The press and standard. [volume] (Walterboro, S.C.) 1890-current, November 25, 1908, Image 1
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tandard
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VOL. XXXI.
THE PRESENTMENT.
GRAND JURY RECOMMENDS EXPERT
INVESTIGATION OF COUNTY OF
EICES, 14 YEARS PAST.
VVALTERBORO. S. C, NOVEMBER 25. iqo8.
NO. 15
.vherein it was fought to prevent the
P r
payment by the county of one half
the expense of erecting tank and
tower as provided in said contract.
OFFICERS AND OFFICES.
The committee on offices and offi-
cers have examined all the public
offices of the county as thoroughly as
their time and knowledge would
permit. Of course, this examina
tion was necessarily of the most
superficial kind. All the offices were
apparently well kept and according
to law. but. even if this were not so,
the committee has not the time nor
are they properly qualified to ex
amine in detail into what would
prove a gigantic task for an expert.
We, therefore, strongly recom
mend and urge our representatives
in the legislature, to secure the
passage of an Act at the approach
ing session thereof, providing for an
investigation of the financial condi
tion of our county, together with an
investigation of all public offices for
a period of 14 years last past, em
powering the committee m charge
of such investigation to send for par
ties, summon witnesses and punish
for contempt, and that such com
mittee or a majority thereof be not
selected from Colleton county.
In our examination of the office of
the clerk of court, we find that the
following index books arearpidly ap
proaching dissolution: Direct mort
gages of real estate, conveyance of
real estate, cross conveyance of real
To the Honorable Geo. E Prince,
Presiding Judge. We. herewith,
submit the following presentment
for the aforsaid term.
We have passed upon all bills of
indictment given us by the solicitor,
and our findings are endorsed there
on.
At a former session of our body, a
number of committees were appoint
ed from our number for the follow
ing specific purposes, viz: A com
mittee on officers and offices; a
committee on the farm for the poor;
and a committee on chain gang.
The said committees have made their
report, and the same adopted and
herein incorporated and made the
report, of the grand jury.
POOR FARM.
The committee on the poor farm
beg to report that they visited the
farm and were pleased with the ex
cellent appearance of everything
connected therewith. The inmates
expressed themseves to the com
mittee as well taken care of by the
superintendent.
The farm produced this year. 3
FEWER MAGISTRATES. . TO CALL MEETING. LYNCHING IN HAMPTON.
MR. TOWLES THINKS SIX ENOUGH
FOR COUNTY AND THESE SHOULD
GET BETTER SALARIES.
4—
HON. G
W. WAY DISCUSSES ROAD
LAW AND SUGGESTS A COUNTY
MEETING.
PUNISHMENT VISITED SWIFTLY ON
^ WOULD BE RAPIST. YOUNG LADY
AWAKENED AT MIDNIGHT.
i pounds each, 200 estate and d ; rect mortgages of per-
> bushels of pota-! sonal property. These books have
bales of cotton, 500
bushels, of corn, 75
toes, 40 gallons of syrup. 4,000 ; been in constant use since the year
pounds of hay, 3,000 pounds of fod-' 1866. In many instances names have
der and 25 bushels of peas. W’e con- 1 been entirely obliterated. We re-
aider this an exceptional showing for commend this mat tor to the serious
the year, the seasons not having consideration of our representatives
in the legislature so that they may |
take the necessary steps to have
been favorable.
CHAIN GANG.
The chain gang was visited by the
committee for that purpose. There
are 17 convicts on the upper gang
these records re-indexed as soon as
possible. Many of tne judgment rolls,
in the clerk’s Office are without judg
ment boxes and we recommend the
and 11 on lower. They all seem to' purchase of a sufficient number of
be in a good healthy condition ami boxes to hold the same,
are well treated by the guards placeiK 1 We r. commend the same in regard
over them. This information was to the records in the office ot the
elicited from the convicts themselves judge of probate. These records
when the guards were not present. | are of too important a character to
The work required of them is at I be negligently regarded,
times bard but they are not urged
beyond their strength. The class of
MAGISTRATES.
