Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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; CIRCULATION 1,700. i W o <aiinruiilf(< tin* tirru I ttiloii to all A<lverllitrrM. Our Hook* 1 alwii) m open lor lin.|><M-tloii. | ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. VOL, XIX. JOHNSON \ CHARLOTTE SIMMON! . COMPLICE GE Soli, V Made a Strong Case 8^:k tlic Accused and lie is,, pay Penalty of Dcatli on Sceond I riday in Decent Iter. The court of Ceneral Sessions took up the trial of Commander Johnson and Charlotte Siuunons charged with the murder of the Iicv. 11. I). Grainier last Thursday morn* i?K* 'v The trial had { een fixed for Thursday several days ahead, and attracted a large crowd of people, about twice as many as could get in the court house to hoar the proceedings. The crowd was much larger than it was on monday. The court house was crowded with spectators through out the trial, and public sentiment seemed to be very much against the accused? The jury to try the ease was finally empanelled as followsL. M. Ludlam, J. E. Nixon, W. II. King, M. A. Royals, Chas Dusenbury, S, E. Williamson, C. A. Williamson, S. M. Lane, I W. M. Booth, B. K. Doyle, P. W. Jornigan, R. M. Prince, Thn (li(fnnso mndn mrO ir?i, T -iw wv> If IIIVVM/II IV/ V A elude all witnesses from hearing testimony of each other, which was granted with exception of the coroner and Daniel. grainger, for the State. Sarah F, Grainger was the first witness called by the Solicitor She was widow of Harmon I). Grainier, a minister, He was filled while pUpviny in his Held about I) o'clock. 1 heard two reports of gun close together. I looked and saw animal, he was plowing standing still, and body lying over plow. Have live children. Kenneth and daughter went with me but not close, wo feared we wguk] tje tdp>t. '^oo.k advantage gf the uiy side to get up to pjipp. He was K ing on plow. I know defend.nits. Charlotte lived three-fourths of ipile away. Didn't know where Johnson lived Johnson and ipy hipsband had pot been on yoot] terms. jt wi>s about sonic cross tic tiipber. The dead line was between pla card swamp ant] Sapford. (Defendant objected, but Solicitor proceeded ) Husband's no* gro hands were shot at last winter. Husband wont to see about it and ni.'iut; uuiupuiin i. Cross-examined. Field was not larger than ten acres. Mr. Grainger was fifteen or sixteen yards from fence. On side was thicket, largo body oji fqreyt, {fad heqvtf other shots in direction. When 1 heard shots that killed him, I looked quickly. Kennoth and Mmmaand myself were in field besides deceased. I was two hundred and ninety-six yards from where he was shot. Galled to Sarah living near by, as 1 went along to body. Was plowing horse. Horse was not hurt by the shot. 1 was afraid of horse anfl also of those ^hqlfiul shot hijsbahd. | heard shops at other times not in same direction. Married son lived live miles olY and his wife sometimes picked cotton at qui* place. (Solicitor here objected tq introducing character of deceased oycejit as to character for peace and violqncq. Pelendant:s att y H. >y. Wait said ho wanted to show rupture in family relations. Judge sustained the objection.) Sarah Martin next called. Was ii) garden /mo hundred qncf ninetysjx yard;; oil when deceased wa9 yqot. Heard two shots but didn't )ool> till Mrs. Grainger called to me and we wont part of way to the body, Wpqt and called Madison's wife. I didn't go to body till noav noon. Had his hat on when I hrst saw body. Cross Examination. Ho was killed about nine. I went to body about nine. I went to body about twelve. Miss Grainier and Miss Blanton went through field to body, maybe an hour after shooting. Heard shots the evening before in that direction. Martha Blanton. I heard shots alK/ijt ij olclqcl,. Wt;nj to body with Mr^. Grainger. Body down over plqw, hat on at first, but wind blew it off just before J got there. Body fqiirWon yards front fence. IJo was plowing from fence. Cotton was Jovy, Ifopsp still standing. f ence was good fence. Saw gun wadding from him to fence. Hags and paper. Saw something like wadding in his whiskers. Wadding was produced by the sheriff. Cross Examination. Nobody at body when I went up. Hows were going to fence, not parallel with fenco. L. S. Alford. Was first man to body with Simpson, my son. Hived * * CO] VILL HANG. a, HIS ALLEGED ACTS NEW TRIAL. little distance oil. Went road till i came to