The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, October 06, 1908, Image 3
r - ^ . .
jjjljc HeralD attD gems.
VOL XLV NO. 80 NEWBERRY, S. P.. TUESDAY. OCTOBER >1. 1908. TWICE A WEEK. $1.50 A YEAR
GARRISON GONYIGTED *i
SENTENGE TWO YEARS
\\
LAURENS MAN WHO SLEW HIS p,
DAUGHTER'S SWEETHEART. (j;
Daughter of Defendant, Who Was pe
Sweetheart of Deceasod, Gives , lo
Details of tho Tragedy. tit
(By Jno. K. Aull.)
Special to The Herald and News. te
Laurens, Oct. 3.?Charged with |)(
murder in the killing of J. Louis Wil- fe
liamson, J. Henry Garrison was con- f.,
victed in the court of sessions here on fj
Friday of manslaughter, the y jury ta
which convicted him recommending fi
him to the mercy of the court. Judge lir
Memminger overruled the motion for js
a new trial, and sentenced Garrison ai
to serve two years in the State poni- sii
tentiary or on tlie public works of w;
Laurens county. ai
The trial of Garrison, resulting f(>
from one of the saddest tragedies ever hv
enacted in Laurens county, ere ited sh
great interest throughout South
Carolina. Young Williamson, the dc- ai
ceased, was a guest at the Garrison se
home at Gray Court, as a visitor to an
Miss Mary Garrison, daughter of J. on
Henry Garrison. Young Williamson wi
and Miss Garrison were engager, lo N
be married. Williamson was a prom- ca
inent young farmer of Bethesda, near yo
Rook Hill, in York county. He he- sli
came acquainted with Miss Garrison wi
while she was teaching school near be
his home, and their acquaintance rip- le
ened into love and the engagement hti
be married. On the nigh', of the Ira- L
gedy which ended young Williamson's ed
life an-il placed Garrisor under indict- hi
inent for murder, Williamson an?\ he
Miss Garrison were iu the family ad
parlor. According to her testimony do
he was trying to take liberties with ca
her over her protest. Garrison, who
stated that his suspicions had been fii
aroused by what ho ha.l heard from m
the parlor, went into the yard lo m<
I he window of Ihe pari >. , takim; his (h
shot gun with him. Ho said thai ho IT;
looked through the window and his in
conslusion was that Williamson was Hi
trying to take improper advantage of ah
his daughter, as ho expressed i(. He re:
said that Williamson's back was to- al
wards him and ho hollered to him to ha
move, whereupon Williamson faced lin
him and ho shot him, Ihe load taking fj.i
efleet in Williamson's bowels, and re- m<
suiting in death three hours later. |)u
Garrison's testimony was t<> the of- ;j
feet I'ha 1 lie did not know of William- ]in
son's engagement of his daughter. <?01
Mrs. Gnrrison staled that she know a,r
the young people were engaged to be ]{,
married, hut I hat, so far as she know. aj
her husband did not know of it. Miss |1()
Garrison's testimony was to Ihe same Wjl
effect along this line. f()1
Garrison's attorneys have given no- lia
lice of intention lo appeal lo the su- afl
pre me court, and ponding the appeal pa
I lie defendant was granted bond in (hi
the sum of $1,000, Ihe same amount in
under which he was hold before the ah
trial. lia
Solicitor Cooper was assisted in tin* so'
prosecution by Mr. I'. II. Nelson, of so'
Columbia. Tho defendant was rep- rig
resented by Messrs. Ferguson & sin
Fealherslono and Rie.hoy & Kichev, of hoi
tho local bar. Thorn was a harfl hoi
fight by the attorneys on each side, hej
and the arguments to the jury were sot
able. Messrs. Nelson and Cooper ad- hit
dressed the jury for the Stale, and up,
Messrs. Foalhorslone and Richov for sh(
Ihe defendant. Mr. Nelson opened wh
for Ihe State, and was followed by do'
Messrs. Richov and Fealherslono, for iii.y
defendant, I he arguments of each of fa I
gentlemen beinir unusually gui
> ''r Solicitor Cooper closed for he:
I 'e Stale in :i powerful argument. | sin
^ Tho ease was called on Thursday qiu
s ju and t!ie f illowim; jury was of
\ i . I' n-,il(.vt II. R. i'rvor, F. v.m
V. M : 1 *?u. .1. \Y. \brains, Sam L Sax- wa
on, M. P. l)vd;M)baiigh, C. C. Young, poi
?T"o j\. Abererombie. (!. II. Finley. wi)
R. II. Yoiiii?f, A. I. Mahaffev, T. d. ex;
Lavton. Mr. T. .1. Lay ton was ap- she
pointed foreman of the jury. | liai
Or. C. F. Kodgors was the first wit- j ki 1
noss called for the Stale. He losti-'orrl
fiod that about 12 o'clock Mr. Gar-1 he
rison came lo his home and ?.c<kod him oik
if he had any surgical instruments, tlie
