Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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JUtt TRIAL BEGUN AI UNION CFiAIM.KIt WITH KILLING HIS WIFE LAST JULY. km. Jone? Died From Effects of H4ryrhimwv?l.utlo Tim? Lost In Se cawtug s Jury?Defendant Has Been la Jail Since His Arrest? CJklef Jostle* Pope Stopped First Pales. ff>b. I.?The case of the t*. W. Tyrrell Jones, charged the poisoning of his wife on the day of last July, was commenced la the court of general sessions here today. Judge it. Withers Memmlnger The alleged crime was committed t the beautiful home of the defend In the little town of Santue, eight below Union, on the Southern Hallway. For years there were re? ports la this section of the marital treebtss of the prisoner and his sec wife. Mrs. Jones Is described as having: >a a gentle woman of more than ring attractiveness, who married the raaa whom the law* now charges with causing her death, while In her ts* w* June* is a man of consider? able wealth, estimated at more than gsS.DOS They were married about fifteen years. The prisoner Is 42 years of sge. ? feet S Inches tall and erelgha about jr?Q pounds. He Is an etareptJonally fine specimen of physi? cal manhood. He has been In Jail since July last yesr. several days hav? ing passed between the death of his etfe and his srrest. He was refused fjsdl by Judge D. E. Hydrlck and by the Supreme Ciurt. which dismissed appeal from Judge Hydrlck's de Ion. The case was called for trial ?on the 11th of last September, but was continued upon an order from ^Tilef JitMlre Pope, pending a hearing ef the appeal In the proceedings for *Ma). At lftrte o'clock this morning the fttate announced Its readiness for trial. The sheriff was directed to pro? duce the prisoner In court. Twenty lutes later the defendant In this >. which promises to be the most Interesting and sensational In the criminal annals of South Carolina, catered the court ro<~. n. accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Long, Jr., and the prisoner's fourteen-year-old son, Har? ry, a 'good-looking lad. who remained ?by his lather's side during the day. Jones appeared fresh snd there were 'apparently no III effects, of his long -confinement. He entered smiling, bowed to a number of acquaintances and shook hands with his counsel, as follow.; George Johnstons, of New berry: James Munroe. Townsend ? Townsend and V. B. DePass, of the gjsdon bar. The prosecuting at orney* Solicitor T. E. Sease, P. H. Nel? son, of Columbls; Wallace A Hamm and J. Ashby Sawyer, of Union. A formidable array of counsel is pre? sented on each side and every rich of -areund will be contested?that much Ss) already evident. Considerable time was consumed by the defence In calling the names of ertVness**. A further delay of nearly two b iure was jsed by the prepar? ation by th<* d fondant of affldavlta as to testimony which would be given by certain absent witness** Fifteen smrh affidavits were submitted. The pro*?cutlon wni willing t > admit all but four, and requested the court to Stave bench warrants Issued for the efrtlr* number, th* admission of the eleven affidavits being contingent wpon the non-appearance of the wlt SjsjBjafg Thl* request the coort grant? ed knd the warrants were prepared. Mom of the witnesses are under bond. The first tilt between counsel occur? red when Col Job nst one stated that the defence was anxious to go to trial ar hereupon Mr Nelson stated that the Flatea had always been ready, and was not responsible for delays that bad already occurred. The defence moved that the Indictment be quash? ed, claiming that same was deficient cad not definite. This motion was promptly overruled by Judge Mem scrncer. The nest move of the de tVnrr was to ask that the State say anOff which of the two counts In the indictment It would elect to have the SPf tried. One count charges the de? fendant with administering and caus? ing to b? administered poison which produced the death The second Is that the defendant "did make an as ssaalt and Inflict upon the deceased a enamel Injury und mortal sickness, from which she died." The Indlct pjMnt wss allow *d to remain as orl sjlt ally drawn. Heated discussion be? tween counted brought forth thestat* am*t from Judge Memmlnger that he wvouMI not yprmlt personalities and warurrglWix b< > h. ? i< r.-n*.