Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Two I ; III fi I B .-'. ...J^'T' I ( o .'piurtit the in the 9 9 9 94 9 H H wUl^HB ' -W' ~|B~1 . '<.~|M^k " -^ ^iab?-y.1"' Tr^g^Biife,.". r4Wi fl'ljflfci South) one oil mill, cue knitting mill, D ,9 9 I 1 I B 9 9 9 . , 9 , j IK, 9 H r *?*7 ' 'f^B .:.:\ytVBt I j>>/ v vi one brick plant, two luukp, ten churches, 9 I A B 9 9 9 f l "#*' -T-'w-^-9"* <S \J |L /* . "' ' ^y*! ^ rjJ55r->v<|Vv (^9I five pcliools, artesian watei. - * - JBI?9_ jl 1 91. ^>?J9x -JB- 3L ? jJB~ J9L-JB" ' w . '... & 1 ' " , ; I L? ... Bi' A L..i iii mi . f 1 * mrm* $l 1 - .-.H. ...... ----- - II i - II i i I 111 "tl *' * '< <y. 'rje-'J-H- J-?J- U" 1 - ' .? ? ? - -u '-- ! 1.1 i' . ? I Bim?.m.w< VOL XX\ 111. NO !~ UNION, SOUTH CAROLINA, FRIDAY, ^Jj^BER i, 1897, ? $1.00 A YEAR. ?? ?j. . ^ - 1 . " THE UNION BRUG STORE FIRE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CASES EVEI TRIED IN UNION COUNTY. A CROWDED COURT ROOM FROM REOINXIXO TO KXD Hit KIT TVTl'l). EST MANIFESTED 11V CITIZENS OF ALL CLASSES. This case which hns created great > interest in the minds of the people for some time >Vus commenced in the Coin t of General Sessions on lust Thursday, September 23, 181)7. Messrs. Munro & Munro, 0." P. Sims and J. A. Sawyer appeared f.?r l)r. Meador. and the State was represented by Solicitor Stase and Col. George Johnstone, of Newberry. This case was an atlcu.pt to burn the drug store in the bank building, where the Union Drug Company conducted a "business. Ill is company was composed of Dr. Wm. Meador and Dr. M. T. ffniith. The eity authorities offered a rewind of ?">00 for the ap prehension and conviction of the fires bug. George C. May uho lives about four miles hi the country swore out a warrant charging Dr. Win. Meador with the crime upon which warrant he was arrested and gave bond, and was tried at September term of court 1807. After consider^ able trouble a jury was obtained, each juror being sworn on his voir iiire. It was a well end hard fought ease from beginning to end, seldom have we seen a ease better managed. The ease was covered in every particular. It lasted until 11.40 o'clock ou Saturday night, when the jury returned . a verdict of net guilty as to Win. Meador. A number of witnesses were sworn and examined and cross examined vrrv cWolv. Wo mvo n synopsis of the most importunt?tcsti-1 mony below. A ...... Dlt. SMITH'S TESTIMONY: Dr. M. T. Sunlit, nan thrr tttwv wn> ness called, lie testified that lie was a practicing physician at Union, and owns a part interest in the National Bank building. On the night of the 8th of Fibtuary Willie Colton caine over to my house for me to come to drug store between 10 and 11 o'clock. 1 found Jcc Austell at drug store. Found a preparation for fire?hay saturated with oil, tosin, light wood, diy goods boxes etc. A large pile of above extended halfway up to the roof of cellar, next to the steps. Next was a tank of kerosene oil and rosin all saturated with oil. Close to barrel was a trail of hay into second loom cellar where thctewerc eight or nine barrels (foil. The steps were also saturated. I had not been in cellar in two or three days; these things were not there then?except the lightwood?that I saw. Have L n/iu n I)r Afrtmlnt* flm full <?f 1802. Partnership of my brother, l)r. Meodor and myself began January 18!'2. We bought goods of W. M. Clibbs & S( n amounting to $S00. Don't know whether partnership was in writing or not. Wc wcie to pay $400 cash, with notes for balance. Dr. Meader put in $180 one third at:d never put in any more. After two or three months my brotlicr sold his interest to Dr. Mcadnr. 1 refused to stay in that way, and he sold me one half of my brother's intetest: paying $17o, agreeing to j ay onc-luiU of Gild's note then due, and taking credit on books for difference. Short Iv after Mr. Colon came with us. Dr, Meador kept hooks first, afterwards Mr. Colton. 'J here was no money to he divided hut stock had increased to 82,.')UU January IHlkh In January 18i'4, we had increased our stock a few hundred dollars, hut were several hundred dollars in debt 1 ]>;>ill off iiulebtcdnoss and took Dr, Mender's note for his half. ^'t>~ !