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THE CAMDEN CHRONICLE ^IuMEl?^r " CAMPEN. SOUTH' CARO^ rH.DAY._APH?t U. 1924. ? ? HK.HAM CKT.^ NEW TR1AI. Masterly Arguments Put 1!h? For i\nd >. Against Condemned Mali. ? A ? ? i Florence, April 8, ? Kdmund 1). Big kam hns* won his fight for t* now trial. Judge John S. Wilson, in tho j Sessions Court hwe this afternoon, granted tho petition of tho 'condemned man's attorneys for a retrial of his case before a jury. Bigham, who lias been \uiuier death sentence for three years lor the al leged murder of his brother, L. Smiley Bigham, and against whom indictments are pending also for the I mimTUr^of his mother and his sister, and his sister's two adopted children, stated this afternoon that he had al ways believed he would get justice. "Otherwise I should never ?have been able to stand the strain. Ke member, while I was in the death cell at the state penitentiary, more than a half dozen men walked by. rtiy cell door to the electric chair. In the lace of all this I have never faltered in my belief that in. the end all would come wut right for me. 1 am innocent and justice will prevail." When Judge Wilson announced hii decision, Bigham leaned over and Kissed his wife, who sat hy his side in the court room. Tears came into the eyes of both: Silently they expressed their joy and their relief over the victory. A., b. King and JVlendcJ L. Smith 4 1 . . . 1 I TM- I * well4 pivdAvu. a nt~y uavv nut | decided yet whether they will move | for a change of venue. In the present situation the case will probably come up for trial at the June term of crim inal court. Mr. King does not know whether or not he will ask for the release, of Bigham on bond. It is not Relieved that Bigham has sufficient resources to make the bond that ordi narily would be required in such a case. In granting the motion, Judge Wil son said: "I do not hesitate to say, >n my judgment, that this thing (n* ferring to the letter which Smiley Righam is. alleged to have written 5n which he told that he was going to kill the members of his family and himself) ought to go before the jury. The killing of these people was a most horrible circumstance and it is a matter. for a jury to say whether he << Smiley) killed them or not." ,> ? Judge Wilson reviewed other as pects ? of the hearing, stating thut he had been ordered by the Supreme Court of -the state to review the whole evidence and that he had done so, and taking all fif the circum stances surrounding the case into con sideration, he could not do otherwise than grant the motion of the defend ant for a new trial. He said that perhaps the alleged letter .by Smiley Bigham within itself would not b;j sufficient grounds on which to grant the motion, but taking into considera tion all of the evidence together with the alleged newly discovered evidence, submitted in the form of letters writ ten by Smiley Bigham to his brother, Edmund Bigham, over a period of two years, when Edmund Bigham resided in Georgia, and affidavits which have been presented by defendant's attor- 1 neys, there was but one course to pursue and that was to grant the motion for a new trial. Attorneys for the defense stated after the mo tion had been granted that they had not yet decided whether or not they would ask for a change of venue when the case came up for trial again. The court room was crowded to its greatest capacity when Mendel L. Smith closed his argument foe the defense, and during the time between ? the close of this address and the an nouncement of the granting of new trial there was hardly a movement among the hundreds of persons who packed every available nook and cor ner and overflowed the chancel rail and even crowded upon the e judge's stand itself. The interest was so intense and the quiet so deep that it appeared as though the life of every person in the court house depended upon the outcome of the motion. s Court opened at 9 o'clock this morning, Solicitor Casque opening with his argument for the state, which lasted for two hours. Mr. Casque gave a complete review of the case as the state had handled Jt in the trial and attempted to show that every circumstance pointed to the fact that this deed could only have been ch>ne by -Edmund Bigham. He built op a wall of circumstances A a ma i 1 n a A A 4W a jsi , wn ten ?ppfUrM vO point TO tfir ISCX that Edmund Bigham was the man ? ? " * ^ - ? NEWS OF BOYKIN Demonstration Club Meets WUh Pro nounced Success. Uoykin, April What' as said to j be ono of the finest home demonstra tion club meetings ever known in Kershaw County was held on Thurs day, April 3rd, at the Charlotte Thompson School. At the March mooting Miss Jennie Boyd demon strated the making of un Angel Cake of such perfection that this was thought to be enough of a culinary success to last for at least two meet ings so the club members assembled in Mrs. Sanders' sunny