The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-01-21
OUR COURT.

'cosamenced hero on Monday last, his
alcnor, Judge Vernon, presiding with
his usual courtesy. Owing to the very
disagrceable weather which has pre-
vailed during tho week, there has been
II small attendance; and except those
who have been in attendance as par
ties, jurors or witnesses, there have
been few present.
The Court was organized by the
empanuelling of the following named
Grand Jurors, to serve for the year,
(being in the proportion Of nine
whites to eight colored,)-to wit: A.
NJ. Aiken, Foreman, w. G. Wardlaw:
James A McCord, Thos. Robinson,
Stephen Franklin, (colorcd) Sit Rosa
mond, (colorcd), Alley Butler, Color
cd), VIM. McCaw, (colored), Thos. NJ.
Christiun, Gordon McWilliams, John
Elliot, (colored), Evcridgc Cain, (color-
ed), Solomon Morgan, (co!oreD, J..
W. Trowbridgc, Wade Hampton, (col-
ored), II. S. Kerr and James D. Chal-
mers.
And tho following named Petit Ju-
rors: Jury No. l. John A. Calhoun,
foreman, VIM. H. Brooks, W. V.
Clinkscales, P. A. Gown, Thos. Cater,
Alfred Chapman, (colorod), John y
Dickson, James J. Devlin, c. B. Guffin,
Samuel Johnson. (colorcd), Thomas
Jones, (colored), NJ. B. Latimcr, (nine
whites to three colored.)
Jury No. 2. w. Joel Smith, Fore
man, Thos. McAlister, Wm. A. Nc
Comb Samuel Mitchell, (colorcd),
John R. McCord, VIM. c. Moore, Jss-
son Simpson, John r. Seals, Henry
Titus, (colorcd, John E. sUldrick, +.
A. Wilson, Edwin Wilson, (colorcd),
(nino whito to thrco colorcd)
Supernumerary. Thomas NJ. vii
liamson, (colored).
After an appropriate address from
his Honor, the Presiding Judge, Il
number Of bills were given out to the
Grand Jury. They were comparative
ly few in number and for the most part
were for trivial offenses. We con-
gratulato tho District upon this aspect
Of affairs, which we attribute as much
to the general good order, as to the
wise discretion Of magistrates, in
saving tho tho courts from tho invcs-
tigation Of frivolous complaints.
One Of the long looked-for, tho long
talked about, cases Of the State against
tho alleged murderers OF Randolph,
was given out at last, and ended, Us
all might have anticipated and did an
ticipato, in smokc-''sound and fury
signifying nothing" Tho Solicitor
took bis stand upon the case in which
he was prepared to make tho best
showing-the State VS.. John Fletcher
Hodges,--but the Grand Jury very
promptly returned "no bill" This
presentment seals the fate Of all tho
cases and SO sends this strange event
ful,history." None Of our citizens be-
lieved for a moment, that there was
any evidence to connect tho persons
charged with the alleged crime, and
felt outraged that these "falso accusa-
tions," have been 80 long pending.
The Solicitor, Mr.. MCGOWAN, has on
ly done his duty in the matter-the
fault, If fault thorc be, lies at some
body else's door.
In the case Of the State vs.. Samuel
II Erwin, F. r. Tomlinson, J. Fl.
Allen and others, for sn alleged riot
at Calhoan's Mills, at the last election
the Grand Jury found 'true hill," as
to the parties nemed, but "no bill" as
to tho others.
Tfue bills We found in the cases Of
the State VS.. W. A. Crozicr, assault
and battcry-The State vs.. N. A. Ed
wards, same' charge-The State vs.
Frank .Wideman, same charge
State vs. Samuel, II. Erwin, same
charge. '''.'
In the case Of tho State vs. Susan
Hptchison, Dan'l Hutchison, Emiline
Harris, Celia Weaver, and Elias IIar
ris, lali eolofedO for sssault and riot
oar lH Young friend Mr.: Hemphih;; was
assigned for the defence; which was
ably conducted, but resulted in a vcr.
DICT Of guilty"
Ia the case Of the State vs.. Jamcs
N. King, for assault and battery after
able arguments by the Solicitor and
Celr EsiEs fer the prosecution, and
Gen. ,AeGowsnh for the defence, the
Jury foHpd 2 verdict. Of guilty, with
. Recommendation, to mercy. A petit
ton to the, same effect was presented
by his counsel The Court sentenced
him "a, pay dne Of $50. 3
,The State was represented >durip q
the Term By the Solicitor, III.
McGowan, Bsq.s Sith bis asuaf ability
and Dispatch. The Grand Jury were
dibchrgsd on Wednesday evening, and
T~,S<,, yLliss~ssaa :. .,riths H,,s.!4;,,, =.