> the trial of Chii rase, which evidenced the deter miinrinn of the court to expldlte fjsjttrters as much as possible. At S.se p m.. both sides having an aounced their readiness, the organi? sation of the Jury was begun. Con fUSury to expectations, little difficulty ?wx?. experienced In securing ft Jury , fro ti the regular venire. Twenty-nine ssamee were called, most of the Jurors tnime put on their volr dire. Insufficient progress has been made do warrant any well grounded conclu aions at this stage, but it is apparent that the whole matter hinges upon whether or nor. Junes forced his wife to take strychnine. This the State will contend, while the defence will endeavor to prove that the deceased took poison herself. The presence of newspapers, burnt matches, and cigar stumps in the room will probably be claimed by the State as evidence that Jones was awake all night, that he either administered the poison him? self or forced his wife to take it, then called in a physician after the deadly chemical had completed its work. So much for the States side as it appears but the defence is yet to be heard. It is a most remarkable case. Union, Feb. 4.?The second day of the trial of W. T. Jones, charged with murdering his wife by poisoning, has come to a close without any very sen? sational developments. The evidence today waa, while revolting in its na? ture, not very extraordinary and about half the testimony has been heard. Judge Memmlnger's ruling this morn? ing aa to how far back the State could Introduce teatimony to show the exist? ence of ill-feeling between W. T. Jonea and his wife, Marion Jones, was the only thing bordering on the ex? traordinary in the day's proceedings. This decision came early In the day and lbs effect has been manlfe8t throughout the rest of the day. During the direct examination of Mrs. Ida Whltlock. the third witness of the day for the State, the solicitor asked a question bearing on certain thlnga alleged to have occurred before rhe moving Into the new houae, refer? red to In the teatimony Wednesday. On objection of the defense the mat? ter of what time limit could be taken aa to the existence of malice between husband and wife, the jury was sent from the court room and argument h anl as to the admlasibillty of evi? dence showing bad hljod aa far back ae 1602 and during the succeeding years op to and after the removal to the new residence. Tri* deltnse madgl the point that nothing nrior to the oc? cupancy of the new house could be introduced to show HI fe^..?:g between the taro. The 5tate argued that they could Introduce testimony back as far 1902. Various cases were cited and the cast; was held up until this very material point could be decided. Judge Memminger had on the first day of the trial made the ruling that such evidence must be confined to the time elapsing after the removal to the new house, which was In Feb. 1906. Judge Memminger ruled that the law favors reconciliation and pro? ceeding upon the theory that there had been a reconciliation when they moved into the new residence, he was not going to admit any testimony tending to show the conduct and rela? tionship between the parties prior to that time. Threats at any time of the defendant's taking the life of the deceased, however, would be compe? tent. This caused a stir In the ranks of attorneys and a general discussion in the city. It is understood that this precludes much testimony that the State had proposed to Introduce, but what bearing It will have on the case remains to be seen. Much evidence that was expected to prove of a sen? sational nature and some thought to be unprintable has not appeared. Some of this Is ruled Incompetent by the ruling of the Judge referred to above, ?chlle other portions come un? der the title of hear-say. B. G. Gregory, who was expected to prove a sensational witness, owing to an affidavit he had made, telling of some startling statements made to h'm by Mrs. Jones whilo he was at the r. 'v:s*\ told what occurred, but could not ltd anything the deceased said, as It was not said in the defendant's I resence ?Pnuemonla often follows la grippe but never follows the use of Foley's Honey and Tar. for la grippe coughs and deep seated colds. WRefuse any but the genuine In the yellow pack? age. W. W. Sibert. CORTELYOU CALLS OX BANKS. Wants Thirty Millions In Government Deposits Remitted This Month. Washington. Feb. 3.?Secretary Cortelyou today announced that he has made a call on all temporary na? tional hank depositories for about $30.000,000 government deposits, to be paid on or before Feb. 24. There were over 1.000 temporary deposit banks, and the secretary's call will leave exactly $10,000 in each, as the Instructions wdll be to remit every? thing anove that sum. ?Hoarse coughs and stuffy colds that mny develop Into pneumonia over night are quickly cured by Foley's Honey and Tar. and