We have examined the books
work done is of an excellent charac-
ter and the supervisor and guards I magistrates, excop! 1) VV Mallard
deserve credit for the same. The W Bryan and .1 M I adgett.
teams owned by the county
first class condition.
ROAD AND BRIDGES.
are in
case of Mr Padgett, he had exhausted
the pages of his book and had not
as yet l)een able to secure a new^one
; from the sapervi-or.
So far as our observation has lead The examination of the book of
us, we are of the opinion that the ' m *instrate Mallard, had at the last
roiuls and bridges are in an excel-the court » showed an in-
lent state of repair. | debtedness on his part to the county.
Indeed, we might safely assert Tor fines collected, of ,$9.00. This
that they are in better condition to-1 amount has not since been paid, so
day throughout the county, as a we re.sfiectfully submit this matter
whole, than ever before in our ex- to the considersi >n of the solicitor,
perience. Where bridges are de-! to take such steps as to him may
fective we find lumber ha* already seem proper.
been placed with a view t*> their f tie books oi the magistrates seem
repair. 1 1° be better kept, but there is still
considerable looseness in the matter
JAl1 " of docketing cases. In this connee-
The jail, at present, contains 12 tion. we recommend the passage of
pnsoners, who, judging from their an Act requiring magistrates to
appearance are well eared for. We place upon their dockets a record of
find the sanitary conditions fairly all warrants issued by them and the
good. We note with regret that i disposition of same. The following
our recommendations made in our is a concise record of the business
last presentment, relative to certain done by the various magistrates
needed repairs to the jail, have not 1 from July 6th 1908 to the present
been heeded. The changes sug- Wme. > ^
gested in a previous presentment, we ■ J H Chaplwrvl'ases docketed 3,
consider very necessary to the com- j sent to jail 2, sent to general sessions
fort and well being of the inmates. 1. No tines paid. -
! L H Hill -Cases docketed 18,
dismissed 2, compromised 10, escaped
1, chain gang 2. fined 3, fines amount
and we urge their early performance.
COURT HOUSE.
to $40. No vouchers.
J C Crosby- Cases docketed 7, dis
missed 5. compromised 1, court of
sesssions 1, nothing collected.
H A Cummings—Cases docketed
4, fined 4, tines collected $8.
vouchers $8.
J E Bryan—Cases docketed 36,
sent to gen’l sessions 4, pending 4.
t ' .
It is a matter af great and unmix-
ed pride, that we can now point to
our court house as being completely
renovated and repaired.
We desire to draw especial atten
tion to the lighting facilities afford
ed. In the place of a few dirty,
smoky little lamps, formerly provid
ed we now have a chandelier, of
beautiful design, containing lamps, compromised 2, escaped 3, dismissed
which amply illuminate the buiid- for want of prosecution 3, change of
jng venue 1. withdrawn 4, settled out of
.court, fined 2. $5 and $10 respective-
-waterworks. jy f ounf | n ^t guilty 3 vouchers $15.00.
We have carefully considered the P J Wilson—Chain gang 1, inquest
Contract, made between the 1, continued 1 compromised 1, dis-
county and the town of Walterboro, missed 4, to jail 3, paid fined 3,
whereby the county buildings in change of venue 1, $13.00 with
said town are supplied with water; i vouches.
and in connection therewith, we I) H Towles < ases dacketed -69,
desire to commend the action of our chain gang 59, fines collected $102.-
present Supervisor, J E Moore in 75. To court 1, dismissed T. pend-
entering into the said contract in ing 4, number «>f cases finished 5,
behalf of the county. inquest 1, vouchers tor $102.75.
In our opinion, he acted for the LG Ulm r -Cases docketed 8,
interest of the county in so doing, compromised 8, nothing collected,
and we arevftiliy persuaded that the WS Weeks—Cases docketed 7,
tourse adoptea by him will eventu-j dismissed 3, appealed 1, sessions
ally recommend itself as the best court 1. to keep peace 1, chain
arrangement, under the circum-; gang 1, nothing collected,
stances, for the purposes in view. Grimes vm Towles. The urimw
We desire to bring to the atten-! Towles matter which was continued
tion of the supervisor, the urgent from the last term of court t Uus
** providing separate term, for final action, has received
of
_._jets for the two races.
