The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, October 16, 1896, Image 6
i mill
THE WHOLE MATTER GOES TO
THE LEGISLATURE.
Messrs. Williams and Weston Make a
Krport as to Their Trip to Clnelnnatl-Soiiio
Interesting Letters Given
the Public.
As has been predicted the mission
of Messrs. Williams and Weston to
Cincinnati amounted to naught. Their
report shows that fact. The whiskey i
men wouldn't tell them anythiug and
they camo back and ask tho Legislature
to take the matter in hand, reali?.iug
that tho Hoard is powerless. Their
repoit settles all furthor investigation
by tiic Hoard. It hnn done all it oonld
and must givo the whole matter over
41.a T .? :_i_* *
u niv ut'^inuiliirc.
TUE UEl'ORT.
The following is their report made to
the ltoar?l:
Coni MitiA, S. C., Oct. 7, 1N96.
To the State Hoard of Control:
We, your committee appointed at
your last meeting to goto Atlanta and
Cincinnati to collect evidence against
Dispensary officials, if any there is,
tending to show that rebates v.ere improperly
received, report:
That wo went to AtUuta, Oa., and
there found that it was impossible to
recover a damaging telegram said to
have been sent from there toCommis
sinner Mixson by his son in July, *'Jo,
as under the ruies of the company
which is that all matter over six mouths
old had been destroyed if ever in existence.
We then proceeded to Cincinnati ami
as a result present herewith ustateiuent
from the Peebles aud Live Oak Coinpanics
who have been charged with paying
rebates which deserves out little
comment at our hands. Tho officers
and employes of those companies refuse
to discuss any of these matters with us,
except through Mieir attorneys?refuse
to allow II stonoirriintitu punnrl of
interview with them and infuse to Inbound
by uiiy verbal statement thev
might make.
Their written statement amounts to
little else than an advertisement lor
themselves, and without charging anybody
with wrong-doing, we respectfully
suggest that the Legislature is the only
power in this State with Hiiflicient authority
to grnpfile with this matter and
expose damaging facta in any exist.
While in Cincinnati we approached
other parties who had dealing with the
Dispensary, but with ui satisfactory results.
L. .f. Williams,
For the Board of Control.
Francis H. Wkston,
For tho Legislative Committee.
The Hoara anopiea tn<> fallowingThis
Board of Control, on account
' of the many rumors affecting the integrity
of the management of the business
of tho State Dispensary before
tho present hoard took charge of its
affairs, deemed it proper to enter upon
an investigation of the truth of such
rumors us far as they affect employes
of tho institution. This investigation
has been made na thorough and as
searching us possible, in view of the
limited extent of the power and authority
of thin board.
During tlio investigation, tho board
?as received statements, under onth,
of all persons and all officials who appeared
before it. A joint committee,
composed of ouo member of the board
and ouo member of tho Legislative
? *
( ?(? v VWIIIIIUIICI', >V ?8 tlt'Ul l() lilO
citv of Atlanta and tlio city of Cincinnati,
to investigato tlio business
transactions between firms who have
Hold liquors to the Stato and tlio officials
of the State Dispensary under the
former Act of the Legislature. The report
of this joint comniitteo has been
made. The hearing beforo this
board was held with opeu doors, and
the testimony has been published iu
the daily newspapers for tho information
of the public. It is tho sense of
this board that at the proper timo tho
tieueral Assembly shall be fully apprised
of the disadvantages under
which this investigation was made,that
they may take such steps as may be (
deemed advisable.
The evidence that has been taken is, j
in the opinion of this board, insufli- |
cient t<> show that any oflieo or em- ,
pioye of the State Dispensary has re- |
ceived rebates o?- commissions on sales (
to tho 1 >ispei:sitry, or t<> trace any
money so received to the personal p->s
session of an\ aueli olliecr or employe, ! ,
or to pro\e that an\ such olllcer or (
omployc has participated iu such re- j (
bates or commissions.
\\ litslvey Men's betters. j 1
The letters referred to in the report '
are as follows:
Civ 'wvri, (>., Sept J.'tli, JHOft. 1
\r, v ii'.// ii'- ' ?
miff' ' J / )i i'i sf if/ft f inn, Cnfiimfiid, '
,V. ( .