<<ul c'tti < /i vn/.innttrii *\1 '*()<) />*> ?1800 iii debt. 1 t^ok 11is note foi his half as before. In January '1M> bad no settlement but defcrre< the matter until June 4ih. Couh not get together before. Were ?1 I in debt. l>r. Meador wanted pay fo: staying in drug store, I said that be got everythinj that was made but I would inak him a present of ?180. Tool his note for ?.">00 and paid debts, said 1 bad lost as much as I was'abb and if we did not make some mono by January would dissolve. Om stock then January 'b7 was aly*. ?3400, Ilad no settlement / tho o i" | / sifter attempted burning. On night of Gth of February, (Saturday night) I took Dr. Meador in my office for a settlement, offered him $1800 1 for his interest. lie said, <4I have a headache and don't feel liko settling n??w." I insisted that no thought was necessary, he ju3t hail to sign a I nper transferring his stock. v He lie said he Mould settle after breakfast Monday morning. Monday after breakfast I went to Meador and told liim I was i ready for that settlement. Meador i replied, am not going to set- ] tic this morning. I says, Dr. thut is 1 ' too much like a ten year old child, \ what is your reason for not wanting 1 to settle. lie said he had written to t parties in Fairfield who might buy 1 the store and wanted to hear from i il..i - mem, nun, j. umsiiiic wun you wnen s the train comes up on Tuesday morn- < ing. 1 told him I would not sell to s other parties, but would sell to him I if he would pay up his indebtedness, t If he sold to me 1 was to pay him so u much for stock, the balance, if any, s to go to him after paying debts. g After I left the store after being d notified seeing preparations for fire, p I employed a man to watch the store v ?Drayton Smith. When I came n back Tuesday, Dr. Meador met me o ut the door and : :d there has been a C disturbance during night. lie asked s me "what it was? 1 told him an at- I tempt had been made to burn the k st' re. lie asked me ' where did they d get in ?" I told him "in the front a door." I He turned around and left. d Tuesday I got Win, Munro to draw it up paper to settle with Dr. Meador, C I invited Capt. Farr and Dr. Meador st \I1 T ' 1 up iu it*. vr. xucauor l saiu, ai "I suppose the lr.ost painful A duty tliat ever devolved upon two E men devolves upon us this morning. a< \ou know there was an attempt made ui to tire this building, and there ore reputablo witnesses who will swear m t^vysuw you leavethe building at ^Jeparoti * n for fire was I - At- W I * iW. 11' ^ ^ ^ VA Ml era. 1 brought you" up tierc to have ^ you sign this paper, "If I sign your sc paper arc you going to prosecute mo ci for trying to fire this building? My reply was "when you sign this paper m as long as you try to establish your in innocence 1 am hands off," a lie asked Copt. Fair would he 1] prosecute him. Capt. Furr replied tl be would not j r< mise not to prosecute tl him. I!o then signed the paper, in ti which I allowed him ?2000. V In cur conversation on Saturday ^ he said lie would sign the paper if I k would let him stay in a month or two h longer, lie asked how much insur- a nnce we had. I told him we had hut q a small amount?$3000. Wo hud y carried $3500. n Here Counsel for the defense oh- tl jcetcd. b 'J he next day my attorneys thought c words could he better, and they drew h paper which Dr. Mcador signed Tues- s day. It was a dissolution. Cnpt. b F. M. Fai r was a witness. l)r. Meador staid in the store all J the time. The Solicitor asked if any instruc- t tions had been given Colton previous t to the fire. i at length by the opposing counsel. t Dr. Smith said he had given him t instructions. That day Dr. Meador t was moving every thing he had from the store. Colton came to me and ] told ine about it. i Question: ''What were the duties i of Colton as to remaining in the store > while Dr. Meador was in. there ? < Objects to. i , Answer: 11 is duty was to remain and sec the door closed, it was drawn to his attention Saturday repeatedly, [ also drawn to his attention Monday several times. On Friday after five, Dr. Meador came down to me and and Cnpt. Farr , and asked us to go to my ofliee. lie r said Ik! had been instructed by his lawyer to demand that we dischnrge , Colton. I said "you can go back I and tell your lawyer I won't do it; | that we regard that Colton bad saved ) (bo building." Nothing was said at that time about my instructions to Colton. A telegram was banded Dr. , Smith reading as follows: "J. K. Colton, 1 will take care of |; Will. Your presence not needed. 