Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-03-24
Presentments Of the Grand Jury---York---
Spring Term, 1869.


The Grand Jury of York District, for the
Spring Term, 1859, beg leave to make the follow
ing prcsentments
In the discharge of their duty, they have e1-
amined the public buildings md Offices of the
District. The Jail is neat, clean and we'll ven
tlated; the roof contains leaks which should, for
the preservation of the building be Immediately
repaired. The iron door to the criminals depart
menr Is srUuro, No LAlts- passing through the
hinges are not riveted, and could be easily re-
moved BY prisoners. We also recommend that
the small cutters at the base, and at each side of
the building be removed as unnecessary expense,
and too small to convey the water from The build
ing, and in lieu of the above, that the large per-
pendcular cutters be extended to the ground and
connected with wooden troughs, as less expensive
and better fitted for the purpose.
We found only two prisoners in the Jail. One
fo. violation of the peace, the other for debt.
4 We also recommend that the Commissioners Of
public buildings lie required to inspect the Jail at
intervals during the year, and report the condi-
ton of the same to the Grand Jury.
They have also examined the Sheriff's, Ordina-
rvs and Clerks Office; the papers &C., of which
are properly and carefully arranged.
The Commissioners Office We examined, and
found the Bills Petitions and other records, neat
ly numbered and properly indexed.
The Court House is in good condition.
We recommend that Robert Brakefeld. Lu.
uatic running at large, mostly and at times en-
tirely rude, Us dangerous to the community-that
he be removed to the Asylum.
They have likewise examined the Poor House
the departments of which are ceanly-the in.
mates are rs neat as could be expected, and abun-
danty provided with necessary provisions. We
recommend the sale of the land on which the Poor
House is located, as being too barren for cutiva-
ton, and land of better quality purchased, as
o means of making pauperism self-sustaining, and
in some degree reducing the District Taxes.
Phey also recommend that persons indicting
slaves for Larceny, and similar trivial offences,
on failing to convict, be compelled to defray the
expenses of prosecution. They believe that an
act to this effect would hnvea beneficial influence
in decreasing the number of indictments, which
in some portions Of our District amount to nui-
sance and on unnecessary expense.
Our roads are not in good condition, but in
tenacious clay soil, aud owing to On unusual guam
tity of rain, we could not expect them to be
better.
They also recommend that witnesses for the
State be allowed compensation for their time.
Tn closing this report, we would most respect
fully call your attention to the demoralizng in
fucnce of Distllcrics of Sprituous liquors in our
District Retailing is acknowledged to be On evil
and disturber of the peace and good order OF
society and tends to lure the young and enfold
them in its fatal coils, and casts them as unvalued
offerings at the "beastly shrine ofintemperance."
But Dstierics, like the deadly Upas, whose pes
tential breath pollutes the civil and moral at-
mosphrre of our land, corrupts not alone the vic
tins in the higher and lower walks of life, but
strikes at the basis of Southern Society, viz:
their injurious and corrupting influences on the
negro population. We recommend that they be
placed under the same restrictions rs Retailers,
and if possible, totally suppressed by Legislative
enactment. JOHN T. LOWRY, Foreman.
A LUMP OF GoLD.-A lump of gold, weighing
forty five ounces. and worth S7I5, was taken out
on Sunday, December 10Th, from Meehan 4 Co.'S
claim in Illinois Cannon, just above Picker's Flat,
Sierra county, California We have known a.
mounts of gold, not in quartz lump, but in hard
dollars drawn out of some of our places nearer
L oe pounh 1oroer hpurn