(iF.n: A: v.e have made yon '
assurance thut wo would investigate all i
the matters von have luado it trip to
Cineinnuti to look into, wo now j>ro- \
pose to j ut in writing the result of our j
investigation* eoneerning the aftairs of i
the two :iii'Ier>i<.'n< >1 eouipanies wi'. ij
the State . r' s,,u:ii ('.oolinu. \V. (
prom;>t ' *o t i w .t 11 a full a] :.
cintion o' tie- import tnee of your v.-.'
ami v it it full knowledge that the pro '
plo of South Carolina, through their i
properly constituted officials, are now
invi stigatin ; the roiuluet of some of
the State ollicinls, with a view of pi tting
at e\act justice, and right uu ' ,
truth
\C x n
? < wrn> T11If- stii!- :nent with (11 '
t |> thnt von will fully niKliThtiiiul tho
j>OBitu>t? of n ir tu t'i'in|i init'H for fr.ir
U'li'iri ' lit. 1 hori' -t\ I'llo fo8('|ili P..
Vti-h! "S.iiib Co. 1 'ili rsit;n?*<l) hits
Vc v; . I'.t itic .< U r li ycurs It '
Han grown to be a large private "froryrflt*"
ation, with n capita) flock ?h large a?
most of the largo banks, cot) ijaafftura
are managed l?y n litoirdjofcd life tors.
The Lire Qnk yoftj|^oy is
a similarprivate c?>rpo^a<li?, opferated
under tho management of a board of
directors, all of whom aro' gentlemen
of integrity and high business reputa-'
tion in this community. Bbth cf these
concerns have an aggregate capital of
fonr hundred thousand dollars (3400,.
000) paid in, and havo in their employ,
over ono buudr.ed and twenty-live people.
Of thin number of people* more
than otic hjdf aro Bales people. Our
Dustness idationn with tlm Sttut-n u>"- '
?- ? ? I
pensary of South Carolina has passed ;
through tho hands of a number of
these people.
Now, gentlemon, we propose to say
to you, and through you to tho people
of South Carolina, that if anything
that is oven slightly dishonest> or
tainted with corruption, has bfen indulged
in, by any ConutvAnee of any
employe and any ofliciul of the State ]
of South Carolina, wo only wish to i
know who it is, as wo cannot tolerate ,
any such conduct on tho part of any- !
one connected with our business,
whother in your Stato or any other :
State.
Wo uro nwaro of tho fact that the
Southern States liavo been industriously
drummed by a line of commercial
travelers, some of whdm are irrcsr
ponsiblc. Wo are fully convinced of
this fuct; that no responsible establishment
eun do a largo business
through traveling salesmen without
having imitators, and without having }
their reputation assailed, at soma time
or other.
Tho undersigned two companies
have both been successful, and have j
sold and delivered to the Stato of ^
South Curoliua large quantities of high
grade goods, uniformly at the lowest i
prices, consistent with quality. Wo
claim, without exception, that wo have j
sold the Stato of South Carolina at tho
very lowest margin at which wo could
afford to sell. If, in connection with ]
illlM hnuitlitcu nvitfl Htn /) a ? * % -x .?
it, auy unn of tho salesmen or employes,
or commissioned agents or
brokers of the undersigned companies
have made auy mistakes, wo wish you ,
gentlemen to consider that we have to
bo a little charitable with our employes, I
and tbut wo do not chorge our cm- I
ployes, who nro pushing the sale of our |
good, with ns high a degree of rCHpom- j
sibility, provided they act honorably
in all their dealings with our customers,
and do not misrepresent the quality
of our goods.
A committee of oar board has now
advised that one of the members or the
company, who is also a lawyer, give a
thorough investigation to a groat many
of the matters we have from time to
time learned from the South Carolina
newspapers.
We have ascertained tho foot that
Mr. Yost, who is one of the Southern
managers of the Live Oak Distillery
company, did have personal Interviews
on ono or two occasions with James W.
Mixson at Cincinnati, Ohio. You have
asked us personally to secure any letters
Mr. Yost is able to furnish. We
now furnish and attach hereto the two
1? tters that Mr. Yost has been able to
lino; ono dated April 29th, 1895,
from James W. Mixson to our Mr.
Yost; and tho other dated May 10th,
1895, to Mr. Yost, and signed J. W.
Mixson. Mr. Yost has also furnished
us u loiter from W. T. Mixson, dated
December lOtb, 1895. Both of our two
companies want to have it distinctly
understood that those letters wero not
known of by the other agonts of the
MuniutiHH, and that Mr. Yost distinctly
states that it never occurred to him
that any friendly relations that might
he established with J. W. Mixson and
\V. T. Mixson might bo construed un favorably
by auybody iu tho State of
South Carolina.
