The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-22
AFFAIRS IN EDG EFIELD.
rrRox OUR. own CORRESPONDENT

trRoM OUR. OWN CORRESPONDENT
EDGEFIELD. July 10.
Tie July term oil the Circuit Conrt was ter.
minated yesterday by adjournment This may
be said to be the first term Of Judge Melton
and Mr.. Solicitor Talley at this place.
From time immemorial, EdgeAeld has been
in the circuit with Barnwell, Colleton and
Beaufort, formerly known as the Southern Cir
cult, but more recently, and under the new
reqime, as the Second judicial Circuit. In
March last, at the time OF the adoption Of the
Code. and. as part of that instrument, Edge
field was transferred to the Fifth Circuit, in
Guiding Kershaw, Richland and Lexington.
The first regular term, under that arrange
ment, came in March, Immediately upon the
passage OF the law changing the circuits.
Judge Melton came here then, but, owing to
the short notice allowed by the act, and the
further fact that an extra term hed oeen neld
here in January, by Judge Orr, and the regular
term in February, by Judge Platt, little or no
business was done.
The new Judge presdes with casa and digni-
ty- and while he ls courteous and affible in his
bearing towards the memb ,rs Of the bar and
officers of the court he, at the same time, pats
into c1mmendable prac ice that no less impor-
tant iudicial virtue, frmuese and decsl00
The ability and i'm oartialltY displayed bT him
in the discharge Of his duties on the bench,
commended hl to the good people OF Edge
field, and gave general satisfaction.
The business OF this session OF the court was
d.yoted mainly and almost exclusively, to the
trial Of criminal causes. several OF which we're
for murder and some Of which were very lnter-
estinc. First among these assigned for trial
was the case of the State vs.. John w. Hatcher.
for the murder OF colored man. Toe defen..
dant was in attendance on the court Tor several
days waiting his trial, but Mt the eleventh
hour and when all the prehminarles were com
plete, he took leg bail aud is now IN the noun
talps Of Hepsidam or other regions unknown
TO his sureties and the sheriff. Next IN order
was the cise Of the State, ys. Thomas b.
Lanier, for murder. During the progress OF
the trial hlw was discovered IN the lndlct-
meut. and the solicit or entered a n0Ite proSequs.
He was defended by Messrs. Butler You
m lus, and Messrs. Gary Il CRY. HIS counsel
moved for his discharge on the ground that
the nolle prosequt after the jury hsd been
charged with the case amounted 70 an acquls-
tai. His discharge WIS refused by the court,
and he was remanded to the custody OF the
sheriff. Then followed the case OF the State
ys. BENJAMIN Lauham, coiored, for the murder
OF John Bstts Il coored man. There we're
MANY agJrayating circumstances c0nnecteQ
with the case, but tho defence was ably aud
ski.fuly conducted by the Messrs. Gary, and
tho result was verdict OF acquittal. The
most atrocious apd iphuman homicide that
was tried at the present term, and, lnded, oae
which is seldom equalled in the annals OF
criminal investigations was that OF the State
vs. Robert McNlry and Dick Pope, both
colorad for the murder OF Ffank Means, aiso
a colored man.
On Monday, about the middle Of last June,
the deceased was at work with Mr.. Mlnlck,
near Mount Willing. in this county. The prls'
oners went to Minick's house a3d asked for
Frank Meaus. They told Mlnick that they
had come to put him through. e., Kill him.
Minick demonstrated with them, and endea-
yored to get them to carry the offender 70
Edgetield Courthouse, and have him dealt with
according to law. But bis Intervention did not
avail as subsequent events proved. They en-,
tered the premises, took deceased to the road
in front Of Mlnlck's gate, and there tied him
with plough line. They then told him to ten
tha people goodbye, for he would not sea
them again. Deceased asked for his poots,
but they refused to get them, and told him he
would hav, no further use for boots.
It would seem from the general characteE oi
the testimony, that MinIck and sucn oGneI pei'
sons as we're present thought they only lntena,
ed to iptimldate deceased, and that they Woulo
rarry him to the courthouse, and BESIDES tne}
wero not armed and prisoners we're well armed
The nrjsoners then carried him sbout q quarter
Of 8 mile aad tied him to tree by the road
IL IT,, ,tonned off Il few pacee and CoOllI