fence, and found body over plow, between his feet. Chin over cross piece. Saw shot, one load about shoulder blade, and then in arm, head and hat and upper shoulder. Wadding strewn from body to fence. Paper and rags. Never been to Charlott's house. Don't know whore Johnson was living. It was 24th of .1 line. J. U. Allsbrook. Lives at Sanford. Know Grainger. Kt.ows defendants. Grainier lived little over two miles from me. Johnson was cutting ties on place of deceased. There was a ditliculty between them, and also about some negroes. NegrOv.s working for Grainger were m what is called dead line. I am merchant. I have shot for sale. Have dilTerent sizes in case, but two kinds mixed <?m> cmoll Kh..l- c.n..? ,,-..i ?j .. imvn mini, ill III another si/.e. iShcritV produced shot and Allsbrook said were like his mixed shot. Had talk with defend ants after killing. Johnson was waiting and wanted to settle what he owed me. Johnson cried and seemed in trouble. Said he had but one witness and she in same fix. 1 tried to settle the dispute between Grainger and Johnson. Johnson was a little "sparrow toed." Cross Examination. Buy shot in 25 1b bags. The turkey shot got mixed in the case with the larger ones. 1 don't know how. 1 bought some ties from Commander Johnson. I paid up to G rainger 4(5.00 and some I stumppage due him bv Johnson on the Tuesday before. There was talk of indictment against Johnson and Simmons living in adultery. Grain-' ger told me this a few days before killing. L\ 11. Sasser. \ live at Bayboro. Krow's Charlotte Simmons. 1 saw boy go in John's store in June and ask for gun shells. I told her she could nt shoot a gun, and sin* replied she could, and if she could'nt she could have it done. Johnson camel iu me uii .-ninuay ami wanted to sell in(3 his horse. I \okl iiim lie had a crop. Said he would quit and leave as lit* had got so moan lie could nt stay ' up in there.' Cross examination. lie said he w is was going to leave ai d get something el so to do, Did nt remember whether he said he wuu ted to sell horse to pay debts or nqt. U. M. Friuce. Liye in Hayhoro. j Shortly before hilling heard Cliarj lolte say at my huu>o that she had pome by depot to get shells and got shells to shoot if she was bothered. Johnson occupied house one-fourth mile from Charlott's house. | John C. Grainger. Charlotte Simmons was living within two miles of Grainger, at Joe Fowler's old place. Saw Commander Johnson there one Sunday evening. Commander sold outcrop, fgrgitgre and horse to his brother Furniture was in room at Charlott's. (This was a very unwilling witness and seemed in favor of the defense.) Dan'l Grainger. Got there in evening. Found body in field on Lr none ? r ? ..I.UVU U1V.I [IICUl" U 1 J)|()\V, Counted thirty-two shot holes. They were in back, shoulder and head. Was at inqucat. Defendant John son was thero when I got" there. Charlotte Simmons was sent after. Edmonds got there with hound after dark. I went next day to Oharlotl's house and found clothing of both man and woman. One pqir men shoes in front, one pair in room. Pair in piazza were muddy and not dry. Pound some shot and shells on table. Wad of shot in rag. I put in paper bag. Gun also found with two shells in it. Pqund two shells that had fcjeen reloaded. Opened one and found 1 Id 15'' shot, Dl\ Pur-,, roughs opened other. There wa empty shell on table. At house oi Johnson very few singps of anyone living there. Signs (if horse stable. I took shoes to tracks loading from Grainger's field to Charlott's house. I went to where Edmunds stopped (dog night before, short distance from whore do# stopped, and found track. Found broken sign in bush-j os And found track like former one, followed through branch, then in same direction tiU we found it in another branch, then up branch, then in old field and then in mud in branch close to Charlott's Simmons, ^ook shqes and fdicy litted the tracks in the mud and where hound stopped. Trail went so as to keep hid. Went to fence and found where the grass was mashed dovvq. JTqupd tracks there which fitted shoes alright. Court took recess. After the recess the examination of Mr. Grainger was continued almrg ,tho same lines. Cross Examination. Found grass trampled down near fence and step about six or seven feet from trampled place, about the second of long strides. ] did not keep all the way in front hunting tho tracks, but other witnesses did. Saw tracks in liovi