1 "M. T. Smith." This telegram was proved and iny trod need as evidence, r Dr. Smith said he had sent sent it v <>f VdTfcl'VJM0 ,0 ft telegram from J. E. AfKbaustan airflows ast. ' / / < ..... U I. l , j irt Durban), N. C., Feb. 12, '0J, Dr. M. T. Smith : Ilavo read Mcador's vilo insinuation. I demand an investigation. Wire answer, Dark Ilofcl. "J. E. Colton." The telegrams were introduced as evidence. Cross examination by Wm. Munro. The second paper stated the sum I paid for Dr. Mcador's interest, the first may not have done so. lie assigned everything to me, except if anvlhina wns nvr?r nftnr * D , ?J "V??0 be was to have half of it. I did not have much to do with store. Don't think Colton and Meador wore on i/ad terms. Dr. Meador told me he iuspectcd Colton. Colton could not inve had ill will to Dr. Mcndor from inything I said to him. Dr. Meador 'aid to mo lie would not employ >olton but n.nde no complaint of pecified trouble; he said lie did not mliovo Colton was honest. I never old Cclton Meador suspected him intil threo weeks ago. Last fall 1 poko of hiring a man who was a ;raduato in pharmacy but was not lecided that he should take Cohon's ilaco. Dr. Meador told me Colton ? ould not do. On one occasion said joney was missing from cash drawer n a certain day. lie did not charge lolton with taking goods from tut , tore. For the last year and a half* kept it awhile, and then Colton j ept it. At the end of 1807, our in - , chtcdnesa amounted to nearly 83000; bout ?1400 to foreign creditors. , )on't remember amount of accounts j uc to tho firm. There were not lany of them. Dr. Meador, Will , iolton and myself had key to the f ore; we made money the first year t ad lost it every year afterwards. ( jiuougu we I1UU JObt about $OUUU. f on t know whether there were more icounts on bocks at one time than > author. I saw Dr. Meador ou Saturday orning uking .articles oyt of the ore. JoW Meador moved some and t negro toms carrying off some tl; ^ Dr. Bieador. A reward of fj aOO wa9 offered. Dr. Meador had t ime articles in the old store, a thread v ibinet and etc. ( By Solicitor Sense : I don't re- , icmber conversation about suspect- c ig Colton. I told him that 1 could s isily catch a man in a store with mo. t Ic tried to do so. One time he said ? te cash was fifty cents short. I said j. iat may be a mistake. The next ( mc the cash was $1.50 or ?2 ahead. ( kre paid Colton $40 per month. Dr. ; Ieudor had no other occupation. 1 new of no property he possessed in is own name except a piece of land hove town, from which he told me , ne time he got one bale of cotton a ( ear. I kept my notes from his in ry private drawer in safe. I carried licm and put them in a box in the ank in November or December. The ash sales in August this year were I argcr than in January, I havo never een anything crooked about Colton ; lave watched him closely. Colton made complaint to luc about tlcudor. The hooks of the firm were handed o Dr. Smith and from them he said hat the cash sales in January, 1S97, vere $202.00; February, $-9(5.50 ; July, $'180.74 ; August, $:?79.17 : he difference between the summer ind winter months being about $00. Up to the 9th February, Colton, SIcador and myself had access to store ind cash drawer, in the summer months Colton, Rice, Reeves and myself. I have a cash register in the store now, but don't use it us a cash register, it cost $5300. The prescriptions are charged most in summer. Don't know what proportion of cash they constitute, 'J his summer has been the most sickly season for several years; been unusual number of cases of fever; but gave few prescriptions ; taking in less cosh in summer than winter. The cotton mill has increased business, but we have not gotten a great deal of it. Here the books were introduced and comparisons of months cash made. W. K. COhTON Sworn says: Have been drug clerk since 12th may 02. On Fiiuay before burning 1 overheard a conversation between Smith and Meador about the condition of affairs. Dr. Smith said they were losing money and lie could not carry him any longer. 1 knew they were to dissolve partnership. I was in the back part of the store. From that time 1 noticed Dr. Meador taking things from the store. " I culled Dr. attention to Dr. Mcador \vafi rjafcing out of stock some pills, tldftWoe in pound packages, a pair ofSnw^c glasses/ * brushes, combs and ^Mffiines. lie did not charge jf&tfea and I tchl ] Dr. Smith of tho mamr. ' On Saturday nignis .wo generally ? closed lit. 11. Mr \tMtlnr Mill ' can go home Will whlh you like, as I 1 have a negro who suisl bjkwould pay 1 me some money." < ^ind I reason fur staying to receive the money tip him and he left. He rarely ever remained after ? 