The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-19

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CouRr OF GENERAL SESSIONS AND CoMAoN
PLEAs-JuNE 1s.- Hon. THoMAs W. GLOVER,
PaEsIpma.-The grand jury answered to their
names, and returned finding Of "true bll' in
ths, case OF the State VS.. Marion F. Harris (col-
oted) assault and battery. t
The grand jury then offered their present.
ment, which was read, as follows:
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS And COMMON PLEAS,
CHARLESTON, Juns 1s, 1853.
We, the grand jury, have, at the request OF
your Honor, after discharging our other duties
as grand jurors, proceeded to examine the va
rious public buildings Of the State located in
the city.
During our session document from several
citizens Of 6ummerville was handed to us,
complaining Of the almost impassable condi-
tions Of the roads in that section, and particu-
larly OF the main road leading to the city, and
similar complaints from Christ Church and
cross roads above the city, which were fully
corroborated by members Of the grand jury,
and which we deem necessary to be attended
to as early as possible.
The courthouse We find in very bad order,
and requires general repairing.
The ireproof building was also examined,
and We found the same in good order, with the
exception Of the inside walls and ceilings,
which require cleaning and whitewashing. We
entered the Mesne Conveyance office and found
some of the index books in mutilnted condi-
tion, and others require to be written up and
bound for preservation. We learned nom one
of the clerks Of the Office that the Commission
ers had sent committee to examine the con-
dition Of said books, and no further action has
since been taken in the matter, and we regard
IL as essentially necessary that immediate steps
be taken for the safety OF said books.
The Jail was visited and thoroughly examin-
ed, and your grand jury deem it due to the
Sheriff and his assistants t. state that we found
it in the very best order-everything clean and
comfortable provisions good and wholesome,
and the whole cannot but reflect the greatest
credit on the Sheriff, Commissioners, and the
attending physician.
all OF which is respectfully submitted to
your Honor's consideration.
O. FRONEBERGEh, foroman.
The case Of tho State vs. Robt. Richardson
(colored), murder, wss then tried. Messrs
Schroeder, Porcher and Rivers appeared for the
defence. This homicide was committed Oh
James Island, January 2Sd at Seabrook's plan
tation. Permission had been granted the
prisoner to cut wood on Rivers place, which
was DONE and several cords wero stored near the
landing. This wood was stolen frequently, and
the prisoner caught some negroes IN the act,
and remon strated with them. One OF them,
VIM. Fell, the deceased, was obstreperous, and
was struck by the prisoner with small switch
or stick, which was exhibited in court. Fell
lodged, and the switch struck him behind the
ear. He then walked some distance to house,
where he fell down dead. The examination
showed that the blow was the carse of his
death, but, as there was no malice shown, and
the act was done simply to defend the pro- er-
ty Of the prisoner, the jury returned verdict
Of not guilty.
Richardson was. an old and valued servant Of
the Rivers family, and, since his freedom, has
conducted himself in such manner as to So
cure the respect and esteem Of his former
owners. A number Of gentlemen who know
him during his days Of servitude we're present
in the court, and testified to his uniform good
conduct both during and since the war. His
,acquittal was considered certain, because Fell,
the deceased, was knownlto be quarrelsome
and laWless man.