Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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? " ' ' y t '*-***? %?, TRIAL OF TUTEN # He Is Accused of fluid* rirg J R. Langford in Hampton County WHAT WilKSSES SAID tlary Harris, the Wliito Woman in the CJa.se, the Principle Witness for the {State, Testified that Tuten, the Defendant, Did the Killing of Dang ford, Wliicli the State Claims. I/eRoy B. Tuton, of Hampton County, is not guilty of the murder of J. R. Langford, according to the decif-'.on reached by the jury in the case early Thursday afternoon. Two and a half days were consumed in the trialfcof the case which was brought to Bamberg from Hampton, and according to statements made, it took the Jury scarcely three minutes to decide the case, once the matter was in its hands. The case of the State against HeRoy '13. Auten was begun in the court of general sessions at Bamberg 011 Tuesday. The defendant is charged with the murder of J. R. Langford, just outside of the town of Brun son, in Hampton county, about a year ago. 'Both the deceased and the defendants come from large and prominent families. The case was transferred to Bainberg County on the ground that a fai-r and impartial trial could not be bad at Hampton. Below we give the testimony in the case: The first witness called by the State was Dr. J. W. Mole of Brunson, v. ho held an autopsy the day after the killing. This witness testified that the body of Langford was found in the woods near Hampton, and that a wound was discovered near the left ear. The skin was not severely injured and the skull was not fractured, a hemorrhage near the brain being the imediate cause of death. Dr. J. L. Folk, the next witness, testified that he was the family physician of Langford ,and that he had never seen any evidence of apoplexy about the deceased. B. W. Addison stated that he saw Tuten the day after the burial, Octo1, and that Tuten told him that he had been near the place where the body was found, on the morning of the killing, and that he had been hunting birds there. The witness testified that a horse and buggy was tied to a tree about 3 6 feet from the spot where Mr. Langford's body was discovered. j it was testified by Gray Rivers that he saw Hangford leave 'Brunson on. the inroning of the killing, and that he himself was in the party that found the body about 8:45 that night. He stated that Langford was found lying on a lap robe, and that a horse and buggy was hitched to a nearby tree. J. C. Dowling told of finding the body of the deceased in the woods, and also stated that about a week after the killing Tuten had said to him that he had been near the placo of the killing on November 29, looking for a covey of birds. After finding the body, several men went to the house of Mary Harris, and took her to the Hampton jail. John Allen, a colored hand of Tuten, testified that Tuten offered to divide $100 among Allen and some other negroes if they would toll the truth at the trial. Allen swore that Mr. Tuten was in the field with his hands at about sunrise, and was in their sight almost all the time until the train went by, which other witnesses testified was about 9:.' 10 in the morning. A good deal of Wednesday's session was taken up with the testimony of Mary Harris, who has played a most important part in the case. The night of the killing this woman was arrested, and after bting confined in the Hampton jail for a time, she was removed to the penitentiary, where she had been kept since. Richard Williams, the negro, whose name appears often in the testimony, has also spent some time in the penitentiary, where he was hurried soon after the homicide, the oflicrs faring that he might be lynched. The testimony of Mary Harris, the principal witness for the State, was greatly weakened by the proof brought out on cross-examination that she had made a number of conflicting statements as to who struck the fatal blow. Sue stated on t tic stand Wednesday that the defendant., LeRoy B. Tuten, hit Langford on the head with his gun. hut it was shown that soon after the killing she told a number of people that the act wa? committed by Richard Williams, and told another man that Mr. bangford died a natural death. Several spirited contests by counsel over the admission of evidence arose during the examination of this witness. The defendant sits in the court room beside his counsel and appears very cool and collected. He is a tall man, with gray hair, and is very prominently connected in his native county. R. C. 