It soothes In? flamed membranes, henls the lungs, and expels the cold from the system. W. W Sibert. The King of Spain Is the only mon? arch who does not sign his name to documents and edicts. His signature Is simply "Yo el Key"? "I, the King." For That Terrible Itching ? Kcit'ma, tetters and salt rheum keep their victims In perpetual tor? ment. The application of Chamber? lain's Salve will Instantly allay this Itching, and many cases have been cured by Its use. For sale by All Druggists. GRIME ON W?DM?LAW. NEGRO SECRET SOCIETY ASSAS? SINATES CONSTABLES. .Magistrate Reports Alarming Condi tlon of Affairs to Governor Ansel and Asks for Aid in Running Down the Assassins?Four Constables Have Been But Out of the Way Re? cently. Columbia, Feb. 5.?Magistrate Cle? ment, of Wadmalaw Island is here today asking Governor Ansel to offer a reward for the discovery of the murderers of two constables acting under him and for the arrest of parties setting fires to buildings on two of his places. Judge Clement says he had five constables to disappear mysteriouslj men on the Island. There are only two of them within the past four months. He attributes the situation to the organization of a secret society and the aversion of the negroes to any of their race serving as constables, whose main duties are arresting law breaking negroes. He is obliged to use negro consta? bles because of the scarcity of white men on the land. There are only forty-three white men and there were over twelve hundred negro voters In republican times and so many now. that there is no counting them, for they can't vote. His present consta? bles have received warning that they must quit. He has offered to duplicate any re? wards the governor may offer and has employed a private detective. The situation is becoming unbearble and really alarming. TODAY IS MOTHER'S DAY IN BIRMINGHAM. Young Men Requested to Wear White Flower In Honor of Their Mothers. Today Is "Mother's Day" in Birm? ingham. A movement started by an admirer and lover of mothers bids fair to reach the hearts of the young men of the city. In honor to their mothers they have been requested to wear a White flower today. Here is a contributed suggestion: The beautiful idea suggested by Ella Wheeler Wilcox in regard to "Mother's Day," is one,worthy of note the wide world over. Let it be for Birmingham a day agreed upon for its observance. We would suggest the third Sabbath In May, this year the 17th. On that day in each year let every man and boy wear a white flower of any kind. This silent frag? rant emblem, If it could speak, would say for him, "Mine was the best of mothers." The white carnation has been suggested for its three admir? able qualities: White, the emblem of purity; its fragrance, emblem of a mother's influence, and its lasting qualities, typical of the extent of that Influence which goes on to eternity itself. So If on that day we meet a man or boy without this token either he knows nothing of the plan or he knew and forgot, or worst of all, he knows, but is not willing thus to hon? or his best of friends. Let us think of mother and" wear the little white flower. (Signed) S. C. S. SAYS PAPER TRUST LIED. John Norris Makes Grave Charge Against Paper Company. Washington, Feb. 4.?John Norris, of the American Newspaper Publish? ers' Association, sent today to the house ways and means committee a letter wherein he charged that the In? ternational Paper Company, in pre? senting its arguments for the reten? tion of the tariff on paper, had delib? erately misrepresented to the commit? tee the amounts paid by the paper company as wages to paper makers. He charged that in making compari? son with Canadian mills to show the relative pay for labor, the Interna? tional Paper Company had under? stated the amounts paid by Canadian mills. Revolts at Cold Steel. ?"Your only hope," said three doc? tors to Mrs. M. E. Fisher, Detroit. Mich., suffering from severe rectal trouble, lies in an operation." "then I used Dr. King's New Life Pills," she writes, "till wholly cured." They pre? vent Appendicitis, cure Constipation. Headache, 2.r?c. At Slbert's Drug Store. Senator Christcnscn's Father Dead. Columbia, Feb. 4.?Senator Christ? ensen, of Beaufort, received a mes? sage tonight stating that his father had died, The deceased was seventy nine years old, and was a merchant In Beaufort. Senator Christensen will leave for his home in the morning. ?Foley's Honey and Tar clears the nlr pease gee, stops the Irritation in the throat, soothes the Inflamed mem? branes, and the most obstinate cough disappears. Sore and Inflamed lunKS are