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"1 1 Ma ~*4 - -3 %' . M 4 ... g $2.00 Per Year in Advance BAMBERG, S. C., THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1921. Established in 1891 Evans Confesses t Robbery With as much unconcern as if he were relating an every-day occurrence, Preston Evans, alias John Evans, Friday confessed to the robbery and murder of Tobe Williams, the negro man whose body was found In the run of Lemon Swamp Monday afternoon of last week with his throat cut and face slashed. The confession of Evans came as a climax to a chain of circumstantial evidence that was damning in every detail, and pointed to the guilt of the accused man. At first Evans staunchly denied any connection with or knowledge of the crime, and in an insolent manner confronted the officers. He denied that he had ever seen the dead man before he was carried to the guard house to view the remains of Williams. On the .arrival, however, of two gentlemen from Harleyville, thought to have been the home of both men, he gave in and confessed the horrible and sordid crime in every detail. Evans was arrested at the instigation of Sheriff Ray by the police of Branchville Monday afternoon, a few hours after the discovery of the "body of Williams in the swamp by some white boys who had gone fish~ T T - 1 ing in Lemon swamp, ne was strewing to make his get-away, and came very near accomplishing it. But for the hasty and unerringly piecing together of the few circumstances known at that time by Sheriff Ray, Evans would have been many miles away, doubtless, and his apprehension a matter of grave doubt, as no one in Bamberg even knew the negro's name. The Bamberg officers cannot be too highly commended for the manner in which they handled .this case. The fact that both the criminal and the / dead negro were utter strangers in Bamberg, both without friends or acquaintances, did not deter the sheriff in his efforts to bring the guilty man to the bar of justice. When the last issue of The Herald went to press, Evans was in the county jail, charged with the robbery and mnrripr of An unknown ne?ro. All efforts to identify the murdered man had been unsuccessful, even his name had not been ascertained. Some of the local colored people, though, had an idea that both had come from Harleyville, Dorchester county. The authorities at Harleyville were communicated with and arrived in Bams berg Friday, after Williams, hadj been buried in the potter's field here. i The magistrate at Marleyville, F. A. -Gross, and C. E. Parler, a business man of the same place, on their; arrval here requested that the body be disinterred for identification, and this was done Friday. The dead negro was identified without doubt as Tobe Williams, who had worked for Mr. Parler at his planing mill at Harleyville. The accused man was likewise known to both parties, and it was ascertained that he worked in Harleyville as Preston Evans, though he had given his name here as John Evans. When confronted by these gentlemen, Evans decided that he wrould confess all. The two Harleyville men, in company with Magistrate Dickinson and a number of other persons, visited the county . jail and sawEvans about 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, when the whole story was related to them in detail. Evans did not attempt to justify his terrible deed. He readily acknowledged that the crime was committed solely for the purpose of robbery. Evans stated that he and Williams had been in Bamberg on Saturday before the killing; that they went to Harleyville to spend Sun day, and came back to Bamberg Monday morning on the 11 o'clock train. They had been working during the previous week for J. H. Dixon at the latter's s^w mill near town, and upon their arrival here started back to the saw mill, after some intervening time spent in Bamberg. As they approached Lemon Swamp, which they must cross to get to the saw mill. Evans says lie suggested to Williams that they could save some distance by taking a near cut through the swamp and crossing the creek where the killing took place. While on the way to the mill, Evans says he saw Williams pull a roll of greenbacks from his pocket, and then and there decided upon killing Williams and robbing hipi of his money, though he did not admit that he lured him into the swamp for that purpose, suggesting, however, that to go across at that point would save o Murder and of Tohe Williams some distance. He had made up his mind, he said, before reaching the swamp that he would murder Williams. As they were crossing the stream, with Williams in the lead, Evans said he hit Williams on the head with a gum stick he had picked up for th? purpose, knocking the negro into the creek and stunning him. He immediately went after Williams, he says, with his knife and slashed at his throat and