Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

WEDNESDAY," OCT. 14, 1886. The Sumter Watchman was founded ia 1S?0 and the True Southron ia 1856. The Watchman and Southron aow has the combined circulation and influence of both of the old papers, and is mani? festly the best advertising medium in Sumter COUNTY NAMES. It is primarily a local question, per? haps, bot as every part of the State is naturally and properly interested in na a es that apply to large districts of the State's territory, it ts to be hoped that the good people who are a o vi og for the formation of new counties will be very particular about the .choice" of.. Dames for them, if the movements prove successful. _, _ . ..... We do not know who suggested it, or why it was selected, but we do not think that "Salem," for instance, is the most appropriate pr, the best name to be given to the county proposed to be made of parts of Sumter, Kershaw and Darli ag ton. The name is a very common CBS io the United States, be? ing applied to scores, perhaps hundreds, of country churches, and to a county in New Jersey, it is a Hebrew word meaoiog 'peace,*' and it is therefore very suitable for the designation of buildings devoted to religious purposes. Is is not elear that it would be particu? larly suitable for the name of any county in South Carolina. The name, it may also be troted, is already ap? plied to a county in New Jeraey, and to the town ia Massachusetts which is notorious f*r hading burned helpless old women af fb.9 stake for "witches" io the early history cf the country. A better came could very readily be found for the new county by following the plan pursued in naming the several counties from which it will be formed and giving it the naree of some man distinguished io the history of the Stare or the country. There is a number of such names available for the purpose, including those of Morgan, Moultrie, Pinokney, If Calhoun, Davis, Lee, and Jackson, and if other than a personal name were preferred it^aFw^ys in order and ic excellent taste to employ a local lodi a oame. ^ "~ fhe same suggestions apply) of eeurse, to the ease of each coe of the several proposed ,09w counties. We take for granted that the people of .Berkeley au i Coller?n, if they make a ' new county, will honor the great old patriot and warrior Moultrie by calling it by bis came, and that the county, with. Greenwood for its seat will be nansed Calhoun We hope our friend? of Kershaw and Darlington and Sumter will make as good a selection when the time comes for chem to act in the mat? ter, and we are sure that there is not sacb poverty <>f local pride and senti* ment and history in that fair region as to permit the selection of the tame and mi&t title of "Salem."-Nows and Courier The selection of the oame cf Salem fer the new county to be made from portions cf Sumter, I>*rUo2ton and Kerskaw Counties can be very r.'sdiiy accounted for. That seciion oi Salter County that will be cut off f?u the :-ro posed new county has been kn?*? as Upper Salem fer at least seventy-ive ' \or one hundred years, perhaps longer The oldest maps and records to which we have access show that section to have beac known as Salem in the early part cf the century. Salem it has been all these years to tbe people whose hemes j He within the territory and to thocc who resided io other sections of the county, and now that they propose es? tablishing a county of their own ii is but natural that they should wish to preserve the old aod familiar name. Oo cid maps Sumter Hist ri ci is di? vided iato four sections, Claremont, Clarendon, Upper Salem and Lower Salem. Clarendon was cut off and with a portion of Lower Salem made a separate district prior to the war. Sumter Couotv at present comprises the Urger portion of the section known as Lower Salem aod ali of Claremont and Upper Salem. The new county wiri take io a portion of Lower Salem and all of Upper Salem. j We approve of honoring the memo- j ries of the State's distinguished men and would gladly see the proposed new county, towards the creation of which Sumter wHl contribute so largely in territory and wealth, bear the name of a distinguished and worthy Carolinian bat if the people of that section prefer to perpetuate the name of Salem it is their concern and not ours. FOR PALMER AND BUCKNER. The Palmer and Buckner electoral ticket for South Carolina has been completed with the exception of the candidate for elector from the Third District, who has not yet been se? lected. The ticket as it stands is as follows : At