'Brant testified that as the wound on Mr. Langford's head wae so slight he was not fully satisfied that It had been caused by a blow and so about two weeks after the death he examined carefully the ground upon which the body had been found. lie stated that he had found no roots, sticks or other objects in the ground which could have produced the injury, but that the land at the place was quite open. Mary Harris was then placed upon the stand. She is 21 years old, and lives with her aged father near Mr. Tuten's house. She testified that on November 29 Langford came by her house, where she was cutting wood, and asked her to go with him. She said that the two then went out in the woods, together. Tuten walked up. the girl testified, and 9truck Langford on the head with his gun; and then told the girl that if she did not say that Richard Williams had hit I.nneford he would kill her. as he had already killed two men. The girl says she then ran home, and went into the cotton field, about 100 yards from the scene of the killing, passing a colored man in a wagon 011 the way. The witness said that she was afraid of Tuten after this, and that this was why she told Herman Lightsey, J. O. Bowers, and a detective, in the penitentiary, that Williams had struck the blow. The witness said that after she had been taken to the penitentiary she told several men that Tuten had killed Langford. She stated that Tu? ten had been intimate with her for three or four years, but that the negro, Richard? Williams, had never made any improper remarks to her. It was brought out on cross-examination by Mr. Welch that at the coroner's inquest, a few days after the killing, Mary Harris swore that Williams had struck the fatal blow with a stick. The witness admitted having made this statement at the inquest. It was shown that she had made similar statements to Mr. Howling, Mr. Harter, Mr. Gray, and in the penitentiary to Capt. Roberta, Mr. Griffith, Dr. Butler and members of the penitentiary board. Some testimony was also brought out that Mary Harris had told several men that Richard Williams had been intimate with her. The witness admitted having told J. P. Bowers in the Hampton jail that no one struck Langford but that he had died from natural causes. In addition it was shown that the woman had told the solicitor at the penitentiary that Tuten had never been inimate with her. The girl testified that Langford had been attentive to her for about two years. Three negroes were placed upon the stand in order to throw light up-i tii the whereabouts of Richard Williams at the time of the killing. E. W. Rouse testified that on the morning of November 29, as he was driving into Brunson, he met Williams, near the Cossawhatchie swamp, and took him in his buggy. John Hil'iard swore that as he was driving a two-horse wagon out from Brunson in he Matthews Bluff road, he pass ed Mary Harris near her house, walking fast and looking back several times, and that later after driving two miles further down the road he met House and Williams in a buggy, coming toward Brunson. In passing near he scene of the killing, he saw a horse and buggy in the woods, and it was between this place and Mary's house that he saw her. John Preacher stated that he saw Williams get in the buggy with Rouse. After argument the Court allowed the introduction in evidence of what Mary Harris said to her sister when she reached home just after the alleged killing, for the reason that the girl should be permitted to explain her conflicting statements. Florrie Harris, the sister of Mary, swore that on the morning of the 29th of November Langford came to her house in his buggy and entered into conversation with Mary, who was in the yard cutting wood; that soon after he left Mary followed him into the woods, and that in a short time Mary hurried back to the cotton licld and said to the witness: "Klorrie, Roy has killed Mr. Langford." Scon after Langford had left the house, stated the witness, and before Mary returned, Tuten passed by, and after a talk with Robert Harris, he went in the same general direction Langford had taken. On cross-examination it was shown that Florrie had said nothing about Mary's statement until