N WAV. S. ( TIIUUS liokl whore hoc was sticking up, tracks of a man and a woman. Tracks led from there to house or across the brat eh at church. Had no search warrant to ei.tu* house* Did'nt need any. Did'nt break Johnson's trunk. Re direct. I was sent to search house by the sheriff. Track was peculiar and easy to detect anion# hund rods. M. D, Edmunds. Lives four miles of Chadbourn. Am policeman at Chadbourn. Kept blood hounds for eight years. My father had some when I was small. Clot word of killin# 12:15 o'clock. Went with oldest do# 1 had, named Floxie. She will take a man's trail and follow through a thousand. Got there near dark. I did not want to run at night. Sheriff sent me out with three or four men. Took do# at place where man stood. The do# took the scent and started oil strong. Do# load off and came down to a bav. It. was too thick and 1 stopped and had place marked. Went with do# about half mile. Gave it up and as we came up next to Grainger's house, do# struck trail again, but 1 piflled her off. Next morning do# recognized track, hut scent was cold. Followed track to house. The do# wont to barn. Found shoes in piazza. They were muddy. Took shoos back and put shoes in tracks. Cross Examination. My do# is near two years old. A blood hound is grown at about two years old. He#in to train at three months old. This one was about six months old. W. A. Causey. Noticed peculiar walk of Commander Johnson. Was at inquest. Went with do# next day and found track on down branch. Stood there till do# got there. I went to road and stopped. Track was peculiar. li. 1). Suggs, Went 011 trail, but not at start. Loft main crowd and got over branch near where defendants lived and went on to house with crowd. Found shoes on piazza. Were muddy. Then went and saw shoes put in track. Shoes (itted tracks exactly, except one in soft mud. Found shot and shells in house and compared shot. Cross examination. Found no dead squirrel or any lish in the house. Did nt go in trunlc. li. F. Suggs. Went that night with dog and men and it was so dark had to blaze trees and (put till next morning. Joined crowd at road and went on to house. Took shoes and followed track back to place of shooting. Shoes luted the tracks. Saw wadding. Caper wadding. Dr. II 11. 1 turroughs. Showed wadding found on ground between body and fence Witness examin cd wadding earefnjly and compared with paper sacks at Allsbrook's. One piece, wadding had''AlUbrook" on it. One piece of cloth wadding, I examined body about eight, weeks ..: - .i i ? .. . inter iiiuuusii unu iook i > is snot an CI u | size smaller out of his body. Found twenty nine shot holes of a hot that did'nt come'or,h One hit near jug ular vein, Some in head. Shot hit heart, lungs and vital organs. One load directly in baric, the other slanting. Signs showed shot were mixed. Court took reoesss until Friday morning, Kill DAY. The murder trial was continued, the examination of Dr. II. If. Furroughs was again takpfl up He explained a diagram of tnc country near the place ol the killing, showed the shot taken from the body. .Johnson told him in the jail that he had got some shot at Allsbrook's, rtud wrapped them in papoy that came from hetwocii plugs of V-baceo. Found Allsbrook's nana on piece of the wadding. Wadding looked like wads from shells. Johnson told him in ' the jail that he wanted the womam, locked up where her Q I) ? mouth would be kept shut. Johnsou also told dreams he had while in jail about being bung, and told witness if he was hung he would meet \i \\ in H with a lever cat. if,. J. Sessions. Went to scene of I killing about four o'clock I got information caused mo to suspicion a certain party. I located Johnson near body of dead man. lie was pale, excited and nervous. He got more excited nearer night. I did'nt care to arrest him till after impiest. I fell upon the plan of h aiding him as a witness. 1 pretended that Commander was also a witness and had him LMiardeJ with t.h? nt.hni ?j!i?w.^ t_, ^4 y?#v/ I' ?? ? VHV/OO es on pia/,z * by t\y.o constables. Af tor verdict 1 arrested him. Tied him and took him to San lord in bu##.y. He was at San ford on box by store and one side, of strip# had come a little loqso, He made out that hp was try in# to see if he could run witli line on his feet and would start oil' and stop, till he finally went wont off too far, and I called him back believin# he <vas tryin# to run away. \V. M. barker. Johnson in the jail told me his shoes were elastic shoes that ho wore fishin# that day and that he had left them, on piazza. H. G. Fowler. I know JohnsonHe came to inquest. Charlotte was livin# on her place. Corn field around house. Commander was do- , :>1 l !