Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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BURNS TEL) DETECTIVE BU FOR PARD Also Said South C $500 From F Whpn Hp was For Side-Tra< 4 Received Froi Protecting th< Augusta, Ga., July 13.?The Bulk of the documentary evidence offered by Mr. Felder to the investigating committee, which he read to get it in the shape of sworn evidence, was gathered by Mr. Wilson of Charleston," who in reality is Detective Bailie of Burns' force by use of the dictagraph and in personal conversation. Felder in his testimony said "Wilson" was himself very popular with the gang" in Charleston and became one of them; that he was looked upon as a big gambler, schemer and promoter. Documents put in evidence were as follows, showing that Blease got $2,000 for pardoning Rudolph Rabon; got the bulk of the $5,000 a month protection money from Charleston; was paid .$500 by railroads for killing legislation in the general assembly; that he was paid $250 for killing the first effort to have the dispensary investigated: Two Thousand Dollars for a Pardon. (Document No. 1) Ben H. Stothart, chief constable, appointed by Blease, stated at the time of his appointment to the position, it was understood that protection should be given to the blind tigers operating in the city of Charleston, provided they would pay a stipulated sum per month to him; that this sum amounted in the aggrepate to between $3,500 and $5,000, per month; that as soon as the collections were mo/la Vtn !% ? wwvtv *IV uvuuvw^u 1IIO CUIIIIIliaSlUUS for making the same and would personally take the balance- to Columbia, S. C., and pay it over to the governor. He stated further that protests had been made to the governor against these collections' by interested parties, but that the governor would pay no attention to them; that demand had been made upon the governor for his dismissal, but that he felt perfectly secure in his Job, for the governor was a man of independence and had the power to do as he pleased about it. Also that the governor had issued a pardon to one Rudolph Rabon, a blind tiger man of the city of Charleston (I believe this is the name) rceiving therefor the sure of $2,000 in cash. The said Stohtart stated that he had conducted the negotiations which resulted in the pardon of this man. This conversation occurred in the Argyle Hotel in the city of Charleston, after the said Stothart and party had had several drinks together in the blind tigers of the city of Charleston. Five Hundred From Roads. (Document No. 2) During the time that Cole L. Blease represented Newberry County in the State senate, a Gentleman by the name of W. Charleton Wright, who came from Savannah, Ga., whose brother was division superintendent of one of the railroads, perhaps the Seaboard Air Line, with headquarters in Columbia, and who came to Columbia as private secretary of P. I. Wells, superintendent of the Southern, was transferred from that position to the position as private secretary of the general counsel of the general counsel of the Southern Railroad. Mr. W. Charleton Wright was interviewed at length in the city of Columbia, and discussed conditions obtaining there during his incumbency as private secretary of the general counsel of the Southern Railroad. He discussed at length the dishonesty of Senator Cole L. Blease. The most pertinent statement made by him which he quoted literally is as follows: "Why of course, I know he is a crook. When I was working for Abney I handed him a check in the ante-room of the serate chamber on one occasion for $500, as compensation for his service in defeating a pending biii affecting the interests of the railroads." Blease Fixed Protection Schedule. (Document No. 3) Henry Hasselmeyer, whose place of business is near the market, in the City of Charleston, upon beirif? asked how the blind timers in the city of Charleston were getting on, his reply was: "We elected Cole Blease governor and we now have full protection." Asked as to the method by which protection was obtained, he stated inai snoruy alter tne fjovernor's inauguration, the chief of the constabulary force called to Columbia for conference with the governor it was agreed as to the amount that each blind tiger in the city of Charleston should pay monthly for protection. On tne return of the chief constable to Charleston he called upon the president of the .local brewery and told him that he wished to see him in conference, that he had a proposition to make to him which was autntorized by the governor, asking him when it would be satisfactory to see him. The president of the brewery told him LS OF WGW I * RNS SAYS ?BLE ON OF RUDOL1 Carolina's Chief E tailroad for Killii ; State Senator?A :king Dispensary m $3,500 to $5,0< j Blind Tigers in ? that he could see him at any time an< in any place that suited. The chie of the constabulary force said tha he would come to nis home at once The president of the brewery suggest ed that this would be an unwise movi from the fact that some one mighi see him. To this the reply was made "We don't care who sees