a very short time before the trial. At this point Mr. Davis announced that the tSate rested its case. After n conference of the defendant's atorneys, Mr. Welch stated to the court that the defense would put up no testimony, hut would rely upon the weakness of the States ease. It was agreed that each side have three hours for argument. Col. \V. S. Tillinghast made the first argument for he defense followed by Solicitor GunI t /-.?? //-v ? fl\e Ctoln , 1 ioi h;i me utuvvi t <+ . Must Serve Their Time. John V. Garlington and Jamos Sto' ho Young, officers of the Semlnok ' Securities Company, must servo pris on sentences of three years and on< year, respectively, on the charge o ' appropriating to their own use th< sum of $55,596, the property of th< ' company. The supreme court af 1 firmed the verdict secured in tin 1 Richland county court over a yea; ago. > ^ , Killed Mother and Sister. i At Guild Hall, Vt., without a sigi 1 of emotion, Arthur Bean, a 19-year , old lad, In Court pleaded guilty t > murdering his mother and 15-year i old sister last Mareh. LIFE FOR LIFE , f t i . t , ' ; G'smoer Maos pi Virginia, Rtfosed Respite in the Beat ie Case KILLED HIS OWN WIFE The Convicted Virginia Wife Slayer Must Die in Electric Chair on November 24, Unless Unforeseen Cir% 1 cumstance Prevents Execution of the Law's Sentence. With the frank and emphatic statement that he believed in the prisoner's guilt, Governor Mann of Virginia declined to grant a respite to Henry Clay Beattie, Jr., convicted in Chesterfield County, September 8, of wife murder. The refusal of the Governor to interfere with the sentence, which the Supreme Court declared on Monday to be plainly right, means that Beattie will die in the electric chair at the State penitentiary on Friday, November 2 4. Being aware that a final decision would bo reached in his case Wednesday, Beattie. in the death cell, waited expectantly for some word from the Governor's office. His grayhaired father, utterly broken in spirit and strength, who notified him on Monday that an appeal had been denied, was spared the ordeal of conveying a second message that all hope was lostRev. Benjamin Dennis, an Episcopal minister, who had interceded in the young man's behalf, went quickly and quietly to the prison to inform him that every possible effort to save him had failed. Beattie heard the announcement in silence, though he was visibly affected. Hater in the afternoon his father, brother and young sisted called to see him. Unlike the Supreme Court, which filed no written opinion in refusing a writ of error. Governor Mann gave out a statement, in which he said that Reattie's appeal was made with "the purpose, if possible, of avoiding the consequences of a crime which he knows he is guilty." The Governor also stated that the socalled affidavit of Paul Reattie was not worthy of consideration as evidence. In a signed statement to Reattie's lawyers and the public. Governor Mann said: "While T sympathize very profoundly with the father of H. C. Reattie. Jr., and would be glad to help him if I could do so with proper regard for the public interests. I cannot with any consideration for those interests interfere with the due execution of the sentence of the Court in the Reattie case. "I followed that case during the trial, and as its horrible facts were developed, regretted that a crime so cruel and malicious should have occurred within the confines of this State. In the decision of every question which was presented to the able and impartial Judge who presided at the trial, he was careful to give the benefit of every reasonable doubt to the prisoner; bis instructions were as favorable as counsel for the prisoner could have expected: that he? did not err in the admission or exclusion of evidence or in his instruc tions given to the jury, is shown in the refusal of the Supreme Court of Appeals to grant a writ of error. "There is no question of the honesty and fairness of the jurors trying the ease, nor is there any question that the defence made by lawyers of character and ability obtained for IT. C. Beattie, Jr., every advantage guaranteed by law to persons charged with crime. "That Beattie is guilty of the wilful, deliberate and cruel murder of his young wife I have not the slightest doubt, nor is it insisted that there shall be any greater relief offered than the commutation