lliiifr him he wanted' him to go to
s (Garrison's) house at once; that
j had shot a man. lie said that he
lsuL to Garrison's home, and found
'illiamson in a room in rear of the
irlor, on a bed, and that Miss Mary
jrrison was fanning hitu. Dr. liodsrs
pointed out 011 the solicitor's
irson the location of the wound, the
ad taking effect in the left side of
e bowels, ranging slightly upward.
The next witness called for the
ate was Miss Mary Garrison, daughr
of the defendant, and the only
irson prosent, othftf than the dendant
and Williamson, when t'he
ta 1 shot was fired. She for the
rst time related the harrowing *tlc- j
ils of the tragedy in which her aff\nc,ed
lover met his death at the
tnds of her father. Miss Garrison
a young lady of evident refinement
id culture and education. She was
mplv dressed, wearing a white shirt
uist, a black skirt, and tan cloak,
id a black turban hat. During her
stimonv il was evident that she was
boring under an intense strain, but
e held herself under remarkable
ntrol. Only once or' twice during
1 hour which must have tried her
verely did she lose her self-control,
id then only for an instant. During
ie of these moments the situation
us tense and dramatic. Attorney
cdson had handed her for identifition
a letter which she had sent to
nuig Williamson's mother, after the
looting, expressing her sympathy
ith Mrs. Williamson in her great
reavement. Miss Garrison took the
Her, glanced over it and tore it in
tlf and threw i( on tlie floor. At
idge Meniminger's request she pick1
up tlie letter and handed it to
m, Judge Meniminger stating that
would read it and if lie thought it
Imissihlc lie would let it go in evince.
lie decided later during the
se that il was not competent.
Miss Garrison testified that she
st went to York to teach in Fobary,
IDOo, and it was then that she
>t young Williamson. She taught
ere four months, and then went to
unpton to teach, returning to York
Sepiember, l!)0(i, taking charge of
0 Dethesda high school, which was
out two miles from the Williamson
udencc. She returned to her home
(fray Court about the first of May,
ving become engaged to Mr. Wilmson
some time in the spring. Miss
irrison said she had not told her
?ther or father of the engagement,
t she thought her mother knew of
She did not think her father
ew of it. Mr. Williamson had
me to see her in June, and came
nin i?n the afternoon of July Ml.
r father, the defendant, met him
the train, and brought him to the
use, and she and Williamson went
ilking together and returned home
r supper. She said she and Wilmson
sat on the porch for a while
ler supper, and then went into the
i\lor. She said Williamson was shot
ougli the window which looked out
the yard, the shooting occurring
imt 11 o'clock. She said that Wilinson
had asked her to sit on the
'a with him, and she did, William1
promising that lie would act all
;ht. While she was sitting there,
; said, Williamson put his head in
r lap and then put his head 011 tho
id of tin* sofa across her lap and
>ged her to put her head 011 the
'a with him. She said she begged
n to get up and asked him to get
, and as soon as he would get up
was about to get awa.v from him,
en lie grabbed her and pulled her
ivn across his lap, and she was tryr
to get away from him when her
her shot. She said she saw the |
1 poked through the window, and
trd her father's voice, and then I
ran. She said, in response to
slions, that she had sent a wreath
flowers, with her card, for the
nig man's funeral, and the card
s pu| iii evidence. 11 was at this
ill that the incident in connection
h the letter occurred. On erossiminalion
she testified that, while
1 did not smell any whiskey on Wilmson's
breath 011 the night of the
ling, his actions were not as they 1
linarily were, and that she thought
was a good deal under the influ e
of whiskey. She said that after j
fatal shot was fired Williamson
had walked to the back room,
luul then asked for a drink of w
key from a quart bottle which
found in his valise not quite i
She also testified to a dying dech
tion from Williamson to the ef
that he was to blame for the sb<
ing and that he did not want
Harrisort punished for it. She s
that when her father poked the
through the window and hollered,
did not understand what he said,
that she ran out of the room and I
Williamson jumped up and turned
wards her father, when the shot
fired.