and attractive classroom instead of the kitchen which is the usual meeting-place. Whilt* distracted at first by the novel sights of the sapd table and of Easter rabbits chasing their hats over the wnidow-panes, they were soon called to order by Mrs. Lee West, the newly elected president. Mrs. West, in a few concise words outlined the work which she would liko for the club to accomplish during the coming year, and asked for the earnest support of all members. The County Fair was discussed, also the planting of spring gardens, and the planning of season able menus. While it was unani mously agiM^ed that it i* much- easier to write a menu than it is to prepare a meal, it is hoped that with Miss Boyd's helpful suggestions, all mem bers of the club may be able to do both with success. After business was disposed of a delightful program was carried out by visitors from Camden, some of whom have generously given their services to the Charlotte Thompson School on other occasions. The first j number on the program was a duet | by Mrs. Clifton McKain and Miss Josephine Alexander, accompanied by Mrs. Latham. Miss Mary Blackwell then gave a most amusing reading iu which she impersonated a small boy who doesn't want to go to school. | Mrs. J. G. Richards, Jr., whose con- j tralto voice always pleases, sang two I solos and Miss Blackwell kindly con- < sented to give another reading, this ! one a selection from Barrie. Miss ; Boyd then suggested that all . join in j singing some old fashioned songs, and | t^ie, strains of this music brought to vtjio' meeting Dr. Morris Blackwell who happened to be visiting the school. Dr. Blackwell kindly ? con sented to bring in hi:? banjo and play : : alTtl Sing sohie negro Songs. This I added much to the pleasure of the | afternoon which ended in neighborly i chats over steaming cups of tea. Among the guests at this meeting j were Miss Sallie Alexander, Miss Ida i J . # ? Wallace and Miss Henrietta Johnson, of Camden, Mrs. Charles V. Boykin and Miss Allen of Charleston, and Dr. arm Mrs. Morris Blackwell of Falls Church, Virginia. I ' ' ' , , a i_l T. I*. A. Post Elects Officers. Post M. of the Travelers Protective Association held* its annual meeting here Friday evening after a banquet in the dining room of a local hotel. The following officers were elected foi* the ensuing year: I). A. Boykin, president; E. T. Asbury, R. W. Kirk land, (#. J. Smyrl, vice presidents; board of directors: B. O. Boykin, A. S. Payne, H. L. Ritchie, B. H. Baum, W. D. Barrett; chairmen of commit tees: railroad, A. S, Dyer; press, II. D. Niles; hotel, F. D. Campbell; employment, O. J. Smyrl; roads, E. L. Wooten; legislative, J. S. Ilalsall; membership, R. W. Kirkland; secre tary and treasurer, J. L. Guy; dele gates to State Convention: E. L. Wooten, O. J, Smyrl, A. S. Dyer, B. H. Baum, R. W Kirkland, H. D. Niles, J. L. Guy; delegate to National Convention, D. A. Boykin. State president W. C. Miller, of Chester, was present and made an interesting talk. Post M. was organized less than one year ago with twenty mem bers and has grown to a membership of twenty-seven within the year. Woman's Exchange to Close. The Woman's Exchange on Lau rens street will close on April 15th. All persons having articles there will please call for .same. who committed the act. The solicitor presented no pw evi dence to combat the affidavits pre sented by the defense, relying upon this argument of the caise as it had been tried three years ago. Mr.^Gasque was followed by Judge Mendel L. Smith for the defense, who' ? * ? more than, two boors. The Mr. ~~ ' ' : : BETHI NK NEWS NOTK8. IluppeiiihgH of Interest Atf Told Uy Our Correspondent. Bethuite,\k April 9?? Mrs. feoriiig Davis whs the charming hostess at a three table card parly Wednesday evening, Sandwiches and coffee \\*?ro served. Messrs. J, A, MeCaskill and M. G. King made a. business trip through Mariun Wedi^sday. While there thay visited thejformer's daughter, Miss Kathleen MeCaskill, who is teaching in the high school of Marion. Mi^s Nanolino Tyler took her Sun day School class on a hike to Big Springs Wednesday afternoon. The time at the Spring was very pleas antly spent in roasting weinies and toasting marsKmallows. Mr. and Mrs. Loring Davis, Misses Mamie Lou McDonald and Gussie Hough attended the. Sowell-Whitaker wedding in Kershaw Thursday eve ning. _ Miss Ruth Gaines spent the week end at tho home of Mr. T. H. Josey of the Tiller Ferry section. Mrs. C. L. Mays of Cartersville accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. D. M. Mays of this place, spent Friday i^i Charlotte with Mrs. Frank Beard ? ? ? ? ? Mrs. Boyd McKinnon returned Sun day after a months stay with her sis ter, Mrs. L. A. McDowell in Tampa, Florida. Mr? Loring ana Miss Stella Bethune went to McBee Friday to act as judges in the girls' expression con test, selecting a representative of that school