The Camden chronicle. (Camden, S.C.) 1888-1981, February 01, 1929, Image 8
"' ' ' ?
Mendel Smith Holds Brilliant
Record For Criminal Defense
' iiMiMiiMiai?iiii.? HI I LI II II m I I m
Helen Gentle Is 203rd Accu?ed
Murderer To Claim Hi#
Counsel and Escape Supreme
o Penalty#?PereonaI Glimp?e?
of Camden'# Di?tingui?Hed
Lawyer, Soldier and Scholar.
Mendel L. Smith of this city late
Monday night added the name of
Helen Gentle to hi* Hat of completed
criminal caae* and in ao doing successfully
closed another chapter of
hU almost uncanny record for .bringing
out of death's shadow every accused
murderer whom he has de#
fended before the courts of South
Carolina.
Helen Gentle, who in today free
and unshackled while the two men
she supported through the barter of
her soul and later through her help
were sent to prison for long terms,
is only one"1 of two hundred three
accused murderers who have turned
to Mendel Smith when the hangman's
scaffold "or the cpld steel straps of
an electric chuir appeared to hover I
perilously near.
The self-confessed young prosti
tute, indicted jointly with Charlie
Vaughs- and Kurman Jones for the
murder of Detective Samuel J.
Hicklcy in Columbia several weeks
ago, was granted a separate trial ;
from her co-partners in crime. She
testified, under the direction of Judge
Smith, Against the man who forced
her, according to the woman's story,
into immoral and highly mercenary
practices.
Vaughan was the first of the trio
to face trial in Richland court last
week. He got a life-time trip to the
state penitentiary because he killed
?the JeflTe?jr^on-hotel Tjfficer; Jones-'wa^
given a sentence of five years at hard
labor, and Helen was sent to her
home in Atlanta where the sentD
mentalist is at liberty to picture her
making an honest though somewhat
tedious struggle toward a place in
society where hotel hustling is no
longer being done.
Helen Gentle in soliciting the counsel
of Former Judge Smith chose the
eminently successful pathway of the .
Greenville county Hesters, several times
tried for the murder of ;
federal prohibition officers, and }
Edmund Bigham whose case stayed
before the courts until it became;
synonymous with the bloodiest crim"
of every state and age.
Mendel LaFayette Smith, born near
this city fifty-nine years ago, has
without challenge been the greatest
corporeal hope for the criminal ele- (
ment of his native >tate but to other ;
and more desirable members of so- !
ciety he holds an equally pleasing
array of attractions. He is an eager ;
and appreciative patron of the opera '
. ttral his philosophical musings are
among '.he most easily acceptable.
Mendel Smith was admitted to
practice law in this stato- in* 1K(J*>
after finishing at the Citadel and subsequently
studying law at the University
of Virginia. He was elected
circuit judge to succeed the late
Ernest Gary of the fifth circuit in
*S)ir>, resigning the judgeship in 1D1R
to accept the appointMVtU of major
in the judge advocate general's department.
Following his resignation from th"
arnn post a^ lieutenant-colonel in
11? 1 b the f' i tner ? . lit judge retained
("nmden where he has since
i devoted hiit whole energies to the
practice of law. Associated with hitu
in hia (linden office i* hi* son, B. M.
Smith, . while he is also connected
with the office* of John D. lanford
in Greenville and with Samuel Want
of Darlington.
Judge Smith has alwaya been- active
in the politic*' life of Kershaw
county and ;ha? been elected by a
handsome mijorit^ tp every office he
has sought in tbi*' county. .He has
served a number of times aa president
of the county Democratic conyfTtttrrn
and a* ebafuwan of the county
Democratic executive committee.
He has five time* been elected to the
lower branch of the general assembly
and was speaker of the house of
representatives for eight years prior
to litis.
As a public speaker probably no
one has been called upon to make
more addresses than Judge Smith.
For the past quarter-century he has
been in constant demand throughout
South Carolina and the states adjoining
for making addresses on
memorial occasions, school and college
commencements, fraternal and
patriotic gatherings and political and
religious celebrations.
Judge Smith holds active member- |
ship in all principal fraternities; is
u pust worshipful master of the Camden
Masonic lodge and past grand"
chancellor, Knights Pythias, of the
Domain of South Carolina. He is a
former superintendent of The Baptist (
Sunday school and is at present a
rleacon^f the First Baptist church of
Camden,
The distinguished jurist has never
permitted his interest in athletics t"
slacken and even now is making
plans to attend the next heavyweight
battle to--decide- tlm^world's champion-fighter.