The effort of the Slate on rc-dii
examination was to prove that e
if Williamson was under the in
ence of whiskey when he got off
the train lie had had time to bee<
perfectly sober before 11 o'clock
night.
W. V. lilythe, the undertaker,
tified as to the clothes the dee on
had on, and that the wound had
upward range of about two inc
He stated thai he had got the
wadding out of the wound. Me f
when he arrived at the house next
tcrnoon lie found a partly sum
| cigarette lying on the floor in
pa rlor.
i K. T. Shell testified that lie
j readied the Harrison home al;
midnight on the night of the sin
ing, and had found Williamson
the bed, Dr. Rodgers sitting by
bed and Miss Harrison sitting at
head of the bed with her handl
chief in her hand and something
it which lie took to be ehlorofo
He said Williamson had asked I
if he thought lie could live, and ^
Garrison had told him to say cxa<
what lie thought, lie then told V
liamson that he did not see any h
for him. Previous to that, he s;
Williamson had made a statement
him, which the State attempted
bring out as a dying declaration,
which tlie Court ruled out on
ground that il had not been slit
that al that time Williamson i
abandoned all hope of recovery. '
jury was asked to retire and the \
ness allowed to give the statem
and the circumstances under wl
il was made in order that the jn
might decide as to its competei
Mr. Shell said that Williamson j
remarked in a rambling way that
didn't see why that man shot It
On the ground stated, however, t
statement was held not competent
go before the jury.
Mrs. N. T. Harrison, wife of
defendant and mother of the yoi
ladv, was I lie first witness for
defence. She testified as to hav
heard the dying declaration wh
Miss Mary Harrison had testified
She said her daughter had told
of her engagement to young Willi:
son. She said that on the occas
of his last visit Williamson had
pressed her as not being at liimsi
She gave Miss Marv Harrison's i
at 22.
L. ('. Dorroh, testified that in
opinion when young Williamson i
olV ihe (rain al Hrav Court on the
tcrnoon of Jnl.v ill he was dru
Mr. .1. X. Leak teslified that lie s
him that afternoon and in his opin
lie was under the influence of wl
key. The testimony of .J. R. Don
was along the same line, as was 11
of V. D. Bolt.
J. IT. Harrison, the defendant. t?
(lie stand shortly after the dinner
cess. lie gave his age as ~u ye;
and six months. He said he had g<
t?? 1 he station in his buggy thai
Ieriinon to have his mule shod and !