This need is especially emphasized
during court when the present ar
rangement is readily seen to he im
possible. We recommend that this
M done at once. We have noted
with eqpedal satisfaction the refusal
of tiie injunction prayed for and
made returnable before his Hon.
Prince at • Beaufort, S.C.
our most careful atteention. We
have reached the conclusion that
nothing has come before us which
would warrant us in taking any ac
tion in the premises, therefore, we
have dismissed it.
EDUCATION.
We desire to report that the
dition of the
Editor Press and Standard:—Since
th«* general and terse discussion of
the Road Problem, that the ear of
the public has been attuned to the
point of attention, and (as the
knights of the quill would say now
is the “Phychological nfbment”) I
desire to take up another phase of
the subject that 1 unintentionally
referred to en passant last week,
which is a revision of the Magistrate
system as we now find it. These
two questions are so closely allied,
that no matter what plan we adopt,
as a working basis for the road
problem, unless we have magis
trates who will oversee the work to
look after their end carefully, we
will be handicapped. The present
Magistrate system, judging from
published reports, seem to be a farce
and has lapsed into a state of (to use
Grover Cleveland’s expres
sion) “inocuous desuetude."
Our courts are instituted, pos
sibly for the protection of
society, and the magistrate is the
initiative branch, * necessarily
therefore, a very important
factor of the system, from this view
point. The people should realize
the great importance of electing
them. They should be men of un
questioned character with well bal
anced minds, and well up in intel
lect and mental attainments. How
are we to get such men? Surely not
by the small compensation allowed
by the ia\\. It practically says here
is your commission there is the
field, look out for yourself.
Tne | ouk Mr. Sanders makes
when he .-uggests they compromise
the ca.-es, is well put. We have
tNvelve nwisti Hies in the county,
why not cr. them dow n to six and
pay them a reasoably fair salary so
they can maintain themselves and
families wnb dome degree of res
pect ahilUv and if the i»eoi)le elect to
idopt Hie tnree districts road plan,
I have suggested, have two appoint
ed to each. Allow them to have no
other interest but to look after the
law and older of their respective
district, I am sure they can fill the
requirements of the territory • 1
would take them out of the Primary
Election, (too much r<Ha»i here for
the working of itersonal spite) make
their appointments conditioned
up on the recommendation
of the Board of Road Directors, also
to be removed at any time through
the same source the subject matters
then would le where it belongs, in
the hands of the people and would
Ik* handled and directed by the pro
gressive and l>est elements in the
county, making for nu uplift of
each community. There may be
some who will think thi> a digress-*
Mthi^but my experience lots taught
me that the questions are so closely
allied- that I feel constrained to
bring to public attention this phase
of the subject for if we adopt
the local chain gang idea it
will nut prove successful
unless we have vigilant
magistrates. I’nder the above sug
gestions the people will keep these
straight and on the move. The!
Blind Tigers will nie to the swamps,
and we will have a more business
like administration of affairs.
Judge Prince is right, we want j
better business men and business
methods in our county affairs. Let;
us get away from the idea of put-!
ting persons into these positions
from sympathy and friendship.
In conclusion, I beg to thank you, (
Mr. Editor, for the use of your
columns and to commend the manly,
stand you have taken for the moral I
uplift of the count/. Trusting the .
agitation of the question xill prove
“Pro bono publico”. I am,
Respectfully youi
D. H. Towles.
throtyghout the county wherever our
observation has led uj. seems to
denote that we are getting a better
class of teachers in the c >unty. We '
are of the opinion that the schools of
the county are now’ in better con-
diton than ever before. The condi
tion of the free schoolsvery premia-:
ing.
in concluding, this our last pre
sentment for the year 1908, we
desire to say that in all the various
matters which have come before us,
we have honestly striven to do our
full duty in abcordance with our
oath of office, and trust that the
county has not suffered through any
mistakes we may have made.
Finallyr we wish to thank your
honor for the uniforin urbanity and
courtesy which has marked
your relationswith us.