face. He then emptied the contents of the pocket, he states, and took therefrom $27 in currency. Asked why he did not get the silver money in the other pocket as well, he replied that he wmiT^ hnvp done so had he known Williams had it. The silver money, about $2.00, was in another pocket than the one in which the dead man was carrying his paper money. Evans says that when he left Williams the latter was not dead. H? came back to Bamberg, and, as already related, went to the store of Milton Shapiro and bought trousers, leggins and a shirt, giving the merchant a $20 bill in payment. This was part of the money of which he had robbed Williams. After buying the clothing. Evans said he went 'to the home of a colored man here and changed his clothes, afterward hiring the transfer to take him to Branchville, where, he said, he intended taking the train to his horn? at Harleyville. Evans said his crime worried him that afternoon, but that he has not been worried since. He appeared not to be concerned over the matter at all, inquiring of the officers when he will be released on bond. Mr. Parler, for whom Williams had worked, says that he was a good I workman, quiet and peaceable, and had never been in trouble, so far as he knows. Evans, on the contrary, ha9 a reputation that is not good. On one occasion, he stated, Evans was suspected of having been implicated in a crime at Harleyville. Later, the negro attempted to implicate a Bamberg negro in the murder, but the officers attach no importance to this, as in his first confession he acknowledged the crime in every detail and described to Magistrate Dickinson the knife he used. The apprehension of Evans and his confession have been the topics of conversation in Bamberg, among white and colored, for the past several days. Under the law in this state, no person can plead guilty to murder. A jury trial is necessary. It frequently happens that where there is doubt in the mind of the solicitor of convicting a prisoner of ; murder, the prisoner is permitted to | plead guilty to manslaughter. It is not likely that a plea of manslaugh-' ter would be allowed in a case of this kind, however, where the prisoner had confessed to murder with no other motive than robbery. Identical. J The other day a clerk in a Jewish J mercantile house completed a quarter [ of a century'9 service with the firm. Schmidt, the senior partner, handi him in the morning a sealed en velope inscribed: "In. memory of this eventful day.". The clerk gratefully accepted the envelope without opening it, but on the gracious hint from the chief he broke the seal. Inside he found a photograph of his employer. "Well, what do you think of it?" inquired Schmidt, with a grin. "It's just like you," was the ambiguous reply. Fixing the Blame. There had been an affecting scene in the woodshed, at the conclusion of which Harry asked his father, between sobs: "Did your father whip you when you were little?" "He did?when I was naughty," said dad. I "An (lid his father whip him when ! * i I he was little?" continued the culprit. "Yes. Harry." "And was he whipped when he' | was little?" further questioned the j lad. "Yes," said dad. There was a momentary silence, and then Harry exclaimed: "Well, who started it, anyway?" I ?mm q m** Renew your subscription today. i LARGEST CROP SINCE 1914. South Carolina Repoit Shows 1,039,. 470 Rales. Washington, March 21.?The largest cotton crop since 1914 and the sixth largest in the history of the country was grown last year. Ginning statistics for the 1920-21 season, announced today by the census bureau, show a total of 13,365,754 equivalent 500 pound bales comprise the 1920 crop. That is about 2,769,000 equivalent 500 pound bales less than the record crop of 1914 and is slightly smaller than the 1904 crop. The census bureau figures of cotton actually ginned, which are accepted as the final production statistics, show the crop to be 378,754 halod mnrp than pstimated bv the de partment of agriculture last December in its final forecast of the year. More Than 13,000,000 Bales. Washington, March 21.?Production of cotton exclusive of linters, amounted to 13,937,775 running bales, counting round as half bales, or 13,365,754 equivalent 500 pound bales, for the 1920 crop, according to the final ginning report of the season issued today by the census bureau. The 191D crop was 11,325,532 running bales or 11,420,763 equivalent 500 pound balfes, and the 1918 crop was 11,906,480 running bales or 12,040,532 equivalent 500 pound bales. An estimate of 12,987,000 equivalent 500 pound bales for the 1920 crop was forecast by the department of agriculture last December. Included in the 1920 production are 211,893 bales which ginners estimated would be turned out after the March canvass. Round bates included are 206,534 compared with 114,305 for 1919. American-Egyptian