his mail, and his daughter had t<
him \\ illiamson was coming on I
nl'lernoou passenger and he went
Ihe station to meet him. He said
didn | notice Williamson parliculai
when he gi>| olV I lie I rain, but soi
people at Hrav Court called his
I en! ion lo Willi ainson's condilii
and lie then perceived he was drii
ing. lie said he had first met W
liamson in June, and he did t
know lie was engaged to Miss Hi
rison. Ho said he had asked M
Harrison if Williamson was lo I
pome a member of the family, but
consequence of her answer" he (
not know that he would. He sf
lifter he found Williamson was drir
ing he look him to his home becai
i
ami he wanted to keep the people
his- Court from knowing the youn
was condition, lie said after 1
mil. Williamson to his home lie
na- ploughing, and did not see 1
feet son and his daughter any mt
LM,t" supper time, when he not it
Mr. Williamson was still under (1
said once ??I whiskey or somethi
gun lie said that he then began I
she if the young man's intentio
hut pure, and he went up-stairs
hat down on the edge of the b
to- (he window in (he room over
was lor. lie said ho stayed the
10 o clock when he became
feet and went down stairs to g
veil water. Me said he went to (
flu- and as he came back he sle
the the window whore he eoi
>mo through the lit lie back room
at parlor. 11 is daughter, lie s;
sitting in a rocking chair,
tes- could hear Williamson's vo
used Williamson was out of his si
an "u>n went back upstairs. Ju
lies, tbe clock struck .11, he said, 1
gun " scraping noire oil the floor,
said could tell the noise was goii
af- where he had seen his daught<
ked rocking chair over towards t
the He said lie got oil" the bed imi
ly and thought he would s
had wn* being done, lie went d
lout s'air> , and he heard his <
:jot- sa-v "p'ease don't." At the
011 the stairs, lie said, he heard
tlie s,,('01|d time say. "please don
the ,IL' 1,1011 thought of tin; ?
vor- was just in reach of liini
on ')iU'k hall. ITc secured the ?
rin. Passed out of (he back door a
Iiiin around the corner of |ho hous
liss ^'iadow. lie said when he
tly window Williamson
V\\- daughter's left hand in his le
ope pulling her arms around his n
lid, bugging and kissing her w
right arm around her. His <
to pulling loose from him,
tint and she raised, and he jerked
the ,!lP and across his lap.
iwn Williamson's back was towai
had and he couldn't shoot him
The bark, and cried lo him to nu
vit- lie said move he placed the git
ent window, and his daughter bro
iich and ran. He said Willianisoi
dge around and made about two
icy. wards hint, saying ".Mr. (Ja
ust and lie shot him. lie said
he ^ illiamson because he believ
ini. liamson was trying to "take
his per advantage" of his dauglil
to muzzle of the gun was about f
from Williamson, he said, v
tho At the crack of the gi
,ng liamson said, "1 intended t<
the ^daughter and you havi
ing 1,1 Harrison said his rep
ich ''Maybe you did an inavl
lo. didn t. \\ illiamson then asl
her lo ',)r a doctor and lie we
iin- S!,'(l ''e did not see William."
ion aiore. On cross-examination
im- asked why if he suspected soi
-11. wrong, lie did not go in the d<
ige parlor door, it had been testi
was open. Williamson said if
his -?"e into the door it would ha
got young people, and I
af- w?uld not have known if a
nk. wns wrong, lie was put tin
aw '"'gid eross-exaniiiiat ion, sticl
ion llis s'at incut that lie shot Wil
ijs. because lie believed lie was "ti
oh lake improper advantage"
lnt daughter.
I h<i Stale in reply placed
?ok Wynne on the stand who slat
re- ln '''s opinion young Williaim
;irs under the influence of whiski
ne fei'tain extent when lie got
af- train, lie said, however, (hat
_.f.| the afternoon lie saw him on
dd with Miss Harrison and Ih
|M> ma ii appeared all rijfht. He
t,, saw him and Miss Harrison >|
lie I "'Ik to some ladies. The Staff
I'ly (,,l witnesses to prove young V
me sou s reputation for sobriety ;
n!-| genteel conduct among ladic:
.n, | this test imoiiy was ruled out
ik- I eourt.
I-I The arguments were concln
i'>t j about 7 o'clock on Thursday e
ir-. After a recess of an hour for
iss j -Judge Meinminger delivered
)c- usually strong and clear cliargr
in jury, and at 8.1.1 the jury ret in
lid jury remained out all night, ai
lid brought into court on Fridav n
ik- without having agreed. .Judgi
isc niinger strongly impressed upo
at Gray tho importance of reaching: a vori
g man's and re-stated the law. Some t
le took later the jury brought in its vercl
went (o Garrison was sentenced before
William- dinner recess on Friday, immcdiai
re until after the motion for new trial
ed that overruled.