We alio desire to express
our thanks to the solicitor and court
officials for their kindly assistance
accorded us. •
All of which is rsspectfully sub
mitted- 0
J J Polk.
Editor Press and Standard: By
request I shall outline as briefly as 1
can some things that 1 believe would
be right and just on this proposed
road law problem. As you no doubt
remember, that on the stump. 1
advocated the law as it now stands
with some amendments to it. That
every dollar collected should be ex
pended in the township where col
lected. I also favor a two mill tax
on all taxable property in the county,
for the reason that there are hun
dreds of men in the county that the
two-do liar tax, by law, can’t reach.
Therefore: they ought to help bear
some of the burdens of the county.
Then we can not forget the fact that
on theae same men there is a poll tax
of one-dollar for school purposes ad
ded to that two milt tax with your
other assessment and you will see
that your taxes are going higher
than ever. This money collected
wisely, and judiciously expended
would in a short time give us good
roads all over the county.
That each township in the county
riiould be divided up into sections
and some responsible man be elected
or appointed as overseer for each
section—pay him a living salary and
place him under bond for a faithful
performance of his duties. Said
overseer to make a report once a
week of the work done to the Super
visor, and the Supervisor make a
public report every three months
through tlie county paper or t>apers
of the work done and the money ex
pended. Then the rights of all the
people would be protected, and we
would see and know where the work
was done and where our money was
spent.
I also favor the passage of an act
at the approaching legislature
providing for an investigation of all
the public offices of this county fora
period of ten years past.
There are other things 1 would
like to say something about but I
will stop for the present. 1 will say,
however, that I am in favor of ealL
ing a meeting of the whole county
just as s«x»n ss court is oVer for a
free discussion of all matters per
taining to the counties good. I
shall ask Mr. Sanders and Mr.
Robertson to join with me in that
cal; at the propertijne.
G. W. Way.
LIST OF JURORS.,
o o o
The following gentlemen were
drawn to serve as jurors of the court
ofGeneral Sessions to convene No
vember 23:
THIRD WEEK- T. M. Reeves,
G. H. Hiers. A. K. Huggins, J. I).
Colson, A. E. W illiams, J. Z. Harri
son, J. F. Strickland, M. M. Smith,
J. H. Fender, R. P. Sanders, S. D.
Bunton, I. N. Rizer, Jule M. Avant,
W. D. Berrv, A. W. Perry, T. P.
Beny, I. J. Fox. B. B. Crosby,
W. H. Guess, C. F. Butler. B. P.
Warren, W. C. Glover, J. E. Thomas,
F. Y. Legate, H. C. Price, W. R.
Thackston, J. H. Martin, J. H.
Wood, E. W. King, A. A. Patterson-
Jr, A. B. Garris, A. C. Hiers. C. W.
Gerity, P. S. Minue, W. C. Brant,
A. C. vonLehe.
Fourth Week, December 7-B R
Bennett, F I) Carter, W R Reynolds,
L B Carter, J D Nettles. W W Cone,
W E Jaycocks, BO Beach, J B Rions,
W R Addison, I A Sauls, W I)
Drawdy, J B Hudson, L J Jones, J
W Mills, D E Appleby, D W Bever
ley, J W Hiott, J M Vamedore, C S
Spell, W L Lucas, Jno I Garvin, J H
Remley, F C Bennett, C C Hiott, W
A Carter, J H Davis, A E Nowell,
Moses Ritts, W W Davis, K K Hud
son, W D Black, G I Blocker; Edgar
Graves.
APPEALS TO BE HEARD.
The appeals from Adams Run and
Bethlehem 'school destricts which
have been taken to the State Board
of Education will be heard Friday
at Columbia. Hon Jas F^. Peurifoy
and M P Howell, represent the
Adams Run appeal; Hon J S Griffin
and W B Gruber the Bethlehem. It
is not known just now how many of
these attorneys will be able to go to
Columbia on account of court being
in session.
CEMENT HOUSE.
The first cement block bouse for
Walterboro is being constructed
over the machinery for pumping
water on the court house square.
These blocks were made by J. R.
Halford, who has the contract for
erecting this building.