9.30 or 10 o'clock. This was about ^ half-past 10 and I remained twenty h minutes after he left. ' n Sunday afternoon I came up nt 3, '' and found the safe opeu and l)r. h Meador going through papers and 1 tearing up fome. n Monday he began taking things ri out of stock and removing things * from the store?a cabinet of instru- ti ments, old clothing, etc. This cabi- e net laid been there since the store was moved. Monday night I was invited to nu b< entertainment sit Kant's but did not c< go, as I knew this would be the last I) day he would bo in the store. ct Monday night lie Went out of the store two or tlu eo tiipos being gone ^ three to five minutes. lie asked mc M, if the Knights of Pythias had <onie ^ ilown from their lnoAins un stairs. 1,1 L told him I did not ^iow. Colton n\( pulled out his watch and said Dr , it ^ s getting late, it is 10 minutes to 10; he said it was tjpne to go mid ve put out the light^nod left the ttore at 8 minutes toXO. lie went kit lown Main street 'and J Jbwn Bachdor street, About^ er 85 yards rom store, 1 tuined.MM rent bock. 1 turned round- wntch Dr. ho Vendor; walked OA opposite side of ,ui itrect, going back* r* l(e irent in the ca' torojnd did not strifelight and I vent to hotel. I sAptoaed lie was Sr thfc^jyin WeVit tWo *j" appearance by removing an overcoat 0 avoid being rccognfkcd by him. In| icon Mack Young passed and Dr. mi doing parsed me. Dr. Going had 'ia tot gone far when Dr. Meador came *? >:it of the store in a run, and I pre- Sil ume went down Bachelor street oward the old livery stable. I crossed Hid went to store. Apposite Duke's I taw Austell. Ho and I went to the store ^ ogcthcr and struck a light in front Pl >f the store. I usually left lamp on diow case in front with a box of P1 matches nesir by. At back of store ut 1 looked to see if we missed anything. 8( . . i i I saw tlie lantern. i nau ten. 11 on ~ II table. When we came back it was an the floor. Austell saw the lantern 1*1 too.It was so fixed 1 knew it had been P' used in the cellar or closet. I went in cellar and closet and eight or ten ^ steps down I saw a light; saw candle which I picked up. (The candle was 111 produced in court.) r< Cellar steps were saturated with a oil. I came up and had conversation V w ith Austell, who I left in charge of store and went for Dr. Smith. I left Drayton Smith inside the store that night and went home. An extra I1 policeman was stationed on outside. 8 Tuesday morning between five and ? six o'clock I came up to store. Cnpt. k Smith, Dunbar and myself went in. ? On Tuesday 1 heard conversation J .betw een the defendant and the porter, about the cellar key. Dr. Meador said to Ezell "it was not the cellar door kov vou gave inc.'' The key lias never been returned. That door led outside the building ( and was propped with a boo. 1 went back after the defendant ran out of store, safe was partially open. Question: Do you know of your own knowledge that Dr. Smith knew ] that the defendant was taking things out of the store without charging t them ? Ohjecte." 41. Objection overruled. Answer: 1 do. When watching store I was in scope of my duties as clerk. Ilad it drawn to attention that that was one of my duties, repeatedly on Saturday and \ I ]- f * on 1 1 A/1 m \T utl All MUFUIilJf. a1/ ?ilO l/iincu bu uij uvwii tion by Dr. Smith in nn unusual way. When I first turned back to obsorvo the defenndant, fire was not in my mind. I watched him in regard to taking things out of stock. When I saw no light in thcro my idea was Objected to by defence. Objection sustained. The defendant and myself knew 4 combinationio'aofe, l>r. ?i?iith coul< not work it, ' ,-A.t six o'clock court arfjurncd. Dr. Mcttdor walking hurriedh when ho left store Saturday night Met Mack YouDg at hotel and Dr Going hear corner. I wanted to ec< f Mcador was taking thinga> out o: itock. On October 6tb, when pear expired I was employed until lext October. Monday night when t went to leave store, the telephone rcJl-rang. fHpteil to. uu aionday L>r. Meatlor asked me f we liad any candles in stock. Vhen I carried Dixon's account to lim he wanted to return pome he had iot used. I told him wc had none i stock. Dr. Meador fixed up a intern that day and set it on table. Ie asked me about oil for it. Mad ever seen him do it before. lie urely ever went into the cellar, lie ent into the cellar two or three uhs Monday, something he rarely vcr did before. Cross examined bv Mr. Munro.