The Horry herald. (Conway, S.C.) 1886-1923, July 18, 1912, Image 3

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S i FELDER AND BLEASE HE SUBMITS EVIDENCE TO PROVE " HIS CHARGES OF FRAUD AGAINST BLEASE r Felder Appears Before Committee With Documents, Based on Work Done by Bur As' Men, to Show Blease's Connection With Blind Tigers and Boodlers. Augusta, Ga., July 12.?Appearing Itafnra f lin rtlarmnuarv In vnaHoratlnir WVIVI v? ? *?V UIO|/VUUU?l ^ IU I committee to-day, Thomas B. Folder , of Atlanta, former attorney for tho winding-up commission, submitted in documentary form evidence gathered by detectives on tho force of William J. Burns bearing on the record of f Coleman L. Bleaso as State senator and governor which Is of a sensationa> nature. Part of tho evidence introduced by Felder is to the effect that the "blind tigers" of Charleston raised a fund to elect Please governor of South Carolina and that Chief Constable Stothart personally paid to the governor each month's sums aggregating between $.'1,500 and $5,000, which were collected from illicit liquor dealers in return for protection. Tho testimony is the result of conversations with Stothart and "blind tigers" either face to faco or overheard on tho dictagraph by Mr. Bailey, one of Burns' detectives, who posed as a gambler and "blind tigers". One of the documents introduced says that Charlton Wright of Columbia told Burns' detective that he , knew Bleaso was a crook becauso when the governor was in tho senate and he was working for "Abney" he bad given Bleaso a check for $500 for blocking some railroad legislation. Felder told of a conversation ho had had with Senator Bleaso personally about stopping a bill affect ing Hie interests or t.iio teiegrapn companies in which tho need of the "quid pro quo" was mentioned as the only means to tho end. Folder said ho told Senator Blea.se he was not managing that end of tho business for tho telegraph company ho represented. Mr. Fehlor said that several months ago he and W. J. Burns had a conference at Augusta with two leading South Carolinans, at which time they spent over a day in conference, going thoroughly ovor many records, and that at its close 'Mr. Burns said that in his 30 years of experience he had never before seen as much graft p.h there was in tho South Carolina situation. The San Francisco graft, he declared, was infinitesimal in comparison with the boldness and character of the grafters in South Carolina. Mr. Felder stated that Burns said be usually did not take charge of such cases, but on account of the condition of affairs ho would personally take charge of the situation. Put Men at Work. He said that Mr. Burns put two men to work in South Carolina. Mr. Felder also said that tho two South Carolinians had promised to assist him financially in bringing those responsible for conditions of affairs to justice, but bo had finished the matter alone. He proposed to continue it to the end and bring the culprits to justico. "When this man is unfrocked of tho robes of his ofllce," said Mr. Felder, referring to Bilease, "I propose to lav tho evidence which I have gathered before some grand jury in South Carolina that ho may be ^ brought to justico." Ho referred to Bleaso as tho spirit and genius of the plundorbund, and charged that the governor had received rebates. Mr. Folder said that ho understood that Blease had some letters purporting to reflect on Felder and the attorney-peneral. Mr. Felder announced that if Blease had such a letter it was forgery and he defied him to have it published. 'Mr. Felder started to read some amdavits concerning something which happened during the Southern Commercial congress in Atlanta, but tho committee would not allow them to he read, and they were privately handed to the committee and turned over to them. These affidavits concerned tho conduct of Gov. BJeaso during his visit to Atlanta on the occasion of the conference referred to. Mr Felder said that following tho Ei Augusta conference Burns put two * men to work In South Carolina,; that one of them operated In and around Charleston for soveral months, posing as a big gambler and blind tiger named Wilson, and seeking a location there. Ho said that Wilson's real name was Bailey and he was received with open arms by the Charleston tigers. He said that Wilson represented that ho wanted to get a locaj$ tion in Charleston and that Janncs S. Farnum and others were very attentive to him, and the result was that ht learned all about the Charleston $ situation; that Gov. Blease's second $ primary campaign was financed by the tigers, all about the graft situation, "the protectlpn money" collected by the constables, etc. He presented documents gathered by Wilson while In Charleston. He said that I Wilson was not present to-day, being away on another case, but ho was at the disposal of the committee whenever they wanted him. In this Mr. 13urns