included was 91,965 bales, conipared with 40,437 for 1919. Sea Island included was 1,725 bales compared with 6,916 for 1919. The average gross weight per hale for the crop, counting round as half bales and excluding linters, was 506.4 pounds, compared with 504.2 for 1919 and 505.6 for 1918. Ginneries operated for the 1920 crop numbered 18,426 compared with 18,815 for 1919. Alabama 670,721, Arizona 104,853, Arkansas 1,177,095, California 77,443, Florida 19,194, Georgia 1,446,577, Louisiana 388,655, Mississippi 397,733, Missouri 74,332, North Mr. Dickinson D Sale of City Editor Bamberg Herald:?Will you allow me space in your next issue to endeavor to explain the nature of the petition being circulated at this time asking for your signature petitioning the city council tc order an election (to be held at the time the new city fathers are to be voted for as well as three commissioners of public utilities), whether the freeholders think well of selling their power and light plant tc private parties, or company, or not. Having been called upon by numerous citizens to explain to them why this is advisable, I take this means of giving my views. First, your signature does not mean you consent for the actual sale at this time, but to legalize it should a purchaser be available. This contemplated sale, of course, to embody the protection to the consumers of both water and light, as would be incorporated in the sale, coupled with the state law governing same,- and guided by many municipal transfers to private parties which have been made in recent years. This transfer, .further, would not be definitely ratified until it was fully passed upon by the taxpayers, either in mass meeting or by actual vote. My contention is that under private operation, you would not only secure "better service, but be in position to demand it, and for the lowest rate consistent with efficient and satisfactory service. Further, in disposing of the property, the bonds originally sold and unredeemed, together with the unexpended portion of the recent sale I of bonds, would revert back to the i treasury and reduce taxes. Bamberg is no longer a hamlet, and it becomes increasingly difficult to secure competent men to supervise the maintenance, and economical operation of the plant without compen TRUE BILL AGAINST BIGHAM. ! ! iJudge Memminger Denies Motion fori Change of Venue. Florence, March 21.?Edmund D. i Bigham will in all likelihood be called to trial Thursday morning on the ! charge of murdering his mother, Mrs. j M. M. Bigham, his sister, Mrs. Mari gie A. Black, his brother, L. Smiley ! Bigham, and John and Leo McCrack; en, two adopted children of Mrs. j j Black. This afternoon the grand j jury in the Florence county court of I general sessions returned true bills j against him in five separate counts, charging murder. Bigham was im. mediately arraigned and entered | pleas of not guilty. A. L. King, attorney tor mgnam, then presented his motion for a Change of venue which was refused j by Judge ^emminger. The attorney ! for the defense gave notice of a mol | tion for a continuance and this will j be heard tomorrow morning. It is i the general expectation that the case j will come to .trial Thursday if coni tinuance is refused, the defense in: sisting upon the usual days between i arraignment and trial. The court ; room was packed when Bigham api peared this afternoon and every eye j turned toward him when he stepped j lightly into the dock. He was clean| shaven and looked younger and in j better health than he appeared to be ! on the day following the murders at i the plantation home near Pamplico. He displayed no emotion when the solicitor read the indictments to him ! and pronounced the words "not i guilty", in a strong and steady voice. T^ii rinnr + Vi/-* orornmontc fnr onrl JU ill 1115 Cil^ a 1 ^uujv/iito ivi uAivi against a transfer of the case Bigham kept his eyes first on the solicitor and then on his attorney. Occasionally he turned his gaze toward the judge. He appeared to be totally unconscious of the presence of anybody else in the court room except the attorneys and the judge. In dismissing the request for a transfer of the case to some oFher county in this circuit Judge Memminger declared that he believed the defendant could secure just as fair and impartial a trial in Florence county as he could in any other county in the state. "The court will see to it," he said, "that he is fully protected in his rights." Carolina 936,582, Oklahoma 1,287,689, South Carolina 1,629,470, Tennessee 313,747, Texas 4,130,197, Virginia 20,844. All other states 112,673. 