You two gentlemen, as a committee,
have requested us personally to ask
Mr. Yost about any interviews he ever
bad with either of the sous of F. M.
.Mixson. We have the statement from
Mr. Yost, and now give it to you?
That he saw ouo of the gentlemen on
two or three occasions at Cincinnati,
Ohio, and tho other ono possibly as
many times at Cincinnati, Ohio. That,
without any thought as to any possible
construction that might be placed upon
it, and iu entire .nnoeencc as to any
improper suggestons, be did consent
t ? give a small brokerage commission
to said two gentlemen. That each of
mid gentlemen approached him. Wo
have the nccuraneeof Mr. Yost that iu
neither of the interviews with either
?f the sons of ! '. M. Mixson did they ;
promise or assure him that they would |
jolicit btmiue.vs for their father.
Mr. Yost also states that he was led j
to believe from conversations wi'h j
others whoso names he cannot recall, ?
that the business as conducted in the j
St.ite of South Carolina enabled the
litVerenl dispensers to call for the particular
brands of goods they wanted,
ur that there was a demand for; that
these demands of tho various county j
Dispensaries controlled the orders by j
the main Disprieary. I h? ?efore, as i
tin- Live Oak Distillery Company and I
tin' Joseph It. Decides Sons f'ompany j
had already < stuhhshed tho scale of !
ju ices hi winm imy wens willing to j
wll th?j }???cm1h, ninl ns the siii^'jirsiiosi |
inn 'e l?y W. Mtvoti anil .1. \V.
Mi.von Jfil i- i'. ii - to ii > villi ii 1
lilt l? 'i< . f | i :. , .1 r. ^ i?st :
ll'Oii'itit iiini i \ |.a-, .r is in tin1 .
t rl.i to us."o t in rii .ilii. ^ a tli'tiiaiiil for I
tin- lii|iiorH, <>r j o;iiilitri/.it>? certain!
>>rit:?In, tin t> uoiilil In- no injustice to i
the State of S.o'tii C.itoliuu, iven it
si?i 1 >r*. hers were ic'iitnl to the corn
rnifsiu:.' r,
( !><?!: the ul ovc t! jy, l.olli of the 1
titi'irisi. ....I I'oiiijiniiit i l'ti'l %? ry v.ili j
ii-s ( tint we :.r.- ii l.t in i Xoin n.t
i:i;; Mr. Yosl, one of our : ejiresentutivi
s, from aiiv inn. / n t ntiofi or
ilih]<os;tion towui.l tiio weltiiro oi the i
St.it-; of South ( uioliuft, or from ui.y
r?ttwitptfdooHm>twi> m -I
T We now state to you gentlemen the
' fact, and as*nru Jyoll of. lis' aabfcmcy,
| that tbo prices at which our goods
. tve*c Kold to^ fjuo State of Sot^thOajroliun
nyero from 5 to 20 per cent. leas
for tho same grades as sold by up to
| Uditod
I Your committee has asked these
' companies the question in categorical
form, as to whether either of the undersigned
com panics has directly or
indirectly made to any oftieer of. the
State of South Caroliua Dispensary
any rebates, premiums, commissions,
draw-back or other valuable considerations,
since these companies , have
dealt with the State of South Carolina
up to the present time.
Now, Svith the exception of pocket
kuives, ami other little advertising devices,
wbicli wo send freely to nDy customers,
anywhere in the country, we '
answer No. >
Wo regret tho absouco from Cnieinnati,
on accouut of Illness, of our Mr.
Joseph S. Peebles. Wo cannot dis?
i..?: t-J- in
iki is .u(. * evi'jin uuiiuK ui?j viucw,
l)iit if thero aro liuy other points which
you desire to liuie covered iu correspondence,
if you will address a leltor
to uilhcrof the undersigned cjiupauicr
at Cincinnati, you Will recdiVo frauk,
full and complete answers.