He took a prominent part
in college sports and was an outstanding
baseball player at Wofford,
the Citadel and the University of
Virginia. He was 011 the Virginia
team, representing the South, in the
intercollegiate tournaments held at
Chicago during the World's Fair in
1893.
Judge Smith is probably Camden'?
pioneer radio enthusiast and is the
operator of a number of receiving
sets. He often listens in on a program
delivered through one of the
latest models while handling routine
business matters that, as a general
thing, keep him in the study of his
Chesnut street home until the smail
dim hours of the morning.
Houses are made more comfortable
in winter by weather stripping; but
sometimes we, in our innocent way,
think the girls aren't.?Louisville
Times.
Judge Violates Came Law
Albany, Ga., Jan. 24.?Judge Robert
W. Bingham, publisher and owner of
the Louisville, Ky. Courier-Journal,
and four guests at his Pineland hunting
lodge were under indictment today
on , barges of shooting dove in
,-1 baite-J field. Trial was tentatively
arranged for this week.
?
In The ToiU Again
Ne w York. Jan. 27. Evelyn Xesbit.
former wife of Harry K. Thaw was
a: rested eaily today in a federal b v
agents' raid at the Swanee club, nr.
uptown night tiub where Miss Xesbit
har- been employed a- an entertainer.
News of The Schools
Told by The Pupils
Camden high school is again in full
awing.
The first English newspaper that
has ever been gotten up in Camdan
has been published this week. The
contents are not only taken from the
English classes but also from the
whole school. The editoral staff are
Caroline Ri'ohardson, Inez Gardner,
Althea Sanders, and Lucy Kjrkland.
Miss Etta Zemp is chief editor. The
Soke editor is Edward Wooten and
the reporters are Kochelle Sheorn and
Duncan Lang. The boys in the
English classes do the printing on a
mi ideograph. The whole school hopes
that the paper will have continued
success
Miss Godfrey and Mr. Sherwood,
-our new teachers, have proved theiriselves
to be as good as their recommendation
soM they were. They
have started their work-well.
Mid term examinations began last
Wednesday and the pupils have to
study their hardest. During examinations
there isn't^ much time for
student activities.
i he Kadio Corporation of America
has been giving u program every
Friday morning beginning at 11
o'clock. This program is given for
the especial benefit of the schools and
colleges of the country. It is a
musical program given by Walter
Damroseh and his orchestra. The
Camden schools have been taking advantage
of the opportunity to heatone
of the world's,, mbst famous
oichestra leaders.
The first program given last Friday
for Series B?grades five and six
?was one of "Trombone an4 Tuba.''
Song, "To the Evening Star," from
Tanhauser-Wagner. Arranged as a
trombone solo. "Pilgrim's Chorus"
from Tanhauser-Wagner." "Beauty
and the Beast," from Mother Goose
suite, Ravel. Series D?High school
and colleges?had a program of
"Horn and Trumpet." "Overture to
the Flying Dutchman," Wagner,
"gxcerpt from Andante Symphony
No. five," Beethoven. "March, from
Tanhauser," Wagner.
This Friday at 11 a. m., Series
A?Grades three and four?have a
program of "Flute and Claronet."
"Dance of the Toy Flutes" from Nu*
terocker Suite, Tachaikowsky.
"Dance of Blessed Spirits," from Orpheus-Gluck.
"Hungarian Rhapsody
No. 2," Lisrh.
Series C?grades seven, eight and
nine?have a program of percussion,
kettledrums and military drums.
"Scene in the Country" from '."Symphonies
Fantastique," Berlioz, "Avis"
from "American Fantasy", Herbert
"Marche Militaire," Shubert. ~
The Camden high school Science
club meeting was held at Melita
Team's home, Wednesday January
23, 1929. Beginning at 7:30 p. m. a
most interesting talk was given by
Grayson Shaw. He had for his
subject, S. O. S. Challenge to
Science." A rending was then given
by Duncan Lang which was also enjoyed
by all. A new member,
Henry Lee Clyburn, was initiated into
the club. He sang a solo entitled,
M\ Rlue Heaven." The house was
tin own open to business and many
important matters were discussed.
was decided to have a Valeutiae
party on St. Valentino's night at
J Phyllis Carrisuxi's.* residence. After
j enjoyable games were played and
most delicious refreshments were
-erved. the meeting adjourned at
nine o'clock.
A high school basket ball team has
be i n organized ai.U a large nunibe
jHelen Gentle Set
I Free By Court
Colombia, Jan. 29.?The Bickley
murder case came to an end yesterday
when Fur man Jones pleaded
guilty to the second charge in hisMnI
dictment, that of accessory after the
fact, fnd the solicitor nol pressed
all chirges against Helen Gentle.