assented. Felder gave a lot of the dictagraph Information Wilson gathered on the Charleston situation. In With "Tigers". Referring to Wilson's tem"o*,ary residence <n C. liunescoJ. lie was posing as a gambler and blind tiger and gathering the leaders of the calling from all parts of the country, Mr. Felder said that Wilson was so well liked by the "tigers" that he came near being elected a delegate to the State convention from Charleston. "He obtained a history of Charlesten from Beersheba, found out all about how to obtain protection and got the whole history of the seamy side of the city," said Felder, referring to Wilson. "My firm represented the Postal Telegraph and Cable company as general counsel of the Southern department. Wo represented it in 1900 and ir. a more restricted territory," Felder testified. "A bill was introduced in the South Carolina legislature prescribing a penalty for the delay or non-delivery of telegrams. "I went over to Columbia to make an argument in opposition to the passage of this act. While in the city of Columbia I was introduced to Mr. Evans and one or two other members ol the legislature. The bill received a favorable recommendation. We were opposed to it. 1 was informed ir> a rather confidential wav that. there was a legislative syndicate, and in order to compass the defeat of the pending measure it was necessary for me to reach the ear of the syndicate. I told the gentlemen that I would he very much pleased to reach the gentlemen who controlled the South Carolina legislature. 111 ease "Modest". "I went down to the Jerome hotel, where Senator Coleman L. Hleuse was stopping. He said in a very modest way that if my company was with him to come across with the quid pro quo (meaning money). I made it clear to him that I did not represent that part of the company's business." "You may expect to have pretty rough sledding if you undertake this graft investigation unless you employ such distinguished men as W. J. Burns," said T. H. Felder this afternoon. "There is so much corruption and so much graft in connection with this case that I hardly know where to start." Felder said that he was not afraid t) go to South Carolina, but that he had been advised oy nis mentis 10 remain away, because If he crossed the line liio life was in danger. lie said that ho knew that mercy had been promised to one of the governors henchmen to put him out of the way He declared that he had received r>GO letters from South Carolina advising him to remain out of the State. Ho said that his life was in danger in "such a state of anarchy in tliat unfortunate, graft-ridden State." He said that Bleaso had sent an emissary to Georgia to Influence certain persons to use their power with Gov. Brown to honor requisition papers. Gov. Brown refused. Concerning his relations with H. H. Evans of Newberry Folder said that Evans called on him every time ho went to Columbia. "On one occasion," said Felder, "I was in Columbia at the Colonial Hotel. The card of II. H. Evans was sent up. 1 knew his reputation as a gun-play artist. Ho came into the room as mild as a zephyr. "You don't want to send me to the penitentiary," said Evans to me, and the tears were trickling down his cheeks, I did not ask how many children ho had". /I rv* ?a I /l h n no Mf n t"\ t a/1 I a l't*iu vi mini i nut n i auo naiiiiiii iu make a clean breast of connection with the dispensary affairs, but that be did not want to testify before a court. Tribute to Mr. Lyon. In bis testimony bdforo tbo committee Folder paid a high tribute to tbe honesty of J. Fraser Lyon, attorney-general of South Carolina. He said that 'Mr. Lyon acted straight throughout tbe entire proceedings and that Mr. Lyon was a man not to be influenced by any one. Tbe mention of tbe attorney-general brought forth fresh applause. Early in his testimony Felder disposed of tbe famous "T. IV letter by submitting an affidavit that the chief clerk in his law office, F. H. Krauss, was a confessed forger: that be went to Newberry and forged the "T. IV' Oir whlfli w;irt ut>11 lnunvn tn Dlease wlion the governor gave The letter to the press. Substantiating this testimony, Felder submitted the following aflldavit as testimony: "Georgia, Fulton county: "Personally appeared before the undersigned, an olllcer authorized by law to administer oaths, Daniel W. Rountree, who first being duly and legally sworn, deposeth and saith: "That during the years 1904 and 1905, F. 11. Krauss was employed by his law firm, Felder & Rountree, and afterwards Felder, Rountree & Wilson, as chief clerk and stenographer. In this capacity, he kept the books of the firm, wrote checks, receipts, deposited moneys, and in hsort, discharged all duties devolving upon him in the capacity of chief clerk, stenographer, bookkeeper and cashier for said firm. During the year 1905 deponent and his associates discovered that the said F. H. Krauss was short in