healed and strengthened, and the cold is e~ ,?elled from the system. Re? fuse any but the genuine In the yellow package. W. W. Sibert. LEXINGTON' GRAND JURY MAKES INVESTIGATION OF BRIDGE BUILDING. Reresentatlve Harrison of Greenwood Claims That Wyse Ferry Bridge Will Cost $7,000 Too Much. From The State. Is there graft in bridge building? Is there an understanding among bridge builders that certain territory Is to be allotced to each? Is it true that bids submitted in such respective territory are merely "complimentary ?" Is it a fact that after contracts are let, alterations are made by which the successful bidder gets a large per? centage of profit? The above questions have for months been puzzling some young en? gineers of this State, men of unim? peachable Integrity. The first issue was made yeterday at Lexington, when Hon. Wade C. Harrison of Greenwood appeared before the grand jury and charged that the county is being mulcted to the extent of $7,000 in one bridge contract, the total value of which is $18,500. In other words, Mr. Harrison sub? mitted for others a proposal to dupli? cate the work for $11,000, and In proving his good faith he offered a certified check for $1,000 as a forfeit. The grand jury complacently heard the statements, but had taken no ac? tion up to last night. It is eScpected that developments will follow today. Following the great flood of last August, some young engineers saw that many thousands of dollars must be spent at once In replacing the bridges washed away. Purposing to engage in legitimate business, they decided to try to get as much of this work as possible under llgitimate competition. In visiting several lo? calities they were astonished at the conditions prevailing at the awarding of contracts upon the basis of alleged competitive bidding. , There was a spirit of camraderle Among the bidders, which was in it? self suspicious, and some openly taunted others with bribing and offer? ing bribes to county officials. Grad? ually these novices began to get the idea that it was useless to submit bids unless they "stood In" with the inner circles, for should they bo so fortu? nate as to submit the lowest bids uhey would later find that all sorts of ob? stacles had been placed In the way of their getting material. This matter came to the attention of Mr. Harrison. He has quietly been making observations for several months and has had the assistance cf others who have been as sincerely In? terested, and the result has been that they think they have a clear case. Mr. Harrison will at a later time submit to the general assembly some affida? vits which will give support to his bill to have all proposals for bridge contracts revlewd by a competent en? gineer or board of engineers. Mr. Cosgrove In the house and Dr. Crosson In the senate have bills along the lines of the reforms advocated by Mr. Harrison. Some time ago Mr. Harrison war informed by Mr. Thos. W. Cothran of Greenwood that Mr. J. W. Burgett, a bridge contractor, could give some valuable Information with reference to the letting of a bridge contract in Lexington county. Mr. Burgett later in person confirmed to Mr. Harrison the statements made in Mr. Cothran's letter. Mr. Burgett furthermore con? firmed these charges In a conversa? tion with Senator Niels Christensen, Jr. Mr. Harrison had a conference with the new supervisor in Lexington and made photographic copies of the rec? ords in the matter. Yesterday the grand Jury of Lexington county noti? fied Mr. Harrison that his presence was desired. Accordingly he went to Lexington and Invited Senator Christ? ensen to accompany him to confirm certain statements. These were in effect as follows: That a bridge was to be built by Lexington county over Saluda river at Wyse's ferry, about nine miles northwest of Columbia. That Mr. Burgett conferred with the former supervisor, G. H. Koon, and that the supervisor stated "he expected some? thing out of it." Burgett accordingly raised his figures on hauling from $160 to $500 and let the supervisor have the hauling. Burgett claimed that he submitted the lowest bid $15. 400, hut that the Carolina Engineer? ing Company of Burlington, N. C, got the contract for $18,000. Burgett stated that his agreement with the supervisor was that Burgett was to submit a bid in blank "and the supervior agreed to put the figures on the bid when he opened it." He elalma that this was done and that he was the lowest bidder. When this became known to Mr. Harrison he advised the Southern Highway Bridge Company of Green? wood and they made an Investigation, and later submitted a report with a bid?accompanied by a check for $1. 