us." He thei proceeded to the home of the presi dent of the brewery, he delivered th< message from the governor to the ef feet that on the consideration of $1( each per month they would extent protection from arrest to the blind ti gers of Charleston. He also statet that there were in the neighborhoot of .'150 blind tigers in Charleston ant that these were to pay $10 each dr ing the first week of each month. Tin president of the brewery asked wha' disposition would be made of this col lection, whereupon the chief consta tble told him that under his agree merit witn tne governor he was to b< allowed a commission for collecting and the balance was to be paid ovei monthly to the governor. In said conversation the said Has selmeyer stated that he personalis visited the governor at Columbia ant entered his protest against this ar rangement, stating to the governoi that this graft should not be col lected; but the governor waved hin aside with the statement that he wa; running that end of the matter. Cash for Killing Investigation. .Document No. 4. John H. Morris and B. L. Tolant of Spartanburg, S. C., have stated and will undoubtedly swear if caller before your committee, that Cole L Blease, the a senator from Newberrj who was acting upon the investf gaung commuxee 10 investigate tn? affairs of the late, dispensary, was employed by Jeff Dunwoody, of At lanta, agent for the Atlanta Brewing & Ice Company, to obstruct the pro ceedings of the said committee. They will also swear that the saic Blease sought a private interview I with them, and did everything in hii power to prevent them from testi fying before said committee. Jeff Dunwoody, being a citizen oj Georgia, cannot be compelled to corroborate this evidence; but the fac1 will be sufficiently established b> those two witnesses. In this connection I desire to stat< that when Cole L. Blease was senator from Newberry and a bill was introduced to appropriate $15,000 tc be used by the attorney general ol the state in conducting the prosecution against the grafters, that th? liquor dealers employed the said Blease, then a senator, to oppose the passage of said measure; and as a matter of fact the said Blease did oppose by speech, vote and influence that he received for his services the sum of $250 in rash which woo nol/l to him at Wright's hotel in the city of Columbia, state of South Carolina, W. B. Roy of the city of Louisville, Morton A. Goodman of the city of Cincinnati, and James S. Farnum ol the city of Charleston, are said to have knowledge of this transaction. After calling the election for the new county of Heyward, and after the bill passed, Fred Dominick, the law partner of the governor, was employed and paid a substantial fee to influence executive action thereon. If called upon before this committee and Fred Dominick will corroborate his verbal statements in connection with this transaction he will state that he was employed because of his influence with the governor; that the compensation received for his services was substantial ;that he obtainnrl t Ho /Incirorl voonl f u of fKo V%n?/lo of the executive, and that he divided his fees with the governor of the state of South Carolina. CHARLESTON TIGER FUND FOR GOVERNOR BLEASE. Augusta, Ga., July 13.?That the "blind tigers" of Charleston bought Cole Blease's election to the office he now holds, was not only charged by lvir. remer on me stand, nut the following letter from "Mr. Wilson" (in reality Detective Bailie of the Burns force) who has been mixing freely in Charleston, was offered in and made a part o fthe evidenuce: Col. T. B. Pelder, Atlanta. Ga. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 21st to hand and contents noted- I am herewith enclosing list of blind tigers that contributed to Blease's campaign fund. This is not the original list but a copy. I am not sending the original for the reason that it contains a few more names that are not blind tigers, and I thought best to send the names of the blind tigers only. The Ketall Business League in better known in Charleston as the "Blind Tiger Association." These names on the enclosed list are correct and the amount opposite each is a correct amount that each one gave towards hllvinC VOt\PS in rh?rl??t?n fA? Bl??? Retail Business league $277 Santos Sotille 200 Jim Barnum 500 Clarence Halaey 50 E. F. Osterdorff 25 V. Chicco 25 J. J. lenders 25 UT' MONEY ASE GOT $2,000 fH RABUN. xecutive Received lg Legislation Bill lso Got "Rake-off" ^Investigation and 00 Per Month For Charleston. 