his accounts with said firm and with deponent. Upon Investigation of the matter, It was discovered that said shortage aggregated several thousand dollars. Upon being confronted therewith, the said F. H. Krauss made to deponent and his associates a full and complete confession, describing minutely and particularly the method employed by him In concealing his peculations. Tt do!up;<l ill .1 Ine id r\ li. Krauss had forged checks, drafts, receipts and other documents, signing thereto deponent's name and the name of the deponent's firm. The forgery was so well executed that it was hardly possible, even with the- use of a magnifying glass, to distinguish the genuine handwriting of deponent and associates from the spurious. "Deponent further says that this practice of the said Krauss oxtended through the period of about two years, from his knowledge of the extent to which the said F. IT. Krauss practiced this art or forgery deponent says that in his judgment he is a master ofi the art of imitating handwriting. "Deponent further says that in referring to Mr. Feldor or in speaking [)f him to deponent, he would usually, if not always, refer to him as 'T. IV "Daniel W. Rountree." "Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of July, 1912. Chas. S. Rowen, Fulton County, Ga." The bulk of the documentary evidc nee submitted by Mr. Folder up to the time of evening adjournment was that gathered in personal convorsotion and by use of the dictagraph by "Mr. Wilson of Charleston," who in reality is Detective Bailey of the Burns force. Those documents which got in through being read by Mr. Felder before turning over to the committee, as sworn evidence, are as follows: First Document. "Hen Stothart, chief constable, appointed by Hlease, stated at the time of his appointment to the position, it was understood between him and the governor that protection should be given to the blind tigers operating in (he city of Charleston, provided they would pay a stipulated sum per month to him, that this sum amounted in the aggregate to between $3,500 and $5,000 per month; that as soon as the collections were made he deducted his commission for making the same and would personally take the balance to Columbia, S. C., and pay it over to the governor. "Ho stated further that protests had been made to the governor against these collections by interested parties; but that the governor would pay no attention to them; that demand had been made upon the governor for his dismissal, but that he felt perfectly secure in his job, for the governor was a man of independence and had the power to do as he pleased with it. "Also that the governor had issued a pardon to Rudolph Rabons, a blind tiger man of the city of Charleston (I believe this is the name), receiving therefor the sum of $2,000 n cash. The said Stothart stated that he had conducted the negotiations which resulted in the pardon of this man. "This conversation occurred in the Argyle hotel in the city of Charleston, after the said Stothart and party had had several drinks together in the blind tigers of the city of Charleston." Second Document. "During the time that Cole R. Please represented Newberry county in the State senate, a gentleman by the name of F. Charlton Wright, who came from Savannah, Ga., whose brother was division superintendent ot one of the railroads, perhaps the Seaboard Air Gine, with headquarters in Columbia, and who came to Columbia as private secretary to P. I. Welles, superintendent of the Southern, was transferred from that position to the position as private secre ? * 1 - & A tary or mo general counsel m me Southern railroad. "Mr. W. Charlton Wright was interviewed at length in the city of Columbia, and discussed conditions obtaining there during his incumbency as private secretary of the general counsel of the Southern railroad, lie discussed at length the dishonesty of Senator Cole L. Blease. The most pertinent statement made by him, which is quoted literally, is as follows: " 'Why. of course, I know he is a crook. When I was working for Abney, I handed him a check in the ante-room of the senate chamber on one occasion for $500 as compensation for his services in defeating a peuding hill affecting the interests of the railroad.' Third Document. "Henry Hasselmeyer, whose place of business is near the market, in the r.ltv of Charleston, upon being asked how the blind tigers in the city of Charleston were getting on, his reply was: 'We elected Cole Illease governor nnd we now have full protection.' "Asked as to the method by which protection was obtained, he stat'ed that shortly after the governor's inauguration the chief of the constabulary force was called to Columbia for conference with the governor. In this conference with the governor it was agreed as to the amount that each blind tiger In the city of Charleston should pay monthly for protection. j "On the return of the chief