Large-F. W McMaster, of! Columbia ; Geo W. Dargan, of Dar ligton. First District-Frank Q. O'Neill, of Charleston. Second District-George B. Lake, of Edgefieid. Fourth District-Frank Evans of Spartanburg. Fifth District-A. C Springs, of York?; Sixth District-A. T. Harllee, of Marion. Seventh District-James D. Bland? i*Dg, of Sumter. The gentlemen who have consent ed to become, candidates fur positions that they know full well there is not the remotest possibility of obtaining are all good men and have been good democrats. It is on this account that we regret to see them make so seri oas a mistake. We do not condemn a man for leading a forlorn hope for the sake of principle, and, therefore, we cannot condemn these gentlemen, but we must confess that it is impes sible for us to conceive how any democrat, especially a Southern dem? ocrat, can consent to use his influ? ence and cast his vote in a cause that will contribute toward the election of a republican President and Congress. ------ Comptroller General Norton is right. A thorough investigation should be made into the shortage in the accounts of Ex-Tre3surer Keels. If A conspir? acy existed by which the Treasurer and Auditor embezzled the county funds no stone should be left unturned to bring it to light, and, when the facts are knowu, no effort abould t>e spared to i punish the guilty parties as they de? serve. If the shortage ts doe io - are lessoess a*id incompetency on the part of the Auditor of v*bictV> thc Treacurer took advantage to defraud tbeoDonty, both should be punished, for both are goth*: If the shprtage is apparent only, and ?ujaj?~4i?--f?stab}ir.?;??i that b&? "book? keeping and not criminality is to be charged against Capt. Keels, then want to knoiv tba facts But wo sub mil tba' Comptroller General Norlin should not calmly ignore the r?port of Mr. A. W. Suder who has spent months in investigating (hts matter Mr. Soder was employed by the Gr*id ! Jury to perform this work and be per? formed his duty carefully aod wi;b in- , Seite pains aod labor. Mr. Suder is a competent man, has had ezpenence in such work and having maoe bis repu: t to the Grand Jury, it now devolves upon Capt. Keels, the Auditor's Office aod the Comptroller G?nerai'*? office to prove that bi? report is cot. trustworthy and accurate Comptroller General Norton bas been making the aocual ?ettlemects wirh -bis county for fiw or six years past, if we mistake not, as chief clerk for Comptroller General E'lerbe a-nd for himself, a::d as the greater sbo toge occurred doting the incumbency of Mr. Klierbs, when Mr Norton had direct, supervision ?f the an nual settlements, it is strange ?hat be did not discover some tracen of the care? less and slip shod methods tbat ob tamed tn both the Treasurer's and Auditor's ( fices of Sumter county. The slip shod administration of both offices duriog the period between 1890 and 1894 was a matter of comm JU report at the time aod nobody was surprised at the receut exposure National back circulation outland ingon September 30 amounted to $233. 552,OS0 This represents an increase of $4,022,081 for the moots, and of ?20.789,793 for the year ending there? with. The portion of the circulation based OD the deposit of bonds amounted to $214,667 694, wl?ica represents an increase of $4 374.120 for the mouth, and of $26,070.817 for the year et d iDg '. herewith The portion of me cir? culation based OB the deposit of tunney amouoted to $18,884,236, which is a decrease of $348,530 for the month, and of $5,281,024 for the year ending therewith. As will be seen, the c.rca lation secured by bonds is increasing, while that secured by despesits of money is on the decline. A travelling correspondent of the New York World figures out a majority of 10,000 for McKinley in Washington county, Md., whereupon the Wasbirig tonPo8t wants to know by what pro? cess he figures out a majority cflO, 000 for anybody io a county .which casts only 9,379 votes. When it comes to figuring, it is hard to beat the Mc Kinley election prognstioator. Ever since the Grand Jun ?t the March Term of Court appointed ?: special committee to examine into I he condition of the County offices, especial reference being hud to that of the Treasurer, sen ss tiona1, devi lotrnjents have been looked forward to hy those who were acquainted with the well founded rumors that furnished the grounds for the action of the ?Grand Jury. The : presentment ?made yesterday afternoon made? a decided reve? lation and created a sensation, for Ex-Treas? urer Keels was shown to be a dc-fau!ter to a larger amount than was suppcepd. The report of the expert employed by the Grnnd Jury to make the examination is very full and exhaustive and shows where and how Capt. Keel* made awny with the fui.da of the county. The presentment and reports submitted were as follows : STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SUMTBK CODSTY. To Your Honor W. C. Benet, Presiding Judge. We, the Grand Jory of Sumter County, S. C , respectfully make the following as our presentment for October, 1896, term of Court : 1st. We have parsed on all bills banded us by Solidror. 