1 Geo. Murphy 25 f J. W. Hunt 25 t P. J. Carraway 25 . O. H. Weiters 25 - James Sotille 50 i Gus Stuhr 20 t H. L. Roster '25 : F. W. Mappus 25 i ~ $15,000 was Price Set to Gain a Pardon for the Worst Crook ' in South Carolina. Augusta, Ga., July 13.?Sensational 1 testimony charging Governor Cole L. " Blease of South Carolina, with official * corruption was introduced before the j dispensary investigating committee ,of * that state, at today's hearing. A. S. " Reed, a Burns detective and Thomas * B. Felder, the Atlanta attorney, were ^ the principal witnesses. So unexpected was the character of " the evidence that after the hearing " was adjourned, Chairman H. B. Car? lisle of the committee, asserted that * the newly adduced charges against the r South Carolina governor would be thoroughly sifted. Detective Reed's testimony included r records taken with a dictaphoneic de1 vice relative to negotiations for the purchase of a convict's pardon from r the South Carolina penitentiary. The records, Reed testified, were of conver* sations between the detective and s Sam J. Nichols, a Spartanburg attorny, reputed to be a go-between for Gov. Blease. , Reed testified James Johnson, alias Gus I)e Ford n uotrnr man COV.M- - J oyi *lil^ ? ten-year sentence in the penitentiary 1 for robbing a safe of $8,000 was the convict about whom the negotiations r werer conducted. After making arrangements with J DeFord .according to the detective, he called upon Nichols and informed the ' latter that the convict was heir to a ? large estate but could only become a " beneficiary by securing his pardon. . Gave Nichols Check for $4,500. 1 The detective testified that Nichols ' was interested and the former agreed 1 to pay the attorney a handsome fee. " As an evidence of good faith the de. tective stated he gave Nichols a check ' for $4,500 duly indorsed. ' Reed then read records taken by the " telephonic device of conversation he ' held with Nichols in Spartanburg and at the New Willard hotel in Wash! ington on June 26, 1912. According I to the records Nichols told of his in- 1 fluence with Got. Blease and named ' the terms upon which he would secure the release of the convict. ( | The amount was tentatively fixed at , ; $10,000 or $15,000. The record as read | showed that Nichols repeatedly re: ferred to the amount of the proceeds . I which would go to Governor Blease for signing the pardon. On two occa| sions this sum was stated at $5,000. | According to the record Nichols was to receive $5,000 and his law partner, C. P. Sims, $5,000. < A number of telegrams were intro- i 1 duced in evidence from Nichols to ( , Reed, one of which was to the egect , that Nichols had left Spartanburg to ' confer with Blease about the pardon. When Reed had concluded Thomas ' B. Felder testified that a certain < amount of money had been put on de- i 1 posit with the understanding that it t was to be released to Nichols* order i 1 as soon as Reed secured a cipher tele gram from Nichols stating that the convict had been pardoned. < "We know," testified Mr. Felder that i Nichols left Spartanburg to confer i ! with Governor Blease, that he saw 1 Blease at Barnwell Friday and was ' closeted with the governor at Blackville Friday night. We have been unable to locate Nichols today, however." Mystery surrounding the adjourn- j, ment of the hearing from this morning | , until this afternoon was cleared up by j f Mr. Felder on the witness stand. He; siaten tnat ne expected Governor Blease to sign DeFord's pardon during that time, and for that reason the ( postponement was made. ( , Final Discharge. I Notice is hereby given that J. L. Joiiy, Administrator, of the Estate of! Bell F. Jolly, deceased, has applied to > W. W. Johnson, Judge of Probate, in | \ arm ior me uouniy 01 union, lor a v final discharge as such Administra- 1 tor. 1 It is ordered, That the 8th day of August, A. D., 1912, be fixed for hear; ing of Petition and a final settlement. , W. W. Johnson. 1 Judge of Prodgate for Union Co. t , Published in the Union Times. 28-4t I Notice to Debtors and Creditors. ! | All persons holding claims against 1 the estate of Sanford Wilburn, de1 leased, must present the same duly ( ' probated, to the undersigned, and all persons indebted to said estate must make payment to us. < Mrs. Fannie Wilburn, Executrix * S. Hay Wilburn, Executor. I Jyly 3, 1912. 27-3t ? Notice. I will give a first-class barbecue at Union on the day of the State Dem- < ocratic campaign meeting. Barbecue < will be on the grounds where the 1 speaking is held. ? 23-tf. J. D. Charles. I COUNTY CANDIDATES For United States Senate. I hereby announce myself a candi date for the United States Senate subject to the rules of the Democrtai party. Your support and influenc will be appreciated. N. B. Dial, Laurens, S. C. For Solicitor. I am a candidate for Solicitor o the Seventh Judicial Circuit, subec to the Democratic Primary election. J. C. Otta. Spartnburg, S. C. I hereby announce myself a can dldate for Solicitor of the Seventl Judicial Circuit, subject to the rule) of the Democratic primary. A. E. Hill, Spartanburg, 8. C House ef Representatives. * Uv? vwj auuvuuto 1117 vauaiaac; for the House of Representatives fron Union County, and pledge myself t? abide by the decision of the Demo cratlc primary. W. P. O'Shlelds. I hereby announce myself a candl date for election to the Legtslatur< of South Carolina, and pledge mysel to abide by the decision of the Demo cratlc primary election. B. O. Wllburn. 