><>."> I PROCEEDINGS OF COURT. I Till tiRAIND .11 KY MAKE l?KI;SriNTMENT. Many Defendants arc t:ound tinllty and Sentenced to l ine or I ni prison Jl p( DAY SKPTKM mku ing the plowing, Charlotte would do the hoing. Small branch between this and Craiuser's place. Four or five days beforo the killing ho was hauling manure to Sarvis' place. Luke KUiotte and his son were shot at and had to quit splitting rails. Costic Floyd I feard Johnson say that tlrainier was talking now, but ho hadn't forgot the cross-ties he stole from him'. W. A. Suggs. In February heard Johnson say he did'nt deny shoot ing the negro, and if Grainger took up for the darkie" he'd get what the old "darkie"1 got. W. K. Holt. Sheriff told me to watch Johnson at inquest lie appeared excited some way. He olTererod to go after witness, but sherilT, I think, told him not to go, and he never went. When dog came up she barked before she was taken out. After he had sworn at inquest he wanted to tell me and MeCaskill something. He related a dilliculty about cross-ties with (1 rainger. After verdict myself and MeCaskill were ordered to take charge of him. We took him to San ford and tied him. Heard Johnson tell that his things were in Charlott's house. 1 was sent to search house, but found Grainger and others had been there first and got shells etc. 1 opened trunk. There was some money in the trunk. Found some letters in house. Lost one of them on way to Grainger's, addressed to dilTerent party and in same writing. Cross Examination. When I and MeCaskill talked with him I don't remember that he asserted his in nosense. Kev. Fowler used Johnson's horse to go get witness. II. G. Powell. Johnson had a peculiar walk, turning in toes and shoes running over at sides. Cross Examination. Pan'l Prince turns in one foot and lives not far from Charlott's house. Pau l Prince is Charlott's father. In February Johnson said lie would hate to have the parson to scratch, but reckoned he would have it to do. Kenneth Grainier. I am son of Kev. Grainger, lie was shot once after lie fell to his knees. Did'nt see smoke. Father went with corn over branch branch to feed hogs. 11c| went to plowing after breakfast and was killed between eight and nine o'clock. Fiinma Giainger. I am Mr. Grain ger's daughter. 1 looked and saw father fall Heard two shots Dideut go to body till others went. Father came in and we all ate to got her and went to work. Mrs. C. 14. Johnson. 1 live; ten miles from Grainger and have known Commander Johnson. I know his hand writing. (Was shown letter found in housrv and witness said she thought it was Johnson s hand writing.) Heard'Johnson say that if Grainger put himself in his way lie would bloody his shirt. Solicitor uerc reaii letter which .staled that Johnson was going away on Saturday if things did not mend. A. 13. Mincy. Was my field tracks were in I rented to Commander Johnson. Field two or throe hundred yards fiom Charlotte Simmons' house. Found track in ford which looked like Johnson's track Saw tracks in field like one in branch. Saw shoes fitted to tracks and they corresponded. Saw Command or wearing thonn Cross humiliation. Was not at inquest. At the house that night, lie was shot on Friday. Heard dog bark when it came up. In answer to the Solicitor, witness said that Dan'l Prince \n making track would bear down on outside and Commander Johnson on the inside. 1). F. Prince, jr. Saw Johnson have shoes on like tfioso in court. Saw tracks* and they looked like shoes. Tracks in field were same, S (J Tyler. I work in store for Allsbroo.k. (Hooked at shoos in; court.) I sold shoes to Cainmander Johnson for $1.10. Saw him one day in store pick up hand full of shot and lie said he wanted about that many shot. Was shown paper used in wadding and witness said it was paper from A1 tab rook's store. Shot was mixed in easo. Said shot was same as those in court taken from ( ! p.i 1 p ifop c Iwwli/ I ?