Before closing this lcttor we wish to say
to you, aud through you to the gentlemen
1q oflico in Booth Carolina whom
yop represent, that wo appreciate the
foreo of the requcut which yoi{ 'made,
viz: that you he furnished with a j
stenographer and that yon be allowed |
to question aud tuko down in sliorthami
the couversatiou, questions and
answers made on yonr jpreseht visit
aud investigation at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Various members of tho undersigned
companies, and iu fact all tho gentlemen
you have personally mot, wero
quite willing to do this. But we havo
au attorney who is associated with business
of both companies, and it is upon
liis udvice that we prefer to answer
theso questions as we havo. As the
reputation of both companies is high,
and we desiro to keep ii so, we do not
desire to have our two companies made
responsible for any mistaken iu language
or accidental blunders of the
stenographers on matters that are of
tho greatest importance to us. Besides
an investigation thut-would be iaqnisi- .
tonal iu nature aud touelnnt; upon
points entirely different from the mr.t
.. . ....... .. Ill i nil i/ iriiL'l, It UOt'S HOC a#- I |
feet. the operation of the law in th? ij- !
mutest manner. Of course, it ixiaj p j
n ccrtn:u extent a fleet the mlos if I
ihe'disperiacrH, though I havo no idta .
it ift as bad ns some of the citizens of
this State are inclined (and who audi,
do anything to injure the law, no ln|,terwhat?)
to lu lievo.
It is probable that a cane will ic
made out and taken to the T'njhd
States Supreme Court on habeas coifua
proceedings, and have that seetioi of
the law finally disposed of. Wil? let
yon hear from me incase any thingtiew
arises. i
Again thanking you, and luring
that I may reciprocate your kindls*,
I atu, -Very truly yours,
(Signed) .1. '1'. Mi iii.
< "opy.
' o.'.i Mr.ta, S. ('., Apr.! '201 h, lS'T.
Mr. !>n ('. >ox/, /'. '). /!>,r .101,< /'-/
I'll hll/i, < >.
I'c.vi-.Siu: Your favor of thi-1-1
inst. lias been received. Kefeiri|gf>
i i'.junc tion of -fudge (iolT re-ifni:.ii
ilie State JJoard of (' ntrol aid t!ie
tSt.it. ('oniinieRiouor from inter*'!: j j
v. 11!i licj'iorH in transit, I bog U> sny
Hint it cIooh not nfl'eot tho law all. j '
!'li i c tnr;i will be made on the! dpi' >
Should nnjtiling "turn up" I will taU? ,
pleasure in advifiing you, as I shai; i.e !
ii'-re for tho next ten daya or tlusru
iiboutH. I n;oau, of course, in tbc
ter under discussiou, woqld run nn
to great leugtb, and would involve the
time of some of our mo?t valuable
people.
In truth, wo feel r great sympathy
for the people of South Carolina if
they have really been injured by nuy
dishonest oilioers> and wo- feel willing
and free to help ferret it out to the
bottom.
Now we sincerely hope that justioe
will be done to all. Wo cannot help
any irregular intostigaton or one oarried
on in Cincinnati that is really
without striot authority of law.
I W? hope that our letter ^riitteiv.
jointly by both companies, will be re-"*
eeived in the fair spirit in which it is
offered.
Respectfully submitted,
The Live Oak Distillery Co.,
Scott Lissender, Sec.
The Joseph R. Peoples' Sons Co.,
H. Z. Peebles, Seo. and Treas.
The Mlxsons' Letters.
Columbia, S. C. Dec. 10th, 1895.
Mr. John C. Yost, Louisville, Ki/.
Dear Sir: My father, Col. F. M.
Mixson, received a lot of those "Live
Oak" pocket-knives from the L. O.
Distillery Company and distributed
tbem among the members of the Constitutional
Convention, but I not being
a member, failed to get one, and
write to ask if you will not send me
about half a dozen. I will keep one
myself and distribute the balance
juuiciously.
Very truly yours.
(Signed) W. T. Mixson.
Copy.
Columbia, S. C., May 10th. 1890.
Mr. John C. Yost, J*. O. liox, 304, Chi-1
cinnati, O.
Dear Sin: Your favor of the 30th J
of April, also package containing "the!
small token," has been received.!
l'leaso accept many thanks for samei
It is highly appreciated by me. If
would have acknowledged receipi
earlier, but waited until after the dej
cision in tho Dispensary case was reu
dered. J know that you werointerest
ed in the matter.
The injunction referred to in uJ
letter to you was pcrniauont, thougi !
na c?.J.. ?!...* I..H? - * I - . T i
I yifrgt liigptMag. ite.^y.JinL.iVl
I does affect tLe law lt-elr. He may <
| make* ih "injunction -'plMfiuaneut, but i.
that will not affect the operation bl J
tbo ktW in the remoteat^leKre^. '
I am indeed very glad that von on'joybcT
yodr'visit tWour^ "Capital City/l
and hope to see .you oyer agniu \?ben
you can find. iL&pnvcnient to come. ,, I .
am also glad to know that your buei.
new relatione -will be *bnt you desire.