of his sentence to imprisonment for life. "I do not think the affidavits of Paul Beattie, printed in the papers, or any other evidence or consideration brought to my attention, sufficient for that purpose, nor do I question the wisdom, 1 might add, the necessity of capital punishment in cases where'human life has been quickly and deliberately taken. "On the contrary, I believe that this punishment is necessary for the protection of society, and if on a jury I would not hesitate, in a proper case, ' to agree to a verdict requiring life, for life. "To grant a respite in so plain n rase would be to sot a precedent; would be to temporize with the law , and to encourage appeals to the Supreme Court, with the sole purpose s of gaining' time. I believe the best f way to prevent such crimes as this is to punish them adequately, cer' tainly, speedily. Therefore, the judgment of the Circuit Court of Chesterfield will be carried into ef? feet without interference from me." r Itofles Hleaee's Parole. At Columbia Mayor Gibbes took issue with the governor of South Carfc ollna by refusing to release Bratton Pettigrew, who was paroled, having o been convicted ?n the recorder's court - on * charge of drunkenness. Pettigrew was a frequent offender. & I 1# / ' ! ' v WARM ROAST FOR TAFT I ' ' 0 ^ IDAHO KXECUTIVK INDIGNANT i , i AT MAN'S PARDON. ? Attorney General Wickersham's Agents Usurp Functions of Regular Officials in State of Idaho j Governor Hawley, of Idaho, Wednesday gave out at Boise a signed statement, addressed to the people ^ of Idaho, in which he condemns the ^ action of President Taft in granting a pardon Wednesday to Clarence W. Robnett, bookkeeper in the Lewiston National Bank of Lewiston, Idaho. He was convicted of embezzling tunas 01 uie uuiik uiiu wac bhuchvcu in the federal court at Idaho Springs to ten years' imprisonment. He never entered upon service of his sentence. "I feel that the pardon of Robnett ~ is a fitting sequel to the proceedings in the United States court during the last four years, while the special assistants to the United States attorney general have been usurping the functions of the United States attorney " general and his assistants and have been running the cases in which the United States has been Interested with a high hand, regardless of justice or decency," the statement sets forth ~ "I am not surprised at this parion. In fact, no act ever done in connection with the courts of Idaho has brought justice more into disrepute ami weakened the courts more in the estimation of our people. For more than four years, in every im- " portant case in which the United States was interested, the regular oroseouting officers have been retired and these special assistants to the attorney general have been given full control. "Without the slightest interest in ~ our State, caring nothing for our people, simply desirous of establishng a reputation in the department jf justice, these special prosecutors have done more to injure Idaho and retard its development since the fall of 1 907 than all other causes com- j bined. "The injustice of this action of President Taft, inspired without doubt by the special prosecutors, will long rankle in the minds of our citizens and will inspire them with a wholesome contempt for such disgraceful methods. I "It is probably unfair to severely blame President Taft directly for this unspeakable action, as he undoubtedly acted on the request of Attorney General Wickersham, who evidently had been in collusion with his associates in charge of this prosecution." y SLIPPED ON PEEL OF BANANA. May Result in Crippling for Life 01 Man \\ no aieppeu 011 it. I The Greenville Piedmont bays testimony to the fact that the city ordinance against the throwing of banana peels on the sidewalks of the city's streets is not enforced as it should be, and that failure to enforce the law puts pedestrians in a precarious situation is borne by a " sad incident that occurred recently, * barely failing to cause death to a Greenville resident. Mr. Robert Nash, a man who has lived here for about eleven months, having come here from Virginia, was walking down Main street near the postoffice building a week ago. Near the corner of Main and Broad " streets he slipped on a banana peel and fell to the sidewalk, the base of his spine striking the pavement. The r foot that stepped upon the