for the state contest. Miss Mamie Lou McDonald was the week-end gust of. Mrs. C. L. Mays in Cartersville. . . . . . . , , Mrs. Mary Bethune is visiting at the home of her son, R. M. Bethune in Gfreraw. The Missionary Society of the Methodist church met with Mrs. J. P. Bethune Monday afternoon. M iss Mamie Lou McDonald left Wednesday for a visit to Charleston and while there she will visit Mag nolia Gardens. The Auxiliary of the Presbyterian church met with Mrs. J. A. MeCaskill Monday afternoon. It was decided to have an Easter egg hunt Saturday afternoon the twelfth, in the inclos ure at Mrs. MeCaskill's home. Mesdames J. M. Forbis and E. Z. Truesdell we're appointed as delegates from this Auxiliary to meet with ih" Presbyterial in Winnsboro. Catholic Church Services. Services on Palm ^Sunday, April 13th, will be -as follo\ys: Masses at 6:15 and 11. a.m.; Sunday school at 10 a.m.; Blessing and distribution of palms before 11 o'clock mass. Ser mon in the morning at 11 o'clock on "The Meaning of the Pakns." Eve ning service at 8:45, sermon on "The Trial of Jesus ahd the Decision Ren dered." Holy week services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6:30 a.m. All are cordially invited to these services. ? Camden Hospital Benefit. Those desiring to fish at Hermitage pond this year are notified that the same arrangements will prevail as for last season. Permits will be $1.00 per person for thirty days for all residents of Kershaw County, and for residents out of the county $1.00 per person for the period of the visit to Camden not exceeding thirty days. The entire proceeds of the sale of these permits will be donated by Her mitage Cotton Mills to the Camden hospital, all the incidental expenses being defrayed by the mill. A Huge Eg*. Mr. A. P. Tidwell, of 901 Lyttleton street exhibited at The Chronicle office Tuesday morning an egg far beyond the usual size for an ordinary hen. It weighed 5 1-2 ounces and measures 7 inches in circumference. I The usual weight of an egg is 1 1-2 ounces. Mr. Tidwell, who is quite an old man ,says that he has quite, a long experience with poultry and de clares that this was the largest egg he had ever seen. Poultry Car to Stop at Blaney. Blaney has been added to the \ schedule of stops for the Poultry which will load from Kershaw County J next week. The cats will be at Blaney Thursday, April 17th, and will move to Camden Friday and Bethune Sat urday. From the present outlook a fall car will leave this county. The ship ment has been advertised in* every | community in tbe ii ik: I : SMITH W AS SFEAKBR 'I In (ire< n\ ille at Inturling ot Over Court House IMaz/.a. Judge Mendel 1.. Smith was the principal speaker at the ceremonies incident to the unfurling of an Amer ican tlag to the top i>f a 75- foot nms\ erected on the piazza of the Green ville 'court house Sunday, and pre sented to the county by the American Legion post at Greenville. In speak ing of his address the Greenville News j>f Monday had the following to "The ceremony incident to the Un furling of Old Glory was vei*y^ im pressive. An eloquent patriotic address by Mendel L. Smith, widely known attorney and orator of Cam den; a stirring speech by \V. 1*. Con yers, and the actual presentation of the flagstaff by R. W. Hudgens, com mander of the loCal post, were high lights in the program, which was wit nessed by fully 2,500 persons, crowded about the plaza, in the ad joining streets and even in windows and on the roofs of near-by buildings. "The address by Mr. Smith,, a for mer circuit judge, who resigned his place on the bench* at the call of his country early in the Wurld Will valid who saw service as a high commis sioned officer in the judge advocate general's office for a long period, was declared by manv sww???. terr. to die most brilliantly eloquent ever heard here. " 'Patriotism,' declared the speaker, 'is usually thought of in connection with war, but as peace hath her vic tories no less renowned than wqt ho also has pjmce her patriotism no less valorous and noble than that exhibit ed in time of dire national' peril from a foreign foe.' "The American Legion, Mr. Smith declared, will see to it that justice is done to j?11 this country, that Amer ica eventually takes her proper place in the council of nations of the earth, that a spirit of patriotism, Christian religion andtruth, be preached and fostered in this country so long an Old Glory flies. "The American spirit, the spirit of our forefathers and the spirit that animated the American soldier in France, is the one which must be cul tivated in every breast, the speaker declared, If American ideals are to live and if the unlowered flag and un conquered sword of America is to survive for the benefit of humankind. The American Legion, made up of men who fought for their country Jin time of war and who are now willing to live for it in the time of peace, he said, are the men who will carry this work forward. "Judge Smith, as he is affectionate ly kno\vn to thousands of fjouth Caro linians, was warmly cheered again and again. "Mr. Conyers' short but eloquent address was also wildly applauded at times,, when he touched on the mean^ ing of the Hag to this country^ He said that it woulcl forever be an em blem of peace and righteousness among the nations of the" earth. "Boy Scouts will raise and lower the flag daily."