I think my father rcgordft roar firm an
ohe of the beet, and for that reaaon I i
believe he will <lo what ho can for Jjrou.
If at any time.I can be of any servico
to you, addresa mo of Mr. F. M. Mix
eon, Columbia, S. C. He will forward
to me should I not bo in the city* i Allow
me to thauk you for the.iokeu faentioued
in the first paragraph of your
letter. I appreciate any favor, but
really I never had" any idea that yoa
wOuld do fenything of that Kindt nor did
I expect it. Again thanking you I
em h Very timly y.ours.
(Signed) ; J. \V. Mi*soy.
^ . Tput Telcgruin.
Concerning the telegram Mr. W.
Mixsou in alleged to have nenrthis father
' from Atlanta, the following wnsteubinitted,
beingn message to Maqager
Gray of the Western Union at Col urni
bin:
Kichmund, Va.-, Sept. 17.
draff, Columbia, ,South Carolina:
There is no possible chauco to get the
message you refer to. All of our business
for up to and including first
si veu moutbn of thin year is destroyed
it accordance with the telegraph company's
rules.
J. B. Turk, Superintendent,
.A NKW COUNTY.. ; '
".Salem'*' Is the name, nml l'ortions ,
of Darlington, Kershaw and Sumter
Will Betaken.
USalem is the name of a proposed new
dnty, which is the first to comply
'with the terms of the now Constitution
and which has asked the Governor to
order an election on tho question of
the fot tnation. The Constitution provides
that when one-third of tho qualified
electors of the sections proposed
' to be formed into a now couuty shall
sign u petition, tbeu tho Governor sliull
I order an election, tho .electors voting
j "jeB" or '"no" on tho question, it re1
quiring two-thirds of the voters at the
I clettion, however, 10 pronounce iu
fav)r of a separation from tlio old
comities beforo the Legislature can
forh tho county, which it is required
to d> after tho electiou has been held.
Sdpm's petition has been presented n
| to tio uovernor. ?'roon tho paper it
| is lamed that tho new county pro- j
, pose to tako in Damnr, Cypress and
Sto'ea Bridge townships of Dsrliugtou D
ooaty; a portion of DeKttlb and Buf- ^
falctownships in Kershavftoonnty; Mt. j
Ciit Center#, liiahopville and portions of
lynehbnrg and SpriDg Hill township
in Snmter county. ^
.'Ire petition was taken to the Gover- c
na by Mr. Parrott, of Bishopville, and ^
ooompanying it were certificates from
Smervisor W. S. .Tames and Super* I
-Ssor-CQllhjxd aqI Kenthoar. that in Q
tie proposed districts over one-third
c the voters had sigood the petition .
icre was no such certificate as to the
] Arlington portion, but Mr. Parrott
f itA that it is signed by 426, all but -{
i teen of the voters iu tho to.wnahip. ^
Owing to the lack o^this certificate
t e whole matter was referred by the f
( >vernor to tho Attorney General, who i
L Id that it was necessary to have that c
c rtificate. Mr. Parrott will seenre thst ^
s d the Govornor will order the elec
t n. J
I'The new county will have an area of
1.25 square miles, taking 1 09. 25 from ^
rsbaw, 97 from l>arlington and 218
m Sumter. If it is favored Darling- ^
i will lose 5,608 people, Kershaw ^
99 ar.d Snmter 10,400, making a to- .
for Salem of 18,302. The properly #
nation will be $1,867,110, getting ,
14,643 from Darliugton, $1,093,805
m Sumter and $259,162 from Ker- ^
iw. Boshopvillo will lie the county
I*
Under ii New
The Port Royal and Westorn Caro- n
lina Railway, J. B. Cleveland, receiver, ii
has changed its name and will be here- h
after known as the Charleston and t!
Western Carolina Railway Company, v
Thomas and Ryan, owners, J. B. ^
Cleveland president, and to keep its
allies from sticking by force of habit, tl
General Freight and Passenger Agent R
W. J. Craig has had a lot of stamps ]j
bearing the impression of the new name n
made and distributed among the var- ^
ious agents with the injunction that all 0
old stationery be restampod. 0
It is announced that Sir. Cleveland n
accepted the presidency only upon the ; j,
distinct understanding that the road
was to be conducted entirely indepon- c
dent of other lines, just as it was under t
him as receiver.