1 hereby announce myself a candi date for election to the Legisla ture of South Carolina, and pledg< myself to abide the decision of th< Democratic Primary election. Munro Whitlock. I hereby announce myself a candi date for election to the House of Rep resentatives and pledge myself' tc abide by the decision of the Demo cratic Primary .election. J. Frost Walker. At the urgent request of manj friends, I hereby withdraw my nam? as a candidate for County Commis sioner, and announce myself a can didate for the House of Representatives from Union County ,and pledg? myself to abide by the decision of th? Democratic Primary. If elected, 1 shall endeavor to give to the pecplt my best and most faithful services. W. Fowler Bobo. For Sheriff. I hereby announce myself a candidate for Die office of Sheriff of Union county and pledge myself to abide bj the decision of the Democratic primary. J. W. Sandei-s. I hereby announce myself a candidate for tbe office of Sheriff of Union county, subject to the decision ol the Democratic primary. J Hay Pant T >,mh? '? A nuuvuuw lujBCii a can* dldate for re-election to the office ol Sheriff of Union county, aubect to the declaon of the Democratic primary. J. Gideon Long. I hereby announce myaelf a candidate for the office of Sheriff of Union County, and pledge myaelf to ah|4e by the decision of the Democratic primary. J. H. WlHrarn. Cor Clerk of Cowl I hereby announce my candidacy for the office of Clerk of Court fM Union county, subject to the dedalon of the Democratic primary. L. G. Southard. T herehv ??nnnn?? mvul# m mh4< late for reelection to the office of Clerk of Coart for Union county and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. I. Frank Peoke. For Connty Treasurer. I hereby announce myself as a canlldate for the office of Treasurer of LTnlon county, and pledge myself to iblde by the decision of the Democratic primary. L. S. Townsend. I hereby announce myself a candllate for re-election to the office of reasurer of Union county, subject to he decision of the Democratic piinary. J. H. Bartles. I hereby announce myself a candllate for election to the office of Treasirer for Union County, and pledge nyself ,o abide by the decision of the democratic primary election. S. Hay Wllburn. For Connty Auditor. I hereby announce myself for reflection to the office of Auditor for 'Tnlnn *?r?iintv anManf >f the Democratic primary. T. J. Betenbaugh. I hereby announce myself a candllate for election to the office of Au? lltor for Union County and pledge nyself to abide by the decision of the democratic primary. Levi. W. Smith. I hereby announce myself a candllate for election to the office of Aulltor for Union mnntv. and ntalni nyself to abide by the decision of the democratic primary election. J. C. Oreer. The friends of Clande J. Thomas an< lonnce him a candidate for election to be office of Auditor for (Tnlon county tad pledge that he will abide by the I eels km of the Democratic Primary section. Count;j gipwhtoiiirt ?f Itadki I hereby umqrm myaelf u a mandate for r*4lMdra to Mw oflot ( Superintendent of Education tor Unoa oounty, eubject to the rulee go trning the Democratic primary. Thoe. H. Gore. I hereby announce myaelf a candilate for the offlce of Superintendent tt Education for Union county and pledge myaelf to abide by the deeiaoa of the Democratic primary. H. C. Little. IFer Coroner of Union Connty. I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of Coroner of Union county, subject to the rules of the i- Democratic primary. '? Leslie B. Oodshall. c e I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the office of Coroner for Union county, and pledge - myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. f J. B. Gilbert. * I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of Coroner for Union county, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic - primary election. 1 J. Boyd O'Shlelds. I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the office of Cori oner of Union county and pledge myl self to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. S. Ezell Gregory. r j I hereby annonuce myself a. candi9 date for Coroner for Union County, - and pledge myself to aide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. R. C. Shands. I hereby announce myself a candis date for the office of Coroner for Unf ion County, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. T. E. Kelly. I hereby announce myself a candi" date for election to the office of Cor" oner for Union county, and pledge mye self to abide by the decision of the 8 Democratic Primary elction. Frank M. Coleman. County Commissioner. > I hereby announce myself a candi date for County Commissioner, subject to the decision of the Democratic primary. J. W. Nance. r I hereby announce myself a candl? date for the office of County Commls" ? ? #- ? a. ? s-J?A . biuiici iui uiuuii ^uuuijr, BUDjeci lO . to the decision of the Democratic . primary. > J. D. Fleming. ! I hereby announce myself a candit date for the office of County CommlBs sloner for Union County, subject to to the decision of the Democratic primary. J. O. Bishop. I hereby announce myself a candl-, date for the office of County Commls' sloner for Union County, subject to r to the decision of the Democratic primary. H. Q. Bailey. T