_ Circles To Meet. The Circles of the Missionary I Society of the Camden Baptist Church will meet Tuesday afternoon, April 15th, at four o'clock in the church. Members are urged to at tend the general meeting. A splendid program has been arranged. Small Outfit Captured. Frank Cauthen, a colored man, rc ? siding a few miles east of Camden near Sweet Home Church, was arrested last Thursday by Officer W. T. Player, of the Wateree Mill Village,* assisted by Deputy Henry McLeod and ? Mr. Ber\ Robinson. Cauthen was an employee of the Wateree Mill village and had been suspected for some time of manu facturing whiskey. He had evidently gotten wind that the officers were going to make a search, for he had removed his outfit from his homp and had buried it under the leaves in his hog pen. Fifty gallons of mash that had been souring in the house wa.^ also removed to a place of conceal ment in a gulley not far from the house. An ordinary sized garbage can was used as a boiler and the whiskey was being 'made on the fire place. Cauthen was placed in jail bat was later released on bond in the sum of $300. Cauthen admitted # Wa guilt to the officers. He had . been ; employed at the mill for many years [and had the confident of the mill pfopt*. T . V _ ' - - - ? ? SOWKIX-WIUTAKNK WEDDING Lov*?ly Church Wedding Solemnized i(t Kershaw Thursday Kvrning. ' Beautiful in every detail was Urn ' wedding of Mi na Madeline Kathufine , Sowell tin <1 Mr.. Andrew Bur not Whit ' aker, solemnized Thursday, April Hrd, I at 8 o'clock in the evening at the Kershaw Baptist church. The skilful | touch of n professional decorator was easily recognized in the decoration of i the chuych which, had been converted 1 into a bower of bloom and beauty, a pleasing color scheme of white ami green being used. Tall palms and feath6rly ferns banked the rostrum amid which quantities of roses and Raster lilies gleamed pure and white. On either side long white candles graduating like steps and giving the effect of a white stairway in the back ground led up to a huge basket of Easier lilies and ferns. , Miss Guy Skipper, of Lancaster, j presided at the piano, playing the wedding march and also the accom paniment to two vocal selections sung by Mr. Arthur Humphries of Hock Hill. v , As the first notes of the time hon ored march were sounded the wedding' party -filed, down thu -whiUwHrjwt***! isle and. through the ivory gates that were opened by Mioses Jean Culvern and Susie Emma Nelson, Annie c Clyuurn and Esther Jenkins. The ushers were Messrs. Hubert Sowell, brother of the bride; G rover L. Blaekwell, William McDonald and Ha^el Plyler. 'flie groomsmen were Messrs. Lenox Kirkland, Thomas Arierum, Eugene Lenoir, Jack Mackey. Thy bridesmaids, Misses Harriet Whitaker, Annie May Car son, Bernice Sowell, sister of the bride, and' Miss Connie Plyler. The lovely tints of the rainbow were re produced in their dresses, each fash ioned in individual style. They all wore silver bandeaux with short veils : and carried Orphelia roses. The dame Loi honur, Mrs. Jack Whitaker, Jr., of t Camden, wore a lovely dress of sand ! georgette over rose' pink satin and 'she carried sweet peas. Miss Ger j trude Sowell, cousin of the bride was I maid of honor and was* charming in a dress of pink georgette, she carried ! KiHarney roses. Little Jean IMyler ' was the winsome flower girl and i Robert Lee Plyler the ring bearer, carrying the magic circle in the heart -of^-a lily. The bride entered with her father. Well suited to her brunette beauty was the handsome wedding gown of ivory white satin heavily beaded in crystals, her bridal veil falling from .a coronet of orange blossoms to the soft lace train that fell gracefully from her shoulders and her artistic bouquet was Easter lilies showered with sweet peas. She- whs met at the alter by the groom with his brother and best man, Jack Whit aker, Jr. The officiating ministers were the Rev. B. L. Blaekwell, of Spartanburg and the Rev G. E. Smith,- pastor of the church. Immediately after the ceremony a : large and beautiful reception was given at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Sowell which assembled not only a wide circle of Kershaw friends but 4 also representative society from Cam den and several nearby towns. The receiving line was formed in the west parlor and consisted Of the entire bridal party with Mj. and Mrs. R. L. Sowell and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whitaker, Sr., parents