1 iscusses Possible >er and Light Plant I sation. The city is growing and nec essary 'demands more and more of one's time, and to secure men with civic pride and experience who can devote this required time from their regular vocation, is a problem. The operation of the plant for the 1 j past few years without building a 1 j sinking fund, and segregating the inI come and (outgo of the plant from | the city, with regular fixed charges .' for lisrhts and water to the city' in t f my judgment was unwise, and should I never have been resorted to, as each . | department should stand out either j as an asset or a liability, and not be' ing able to determine under the | method pursued, is the reason for the ; present condition of the plant. 11 The situation approaches the critil cal stage, and unless the plant is j put first in good physical condition, , and maintained on a practical busi. ness basis, within a few years by i j reason of the above mentioned caus, es, will again become a liability. : I have no axe to grind, and am looking forward to the election in . May, when the new board is elected to relieve me of the very strenuous ; duties which I assumed temporarily [ in an endeavor to try to assist in , straightning out the matter. In my humble opinion, I believe it is the only wise solution of the problem, . and having pointed this out, you can decide the matter for yourself and I either look up your city clerk and .! treasurer who has alreadv waited on _ ,! you and sign the petition, or not, just as you see fit, or allow the mat. ter to drift as we have become in the | habit of doing and meet the emerg. I ency when it is right around the h corner. Thanking you for the valui able space granted me, which I do not remember having requested of , you before, I leave the matter to you. ; Respectfully, i G. MO YE DICKINSON, Chairman Board Public Utilities. Bamberg, S. C., March X8, 1921. Great Revival Me Trinity Sunday morning a great revival was begun at Trinity Methodist church, with Rev. Luther Bridges, an evangelist of the Methodist general board, doing the preaching, and Mr. Jenkins fn charge of the singing. The first services Sunday were attended by large congregations, and it was apparent from the start that the meeting was going to be producive of great good in Bamberg. Two services are held daily, at l 0 a. m., and 7:45 p. m. The morning service is confined to one hour, in order that business men and women may attend the service. The stores of the town have agreed to close their places of business from 10 to 11 each morning during the revival. The night service begins with a song service, which has proved a most attractive and inspiring feature of the revival. Mr. Jenkins is a song leader of remarkable power. He possesses a fine voice and is not afraid to use it. The preacher, Mr. Bridges, is likewise a singer of note himself. All visitors to the services will certainly appreciate, the singing if they like the sweet music of gospel hymns. 'Sunday night the Baptist congregation called in its service and joined in the revival services. The church was almost filled, and it was rpmarkpd that this was one of the largest audiences that ever attended a revival on its first night's service. The attendance since has been excellent. Mr. Bridges used the first night's service as a preface to the revival, outlining what was desired to be accomplished and some of the means of doing it. He used as a text, Habakkuk 3:2, and delivered therefrom one'of the strongest sermons ever heard in Bamberg. This service was directed to Christians primarily in an endeavor to get them lined up for the performance of their part in making the revival what it ought to be in Bamberg. He pleaded with all Christians of Bamberg to enter into the revival with a unity of spirit and purpose that the entire town, not merely the Methodist church, might THE CABINET. * Short Sketches of President Harding's Advisers. Edwin Denby, whose appointment as secretary of the navy was announced, enlisted as a private in the U. S. Marine corps at the outbreak of the [ European war and was sent to Paris Island, S. C., the recruit training camp for the eastern section of the country. Completing the regular "boot" trailing given all marines, he was transferred to the non-commissioned officers' school, where he won corporal's chevrons. He proved an efficient drill master and rose through the rank of sergeant to second lieutenant. Lieut..Denby was made morale of, ficer and for months delivered a daily lecture to new recruits immediately after they took the oath of allegiance. i Denby's "lecture" will be remembered by thousands of marines as one of the most impressive events in their . military service. Harry M. Daughtery, of Columbus, Ohio. Lawyer, born, Washington courthouse, Ohio. Age 61 years. University education. Practiced law, \ Washington Courthouse 1S81-88. Elected state legislature in 1888, serving five years. Chairman state ' republican executive committee of 1912, also twice chairman state republican central committee of Ohio. Campaign