RiillivuyK to Spartanburg. '
According to a report from Spartan- ^
burg several railroad projects of much
benelit to that city may bo carried out *
within tho next year. A branch of 1
tho Southern Railroad is to ho built "
from its main liue to several cotton \
factories in the vicinity of tho town, (
iud surveys are now being mndo by ^
the engineers of tho Southern for this
! :..?! 11
|/iii j?\?no# -ai in ninu mnitMl UJIIV HllUUIOr
company may be formed to build a u
rnilro%d to connect Spartanburg with
tho Carolina Central division of tho |
Seaboard Air Line, Thia company > .
uas no conueetion with the company
which li i:- been formed to build a road ^
between Spartanburg and Henrietta. '
It is also Htated that tho electric lino ' j.
ipoii which work has begun between '
Spartanburg and tho milling towns of > ?
Clifton and (ileudalo is to ho com- 1
pleted after tho November election, i (
Considerable grading Lot already been !
iono on its roadbed. | ^
:,tioe N a lotigl\ season on us parents."
"\\ . y so-.'" 'our da tight era ' e
who have lie. graduated try to ninko h
us talk graniii. ' ieally."?Chicago lie?- J
ord. ti
BOTSS COLLAPSE. j
. f ?
Ki - . 1 : i
CITIZENS FIRE INSURANCE COM- 1
PANY GOES UP. W (
i (.:>?! .'".M. .. . , (
IrJ. N? M. Johuson, of Marlon, Who <
. Wty* Makes a llamaglng |
Statcmcnt--Credltors Seize Availa- y
ble Assets. 1
Last August the Citizens Fire Iusuranoe
Company was chartered in tliia c
State and opened up an office in the t
Kendall building in Columbia and ?
branched out for business. Mr. N. M. 1
Johnson, of Marion, was president, I
having gone iu with parties from the 1
North. The company is now in trou- *
ble ani it will do no more business in 1
thnt nlfr H
v-v
Messrs. Barron and Ray, attorneys n
for Mr. N. M. Johnson, of Muriqn, *
furnish tbo following statement for 8
publication in his behalf:
"A few months since Mr. Frank W. ^
Anthony, an insurance broker of Now B
York City, prevailed upon Mr. John- 11
bou to assist in the organization and ^
conduct of an insurance company in *
South Carolina, representing that ho n
bad ample assets for tho purpose and ''
that ho would also send an experienced 0
secretary, Mr. E. L. Winaut, to Co- n
lumbia to conduct tho ofuce hero. rD
"When the CitizouH Fire Insuranco ^
Company was organized, the necessary w
subscription to the capital stock was P
made iu the capital stock of the Rook
Island and l'eoria Railroad Company ^
lo the amount of $200,000, which was
furnished by tho said Anthony. Mr. i
fohupou loarned from u reputable
iiul responsible source that such stock
vas readily marketable at pur. He, e
.herefore, believed that tho iusuratice tl
mmpnny was coiumeuciug business in I
i solvent condition, assumiug that e
;he stock of tho said railroad company o
vhich had been subscribed to the cap- g
tal stock was in the actual possession f<
>f 6aid Citizens Tu6uranco Company, w
vas genuine. Mr. Johnson learned, u
lowever, only last night, that the stock b
iwned by this insuranco company is not It
he stock of the said railroad company, tl
is at present organized, but of a pre- p
riously existing corporation,that owned
his railroad proporty before it became tl
usolvent, and that the same is now u
rorthless. Mr. Johnson had no ground u
o suspect that a fraud was being prac- A
iced on hun, and relying upon the ac- ci
ual exhibition of the certificates of ?i
4 "U i. :i..) ?*r a -A?
tuua in: uuill'd W11U lUUhHrB. AIllUUDy S(
,nd Winant in tho organization ami
msinesa of the so-called Citizens Fire
nsurance Company.