~ When brought into the Richland
court' room yesterday morning for
trial, Jonaa pleaded guilty to being an
accessory after the fact with regard
to the slaying of the Jefferson hotel
house detective last October, and
after his plea was accepted by the
state through Solicitor Spigner, who
explained just why he did so, the
court sentenced the defendant to
serve Ave years In the state penitentiary.
The Anal chapter was written
shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday
I afternoon when the solicitor halted
court action for a moment to settle
the Charges against Helen Gentle, indicted
along with the two men for
the murder of Bickley, and us an
accessory after the fact. He made
a lengthy talk to the judge with the
court room tilled with spectators, in
which he said Helen Gentfe had told
the truth in every particular with
regard to the affair, had been largely
instrumental in the eppture of
Vaughn, and had finally given
testimony in the trial ten days ago |
that definitely servdd to convict j
Vaughn, and which le<i indirectly to j
the plea on the part of Jones. He
felt justified, hi- said, in nol prossing
the charges against the woman.
Judge Ma u Id in announced that he
too felt the testimony given by the
woman was invaluable to the state
rfnd that he would sign the order of
discharge.
Death of Mrs. Davis
dod called to her reward one of our
most beloved sisters, Mrs. Lina Davis,
widow of the lato?T??B,- Davie^?who
died four years ago. Mrs. Davis vv^as
loved by all who knew her, she was
lovingly known to her relatives and
friends as Aunt Lina, she was seventy-two
years old and lived the last
four years of her life with her
ydungest son, Joseph, who was very
faithful and kind to his mother.
Death came on Monday the 21st at
4:00 o'clock, all of her children were
with her except Mrs. Watkins, of
Befhune, who was ill with the flu.
Aunt Lina leaves two daughters, Mrs.
Lou Holland and Mrs. Jess Watkins
and two sons Brasington and Joseph
Davis. She is also survived by one
brother, Mr. Ed Davis and one sister,
Mrs. Faulkenberry, of Kershaw.
Mrs. Davis was buried at Mispah
Baptist church the funeral services
being conducted by Rev. C. L. Norman.?Contributed.
lames Hollomon, associate editor
of the Atlanta Constitution, dead
from a fall down the stairs of the
Grady hospital last Tuesday, was
buried at Kernersville, N. C., Sunday.
of boys are practising. Dan Mackey
was elected manager and George
Jenkins was elected captain, E.
Wooten, Ogburn, Jenkins and Russel
are showing up well.
The Clemson College Glee Club i<5
coming here on February 22, 1929.
The performance will take place in
the school auditorium and the proceeds
will be used in out-fitting the
library. The Glee Club is bringing
twenty-six members and many favorite
selections. Their coming is looked
forward to with enthusiasm by all
of the students.
Bethune News Notes
Told By Correspondent
Bethune, Jsp. 80.? Under the
auspices of the Bethune chapter U.
P, X. the following interesting program
was given in the auditorium of
the high School building last Friday
morning at chapel hour: Song by
school, "How Firm a Foundation,"
(Lee'a Favorite Hymn) ''Life of
'Stonewall Jackson;" Edwin Gresham;
"Ode to Jackson," Mis a Eddie Bradham;
vocal solo, Misa Stella Bethune;
"Life of Kobert E. Lee," Margaret
Truesdell; "The Sword of Lee," Miss
Carrie Varbrough; Song, "America,"
the school.
The Teacher's and WqHcer'a council
of the Baptist Sunday school met
with Mrs. Hattie Heustiss on Tuesday
evening. A. very^' helpful program
had been arranged and after
j the business session, a delightful
social half hour was spent, during
which time, refreshments were served
by the hostess assisted by Misses
Bradham, Miller and Pennington.
There was an unusually large attendance
of council members of this
meeting.
A play entitled, "Mammy*#-Li 1
Wild Rose," will be given at the high
school auditorium Friday evening,
February 1st at 7:30 o'clock, by thd
high school pupilB. Miss Eddie
Bradham is coaching this play and
cordially invites the public to be
present.
Mrs. E. K. Austin of Matthews, N.
C? has been spending some time
with her mdther, Mrs. Maud Watts,
who has been quite ill. Mrs. Watts
is gradually convalescing.
goring and Mack Davis motored to
Bamberg Monday wherO the latter
remained to enter Carlisle Fitting'
school.
The faculty of the Bethune schools
attendee}. the teacher's meeting in
Camden last Saturday.
Miss Ruth Watts of the Bamberg
school spent a few days with her
mother last week.