con-j stable to Charleston he called upon the president of the local brewery and told him that he wished to see him in conference, that he 'had a proposition to make to him which was authorized by the governor, asking him when it would be satisfactory to see him. "The president of the brewery toldi him that ho could see him at any, j.pd in any place that suited. The chief of the constabulary force said that he would come to his home at once. The president of the brewery suggested that this would be an unwise move from the fact that some one might see him. To this the reply was made: 'YVe don't care who sees us.' IIo'ttTen proceeded to the homo of the president of the brewery, where he delivered the message from the governor to the effect that, on the consideration of $10 each per month, they would extend protection from arrest to the blind tigers of Charleston. lie also stated that there were in the neighborhood of 3 5 0 blind tigers in Charleston and that these were to pay $10 each during the first week of each month. The president of the brewery asked what disposition would be made of this collection, whereupon the chief constable told him that under his agreement with the governor lie was to b<y allowed a commission for collecting, and the balance was to lie paid ovqii monthly to the governor. "In said conversation the said ITasselmeyer stated that he personally visited the governor at Columbia and entered his protest against this arrangement, stating to the governor that tliis graft, should not. he collected; but the governor waved liini aside with the statement that lie was running that end of the matter." Fourth Document "John If. Morris and R. R. Toland o* Spartanburg, S. C., have stated, and will undoubtedly swear if called before your committee that Cole L. Buease, then a senator from Newberry, who was acting upon the investigating committeo to investigate the affairs of the late dispensary, was employed by .Teff Durnvoody .of Atlanta, agent for the Atlanta Brewing and Ice Company, to obstruct the pro ceedings of the said committee. "They will also swear that the said Blease sought a private interview with them and did everything in his power to prevent them from testifying before said committee. "Jeff Dunwoody, being a citizen of Georgia, can not be compelled to corroborate this evidence; but the fact will bo sufficiently established by those two witnesses. "In this connection I desire to state that when Colo L. Blease was senator from Newberry and a bill was introduced to appropriate $15,00 0 to be used by the attorney-general-of the State in conducting the prosecutions against the grafters, that the liquor dealers employed the said Blease, then a senator, to oppose the passage of said measure; and as a matter of fact the said Blease did oppose by speech, vote and influence the passage of said resolution, and that, he received for his services the sum of $250 in cash, which was paid to him at Wright's hotel in the city of Columbia, State of South Carolina ' W. B. Hoy of tlie city of Louls\ iiie, Morton A. Goodman of the citv of Cincinnati and James S. Farnum el Hie city of Charleston are sa'i to have knowledge of this transaction. A New Avenue. "After calling the election fo* the new county of Ileyward, and after the bill passed, Fred Dominick, the 1 ?ir tx>> ?. f /.?? 9 t H fYAUArn Ar urnu om. I ll W |mi 111U1 UL til ^U?C1 ilUI , M (VO \J III ployed and paid a substantial fco tc inlluence executive action thereon. If called upon before this committee Fred Dominick, if ho will corroborate bis verbal statements in connection with this transaction, he will state * that he was employed because of his inlluence with the governor; that the compensation received for his service was substantial; that be obtained the desired results at the hands of the executive, and that he divided his fees with the governor of the State of South Carolina." Folder offered in evidence the following letter to substantiate his testimony that Hlease tried to raise a slush fund of $25,000 to control dispensary legislation and failed: "Atlanta, Ga.f March 20, 1012. "Mr. T. H. Felder, Atlanta, (la. "Dear Sir: "On Wednesday, the 12th inst., 1 visited the city of Albany, and while there met Ik M. Wilson and had a long talk with him in regard to dispensary matters in tho Stato of South Ca rollna. "He stated to nie that It came within his knowledge that Cole L. Blease, now governor of the State, had represented, while a State senator, Eanahan & Co., liquor dealers of the city of Baltimore, and had made large sales to the hoard of directors, constituted IT. H. Evans, L. W. IToykin and John Bell Towill; that in y /.ttnrvft o/\id n i ti rl i e u O f I c? f o O I A I UUPUl| llOII^C VI v\: i Klin uinodu^Kiv^uwii , arising in the matter of paying rebates to the board of directors it was decided that instead of continuing to pay rebates through Rleaso to the