"Tho real state of tho case having 0l
iow come to his knowledge he desires y
o inform tho policy-holders in the said 0{
nstirance company and tho public gen- p
rally'of the same. a;
"Mr. Johnson has not profited to g,
he extent of one dollar, whether in p,
ommissions, salary or any other way, tt
iy his connection with the said oorn- w
any. While it seems that less than f,,
200 have been received in the homo q
?Lico at Qolumbia, it appears that
>ver one hundred policies have been
isued by the company, and it is snpiosed
that in addition to about 81,000
ine by the agents in South Carolina,
f paid by the policy holders, that Mr. #1
inthony has placed policies on, which w
re over 84,000, are duo to the compauy g|
or premiums. It is not known how
inch of these premiums have been
ollected by him. Tho giviug of thirty th
o sixty days' credit is not unusual in g(
ire companies aud this, therefore, did p,
lot arouse his suspicions." vj
"Mr. Johnson has informed the At- 0j
orney General of tho facts as given sa
bovo, in order that tho State author- AI
ties may take such steps as they may oc
leem necessary and proper. He has al
bus done all that he ean to prevent
ny further imposition in the name of p(
ho Citizeus Fire J usnraneo Company." k,
Tho ollice fixtures, desks, etc., have gj
een attached by creditors and em loyos.
was a noll) fllaud. (j,
Tho failuro of tho Citizens Fire In- ce
urAQco Company of Columbia resulted fu
n the unearthing of ono of the moat at
arofaced frauds ever perpetrated in sti
hat city, but fortunately the rascality ti<
as discovered in timo to prevent more wi
ooplo being taken in than havo been, to
The company was organized under 2r
be very lax, not to 6ay wildcat, insur- th
nee laws of tlio State, and not only in
ad no capital, but not one cent of th
joney in bauk to pay a loss should ono
ave been incurred. It was a schcmo
f sharpers and they got Mr. Johnson, |
f Marion, in their net and used his 1
nme to give confidence to the people
a the honesty and stability of the
'company," and then the sharpers pro- I
eeded to catch all tlio unwary in their j
raps that they possibly could. j*
The Citizens InsurAnco Company ar
rent to Columbia and mAdo a big blow jj,
f trumpets us to what it was going to iu
o. E. L. NVinant, tlio secretary, ju
ented an office in the Kcndnll buildag
at a certain price per month, but ^
s the ofiico was not quite ready for oc- >pi
upaucy ho offered n premium of a few y,
ollars on tlio regular rent if the ofllco I>
as put in readiness for him at onco.
'his was done and the rent was paid
i advance, but that was the last pay- in
lent made. hi
The secretary bought an $H0 carpet,
imo costly ruga from a local merchant u,
hd had thorn charged. The account lo
i still on the honks, and will remain | J>'
here for some time to come. Kveryhing
about the otiice was of the latest
tvles and ipialities. There were two
no desks costing $40 each, and all
thcr fixtures cost in proportion. Inluding
the carpets and rugs and ev- '5r
rytiling else, the ollice furuituro cost l l'
robably 8JOO. It was bought on
redit and has not been paid for, nor ,|V
iill it be.
The bookkeeper, learning of tho
ondition of affairs, lost no timo in on
jvying upon everything in sight. [ t,:i
Winaiit, tho secretary, at the same 1 ^
imc was making preparations to lcavo. 1
He took oat of the offloe some of the
rags and It bis
trunks. He bought tiokets for himself
?nd family for Charleston. Before
leaving, however, he had sent a wagon
to his offioe to move the furniture and
jarpets. The draymau was met at the
jffioe by Constable Cooper and was
?ld that the property had been or
vould be levied on. The constable
hen weut to the station and served the
japors on Wiuant before he left.
When the news of the above h*d besome
circulated several creditors of
he * 'company" * went to tho office to
lee how they stood in the rantter and
ound that they were left. Tho oar
>et man bewailed the loss of his carjet;
employees oursed about losing
heir salaries; Dr. Kendall wasn't
>leased with tho rent i>urt of it and
evcral collectors stood mournfully
xound. But the bird had flown and
here was nothing to bo douo except to
;et revenge by punishiug tho swindler.
Telegrams were sent to Charleston,
lugueta and other points ordering tho
xrost of Winant, and tho welcome
I0W8 camo that ho bad bn#?n nivhln"! in
Charleston. A countable curried him
o Columbia and be will bo prosecuted
inder the iusurunco law which mukes
alee swearing us to tho vnluo of tko
apitul stock of any company punishblo
by a lino of $2,000 or imprisoujont
in the penitentiary for two years,
'ho unfortunate part of it is that
rhile Mr. Joknsou is an iunoccnt
arty to the swindle, still he is legally
able as much as Winaut it iH said by
iwyers.
FULL DECISION WANTED.
'he State Wants tlis Dispensary Law
Settled.