2d. We have made a careful examination of the bonds of all connty officials, by tak? ing tax returns of iMcb individual bondsman and deducting Therefrom homestead exemp? tion and mortgages and find them sufficient? ly strong. 3d We have inspected Poor House and Jail, report them tn good condition and in? mates properly cared for. 4th. The condition of tbe Court Houte and offices, while not in first class order will answer, AS a complete overhauling of present building is now under consideration by the county officials. 5tb. We call attention of Supervisor to dam on Loring's .Mill road beirg too narrow and co railing on bridge across the race 6th. Our former recommendations baye either been acted upon or satisfactorily ex? plained. ./ 7th. The books of the Magistrates ??ave been examined and we Sad those of J. L. Parrott, J B R*ffie!d, W. A. Nettles, H. L B. Weirs, L Jennings properly kept, all moneys accounted for Those of B. P. Kel? ley, Daniel Keels, E J. Goodman incomplete, no record of fines being entered 8 b. Investigation of the book3 of Ex Treasurer D E Keels show a shortage of $7,164 95, which ie shown in detail by re? port of expert A. W*. Suder, herewith at? tached 9 h. Books of M's ter, Auditor, Supervisor, ? Judge of Probate ai;d School Oeraojii>siouer | in good shape. It having been brought to our atrention that W H Commander, while acting as Sheriff has collected funds which ha- hus not tun.ee over, we recoicmen i that bc be re quired.to make inmediate settlement We recommend that the incoming officials ! give bond in some good sure?j company. ' Th? duties devolving on A. W. Suder in the ix-!*r.inntion of thv t.-o-.'ks of county offi? cials have teen very laborious <?od compli? cated and we therefore recommend that he be ^ paid the sum of $300, ?ess amotiut airead* paid. j We beg to express our appreciation of, and thanks to your huuor and to all the court 1 officials for courtesies shown us. Respectfallv submitted, H. G. SHAW, Foreman. Sumter, Oct. 7, 1896. SPECIAL PRESENTMENT. To Your Honor, W. C. Banet, Presiding ' J>IJ(il??-* . - - - - ! We ?ipreby tireser?! the Spring Hill Distil- ' len ?.s -t-Uir.g and dis using of spiri:tunis ! ! q'jora unlawfully, and th** Jumes E Heriot,. W i ?lie Jenkins, S>?ff.;r.1 Citboage* ' i'ock, W. P Weldon, J Ed Smokey, C. L | Wt!li*.msoo, W J. Mcitato, E B Colclough, | W. E Dick, Thomas Bflvin, vviiiieE An? derson, Nat Barnett, D A Outlaw are ma ( teriril witnesses to orove the same H. G. SHAW, Foreman. Sumter. Oct 7, 1893 , Said distillery ii kept by Thomas C. ' Short-*. H. G. SHAW.. i SPECIAL PRESENTMENT. To your Honor, W C. Benet, Presiding Judge : We hereby attach 'irie following affidavit and ask that you etil Solicitor s attention < to i: H G. SHA W', Foreman. Sumier, Oct. 7, 1S96. SOUTH CAROLINA, > Sumter Coun y, / Perso a:.'liv appeared before rn?, H. L. B Welt?, a Magist ute in and for said co?nty ? aod State, R L Durant who being duly < sworn sa;5 tLal at Suinter, in said county . ?nd S?aie, on the 3i day of October, A. D. | j 1895, on puolic nigh wa j of Sum'.er County j cue H F. A?cCut. ben did ?top his carrure m the pui'lic highway in charge of depo? nent's coachman, Joshua Mack, aud did pull out his pisto! in shooting dis? tance and d'd pfeiot ii at the s::id j ' Joshua Mack and did tnreatee thereupon to shoot and kill the said Muck, greatly fi igt:;- 1 eciog and putting in fear his wiie, aid ?bat I his wife, Mrs. Mary Jane Durant, -?nd Joshua j Mack are m-iterial witnesses to prove the j saint* R L Durant Sworn and subscribed to before roe this 7th Ocioner, A .D., 1896. H. L. B. WELLS, Mngi-iiraie. i*>-S.