herehv announce mvaelf a candl date for the office of County Commissioner for Union County, subject to i to the decision of the Democratic primary. I. M. Mobley. I hereby announce myself a candl date for County Commissioner of Un! ion County, subject to the decision of t the Democratic primary election. Joseph Sanders. I hereby announce myself a candl. date for election to the office of Coun, ty Commisloner for Union oonnty, and , pledge myself to abide by the decision . of the Democratic primary election. H. J. Kirby. I hereby announce myself a candl date for election to the office of County Gommlekmer for Union connty, and pledge myself to abide by the de' dslon of the Democratic primary eleo> tlon. J. Pack Thomas. I hereby announce myself a candidate for County Commissioner, subject to the'decision of the Democratic primary. J. W. Wilson. I hereby announce myself a candidate for County Commissioner, subject to the decision of the Democratic primary. J. Vernon Askew. I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of County CommisI sioner, and pledge myself to abide by the decision -of the Democratic primary. W. A. Robinson. I hereby announce myself a candididate for election to the office of County Commissioner for Union county, and pledge myself to abide by the 1 decision of the Democratic primary election. C. Rhett Prince I hereby announce myself a candl didate for election to the office of County Commissioner for Union county, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. J. H. Spears. I hereby announce myself a candldidate for election to the office of County Commissioner for Union county, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. W. P. Parr. I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the office of County Commissioner for Union County, and pledge myself to abide by the ' decision of the Democratic primary election. John Qlles Gallman. I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the office of County Commissioner for Union County, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary W. R. Gilliam. The friends of Theo Eison hereby , announce hiB name a candidate for . County Commissioner of Union Coun ty, suDjeci to me rules governing tne primary election. Many Friends. Year Capital. Your SPARE TIME is your unem. ployed capital- Think of tne idle mo* ' ments you lose at night that could . be prontably spent in taking, BY MAIL, lessons in Rookkoeping, Shorthand, Penmanship, Business Letter Writing, Business English, Arithmetic, etc. For prices on Home Study BY MAIL, address Jno. F. Draughon, President, Nashville, Tenn. For catalogue on courses at college, address Draughon's Practical Business College, Columbia or Greenville, S. C, or Nashville, Tenn. y $ Magistrate of Ualoa Township. I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the offlfce of Magistrate of Union township, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary. W. O. Puckett. I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of Magistrate for Union Township, Union County, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. Wm. E. Ammom. I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the office of Magistrate for Union Township, and pledge myself to abide by the decision of the Democratic primary election. J. H. Crosby. I hereby announce myself a candidate for Magistrate of Union Township, and will abide by the result of the Democratic primary election. John A. Stewart. Magistrate for JonesTllle Tonwshfp. ' I hereby announce myself a candidate for election to the office of Magistrate for Jonesville Townshin. Union County, and pledge myself to abide by the decision or the Democratic Primary election. J. W. Bates. I hereby announce myself a candidate for Magistrate for Jonesrllle Township, subect to the decision of the Democratic primary. A. J. Wright. For Magistrate Goshen Hill Township I hereby announce myself a candidate for Magistrate of Goshen Hill Township, and will abide by the reKlllt nf tno nrimomr olon_ tion Arthur Lee. Good Work Onr continued prosperity is evidence of the class of work we do. Give Us a Trial And Be Convinced. PIEDMONT Dry Steam Pressing, Cleaning, Repairing and Altering. A Reliable White Pressing Club. D. FRAM PROPRIETOR. Pbane 93 19 Main St. P AJter Oseftiiwa Pj WEBSTER'S NEW ! INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY THE MERRIAM WEBSTER The Only New unabridged dictionary in many years. Contains the pith and essence ui uu uumoruauve uorsry. Covers every field of knowledge. An Encyclopedia in a single book. The Only Dictionary with the New Divided Page. 4CO,COO Words. 2700 Pages. 6000 Illustrations. Cost nearly half a million dollars. Let us tell you about this most remarkable single volume. Write for sample paaea, full partioulara, eto. z - Name this TMSMBflEy | paper and send free \^Sl a set of PICTURE FRAMING AND : : WALL PAPER : : Furniture Repaired and Poliahed Lounges, Sofas and Chairs covered. Mattresses made over Church Cushions to order. MILLINGS Townsend Block. E. INMAN . ATTORNEY AT LAW Greenville. S. C. 121 Court Street