Tho State seems decidedly in earust
about having u final _ decision on
ho dispensary law in all its phases,
leretofore a new iaw has been passed
very year and if a court decided one
r any part of a law unconstitutional it
onerully came too late to have any cfjct,
us tho law on which the decision
as rendered hail been repealed and a
ew one submitted. A new case would
nve to bo gotten up to test, the new
iw and it seemed as if that sort of
iiiug would go on to an interminable
oiut.
Tb'-rc is a case now pending before
je Supremo Court of tho United State#
nder tho luw of 1805, iu which argutents
will bo made on the 10th inst.
ttoruey General llarber wants tho
onrt to pass on the law of 189(> at the
iiuo time, so that the matter may be
ittled once for all.
The following will explain what
cps he has taken in the matter:
"7b. P. A". Jirj/an. Esq., Solicit
for Complainant James J)onald:?
ou will take notice that on tho call
f the above-entitled case in the 8ureme
Court of the United States, the
ndereigned, as Attorney General of
n?-i;? - ....
jukli varuuui, representing tbe apallant,
will submit to the court the
iggestion and motion, a copy of
hich ia hereto attached, and which
been lodged in the office of the
lerk'o# n%id Court.
. VWm. A. Babbbr,
"Atty Gtfc South
'Att'y iror u ?
The motion is as follows . *
And now comes the Attorney Gen al
of the State of South Carolina,
itbont submitting the rights of the
late to the jurisdiction of this court,
id suggests to the court ami gives it
i understand and be informed that
te General Assembly of the State of
auth Carolina, at its last session
tnsed an Act entitled "An Act to prode
for the eloction of a State Board
! Control, and to further regulate the
>le, use, consumption, transportation
id disposition of intoxicating and aliholio
liquors or liquids in this State
id prescribo farther penalties for
olation of tbe Dispensary law and to
dice tbo same," wbiob was approved
r tbo Governor of tbo State ou March
h, 1896, a copy of which act is hereto
tached.
Wherefore, respectfully submitting
lat tbe enactment of said Act superides
and repeals parts of the Act "to
irtber regulate the law in reference to,
id further regulate tbe use, sale, conimptiou,
transportation and disposion
of alcobolio liquids or liquors
ithin tbe State of South Carolina, and
police tbo same," approved January
id. 1895. be rospectfnlly moves that
M Uflir) A /* Uo rtAaaiJ- J * 11
- ??v? u? iiiugiuiiou uy mo court
the determination of tlio appeal ia
is care. Wv. A. Bakbkk,
Atty. Gen. of Uouth Carolina
IlLOOD SIIKI> AT Til K POLLS. - f
Miliums Fires at His Assailant, Hal j
.Misses and Shoots a Lookcr-On,
and In Turn is Lynched.
News from Elbcrton, (ia., snys that during i.
at Wednesday's State election a <|iiar.el i
ose at the polls between Will Mayfleld and y
id Sanders, resulting in the former shoot- t
K the latter. Tom Waller shot I. G. Swift
the arm and shoulder. Mayfleld an 1 Wal- f
r were arrested. The young men are well
iowii and are active county politicians,
le dispute nroso over contesting votes,
tie of tho parties to the difficulty was a
um< erat, the other a Populist.
At Mount Junction, in Screven eounty,
us Williams, a Populist Negro, snatched a
ket out ot a Democratic Negro voter's
iud. The Democratic Necr.. struck Wilkuis
for his Insolence, and Williams 11 red at
s assailant, hut missed his aim and shot v
kd Instantly killed Engineer Mlddletoil of
e Ceutrul llallroad, who was an Innocent
okcr-on. Dystaaders took Williams and
nulled him uml riddled his body with
iliets.
Itryaii Wolcomeil In Indiana. {
I'Iik rweptiou afforded William Jeunlngf
ynn on Iih arrival in Indianapolis, inil. j
st Tuesday win nearly as largo as any ii
s r<- "ivim during his nntiro trip. IIo mad ?
< speeches here, two in tlio afternoon an I
p"? it flight, nnd at oaeh meeting ho a< f
1 i:nm?<n?? audiences, one of whi? &
nearly a<< large as that addrossad l>y bi ?
!!<?ton Common, the largest of tho oil
i/n. I'.eforo reaching Indianapolis frc M
>tiUville, ivy., ho mado aovoral stOt *1
I at each place he uddregacd vast thror A
people. |
I I