} Tt> Messrs. A. Wbtte, E. H. Moses and William Yeadon, Committee Grand Jury^Sumter County. October Term, 1S96. Gentlemen : On the 20th day of April last, and from previous understanding, I re? ceived your notice of appointment as an expert to examine the county offices, and to report to the Grand Jury at the June term of court. In accordance with instrictions con- i tained in your noficeof appointment, I at once entered upon Wie discbarge of the duties so "imposed, and I first commenced the investigation of the Treasurer's office, covering the period of (4) four years,commencing with the fiscal year ?S89, and closing with the i fiscal year 1893, this period embraced the encumbency of Ex-Treasurer I). E. Keels. Upon lining out the plan o? investigation, I at once discovered an apparent discrepancy in the closing settlement sheets of the Ex-Treasurer covering the collection and abatements of ?.he Toll Taxes, and I pursued it as rapidly as it was consistent with the condition of this branch of his ac? counts and found it was impossible to make an intelligent amd comprehen- j sive report to the "June Term of i Court" and 1 personally appeared j before the Jury at that term and stat- j ed the condition of the investigation, and then further instructed by your Hon. Jury, through yourselves, a? re? presenting the Jury, to proceed . through the entire terni of four years, i that the end may be reached, and was j so instructed under date June 9th and that the Jury would fully sustain me in the full discharge of ray duties. POLL TAX INVESTIGATION. Under such instructions, I at once | addressed an official letter to eve Trial Justice (nov/ magistrate) in t county, to report every Poll Tax \\? rant now remaining- in their hand?, having been received from Ex-Tres urer, D. E. Keels, for collection, wit out further delay, giving the status each warrant upon its face, and to fu ther report all monies collected, on a count of said warrant, and to who said monies were paid. Upon the returns being: handed from time to time I carefully exami ed each warrant, and classified tl same, after which I tabulated ea( return showing in detail the conditic of every warrant. Upon each retui beicompleted, I notified each Tri Justice to come up and examine tl same, and sign the affidavit which drew up and attached to each retur After I had completed all the return I then made a condensed statement < the same, showing in detail the cond tion of all the warrants, the amount < money reported collected on aocout of said warrants, and the amount pai to Ex-Treasurer, D. E. Keels, and tr amount paid to the present Treasure H. h. Scarborough, which the report will fully and plainly explain as pe condensed statement marked Exhib A, and which is fully supported by th returns of each Trial Justice unde oath before the Clerk of the Court an which is attached to each return, an which will show the balance found t be due the school fund from thi source of $1,568.90. DISPENSARY ACCOUNT. After completing this branch of th investigation, I then turned my atten tion to the Dispensary account, an? carefully examined the same froin th date of first payment made by the dis pensary, up to and inclusive of the las collection made by Ex-Treasurer E E. Keels, and found that the amoun of $173.65. and the amount of $75.43 making a total of $249.08, was due th? county from this source, which wil more fully appear by reference to tin balance sheet herewith annexed aii( marked Exhibit B. COURT EXPENSES. I then proceeded to the examinatior of the court expenses, and found errol of over credit in March and June terms, 1895, of $100.10. This amount will be found charged to him or balance sheet above referred to anc marked Exhibit B. PUBLIC SCHOOL FUND. Continuing my investigation I found Ehe sum of $1,201,02 due, balance ol cash of school fund, $1,200.00 of which has since been paid and the receipt of preient Treasurer, H. L. Scarborough, ls herewith tiled covering that amount, ind which I have credited him with on balance sheet marked Exhibit B. COUNTY TAX FUND. 1 also found the amount of $452.13, balance of 'cash from the collection of taxes due the county, which will be found charged to bim on balance sheet marKed Exhibit B, all of these amounts shows a final balance against him from Che sources mentioned of $2,431.23, which lie has to account for. REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. ? then proceeded to the investigation of the general real estate and personal property taxes, including such poll taxes as was put in execution: through the Sheriff office, and was joined in this branch of the investigation by the State in the person of Mr. X. W. Brooker with whom I co-operated. This part of the investigation necessi? tated a transcript of all ' Nulla Bona" taxes taken from "Sheriff' Carson's" Book dating back to the fiscal year commencing Nov. lstr1888, to the fiscal year embraced in Sheriff Sanders Book, 1893, and who succeded Sheriff Carson, concerning every item of 'Nulla Bona" taxes during Mr. Keels' term of office. This evidence together with the amouats of credits on Mr. Keels annual settlement sheets was taken by Mr. N. W. Brooker in a con? densed statement ,and incorporated in his report to the Secretary #of State, md a copy of his report is riled here? with showing balance due by Mr. Keels from this source of $4,733.72, which he has to acount for. TOTAL DEFICIENCY. Placing the amount due by Ex Treasurer Keels from Exhibit B and the amounts due amounting to $2,431. 