. GRAND JURORS CHOSEN
The following members of the
were chosen to holdover:
J Ramph, J T Garris, J E Harper.
IE StridTland, P M Smith, and T M
F Hoate. /
Brunson, November 23.—Special:
Sim Gilmore, a young negro man,
about 20 years old, was taken from
the guard house in Luray, this coun
ty. about midnight last night and
hanged. The negro had been em
ployed on the farm of Mr. A.C.
Fitts, a highly respectable citizen.
Saturday night while the two daugh
ters of Mr. Fitts were sleeping to
gether one of the young ladies was
awakened by feeling a hand upon
her face and another upon her per
son beneath the bed covering. Her
screams aroused the family and
frightened away the intruder. Gil
more was tracked and arrested. He
confessed and implicated another
young negro man, who ib yet at
large.
x In the hat of Gilmore was found
the picture of a nude white woman.
Gilmore stated that he and his ac
complice had been planning for
weeks the assault attempted Satur
day night.
Before the sheriff could reach
Luray the enraged citizens visited
their wrath on the guilty negro.
Should his partner in crime be
caught he will probably meet a simi
lar fate.
COURT PROCEEDINGS.
Sarah Lawrence charged with
murder was tried Wednesday and
Tursday morning and acquitted.
She was represented by Jas E Peuri
foy Esq and D B Peurifoy, Jr. D B
Peurifoy made his maiden speech on
this case and crated quite a favora
ble impression by the able manner
in which he presented the case of
I his client- Mr Peurifoy has not yet
i been admitted to the bar, but ex
pects to go up at the next opportun
ity.
j Sarah l^awrence was charged wdth
having killed he husband Scipio
Lawrence with a broom stick. The
defense claimed that his death was
due to natural causes and sustained
their ]>osition with a certificate
from the physician who made the
post mortem examination.
Israel Campbell was tried for kill
ing Comfort Smith in July, near
Meggett. and acquitted. She was
represented by J C Lemacks Esq.
and D B Peurifoy, Jr.
Anna Jane Walker was found
guilty of larceny of live stock and
, sentenced to one year in the peniten
tiary. She was represented by
Padgett & Lemacks who have been
granted a new’ trial.
The balance of the week was taken
up in the trial of LoiT^Hay and
George Smith for killing Dan Hay,
her husband. They were found
guilty of murder with a recommen-
(lation to mercy and sentenced to
life imprisonment in the penitentiary.
The defendants were represented by
E L Fishburne and D B Peurifoy, Jr.
who made a motion for a new trial
which was overruled. They were
taken to Columbia yesterday.
Several appeal magistrate cases
were heard Friday.
Ben Garrett, Jr. charged with
larceny of live stoc^ from the field,
appealed from magistrate K G W
Bryan, affirmed.
Abraham Drayton, carrying off
cow appealed from magistrate D W
Mellard, reversed and dismissed.
Lazarus Gertrude larceny from
field from Mag. R G W Bryan
reversed and new trial granted.
H L O’Bryan, assault and battery,
from Mag. R G W Bryan, reversed
and new trial granted.
Mary Inabinet, obtaining goods
under false pretense from Mag. H A
Cummins, appeal sustained and case
dismissed.
Dennis Allen, violation of labor
contract from J C Crosby* reversed
and new trial granted.
This ended the work for the
General Sessions court for the first
week.
There were two general sessions
cases set for trial Monday and Tues
day of this week that of Thomas for
disposing of property under lein,
and the case of Veroni which was
trnsferred from Charleston county-
but Inith these were continued.
Monday was taken up, therefore, in
sounding the docket in the Common
Fleas court anj^striking off a num-
her of cases that had been settled in
one w’ay or another. »
Tuesday was ta^en up in the trial
of a will case. Suit was brought by
M D John, and Teat Warren to break
the will of Sallie Warren in which
she had left her land half to P W
Drawdy and half to Gemirna War
ren. This had been tried in the
probate court and decided in favor
ot Drawdy, and was brought up to
the Circuit Court by appeal.
The jury brought in a verdict sos-
SOCIAL CHIB ORGANIZED.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF OUR SISTEt
TOWN ENJOYING THEMSELVES
SAYS OUR CORRESPONDENT.