of the bride and groom. Mr. and Mrs. A Burnet Whitaker received under a canopy of lilies and ferns , The two punch bowls were em bedded in mossy green ferns and white lilies and were presided over by four charming young ladies. Mrs. E. A'. Willifor^ had charge of the bride's register. Many handsome, beautiful and use ful gifts wero on display in the gift room. The dining room had as a center decoration the bride's table, lovely in its appointment of green and white, J bride's roses and feathery ferns be ing used in profusion. A salad course was served. In the coffee room Mrs. Boyd Magill and Mrs. Nillon Plyler poured coffee and here each guest was presented with a dainty white box tied with the wedding colors, white and green and bearing the sil ver monogram S.-4PV. The box con tained a slice of wedding cake, the magic dream producer, that waa des tined to show a rose tinted future to the Mouthful dreamer. Mr. and Mr*. Whitekcr left that evening for Florida. bride wore CARS HADI.Y WRECK |5!) Studcbakcr and Dodge Struck While Passing Street Corners Wednesday. Tux) automobile* <>ti<> n Sttfde baker totiring eair driven ?Vy Mr. and ,1. N. Eggleston, of ClcntovviUo, Mass., and a Dodge sedan driven by Dr. K. 10. Stevenson, wore badly smashed Wednesday morning' about nine o'clock at the intersection of l.yttliton and Chestnut streets. The Studcbakcr car was going; south as Mr, and Mrs. Eggleston wore leaving. Caradun to net on th* Washington-Atlanta highway home ward bound and l)r. Stevenson was going west on Chestnut street. All accounts state that, the Studelmkor car was running at a high rate of speed. It struck the back part of Dr. Stevenson's car, turning it over twice and throwing it against a the hydrant, bending the hydrant to such shape that the water and light de partment had to dig it up and re place It. ? . ' J Both cars were badly damaged ? Dr. Stevenson's car being almost completely wrecked. Fortunately Dr. Stevenson escaped without injuries except a bruise upon his head and both wrists being slightly sprained. The occupants of the Studcbakcr car Avere uninjured except ?or a few minor hmion5 ? M;?. Kggieston. Mr. Eggleston carried liability insurance upon both cajt's, They will be detained in Camden for several days on ac count of the wreck: This Is Election Year,,, With the announcement last week of Mr. J. II. Clyburn for Clerk of Court that of Mr. Allen B. Murchi son, this week for the office of County Superintendent of Education, the *1924 campaign has opened up in earnest. Both of these men have announced for re-electioai. Other offi cers to be elected this year will .be those of the various magistrates throughout the townships, a master | and two representatives for the house [ from this county N Messrs. N. S. Richards and J. B. Munn are the pres ent representatives apd Mr. B. B. Clarke* is the present Master. The chairman , of the county demo cratic committee is calling a meeting i of all clubs in the county to meet at their respective meeting places on Saturday, April 2<>th, for the purpose _of reorganizing. ? ? Services .at (I race Church. There wijl be services-, at Grace Episcopal church, Camden, on Sun day, April 13th, at 11 o'clock, con ducted by Rev. Walter Mitchell, of Charleston, S. C. TJie public is cor dially invited to attend. Died in Colorado. Word was received In Camden thi? week that J. C. Ammons, son of Mrs. Benjamin Ammons, of Camden, died Tuesday, April 8th, in a Government hospital in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Ammons was an overseas soldier in the United States army and was severely gassed iu France. He ka?l spent a long while in a hospital at Oteen, N. C., later being transferred to Denver where it was hoped Tie would regain his health. Word of his critical illness reached his relatives here last week J*nd his mother and brother, John Ammons, of Camden, were enroute to Denver when other members of the family ! received a message announcing his death. An effort was made to reach them while enroute, but without suc cess. ? His body will be brought home, but it is not known when it will reach Camden, owing the great distance. Young Awimons is survived by his mother and seven brothers and sis ters: Thomas Ammons, of Florida; Mrs. J. W. Thompson, Mrs. C. W. Dunn, William Ammons, of Camden; Mrs. J. H Campbell of Eastover; Ben Ammons and John-, Ammons, some where in the Wert. Kant or Eg* Hunt To Be Given. An Easter egg hunt under the auspices of the Business Women's Circle of Lyttle'ton Street Methodist church will be given in Hampton Park, . Monday, April 21st, at 4:80 p.m. A small fee will be charged. ^ " * Marriage. Mr. J. W. Boyce and Miss Bessie Mae West, both of Camden, were married 09 Wednesday, April 9th, by Probate Judge W.-L. McDowell. " 2a"r* 1m * ' suit of dark bh hat Md grey aeqe? orfaa. After a wedding trip