2o, by the report to Secretary of State of Mr. N. W. Brooker of $4,733.72 shows the aggregate amount of Ex-Treasurer Keel, deficiency to be $7,164.95. Tne whole course of the investiga? tion lead me through the entire accounts of the Sheriff's office, for the term of four years, and also the office of the County Auditor? SHERIFF AND AUDITOR'S OFFICE. I found the "Sheriff Office Book" oorreetly kept, and those of the County Auditor neatly and correctly kept, all the tax duplicates and other records of the office were in proper keeping, and the officers were courte? ous and assisted me in every way, in the discharge of my onerous dutie*. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE. The County Commissioners office is correctly kept, all the accounts and business of the office is done in a methodical manner, and information upon any matter connected, with Ohe county, can be readily obtained, and from a close investigation as to the actions of the present board, I rind a conservative spirit seems to manifest itself in the administration of the affairs of the county, and the present Secretary of the Board, Col. T. V. Walsh, is tobe commended for his dili? gence and care is the management of the derails of the office. EXPLANATION POLL TAX. INVESTIGATION. By reference to Exhibit A. which covers exclusively the Poll Tax inves? tigation you will lind the No. Polls re? turned N. E. T. to be 2731, over 50 per cent, of the amount issued: the No. Poll returned paid to "be, 491, the No. Polls returned not executed to be 1,110, the no. Polls parties claim to have paid by the production of their receipts to be 383, and the number worked the roads to be 2S, and, all so arranged and labelled for each section of the Coun? ty, that they can be easily disposed of, by the present Treasurer. You will note the amount funds collected for ? the amount Tolls reported paul, to be j $572.20, the amount due by D. E. Keels ; for his portion of the collections as re- j ported by several Trial Justices to be ! $246.35, subject to a credit of $U>2.05, for his cost paid to the present Treas? urer, H. L. Scarborough, which will more fully appear by reference to tile Exhibit marked A. The amount paid to preient Treasurer has been reported to me. A statement of the same is filed with this report. You will note the number poll turned N.E. I. to be over 50; amount issued, and all these ri can now be taken oft" tne "Tax ile which will releive the cilice and istrates from further annoyance, polls returned not executed can be turned over to present Treas for collection, and the polls ina paid, can also be so marked upon Treasurer's lax duplicate, which fully clear up all this poll tax busi which has benn such a source of l ble and annoyance, for rhe past years. All the warrants, Treasu annual settlement sheets, reports other papers in the case, I now over to the Grand Jury for their f u disposition. I will here state that all the pi made in this case, I took from official records of the different oil and also from Mr. Keels annual se ment sheets with the Comptroller ( eral, which I herewith file as pan the records in this case, and whic positive evidence, covering the er investigation over a period of i years from Nov. 1st, 1S89, to Nov. 1S93, which embraces Mr. Keels en two terms of office. TREASURER H. L. SCARBOROUGH. I went through the accounts of present Treasurer, Mr. H. L. S borough, and I am pleased to state 1 they have all been methodically ranged, and with the new books 1 in ose by the State, all of the det of Tax Collections, are carefully j vided for, and I can see no reason v with anything like ordinary care the future management of the ofl that il; cannot but be satisfactory the people. MASTER'S OFFICE. I carefully examined the records this office and found all these cases c fully and intelligently disposed of t proper entries made with a full s correct statement as to the disposit