le influ
ng else. An Open Letter From the Board
0 doubt School Trustees to the Public,
ns were While the board of school trust
and sat positively refuse to recognize
ed near criticism of "A Patron," the s;
the par- being made under an assumed na
re until we feel, as public servants we"
thirsty due the public at all times an expl
et some at ion, especially where misconsh
he well, lions are placed on our actions,
pped to We have been criticised for clisi
ild seeling our text books of the diffei
into the grades at the same time a geu<
lid, was complaint was in circulation thai
and lie school was below the average and
ice, but up |o the standard.
ight. lie We respectfully inform you t
is( alter our school system has been chain
le heard a High School having been ad<
1 and he The 8-0-10 grades are instructed
ng from der the departmental plan, each gr
>r in the is under the supervision of three *
he sofa, cial teachers, as well as the gem
mediate- supervision of our superintendent,
ee what The selection of books for
own the grades was made from the list of
laughter very best schools in the State. N<
foot of book (our former books) was disc;
her the ed, or a new book added unless
I." Tie soluiely necessary, and everv h
;un, and on our list will be needed and n
i in the be used by the different grades.
?un and Our selection of books has ree
nd went ed the approval of our superintc
e to the cut, as well as the endorsement of
glanced best educators of the State. Oiy;
had his deavor is to bring our school, not <i
ft hand, to your desire, (a standard seln
icek and but to make it (lie Model School
lb his Sout Ii ( arolma, so tliat our gradm
laughter may be qualified to enter college
he said, upon any business vocation, bec<
I her on useful and intelligent citizens, bee*
He said a propelling ralhciMhan a static f<
ds him, in the general progress and
in the building of the community in wli
>ve. As | hey may reside. Surely this i>
n in the laudable undertaking and should
ke loose ceive your hearty cooperation,
i turned The selection of our text books <
steps to- not I he only consideration of v
rrison," board but also the selection of s
he shot erinlendenl and corps of teachers,
ed Wil- sanitary condition of our school hu
impro- ing as well as the gen oral welfare
Icr. The patrons, scholars and inst ructors
our feet ceived our most earnest and sori
/hen lu> consideration. Not a word of
an Wil- couragenient or < imendalion
> marry been said in public print for all i
i? killed ellorts towards the upbuilding of i
ly was, school, only criticism and abuse.
>c you We are working without compen
ked him lion, are always ready and willing
nt. He do (he very best wj- can for all part
<011 any concerned but we feel (hat we
he was entitled to the support of our cil
luething mis ami should recnive 111a11 it'e>
ior. The ' '"l,s that our labors are apprcciat
lied to, "M| abuse ami insiuuat<ions as
he had Ural I from the sale o! books, becai
ve no|i- vv'' have nothing whatever to do w
I hen he -sale or exchange of books,
nything <)llr h>eal book dealer will subst;
oucfh *\ ^ i?11<* our assort ion.
<ing I" Your present board of school I r
liamsoii tees have hcen in charge of v<
yilig to school at lairs only about two vea
of his a good deal has been accomplish
We cite only a few of the impro
T. W. monls made to show that the crit*^
ed that against the board is unwarranted, i
ion was j"*l ami unfair.
pv to a When taking charge there was
off the indebtedness of about .+800. This I
later in been liquidated by the present boa
I walk- Anybody I hat is acquainted u
cyoung ,,iir school affairs and view* tin
said be with prejudice or partiality, will .
'hat our school is on the upwa
o^ ( ps ^rade, has advanced and lias ma
tilliam- constant p/ogress.
An almost new corps of instruct!
')"1 are in charge and we say to von a
by the .,|| u|H.n. Vm(| ,||;|V vjsj,
school in | hi-; , 11* an y oilier Slate
ded at ! I In- l uioii and yon will no; find
veiling. I more refined, intelligent, or nu
supper , compelaiii corps of instructors
an uii? charge ot any school, than has char
to tile | of the Newberry Graded and Hi
[;d. The School.
id were We should learn to speak a go
lorning word of onr superintendent, teacln
Mem- j and school at home and thev will
n them spoken well of abroad.
ilict 1 lie main building has been ronoimo
\ a ted, every room and bull calsomitiliet.
ed, wainscot, ceiling:, windows, and
tbo doors bave been painted, every desk
tcly overhauled, Venetiian shades and two
was automatic self running water fountains
have been purchased and will
be erected for the benefit and acof
comodation of the scholars.