peeling went high into the air and he suffered a hard fall. Persons on the street came to the aid of Mr. Nash and he was taken to the Salvation Army citadel where > he was given medical attention and ( Dr. Black and Brown have been attending him since. It was found | that the base of Nash's spine was ( fractured and that the nerves were badly deranged. Nash has suffered terrible pains and it is likely that he wii! never walk again. The attending physician said that the injuries may heal, but the chances are that he will never again have the use of his limbs. His legs have been numb and feelingless since the fall. It is thought that* the break in the spine will heal but that his nervous system will never be whole again and that this will prevent further use of the legs. Nash is a young man and rather tall and it is believed that his height made the fall more serious. It is thought that if it had been an old mean to suffer the fall death would have resulted. However, Nash, being a young man, the wounds will not, it is thought, prove fatal. ? ? Reattie Will Have to Hang. A Richmond, Va., dispatch says the supreme court of appeals denied the petition for a writ of error by Henry Clay Reattle, Jr., convicted of murdering his young wife last July. This decision on the appeal from the judgment of the Chesterfield court, which sentenced him to die in the electric chair November 24, Is final. Send In your subscription to this 'paper now. CLASSIFIED COLUMN iVanted?To purchase ash and yellow poplar logs. Tnrver-MeMillan JLumber Company, Savannah, Ga. jood Farm for Sale?near town, and and graded school. Write for particulars. W. H. Parrlsh, Coats ' N. C. <\>r Kale?-Two-year old roses. Heavenly blue violet plants and Azaleas. Azalea Gardens, l3ox 85, Summervillee, S. C. Established 1704. D. A. Walker, 152 Meeting St., Charleston, S. C. Marble and granite works, Iron and Wire fencing. Send for prices. L'lie Carncau Pigeon is the greatest money-maker of all poultry. Special low prices, also Racing Pigeons for sale. Write: Fancy Stock Yards, Columbia, S. C. ?ggs \V<ii>!ed?Ship us your hens, chickens and geese. We guarantee you the highest market prices. O. D. Sires's & Co., Charleston, S. C. look keeping or Shorthand $35. Combined Course, $65. Subjects taught by Specialists. Address the Greensboro Commercial School, Greensboro N. C. for literature. louthwest Georgia Farm, and pecan lands. Any sized tracts. Hest country in the world. Write for illustrated booklet today. FlowersParker Realty Co. Thomaaville, G*. <*ine Farm .Lauds for sale?Write C. Id. Simmons, uiaaeiey, ua., 101 best locations and prices on idea) farms; lai ge and small In Early and joining counties; soutnwesr Georgia. ?'or Hale?-Pure Breed Pekia Ducks. White Sherwood Chickens, Rhode Island Reds. Plymouth Rocks (Barred) at $4.00 for trio of either. Address Mrs Mary E. Littlejohn, Jonesville, S. C. 'Blows Free? Mail us $10.00 for 36pound Feather Bed and receive 6pound pair Pillows, freight prepaid. New feathers, best ticking, satisfaction guaranteed. Agents wanted. Turner & Cornwell, Feather Dealers, Charlotte, N. C. iggs to Set from my beautiful Rhode Island Reds. 15 for $2.00, have some cheaper. Chicks, 25c each. Orders received now for future dolivery. Address W. W. Moyle, Charlotte, N. C. 11-10-3 Wanted?Men to take thirty day's practical course In our machine hops and learn automobile business. Positions secured graduates $25 per week and up. Charlott* Auto School, Charlotte, N. C. fardwood Dogs and Lumber wanted. We are cash buyers of poplar, Ash Cypress and Gum Lumber. Als< want Poplar, Hickory, Cedar anr Walnut Logs. Inspection at your point. Write for prices. Savan nah Valley Lumber Company, Au gusta, Ga. Complete Course in Automobile con etruction driving, repairing. Grad uates assisted in getting employment. Best equippod auto school in South. Graduates getting $lf to $40 weekly. Write for particulars. Automobile School, 108 110 Liberty St., Savannah, Ga. WAS KILLED IN GIN. rwo Druthers Met Death at Difl'orent Times Same Way. Mr. Wyatt H. Wiggins, a prosper 3us farmer and a prominent cltizei )f Coats, N. C., was killed instantl\ Wednesday, when he was caught oi the line-shaft of his gin. Mr. Wig gins was working near the gin and In some manner his clothing wae caught in the shafting and he wa.' hurried to his death before the maniiinni-v />nnlfl