of all furrds by the present Masl Mq, W. H. Ingram, who should commended for the method and pa taking care exhibited in the mana; ment of the office. Of the funds his hands, I find all well invested t on sufficient security, with the po? ble exception of $3,000 of the funds the Trust Estate of Mrs. Emma Moses, the security in this case, r being in my opinion sufficient. Tl investment was made by Mr. in gm predecessor in office, and Mr. Ingn is not in anyway to blame. It wot be well that the Master should be i quired to either call in this fund a reinvest it or require the securi strengthened. POLL TAXES FOR WHICH PARTIES SH( RECEIPTS. I have carefully examined each pi tax warrant where party claim to ha paid by the production of their r ceipts, and have accounted for them, appeared from the examination of t Treasurer's tax Duplicate that in r most every instance I found that tl poll tax paid in one township at assessed in another, this occurri from the Auditor carrying forwai from year to year a name, whi the party would move into ai other Township, and assessed the and in many cases they would be n ported by others and put upiui add tiona! arrd extra and'assessment. ? several cases I could find no stubb n ceipt in stubb book covering the nun ber for that year, and in such cast the natural presumption is that the produced a receipt which covered tl: payment of a tax for the previous c succeeding year in every case. I hav made the proper endorsement upo the warrant in order that the Auditc may properly dispose of each,case. CONCLUSION. It is clearly apparent to my min had not the "Grand-Jury" pursued thi investigation in the manner they hav that the findings of the Jury, as no\ presented, would never have bo? made, and the loss of the amounts no\ found to be due the citizens of th County would never have been dis covered. In my judgment these investiga tions should be annual, which wouh have a tendency to cause the officer of the County, to be more careful an( diligent in the discharge of their re spective duties, and would in a larg? measure prevent a repetition of tin conditions as shown by this report. I have been actively engaged in this investigation from the date of ir?} appointment, and have pursued it witt great care, not desiring to present anj matter to the Jury without being fullj sustained by positive evidence, as -tc do otherwise would only^tend to tfie injury #f my fellow nan, without just cause, and this I would not do. I trust that my efforts have proven satisfactory and sustained my state? ments made to the Jury at its last meeting, and as to my fee, I will leave to the liberality of the Jury, the only question is what has it been worth to the County? And 1 feel satisfied that the Jury will be just in lixing the amount. . A. W. SUDER. STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. EXECCTIVS DEPARTMENT. OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS. COLUMBIA, S. C , Sept. 28, 1896 Mr. A. W. Surfer, Slimier, S C. Dear Sir : As agent for The Secretary of State, who is ex-efheio agent of ibe Sinking Fund Coiuinii?tonen?, by authority ?>f the act of 1892, entitled "An Act to provide an ad? ditional remedr for the collection of tase?, costs and penalties upon lands ^nst due and unpaid for eight nioritbs," I oegnn investiga grttion of the nulla bona retaros of the Sheriff of Sumter County upon executions placed in his hands by the coumy treasurers. This was commenced nearly a ye*r ago, but, on accouHt of other duties elsewhere tnking my time and which still occupy my time, it bas not yet bren completed. It is our design to pursue ibis work until it shall be finished, with the view of collecting the lost coney to the State, as required by the sr.?d statute. We are not prepared to make a full report for reasons stated, aod have as yet made no general report. B;it one matter which comes cauaily under my observation, while it is not in the scope of my special work, yet it be? came my duty asan officer of the State to briog to the attention of my superior, the Secretary of State. The magnitude cf ?he hem demands immediate attention and I nm therefore instructed by the Secretary to call the attention of '.ht Grand Jury of the coan.