??*
Honor Roll Bethune Schools
Grade 1.?Jaunita Railey, Virginia
Church, Oraii' Baker, Alton
Elliott, Ivoute Hinson, Alene Hilton,
Clarene Hilton, Helen Hester, Margaret
Varbrough, "Myrtis Mungo, Douglas
Mays, Jr., S.- E. Askins,
I.eRoy Collins, Margie Jones, Irene
Mangum, Dorothy Watkins.
Grade 2-?Bobby Griffin, Katherine
roster, John Dan McLaurin, Margaret
McLaurin, Lorene Blackmon,
Grace Horton, Gerry Davis, Iris McC
as kill, Dorothy Horton, Elie Hugh
Reddick.
0Grade 3.?Nell Askins, Clelia Derrick,
Esther Love Hillhouse, Robbie
Newton Marion, Jaunita Pate, Ellis
Padgett, Tom Ratcliff, Cleo Elliott,
Ha B. Mangum, Mildred Fields,
I^vern Jones, Ava Shaw, T. B.
Barnes, Herbert Hester, Robert King,
Margaret Hasty, Allene Hilton, Lewis
Lee Neal.
Grade 4.?Spra Parrott, Rosa Lee
Hinson, Willie Mae Horton, Mary
Alice Catoe, Elizabeth Brannon,
Ricnard McLaurin, Leonard Hasty,
Grace Horton, T. F. Mangum,
Elizabeth Munn, Inez Mangum, Peto
Mangum.
Grade 5.?Ruby DaVis, Ruby Camppell,
Oneida Outlaw, Nancy Tomoking,
Arlene Wagers, Evelyn Elliott,
Nannie Ruth Hilton, Ethel Amerson,
Sara Brannon, Frances Bethune,
virgina Derrick, Clarence Heustiss,
Annie Ruth Ratcliff, Price Baker, I
Hey ward Davis, Wilson McManus. |
Grade 6.?Frances Gardner, Keith
Gordon Sara Ruth McKinnon, Dalton I
McLeod, Mary Ellen McLaurin, Ruth
Raley, Ira Blackmon, Lillie M-ae Hil-;
ton,, Myrtle Horton, Myrtle King
Thelma Railey, Doris Shaw, Aline
West.
Grade 7.?Lottie Outlaw, Elsie Mae
Hammond Gladys Joyner, Thelma
Davis, Ida Outlaw, Mary Baker
Marguerite Foster, Juanita Watkins!
Eai line Munn, Grady Horton.
Grade 8.?Harold Copeland, Ruth
rlTr,B- Radcl5fL Leo Radr!iT'
r i i ?fyburn? Josephine Smith,
Ruby Gold Pate.
Haschal McLaurin, Marr?CSC,t'111'
Elizabeth Raley.
I orothy Derrick, Eldon Smith, Lewis
Blackmon, Philip Brannon, Cary
^arnner, Elizabeth Baker, Minnie
The Methodist Episcopal church, '
South, has a-church membership in
this state of 141,388 and owns property
valued at $12,414,603, according
to a survey recently made by Rer,
A. D. Betts, secretary of the Sunday
school board. There are 817 churches
valued at $7*497,200; school imd
college property is -valued at $J$l?r
607 and parsonages at
During 1928 the Methodists of ti?.
state raised for all purposes $1^5%,- 293
j>r a^ little jnore $10 pit :.f.
capita. ???r??r.
Eddins McKinnon, Lorena McDonald; -n
Mildred Hinson, Mlttie Davis, Mary Brannon.
Grade 10.?Bernice Fields, James
King, Margie Parrott, Edna Stokes,
Law son ilorton, Lola Grace Catoe,
Margaret Hearon.
Grade 11.? Eva Baker, Emiljr
Blackmon, Melita . Hinson, Aliened.
King, Myrtle Radcliff. '
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each loaf the scientific j
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proper degree of moM I
ture. These Afe the n a i
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Eat plenty pp. Kream i I
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Electrik Maid Bake Shop '1
i V
I Notice To Delinquent Taxpayers of the City of Camden 1
I SOT ICE IS HEREBY GIVES THAT ON THE 12TH AND 15TH THE CITY ll
| BEGIN TO ADVERTISE FOR SALE ALL PROPERTY THE CITY, UPON WHICH THERE IS DELIN- '* SS]
|| QUEST TAXES FOR 1927 AM)PAVING ASSESSMENTS THAT WAS DUE APRIL , 192$, THE CITY IS ~ * 1
| IS NEED OF FUNDS TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS AND FURTHER INDULGENCE IS IMPOSSIBLE THIS I
| NOTICE IS FINAL. SAVE THE EXPENSE OF ADVERTISING AND'OTHER COSTS BY SETTLING THESE Mfl
|| DELINQUENCIES BEFORE THE 12TH OF FEBRUARY, 1929. - - ^ 4 ^