Not. only this but some of the soil
lees from under the sewer was forwarded
the to be analyzed and the specialist ha3
line pronounced the same free from germ.
me, We would cite other improvements
are as well as some now under consideralan
lion, but it is not our desire to tnako
uc- this article lengthy.
One thing however bear in mind.
i tig- We have J or the second time asked
'enl you lor another school building and
i'ral none but seltisb, narrow-minded men
our would refuse to see the absolute, imnot
mediate necessity for such a building.
We extend a cordial invitation to
hat all those who are opposed to this our
'cd, request, to visit the school building,
led. I he former Riser place.
nil- Let us enter the building for a
ade moment, what do we behold? Sixty;pe
three scholars in one room, all hudcral
died together in quarters (a school
house) which is a shame to civilizaall
linn and not at all in keeping with
I lie I lie usual pride and progressiveness
>1 a of our eily.
ird- If anybody has a right In kick it
ah- is \our board ot sehoid trustees, vour
ook superintendent, your teachers and
iusl your scholars.
However, (he mailer of our new
eiv- scho(d facilities have already been
nd- placed iu I he hands of a comnvittee,
the 'appointed by |be chairman of I ho
in- citizens meeting, which was held iu
nily the court house al the time tlio
?ol) board of school trustees rendered
ol their last annual report, and we do
lies Impe that some definite slcps will he
or taken at once or as soon as possible.
>me Let us ask you, did you attend our
niie annual meeting, if not, why not}
tree Don't you think i| is your duly?
up \\ e realize that it is an utter imlich
possibility |o please all and I here<
a fore shall be very glad if those that
re- have or think thai they have any
complain! against our school, scholivas
ars, teachers, principal, or stiperiiiour
tendcnl, will come forward, enter his
up- or her complaint with the board or a
(lie member of the board of srl I Irnsild
lees and we assure you that everv
ot complaint will receive our immediate
re- and careful attention.
"ii.-> It is our earnest desire to make our
en- school a success, but we can only suehas
ceed when we receive I he hearty coimr
operation of our citizens.
uiir Stop kicking, go to work, put vour
shoulder to the wheel, Jake an intersa
?'sl in school affairs, help your scr|o
\ ants, I lie board o| school trustees,
ies and don I use I hem lor a door mat.
lire Ifespeel fully submitted,
li/.- I''. X. Martin,
la- <). Klellner,
ed, >1. II. Wicker.
t<> W. A. MeSwain,
use .f. M. Davis,
i 111 Hoard of Trustees.
in- Wilson-Ccly.
I he many Iriends ol Miss Vimiic
,is- Wilson will be interested to
know o| her approaching marriage to
rs, 1' ' ',:|kc Celv, o|' tlreenville, on
(1,l the evening of October l.'illi, at six
v,._ Ihirly o'clock, at her home, l.'J2<> ColS|n
lege street. No cards are issued, on
in- ;",('"unl of recent death in the family.
an Bail Granted.
ias Application was made before Chief!
n|. .Justice I 'ope oM last l-'ridav for hail
i()l f..r -J. It. liver, of Derkcley county,
fin August I Iyer
,,| J l,;"l :| difference with his neighbors
nib""1 i,s ;l " ' 'till lie killed two nion,
; I '? I !ier and son. lie has been in jail
; since. li ver was represented by Mr.
)r IM. Kii| ledge l? ivers, of Charleston,
imI | ':,d < liiel Justice Dope granted bail
,(V | i" tlie sum of $ 101)0.
a ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.
re Rev. Edward Callendcr, Rector.
it) 11:00 a. in. Morning prayer, cclege
bral ion of the Holy Kucharist and
gh sermon. . ylj
?:00 p. in. Kveiling prayer.
oil All seals free.
rs The rector and vestry extend a corbcjdial
imitation to you to be present
arid Worship with us.
S/i
W
.