\<? i/l I [/?????? fn.. i ?j i iuiii y i y *% lor ten cents at requestor Johnson. Tried to got shells but I had none. Henry Tyler. Lives at Saqfoyd. I sold Commander Johnson live gun shells for ten cents. They were loaded with small shot. This was . wo weeks lacking a day before kill ing. After the dinner recess the following witnesses wore sworn: W. \i. Prince. Heard Johnson say say if he did'nt cut those ties no body else would, and if Grainger bothered him he'd make his leather smoke. Witness saw tracks. S. A. Hryant. Hoard Johnson say he was accused of shooting negroes, but he did'nt say he did or did not, J. I1. Tyler. Offered to hire Johnson to work for railroad and he said he could'nt work at that time. Said if he did'nt do what he intended to do he might take job later, that ho had his ducks in a row. This was May ">th. Thought ho said ho .had to ieavc. W. A. Prince. I went to jail to (Continued on page 7) I Ill cut. \V KDN KSDA V I'ONTINIJ El>. The State vs. George b\ Sutton and Martha Sutton, charged with keeping disorderly house, was tried by a jury and both defendants found guilty. Sentenced to $25.00 lino each or two months. State vs. George Sessions and Isa Nobles charge of fornication. Isa Nobles pleaded guilty. George Sessions tried in absence and found guilty. The State vs. George Sessions for carrying pistol was tried in defen dant's absence and found guilty. The case against Nop Claredy and Henry Claredy for assault, resisting oflicer etc., was tried before a jury, the defendant was represented by 11. W. Wait, Ksq. TI1UUSDA V. The jury returned a verdict of guilty against Nep Claredy and Henry Claredy. The grand jury then brought in the following presentment, which created somewhat of a sensation. "We the grand jury in the midst of our labors at the present term, beg leave to make the following special presentments, and request that bill be given out on the same at the present term with all convenient speed, as they are concerning the disbursement of county funds, which in our opinion, as will fully appear by our last presentment, greatly demands corrections by this court. We present.I. L. lloyd, County Supervisor, for disposing of one pair of mules the property of I lorry county of the value of $250.00 and appropriating to his own personal and private use, the proceeds of such sale. Witnesses: W. H. Mishoe, I) A i i? 1 1 o. I . i'UlllllIll <111(1 J, I C. Spivey. We further present .1.1* Ij I ?o v< 1, County Supervisor, for fraudulently raising the claim of one Y. M. Martin a's constable front $H.75 i to $14.7f) after the same had been i proved and (iled, and numbered f>82, and for adding the name of \V. D. . Hardee, a county commissioner of Horry county to the approval there- ' of, and then for assigning the whole of said claim, thus fraudulently in | creased to t he Spivey M( rcantile | Co., for his own personal account, use and benefit with intent to deprive 1 lorry count y of at least $(>.00 < of the amount.' Witnesses, Y. M. 1 Martin, N. M. Mishoe, W. D. liar- i dee, C. II. Snider, .J. C. Spivey. I The Solicitor stated that he would i not issue bench warrants, with the i understanding on the part of Defendants that this was waived, each ( cave bonds in the sum of $500.00 for ~ ( their appearance at the present term to answer to indictments ThtSolicitor also said that ho would tfive out ( I .in iuviii-Liiini v on me presentment ' | made by tHo #rand jury at last term and in this, each was required to </ive a further -bond for #o00 00. ] Public sentiment seemed to be in fa- < vor of J. L. Boyd for ho made his J bonds without leaving his scut in the court roup, U. H. Buck and 1*. C. 1 Prince standing the lirst bond and J. A. McDermott and B. II. Burroughs standing the second. Mr. Stalvey was not in court at the time i but 11is bonds wero properly filed. Mr. Boyd is represented by Hon. Itobt. 11. Scarborough and II. II. Woodward, Ksqr. .Mr. Stalvey by li B. Scarborough. The ?jrand jury returned a true . bill against J . L. Bovd and (J. Pied Stalvey for conspiracy to defrad the county. Cormnunications intended for publication in this paper must bear | thereon or on a seperate piece of paper inclosed therewith, the true name of the writer, so the editor 1 will know whore to place responsibility for the articlo. Wo have statod this time and time a^.iin ] aiyd still some will persist in send inc in unsigned communications ex peeling them to bo published. The Green Sea Lodge No. 20") ] A. F. M. will hold alodgeof sorrow in memory of Itev. II. I). Grainger on Sunday October 1st at 11 o'clock ! a. in., at Honey Camp church Green Sea, S C. Grady, Nichols and Conway lodges requested