- ] ty to th? runtier for such consideration as ? tiiey may be dispesed to give it, he having : no powers under the law to pursue it further. : Hence, I write j ou as the Grand Jury expert, ! this letter with t!:e rudest that you present tbe case to their;. The item is ns follows: j In the seulement ruade between thc- auditor and treasurer for the fiscal year 1890 91, it will bc seen by the settlement sheet of i hat year ; that the ex-treasurer, D. E. Keel?, took credit i for the large sum of $3,514 30^ nulla bona j reiurr.3 The magnitude of ??;is i tera jittract i? raj H?ierjr:cn r.a'i prompted ar: inves'isa? ; iori of tb - f?st*!9 bv rue, v. hieb revealed that dunns r.T for th'*! ?,c^> ?ear. 1890, the said rx-tressnrer issued o:Jy$3,?00 tn executions. Of this amount it ?ppears that ?he shc-rif had collected S7'J5 99. The sum of $692 is cred? ited to the said ex-tre?su:er as executions in the hands of the sheriff, thus accounting for the two latter sums say $1,397.99 leavirg the sum of $2,202.23, which approximately appears to be the full amount to which the 3'iid fx-treisr.rer could he entitled to credit as nuli.H bona re urns by the sheriff fer that year, 1890 91 The above item of $8,514.30 being a credit for nulla returns for that year, it therefore, appears to be too large to the ex? tent of the sum of say $6.312.07. After a searching investigation I have not been able to find an explanation to this credit item. I send with this report the buodle of ex? tracts t?ken from the sheriff s hooks for sev? eral }ears preceeding and succeeding the fis? cal j ear 1890-91, as proofs that the said item of credit could not come from the preceeding years aod is therefore wroni:. The said ex? tracts are marked exhibir? "A" & "B." We beg to submit that the coat of this ic Testigation amounts to the sum of, say, forty dollars including expenses, and we ask that if the Grand Jury make use ot this report, that they reimburse the Secretary of State for the same sum thus profitably expended for the county of Sumter. Ia the further investigation of the work by us under the act of 1892 and 1896, if any thing further of the above nature appears te^ us we will promptly report fhe same as in * this case. We enclose herewith copies of the acs cf 1892 above referred to and also an act of 1896 bearing upon the same subject. Very respectfully jours, N. W. BROC KEE, Traveling Agent, Forfeited Lands For D. fi. Tompkiu -, Secretary of State. Card of Thanks HAGODD, S. C , Oct 3 1896 Mr. Edior :-Please allow rae sp?ce tn your columns to thank the friend? of Capt. J D. Graham for their valuable assistance at our entertainm-nt on the night cf the 1st inst I can assure them that their services and contributions were highly appreciated, and in nehaif uf the Camp Nx'end to them our heartfelt thanks. JOHN J Ns/SON, Commencer. Iff m. Fp'f-man nr.H Harald, nie? se ot pr Tuit^ Pills Cure All Liver Ills. Save Your Money. One box of Tuft's Pills wiil save many dollars in doctors' bills They will siire?y cure all diseases of the stomach, liver or bowels. No Reckless Assertion For sick headache, dyspepsia, malaria, constipation and bilio? usness, a million people endorse TUTTS Liver PILLS TASTELESS rS JUST AS GOOD FOR ADULTS. WARRANTED. PRICE 50 cts. GALATIA, ILLS., NOV. 16,1893. Paris aiedioine Co., St. Louis, Mo. Gentlemen:-We sold last year, 600 bottles o? GHOVE'S TASTELESS CHILL TONIC and have bought three gross already this year. In all oar ex? perience of H years, in the drug business, have never sold an article that gave such universal satis? faction as your Tonic. Yours truly, ABNEY, CARR ?CO? SOLD-No Cure, No Pav, hy A J. China J F. W DeLorme, J. S. Rughson k Co. BOY NONE BUT THE GENUINE. 8,000 Merchants sell Hawkes' Spectacles successfully. Half of them bandle other Spectacles without success, Showing the Great Popularity of HAW? KES' GLASSES over all others These Famous Glasses are fhted to the eyje Dr.A. J. China's Drug Store, Sumter. S. G Dec 1 l-o._ CteMflit Mp 1.64 A. F. M. THE REGULAR MONTHLY COMMU? NICATION of Claremont Lo?ge, No. 64, A. F. M.. will be held on Thursday Evening, 0?t. 15th, at 1\ p. m. Brethren will take doe notice and govern themselves accordingly. By order, r . M. SPANN, W. M. H. C. Mosss. Secretary. ju!29-lw Chamberlain's Eye and Skin Ointment Is unequalled for Eczema, Totter, Salt Rhcurn, Scald Head, Sore Nipples. Chapped liand.-s licking Piles, Burns, Frost Bites, Chronic Sere Eyes and Granulated Eye Lkfe F^r sale by*lruggists ai 25 cents per bo~. TO HORS?ToWNERS. For putting a horse in a fine healthy con? dition try l)r. CaU;'*s Condition Powders. They tone up the system, aid digestion, cure loss cf appetite, relieve constipation, correct kidney disorder and destroy worms, giving nev; life to an old or over-worked horse. 25 cents per package. For sale by druggists. For sale in Sumter, by Dr. A. J. China.