board that the rebates as arfreed to between Mease and the said board should be paid through the said B. M. Wilson, and this was accordingly done. "In further conversation with the said M M. Wilson, Wilson stated to mo that when the bill was introduced in the South Carolina legislature to abolish the dispensary and for an investigation of the system, that the sajd Cole L. Blease, now governor of the State of South Carolina, devised a plan to defeat all pending legislation affecting the dispensary, both as to its abolition and investigation. The plan as outlined by Blease was as follows: "Certain liquor dealers were to raise the sum of $25,000 and pay the same over to Blease, then a member o' the State senate. This money was ti bo used by him wiin the members of the legislature to defeat all legislation affecting the dispensary. It was further understood and agreed, that, after the defeat of the legisla- ( tion as aforesaid was compassed, that a syndicate composed of the said Blease, Nick Block of Macon and others should, in consideration of the contribution that they made, control the entire liquor and beer business with the State dispensary, dividing equally the profits thereof. Block Balked. "Wilson further stated that the ( plan formulated ?>y Blease to compass a defeat of pending legislation miscarried for--the reason that Nick Block of Macon, who was one of the syndicate, stated that the amount proposed to be raised was out of all reason, and that the same results could be accomplished upon the expenditure of the sum of $2,500. \ "Yours very truly, "Smith 1). Pickett." ("Original mailed lion. J. Fraser Lyon.") In addition to the Pickett letter l-Vlder submitted the following evidence gathered by "Mr. Wilson", showing the corruption election fund in Charleston county used to carry i'lease's election: "Col. T. B. Folder, Atlanta", C,a. "Bear Sir: Your favor of the 21st to hand and contents noted. I am herewith inclosing list of blind tigers that contributed to Bleaso's campaign fund. Tliis is not tlio original list, but a copy. I am not sending the ori ginal for the reason that it contains a few names that are not blind timers, and 1 thought host to send the names of the blind tigers only. The Retail business league is better known in Charleston as the 'Blind Tigers' association'. These names on the inclosed list are correct and the amount opposite each is a correct amount that each one gave towards buying votes in Charleston for Blease: Retail Business league, $277; Santo Sottile $200; Jim Farnum, $500; Clarence Halsey, $50; Id. F. Ostendorff, $25; V. Chicco, $25; J. J. Banders, $25; Geo. Murphy, $25; J. W. Hunt, $2 5; i P. J. Carraway, $25; O. H. Werters, l $25; James Sottile, $50; Ous Stuster, $50; H. B. ICoster, $2 5; F. W. Mappus, $25." Two Good Men on Job. Reverting to his lino of testimony with reference to engagement of William J. B.urns, Col. Felder said two of the best trained men in the employ of the Burns agency had been assigned to investigate the dispensary affairs in South Carolina. He said that one of the men was not present, as he was engaged in other work, but that he was available at any time in the future to appear before the committee. He said that the professional name of tho absent detective was ".Miller," but that his real name was Hailey. This detective from whom the principal testimony of the day was gleaned, was assigned to work in Charleston four months ago. "Ho went to Charleston four months ago," said Felder, "and immediately set himself up among tho citizens of that town as a professional gambler and promoter. As a matter of fact, ho became known in the city by tho sea as the "dashing Mr. Wilson". "He basked in tho favor of the Charleston people with whom ho came in contact. He met James S. Farnum and Sottilo and other well known Charlestonians. Ho played the raoes and was a good sport. He played cards with them and was a general all around good fellow. He made it appear to the citizens that he was seeking a location for a big gambling house. These Charleston citizens were attentive to Wilson." When Felder referred to the "dashirg Mr. Wilson, the gambler, schemer, and promoter," Detective Burns laughed. A ripple of laughter was sent through the court room. Informed of Rules. "Those Charleston citizens with whom 'Mr. Wilson became associated were very anxious to locate Wilson's big gambling place. Wilson was, of course, anxious as to securing protection from the law. The dictagraph testimony shows that he was Riven the rules as to securing protection." Hero Folder gave a list of the alleged "blind tigers" who had contributed to the campaign fund of Cole L. Blouse. "This man Wilson," said Folder, "was a good spender, lie was spending my money. He put up my money to find out how to secure protection. As a matter of fact, this "dashing Mr. Wilson," became so popular that he was almost elected as a member