< My age is twenty-one next Decern^ er. Am son of J. E. Colton. Live >rner South and Bachelor street!, 'r. Meador and I parted at Young js >rncr, opposite bank building. Left ore eight minutes to 10 o'clocK. 'ere talking as wc. waU-<? J ?il jfom tn^-.iit at Col. \oungs le gate, opposite Furr & Thomson's ck door. Walked right back- The >on was shining, almost straight up. us not cloudy, but got cloudy aftcr,rds. Meador came back on oppoe side of street. Mr. Munro: Did you like that id of business ? Not much, was not much in love th wutclung my employer. He walked in store and I went to tel. Staid there only two or three nutos. Saw some men playing rds?Mr. iluile, John Crawford, r. Cannon, Floyd Idles and Charley oith, and several othera, don't rejnMr ".ti'ffifi'Twent 111 ",e hotel A auklit McadorY purpose to est ike.ju't remember seeing night ftflfWiin. With thought of fire in my ind don't know whether 1 would ve noticed him or not. 1 went to Fair & Thomson's corner; still w no light in store. Then thought danger of both fire and theft from ore. Thought did not occur to me go to l)r. Smith's at that time, cut hack to hotel. Going back I it on mackintosh. Went up to ityl third time and got behind rock liar. Staid there four or five mines. Mack Young came to hotel ' ling to Con Young's slave. Dr. oing came out of store and went iwa street. Store was close*1 \nd glits out. lie disappeared at corner resumed ho had turned corner. Met Ir Austell crossing rocks at Duke's. irc went down to store fast. A lamp was missing the next lornimr. the one Mr. Sawver bor - - C' - - - mf >wcd when lie got married. It holds bout a quart of oil. Did not see lietlicr he carried it with him or not. had not missed it before. Also lissed things that were taken Saturay or Monday?a pound of cathartic ills, pair of gold eye glasses and oap. Mcador never took articles ut of store and paid for then). l)r. Smith always paid me when lie took ut an article, or came to me or deader and had it charged. It was lis invariable practice. Quostion : Would Dr. Mcador do hat? Answer : I would sec him take liings and not charge them repeat>dly; First noticed him taking good: iVom store Friday afternoon an? intil Monday. 1 told Dr. Smith o tiis taking things?told him of an oe Jasion when kerosene was taken This had been gfting on for scvcra years. When Austell ami 1 went into tin building it was about fifteen minute from time Meador and I left store The back door Mr. Austell said wa locked. I did not examine it. Tliinl door leading to closet from store wa locked. It was closed. When we went down I picked uj the candle and removed it. I lockci store and told Austell not to let ani one come in. I went for l)r. Smith We came back in ten minutes an went in. Lamp was left burning Did not send for Dr. Mcador. went for Drayton Smith. Foun him in front of Foster's store. U< niuincd nearly an hour. Got horn (Continued on Togo Eight.) 1 jx J " 5 ~ ' f | Wm. A. Nicholson & Son, Bankers, I ! 1 liESl'ECTFULLY SOLICIT YOUR Z r I BANKING BUSINESS & YOUR FIRE INSURANCE, j S I And promise you tbc best protection and the best service. J , TITTIT fTITTn nnnm nnn TTmrn rirtrr nnnw BUI TUB BfciT 1'liH IUUK UU1LIIKBII. i . . .,1. I,. | l| ^ | _ The Security School Shoe is the best that tim are made. Sold here only by the ? Union Shoe Company. ; ^ ^ * V IL 8 |fc? 1 We have opened up and dis' Yf I played the greatest line of a O Y yC boys and children's suits on l^u: market, and there's 110 ' J J high tariff on them either. **asssST 11 tjl | KNEE PANTS 11^ J /j\\ j | from three to sixteen years. J ^Yf ai;e showing the nob-* /I Soft and Stiff Hats ))9P^ Kver brought to Union. All the latest shapes and colors. SMITH CLOTHING CO., HIGH ART CLOTHIERS AND FURNISHERS. THE EARLY BIRD CERTAINLY CAUGHT THE WORM THIS TIME. I have just returned from the North where I laid in a well selected stock of Dry Goods, Notions, Millinery, Clothing, Shoes, Hats, Crockery, Tinware and Trunks. : I BOUGHT EARLY 1 B when goods were at their lowest ebb. You all s know from the daily reports that both wool and cotton goods have made rapid advance in the 3 last few days. It was just what I expected but 1c I am now prepared to offer you 9 FALL AND WINTER GOODS P ? 1 For less money than you paid last year. As long as my goods last I shall sell at the same margin of profit, and some of them are worth \ the nrice at wholesale. a YOURS FOR A BIG TRADE. }- ?' , ? ! MC LURES.