stunned. -Mr. Wllev Wiggins, a brother -jf fJie ie^eased v as killed in (leorgia about twenty years ago In exactly the same manner. SUGGS AHDUCTKl) A GIIIL. Arrested in Darlington and Carrier' Rack to Florence. Winston R. Suggs, a white mar about 2 8 years of age, was arrester in Darlington Tuesday, charged wit! abducting a young white girl who ii a member of a well known family o Florence. Suggs was taken up on : warrant issued by the mother of th< child, and taken to Florence for i hearing. A preliminary was hold be fore 'Magistrate McClenegan, an< Suggs wfts committed to JaV to awai trial. It is stated that Suggs mar rled Into a prominent family in Flor ence. "Pulleys! Pulleys! Pi Largest stock of Steel Split Woo Puileys with Interchangeable bush! At least favor us with yo.ur tnqulrle COLUMBIA BUI MS West Gervais Street. i'1 A "V A. * i. Mi in , I wmbmT'm IKHHk W , ij'i ** ?}. . omm c Every Horse Owner dreads that most dangerous disease, Colie. Be prepared for an emergency by baring _ 1 D.meilv ran KmnH DOIUV IM iwwa WHO xvunv, w. .~~? Mors animal* die from Colie than all other V. non-wntagioui diseases combined. Nine out of every ten canes would hare been cured If Noah's Colie Remedy had been given in time. It Isn't a drench or dope, but is a remedy given on the tonjrue. so i simple that a woman or child can give it. If It fails to cure, your money will be refunded. If your dealer cannot sapply you send 60c In stamps ^nd we will mall a bottle. f ? Noah Remedy Co.. Inc.. Richmond. Va. IflBassBBwaesaMaaMsa sasaaasasM^eBM^tMiMMMMMWH ! THICY WANT FIEND'S LIFE. e Ingry Mob Threatens to Lynch Assuilnnt of Young C*iil. ^ At Meyersdale, Pa., hundreds of enraged citizens surrounded tho borough jail Friday night, threatening to lynjeh Isaiah Dormati, aged 2 2, a ae~ gro, who is alleged to have attacked ISthel Morgan, a white child, aged 9 years Thursday night. After making two attempts to get tho negro to the county Jail at Somerset, Pa., the authorities were compelled to rush the prisoner back to the borough jail. At each attempt the mob intercepted ..hem and almost secured the negro. At 9:30 they decided to barricade the Jail and try to keep off the mob until reinforcements arrive. Recruits ore pouring in from the country districts to aid the mob, while men are being summoned from all parts of the country to protect the negro. * ^ DON'T SUFFER WITH Cuts, Bruises Strains and Sprains, but appV a Noah's Liniment* It is antiseptic and will take the poison and soreness out quickly, when all else fails. Noah's Liniment will tare any amount of pain and can be taken internally for Colic, Cramps, etc. Nothing better for Toothache. Noah's Liniment Is the best fmeSy for ^ Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lame Back, Stiff Joints and Muscles, Boro Throat, Colds, Strains, Sprains, Cuts, Bruises, Colic, Cramps, |^H Neuralgia, Toothache, EEE32SEI and all Norvo, Bono and Musclo Actios and Pains. Tho gcnulno has I packago and looks llko RV|ViV|9 this cut, but has RED |i'|IVj|lSBK band on front of pack- hL*/|1|H ago and " Noah'* Lini- ||TtTTT|jT|| ment" always In RED U|i||y|li|l Ink. Bowaro of I ml to- ""SSTSSST tlons. Largo bottlo, 26 fW WIIAST cents, and sold by all dealers In mo d 1 c 1 n o. irH^srir ^^1 Guaranteed or monoy Ma^Tiaa^ refunded by Noah Mmjmi Remedy Co., X ic., Richmond, Va. ^ GAVM IT MAj TO CHARITY. J Woman of the Underworld I>iH|x>sod of Fortune That Way. Anna Wtllson, a woman of tho unlerworld, who died recently In Omaha, Neb., left her fortune of $250,000 to charity. Margaret Alice Piatt, lived In St. Louis with her paI rents until she was seventeen years old, when the family removed to Memphis. Three brothers were steamboat engineers. Margaret 1 Moped soon after they went to Mem* ohis, but was followed by one of her i brothers and forced to return home, s In 1867 the family removed to Jaekf -on county, Illinois, but Margaret rei mained at Memphis, whore she was * employed as a maid in the family si of I)r. Thomas. Anna Wilson was a .character of considerable notoriety i in Omaha for forty years. She died tf t four weeks ago and objections were ^ - raised to accepting her bequests on - the ground that the money waa "tainted." illeys! Pulleys! Pollsjs." d split and Universal Cast Iron Split In gs, carried. Let us have your orders. ?. PPLY COMPAinr, Oohoobia, 8. Ok vf ni ' <.i v.