of the Charleston delegation to the State Democratic convention in Columbia. He was literally one of the boys and and he found out all from them as to the method of securing protection. The facts obtained by Wilson are contained in the dictagraph testimony presented. At this point in the testimony and just before the dictagraph testimony was presented, Detective Burns promised that Bailey or "Wilson" was to testify whenever needed. Burns said that Bailey was engaged In another case at present. FATAL BARBECUE FORTY-FIVE MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY POISONED. AT FAMILY REUNION ? ? i Seasoning Used in Cooking the Meat Hud Boon Mixed in Zinc Vessel and Combination of Zinc and Vinegar Caused Ptomaine Poisoning?Four Dead and Little Hope for Others. Forty-flvo people, all members of one of tho most prominent and wellto-do families of Emanuel County, poisoned by barbecue meat. Four of the family dead, and little hope held out for seven others. Thirteen members of 0110 household In a more or less serious condition, and neaiiy as many in another homo of same family. A corps of four trained nurses rushed from Augusta to the scene of suffering. Briefly, that is the story, Jo date of the aftermath of the Canady family reunion 011 tho Fourth of July, "Matilee," at the plantation home of Mr. Mack Canady, ten miles from Garfield, Ga. The dead are: II. Tillman Canady, prominent planter of the same neighborhood, who died Saturday and whose funeral was held at Long Creek Church Sunday. iMr. Henry Covena, father-in-law of one of Mr. Mack Canady's daughters, and whoso daughter was married to one of Mr. Canady's sons, who died Sunday, tho funeral being held Monday at Kemp. Mrs Faircloth, a, daughter of Mr. Canady, and her child, who died Tuesday morning, and whoso remains were sent to Wesley, Ga., their home, where the funeral was held yesterday. Mr. 11. L. Canady, another of tho brothers, was thought Monday to bo it: a dying condition, but has rallied, and will recover, lie is a merchant of Garlleld. Of the seven who are in a desperate condition, four are members of the houshold of Mr. Mack Canady and three members of the immediate family of Mr. Ben Canady. Monday an appeal was made to the city hospital in Augusta for aid and four local registered nurses were rushed to Summerton on tho afternoon train, arriving at the Canady homo, by private conveyance from Summerton, Tuesday. They, under tho direction of Dr. E. D. Coleman of Graymont, are making tho battle against serious odds for tho surviving members of tho family reunion, who celebrated with a big barbecue dinner at "Matileo'- on the Fourth. The first serious case of poisoning developed the night following the dinner, when it was feared one of Mr Mack Cnnadv's daughters would (lie. The following morning Mr. Tillman Canady's sudden illness became serious and it was then discovered that they were suffering from what appeared to be an unaccountable poisoning. Rapidly other members of the family were attacked, and for a time, there was quite a little mystery as to how the poison had been convoyed to the system of everybody who had participated in the dinner. Dr. Coleman, however, developed the fact, in a very close investigation, that one portion of the food served at the meal which everyone at the tablo had partaken of was barbecued meat. The servants who had prepared the barbecue were questioned and the fact was developed that the seasoning used in preparing the barbecue, containing black peper and vinegar, was mixed in a large zinc vessel. The meat, thoroughly and slowly cooked, was entirely saturated with this preparation, and in it, the poisonous acid resulting from the zinc and vinegar. It was tasteless iu the food, hence, was not distinguishable until the effects of ptomaine poisoning began to appear. The Canady family is one of the best known in that part of the State, about Emanuel County, and are highly popular and very well-to-do people. The marriage connections, too, makes it one of the largest families in Emanuel County. May Purchase Monticeilo. The senate committee op library decided to report favorably the Martine resolution to authorize the ap pointinent of a joint committee of congress to investigate and report on the feasibility of the government purchase of Monticello, the homo of Thomas Jefferson. The estato now is owned thy Representative Levy of New York. Cow Dragged Child to Death. While Dolly Dominick Boji, eleven years old, of Watorville, N. Y. was leading a cow home, the animal became frightened by the headlight of a street car, and ran directly in front of the car, dragging the child to (icam uenenin ns wnoois. ? ? ? Crash of Trains Six persons were Injured and one it! missing as tho result of a collision near Conyers, Ga., early Monday of Georgia Railroad passengor and freight trains. Nearly all the Injure (J and the [missing one are trainmen. - ?