000 to Kuarantee good faith?in which they agreed to build the bridge for $11,952. 1 The singular point about the. trans action with the Carolina Engineering I Company is that tin y submitted a bid of $18,000 on 542 feet, while the oth? ers bid on 600 feet, and Burgetl claims to have submmitted the lowest bid by $3,000 on 68 feet more than the contract was let for. Under da*e of December 23, 1908, T. C. Carter of Burlington, X. C, general manager of the Carolina Engineering Company wrote regarding changes in plans for bridge for which contract was let. 16 days before and says: "Along with these papers, return the old blue prints and specifications which you have, so as to avoid any cofusion be? tween the two contracts." There is much in the transaction that is Interesting and it may be that Mr. Harrison's appearing before the grand jury at Lexington yesterday may result in wholesale investigations throughout the State. The charges are serious. If tree, the grand jury will know what to do. If unfounded, ex-Supervisor Koon has redress against Burgett for defama? tion of character. LEXIXGTOX BRIDGE SCAXDAL. Tli? Lexington Grand Jury Will Act If Evidence of Graft is Secured. Lexington, Feb. 4.?General sur psise was occasioned throughout the county this morning by the apearance of an article in the Columbia State in reference to the matter of the build? ing of the steel bridge over the Sa luda river, at Wyse's ferry for which the contract was let by the board of county commissioners some months ago. It has been known for some time that there has been some dis? satisfaction caused by the letting of the contract, but it was not expected that the matter would be carried be? fore the grand jury. However, the Hon. Wade C. Harri? son, of Greenwood, accompanied by Senator Xeils Christensen, Jr., appear? ed before the grand jury yesterday, and testified before that body. From the statement of Mr. Harri? son, made to outside persons, it ap? pears that the county has been "bit" for nearly seven thousand dollars. The charges were first made by J. W. Bur? gett, a bridge contractor, who de? clared that his bid had not been driven due consideration, and that his bid was for three thousand dollars less than the bid which was accepted by Supervisor Geo. H. Koon. It Is stated that Mr. Harrison promises to build the same bridge for $11,952, and backs up his statement with a certi? fied check for $1,000. The bid ac? cepted was for $18,500. The failure of the grand jury to take any action In the matter has caused a great deal of surprise. The majority of the people, it Is thought, 'avor the airing of the whole matter, and it is likely that the matter will be carried to the courts, for it is not thought t.iat Supervisor Langford will agree to pay $18,500 for a bridge that can be built for $7,000 less. The references to the matter by the grand jury in its presentment today Wfts ? writ .en by Col. J. B. Wingard. who was :he clerk and attorney o '. the old board of county commissioners, as expert of the grand jury. Mr. Win gurd is the clerk of the new board also. It refers to the mailer in the following language: "We note the article that appears in the tSate this morning under the heading, 'Bridge Contract Under Sus? picion." "This article refers to the matter of the build1 ng of a steel bridge across the Saluda River in our county, and the execution of the contract for the same, made some weeks ago. "This article is misleading in some respects, as the grand jury did not 'notify Mr. Harrison that his presence was desir?d.' Xor was any one else notified to appear before us in regard to this matter. Three gentlemen vol? untarily, :us far as we know, asked leave to appear before us yesterday, and discussed in our presence several matters with reference to the contract for the b adding of the bridge refer? red to. "After hearing these gentlemen, our jury took no action in regard to the matter. r,his jury will undertake to perform i s full duty in the premises whenever in its judgment, sufficient Information is secured upon which to predicate action." AUTHOR AXD JOURNALIST DEAD John Gllisier Speed, Grand Xeplicw of Keats, Passed Away. Mendham. X. J.. Feb. 2.?John Gil mer Speed, the author and journalist committed suicide by shooting himself In the head while in his bed room at the Pheonlx House here today. He left no explanation of his act. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Dudley Gray, of Morrlstown. Mr. Speed was a grand nephew of Keats, the poet. Washington Once Guve up. ?To three doctors; was kept in bed for five weeks. Blood poison from a spider's bite caused large, deep sores to cover his leg. The doctors failed, then "Bueklen's Arnica Salve com? pletely cured me," writes John Wash? ington, of Bosquevllle, Tex. For ecze? ma, bolls, burns and piles It s su? preme. 25c at Slbert's iprug Store OKLAHOMA s GOVERNORCHARG? ED WITH LAND FRAUD*. Bereu Men indicted for Conspiracy to Defraud the Government in Alleged Iowa Lot Trade in Mu>kogee. Muskogee. Okla.. Feb. 3.?Seven iu dictments were returned by the Fed? eral grand Jury here tonight in the alleged town lot frauds, the charge being conspiracy to defraud the gov? ernment. The names of those indict? ed are Gov. Shas. N. Haskeil , F. B. Severs, A. Z. Knglish, C. W. Turner, W. E. Hutchings, Jesse W. Hill and Walter R. Eaton. Attorney Thomas H. Owen of Mus kogee, representing Gov. Haskell, made arrangements for the governor to enter his appearance on Friday and give bond in the sum of $5.000 for appearance for trial. The writs issued are returnable forthwith. Gov. Haskell is at Guthrie. There is but one indictment against him. It charges conspiring with Walter R. Eaton and Clarence W. Turner to de? fraud the government. There are two indictments against Turner and one each against the others indicted. Turner was first to give bond in the sum of $10,000. Hutchings and Eaton called and gave bond of $5.000 each. All will probably be arraigned before Judge Campbell on Friday. Walter R. Eaton, one of the men indicted, is secretary of the Indiana Contracting Company, of which Gov. Haskell is president, and which, it is alleged, scheduled the names of many "dummies" to secure town lots. Fif? teen of the wealthiest men in Musko gee called at the office of the United States marshal here tonight and sign? ed Gov. Haskell's bond for $5.000. Many more asked to be allowed to sign it. Haskell Issues Statement. Guthrie, Okla., JJSa3-?Gov. Has? kell, when informeu that he was in? dicted, tonight issued the following statement to the press: "I have just heard of the indict? ment for conspiracy coupled with sev? en or eight of the oldest and highest charactered citizens of. Muskogee, men who developed and built up that country by their unselfish effort. From now on the proceedings will be open to both sides. "Hearst's cro k will be at a disc* "I am satisfied ment has been r ment. I am coi at.~o been a dishonest act done by any of the indicted parties and that good citizens in general, regardless of poli? tics, feel the same way. "C. N. Haskell.'* LEVER DEFENDS DR. WILEY. I Congressman Declares Cherrist a Na? tional Benefactor and Attacks Roosevelt's Board. Washington, Feb. 2.?As an out? come of the invetigaticn by the com? mittee on agriculture of the creation and work of the referee board ap? pointed to assist the secretary of agri? culture in the enforcement of the pure food and drug act, Representa? tive Lever of South Carolina today made a severe attack on the board on the floor of the house. He denounced the appointment of the board a? "with? out authority of law, and bad in judg? ment," and as an unnecessary inter? ference with the work of the bureau of chemistry of the department of agriculture. He said that in th? in? terest of unadulterated food anx drugs congress hould prohibit th u^* of appropriations for maintaining tty board. "The question i,-:," said Mr. Leve ".-hall congress stand for any such adj tion upon the part of the executiv branch of the government and sha we permit the emasculation of th pure food law through the devioi workings and windings of commii sions and boards which have been a] pointed in the face of the law?" Declaring that the innocent co i sumers of the country had found Dr. Wiley a benefactor, Mr. Lev . said it was the dishonest manufactu er who did not like him, "such those who sent thousands of brt soldiers in Cuba to their death wl embalmed beef, those who sold y eat sp made from the peelings of r ten tomatoes, those who had jeop dized the lives of children and valids." It was this class "that whined when the manacles of the law be to tighten around them. It was answer to their call that sclent boards were created." ?This is just the time of year w' you are most likely to have kldi - bladder trouble, with rheumatis-i. rheumatic pains caused by weak neys. Deli Witt's Kidi be sure , They are the best pills made for ba ache, weak back, urinary dlsorde inflammation of the bladder, etc. Th are antiseptic and act promptly. 1 sell and recommend them. All Dru gist*. c pains caused by weak plays are dangerous. Get 1 idney and Bladder Pills, A you get what you as f .