Presidency. . MIDDLETOWN, April 19. The Orange County Convention, held here yesterday, appointed olxteen delegates to the Cincinnati Convention. The Democrats Organising.' NEW ORLEANS, April 19. The Democratic State Convention met yes? terday at the National Theaire. General Alexander was chosen temporary chairman. There was a large attendance. A permanent organization was not effected. The members seem to be equally divided in regard to .the nominations, mr.ny favoring a postponement until after the Cincinnati Convention. The Vote In Connecticu t. HARTFORD, April 19. The official vote for Governor ls ai follows: Marshall Jewell (Republican) 4C,l>63: Rich? mond L Hubbard (Democrat) 44,562:.Francis Glllete (Temperance) 1549; A H. Harrison (Labor Beform) 399; scattering, 26. THE SHERMAN POISONING CAME, * Nsw HAVEN, April 19. . At the trial of Lydia Sherman, for the mur? der of her husband, .the mother of Mrs. Sher? man was examined. She noticed that, after the deceased bad drank a oup of tea, which the poisoner had prepared, he was seized with. an Intense burning in the stomach and falntec. The servant girl testified that Mr. and Mrs? Sherman were kind to each other, but bad not slept together for two or three weeks before his death. G. H. Peck testified that Mrs. Sher? man bought arsenic at bis store two or three weeks before Sherman'died. She said: that she wanted lt to klU rats with. Mrs. Sherman bad con lesead this to the sheriff who arrested' ' her In New Jersey. Professor Barker deecrloed tba manner of bis analysis of a portion of Sherman's liver. From six ounces weight he procured nearly half a grain, and la the same proportion there would have been five grains ia the entire or? gan. FLASHES FROM THE CABLES. -The ship Marla from Bombay, March 15, ts wrecked, and thirty-five lives are lost. -Queen Victoria visited Napoleon yester? day; / -Premier Gladstone refuses to- answer any. more questions about the Geneva arbitration. -Laird's shipyards at Birkenhead were on fire yesterday. Two persons were killed by falllog timbers. -The ministers were beaten in the House of Commons, on Wednesday, on a motion to punish veters for displaj lng their ballots. The vote was 274 noes to 246 ayes, which was hailed with Tory cheers. Mr. Thomas Hughes, yesterday, moved au address to tbe Queen, praying her to urgethe Spanish Government to fulfil Its treaty obligations in regard to the abolition of slavery in Cuba.' THE WEATHER THIS DAT, WASHINGTON, April 19. Partially cloudy but pleasant weather will prevail very generally from the lower lakes to the South Atlantic States and eastward, with light to fresh winds on Saturday. The pres? sure will continue diminishing throughout tba Mississippi Valley, With Increased cloudiness, and probably rain, and extend eastward over the Gulf States to the Ohio Valley and upper lake r?gions. Dangerous winds are not antici? pated. Yesterday'* Weather Reports or* th? Signal ^Service, C. 8. A.-4.47 P. M., Local Time. Place of Observation. Bi re a : ? o If a> a : S Angosta, Qa.... Baltimore. Boston. Charleston. Chicago. Cincinnati.. Galveston, Tex.. Rey West. Knoxville, Tenn. Memphis, Tenn, wt. Washington. New Orleans.... New York. Norfolk. Philadelphia. Portland, Me.... Savannah....... st. Louis. Washington .... Wilmington,N.e. 29.84 80 W ?9.81 63 W 29 ?3 6? E 29.83 77 W 29.81 38 N 29.86 64 W 29.86 78 H 29.97 87 W ? ?9.84 64 K 29.18 64 Calm, 29.78 28 W 29.88 79 SE 29.74 67 W 29.83 64 NK 2 .78 68 NW 29.7 . 48 SB 29.82 79 W 9 8 66 NW 29.79 62jNW 29.821 73lS_ Light. Fresh. Pre h. Gentle. Brl-k Genoe. Gentle. O' ntie. Gentle. Brisk. i-irettb. Gentle. Fresh Fr? Bb. Gentle. Gen i le. Geurie. Fr-h. Fiesb. Fair. Fair. lear. Fair. Thr'ng. Fair, ibr'og. clear. Clear. Moody. Fair. Lt.Rain Fair. Fair. < Fair, .lear. Citar. Fair. ' Fair. Frtlr. NOTE.-The weather wport aveu 7 47 o'cJocX. this morning, will be poattd tn tbe room? ? tue Chamber or Commerce at io o'ciock A. a-, ana, together with the weather ?"V<b*???. courtesy of the Chamber) oe er ?mined by ?tun masters at any tune during the day.