Ehrhardt. Nov. 23.—Special:
Dear Mr Editor, Guess you will be
suprised to hear from us. We are
having such a good time I am &b-
bliged to tell you and my friends
about some of the hapenings. Ehr-
hardt’s, has always been a place
where everybody enjoyed themselv
es the old as well as the young.
Now we have organized a social club
where everybody can have a good
time. We had our first meeting
about two weeks ago. at this meet
ing we wrote but the constitution
and by-laws, and elected officers.
Mia Lillian Eppa, was elected
president. Mr Willie Hiers, Vice
S res. Mrs J. D. Dannely, Sec.
Ire Conrad Hartz, Treaa. We have
had two meetings since and added
members to our happy throng at
both meetings. There are now thir
ty one members and we are expect
ing to welcome others at our next
meeting, which will be at the home
of Mia Ned Ehrhardt, Thursday
evening at 8 o’clock. Our first
meeting was held at the Uvely home
qfMr and Mrs J. F. Chassereau.
We were next entertained by Mr
and Mrs J. D. Dannely. All enjoyed
both meetings to the utmost and we
are expecting a grand time Thurs
day evening.
A nice little party of fourteen
had an enjoyable straw ride last
Thursday evening. I won’t take
space to describe it but the ride was
fine. Now last but not least we
will have a K of P meeting here this
evening at 8 o’clock would be glad
to have you with us. There are
three candidates for the third rank.
With your permission I will come
again.
‘Reclaw’
CONFERENCE AT METHO
DIST CHURCH. RESOLUTIONS.
Sunday morning after service at
the Methodist church a Church
Conference was held. At this meet
ing the church received the final re
port of the year from the pastor.
Rev. J. L. Daniel. There was still
due something over $106.00 which
was raised by those present in a
very few minutes. Indeed, more
money was raised than was needed,
leavings surplus of about $25.00.
The total raised for salary, missions,
conference claims, ^Sunday school
supplies etc- during this year
amounted to about $2,055.00. A
fact worthy of mention is that &
greater number of persons contri
buted to all these claims than ever
before. There are now’ 183 bona
fide members of this church, the
roll having recently been revised
marking off 34 names cf those who
had died or been lost sight of for
the past year. It will be seen,
therefore, that the amount raised
is about $11.25 per capita.
At the conclusion of the business
session of the conference the follow
ing resolutions were offered by Hon.
J. E. Peurifoy and unanimously
adopted.
Whereas the church year is about
to close and our pastor is about to
leave for the annual conference, and
whereas our beloved pastor, Rev.
J. L. Daniel, has served us so faith
fully and with marked ability, and
Whereas we desire to express our
affection for him and our approval
of him as our pastor; therefore be
Resolved that we express our sin
cere appreciations for him as our
pastor and we appreciate his able
sermons and his faithful services as
j a pastor, heartily commending him
for his work since in our midst.
CAMPING PARTY.
A gay party of gentlemen from
Orangeburg passed through town
this morning on their way to War
ren’s Point on a hunting and camp
ing expedition. These gentlemen
are among the most prominent Offi
cials and busihess men of Orange
burg. They will remain in camp
for several days
Among those in the party may be
mentioned; S. A. Dukes. John Gram-
ling, J. G. King, J. L. Reeves, L. G.
Shuler, H. S. Halman, R. L. Antley.
Pink Harley, Billy Pew, and Fred
N. Rickenbacker.
taining the will.
Griffin an
appellants
(mtndantf
and Tracy represented the
Howell k Gruber the
Today the case of Towles and "Ar
nett vs A. C. L. R. R Co., is being
tried. This case was tried at the
Spring term 1908, and withdrawn
from the jury because of error made
by presiding judge in the admiari- .
bility oT certain evidence* Hus is a
tsuit for damages resulting from the
alleged lorn of 381 potato barrels
and the consequent lorn of sale of
potatoes. The amount aaked for
is $1,960.00. The plaintiffs are re
presented by Griffin. Padgett, How
ell k Gruber; ri*. defendant by Jfta.
E. Peurifoy. *
I ,
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m
K,