manager for Harding at Chicago convention. James John Davis, of Pittsburg, Pa. Labor leader. Born Tredegar, . Wales. Age 47. Went to Pittsburg ' with parents at age of 4 years. At > 11 began work in steel mills becoming a puddler. Removed to Elwood City, Ind., 1893. Held city and county . offices there. Chose in 1906 to reor' ganize Loyal Order of Moose of which | he is now the head. Member of Amal| gamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers and always has been active i in union affairs. I . ' Albert Bacon. Fall, of Three Rivers, New .Mexico. United States senator. Born Frankfort, Kv. Age 59' years. Educated in country schools. Worked as farmer, rancher, miner,, lawyer. Served in New Mexico legislature and as associate justice, New Mexico supreme court. United States senator eting at Methodist Church . ., be revived and that the work of God may be manifested here in a marked degree. In reviewing conditions prevalent throughout the world today, Mr. Bridges gave his hearers some startling facts. He told briefly of conditions throughout Europe for ten years past, the forgetting of God and the awful consequences of sin; of the present spirit of unrest all over creation. This condition, said Mr. Bridges, can be remedied with only one thing, the Word of God. He pointed out that there is no other possible solution to the many modern .problems, and the quicker the peo- :' pie get down on their knees to God the sooner the world will be restored J to a peaceable basis. The earnestness of the preacher is ' one of the striking things about him. He began his talk Sunday night with the assertion that he believed unqualifiedly in the Bible; believed every word just like it was written; he believed in God, and believed that God stands ready to redeem every promise that He has made to His people. The only trouble with the people now is that they have gotten far from God. fie begged for the <_ prayers' of all the people that he might be the instrument of God in Bamberg during his stay here. He ; # said that he firmly believed that he was sent here by Divine providence, and related the circumstances of his . coming. ' ' * ... v*i|| A few days previous to the meet ing he had wired Mr Cantey, the pastor, that he would be unable to come, acting on the advice of his physi cian. The more he thought over the matter the more he became con- . vinced that he ought to come anyway, and finally wired Mr. antey to disregard his former wire. And, then he again wrote Mr. Cantey a letter telling him he would not come, and could never gain his own con- .. sent to mail it. The letter was never mailed. He pleaded for the full < . Jj cooperation of all people to make this a big general revival of all the | people. TWELVE YEARS IN EEl>. Man Has Grown Two Inches?Bones T;|jj Brittle and Scales Develop. After twelve years of lying in hed in a West End London hotel, a manotherwise normal, and comfortably fixed financially, now resents being annoyed with questions regarding his strange case and says: "When London is really civilized, people will be able to do as they please without exciting comment." Twelve years ago, when he was ' about forty years old, handsome, with m square shoulders and bright eyes? the nicture of health and vigor?he walked into a hotel in a quiet district and engaged a room. He has been there ever since. The day fol-lowing his arrival a letter came for him, whereupon the visitor retired to his room without giving any excuses. He is well connected and no clouds seem to hang over him. Occasionally his puzzled relatives visit him and he receives much correspondence. He receives his callers in bed and also an- * swers his mail, and reads much withI out leaving his bed. He has the newspapers sent to him daily and orders new books as they come out. Once a month a barber comes and cuts his hair and trims his scrubby beard. "I am quite contented," he said. "What could I do if I were up and about?" 11? iT- 1 UnA ' iNaiuran v uie iuug icat uao uau ii? effect on his body. The doctor says the bones have become so brittle through inactivity that it would be necessary for him to move carefully if he changed his mode of living. His skin seems normal when the hand is passed down ! his arm, but a reverse motion reveals a rough, scaly surface, which is a re| cent development and which the docj tor cannot explain.. "Perhaps it is not correct to say that I have been in bed twelve years," j he said. "I go to my bath every morni ing while my bed is being made, and. : on two occasions I went down-stairs | to the bar." He takes two meals a day, which ' ? _ J ^ ? nri*Artm ! are served in oea. ana uc uao giunu | nearly two inches during his twelve j years of rest. '> ! since 1912, present term expiring in j 1923. ' . Will H. Hays, of Sullivan, Ind. Law(Continued on page 5, column 1.) . ' ' ; it*