to be present. , Public invited. ?The appeal in the matter of Daniel Johnson from the decision of , the two magistrates in the habeas corpus proceedings was dismissed 1 last Saturday by Judge Gary on the ground that the magistrates had no right in the first place to pass on the matter, citing a case decided by I the supreme court in support of his decision. --Attention is called to the new advertisement of Cooke & Powell appearing in this issue. They will appreciate your trade when you . want anything in their lino. * * ADVERTISING MEDIUM j! IN THE 6TH DISTRICT. ' < \ll >u?'4-r*Mln I lilvcrtlNi* In llir lllilCAI.Ik | TRY IT FOR BEST RESULTS. ! NO 215. LOCAL ITEMS. ?This week Ims been rather dull after the crowds of court week. ? If you want to buy a tract of good land write to I). Kuss, Mattic, S. C. There was some rain last Sat urday and the day was dry and hot. Head the new advertisement of Conway Bargain House appearing in this issue. The Enterprise Box and Basket Factory has sold out to take effect about the first of next year. There was an examination for teachers' ccrsifieates to teach in the public schools held in the academy last week. ?The new passenger boat is about finished but no time has as yet been lixctl for her first trip down the Waccamaw ?This issue is full of the proceedings of the court. It will doubtless prove interesting reading to most of our readers. ?There will bo an excursion to Myrtle (leach on the 2.'kl of September. Come one and all and go with us S. G. IJooth, Manager. 2t. ?-VV. J. Ifowell, a farmer living near Martins Hill had the misfort uno to lose his dwelling and most of its contents by fire last Thursday, ? The town was crowded with people all of last week. Those who did not come on Monday arrived on Thursday morning to hear the murder ease. ? The protracted mooting will be gin at Honey Camp church at Green Sea on the 1th Sunday in September, the Itev. M. C. Walton of Hurgaw, N. C., assisting the pastor. Everybody invited. ?The town council which was recently elected decided at their first meeting to take steps in the matter of that certain ditch which was comdomned as a nuisance last spring by the board of health. --S. T. Sessions moved his stock of goods last Monday into the new store next door to Norton Drug Co., where he will conduct his business until his old store is torn down and n new one erected in its place. Commander Johnson was watching through the bars last Saturday ifternoon at the v<i - >1 I'l (IWJJIU iin they passed back and forth going lown lo the train or elsewhere, lie aid something to say to those he <new. VVhats That? The old question )f where to buy your goods in Conway has been settled Everybody Kiys what? R Lee & Co., is the * l>laee to buy good goods at less money than they can bo Ijought my where. S. A. Tiiulal says that he grew this year twenty-three watermelons )n one vine, the largest weighng thirty three pounds, the smallist five pounds, and the whole lot /rown on the one vine four hundred md four pounds. Under a statute passed some years ago, six grand jurors are Irawn each year to serve on the /rand jury of the succeeding year. At the drawing in the court house last week Geo. L. Marsh, S. 1>. Moore. W. .J. Singleton, VV. II. Hell, VV. F Jordan, and S. W. Hurrcl.son wore drawn as six to serve with the new grand jury next year. PURELY PERSONAL ? Miss Curtis Davis of Florence is visiting Mrs. D F. Gregg. S 15 Mishoo has accepted a position at tne Gully store. ?Clms. Marthinson of Washington was in the county on business IclHl We(!K, Thomas I*, Hammer spent Saturday in Conway, stopping at the K ingston. C. E. St Ainand will leave the latter part of the week for Ports mouth, Va. A. N. Cox of Marlosvs jxissed through town one day this week on* his way to Gideon . James E. Moore is critically ill it the residence of his daughter, Mrs. G. Fred Stalvey. ?Solicitor J. M. Johnson was the ^uest of Col. C. F. Quattlebaum while attending court last week. ? Miss Dora Thomas has accepted a position as milliner with It. L. Lec & Co., in their new store on upper Main street, ?The court Stenographer, Solicitor and Judge Ernest Gary all left for Marion last Saturday afternoon where court convened last Monday morning. - Miss Mamie Spencer, acharming young lady of Surburb, N. C., who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. J. II. Oliver for the past mouth left last Saturday for her home.