The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1876-01-19

received message from tho prison
ers III the guard-house, John Alex
ander and Albert p oag, Ito tho. effect
that they wished to see him, and ac-
cordingly went to them. The
prisoners said they wanted to sue
the men who had whipped them.
He asked thom whother they wished
TO bring prosecution or sue for
damages. They replied that they
wanted to get damages and not to
prosecute. Upon his asking them
what sum would satisfy them, they
stated thnt they must have ten dol
lars each, those who had injured
them paying all COSTS Ho told
them distinctly that they might
prosecute if thoy wished, and that,
if SO, he Would issue the NECESSARY
Warrants. They replied, "All VIC
want is money" He then con ferrcd
with tue parties 'hhd it was finally
arranged, With tho conaoht Of both
the prisoners, t!,t they should &c.
cept the ten dollars each as damages
and each gave him a receipt accord
mgly. Mr.. Robertson further re-
marked to tho &ot1rt that ho had
made this compromise with the two
negroes, onl y as u matter Of tl.o
damages due them-tlle settlement
Of civil suit being no bar to crimi-
nal prosecution. Mr.. R,bortson's
statement was frank, clear and
strong, and seems to exonerato him
from any improper connection with
this most unfortunate affair.
Judge Mackcy then Reviewed the
case hs prcsentcd Ivy tho witnesses
for the prosecution. He said that
two features had specially i'm
prcssnl him. The first was the
nature ana condition of tho building
,tacl by the town authorities as a
guard hoas%. II, ahimadvcrtcd in
strong language upon it's comfort
less condition, thc lack Of proper
bed tlothi'n% for those conf He'd, the
lack ST ready communication with
outsiders, ii ca;Ad of sickness or
necessity, and the efheral features
of tho Arrangement aid manage
mcnt Of tho establishment. The
other point touched on was tie fact
that policeman Mothershcd, though
charged with having been partici
pant in the alleged outrage still held
his position us town policeman. He
wa' very severe upon this point, and
expressed it as his decided opinion
at the s:une time disclaiming any
authority to nterfcrc-thut the
policeman should be suspcndol till
his guilt CT impotence be jndicially
established nc stated that ha was
sAt tistieti that tho alleged outrage
had no possible connection with
Dn!,tics, being duo . most pro-
bably to sudden heat. and pausion.
He stated. that,ho had learned of tho
boisteroua conduct Of the commit.
tee of colored mtan on the hight of
the Sth inst, aid warned NIL parties
that any such conduct would render
them liable to prosecution for riot.
II the people, OF any portion of
them, had any grievance, they might
present it to the town ut proper
time and in ~ proper munnor
Dbring tfo Judgt's rema'lts. Mr.
Bacot, the formor Intendant, begged
leave to state that, while ho was in
Office, it had been the constant aim
of the entire town council, to soc
that persons coiiGned in tho giltafd
house were provided with all tie
bed-clothing otc. necessary, and That
every effort was made to mako the
plisonors as comfortable as circum-
STANCES would possibly admit. judge
hackcy sxpr;assed himself as graft
fed to learn that such was the case.
Warden Gorig, at present acting
Intendant, stated to his Honor tho
reasons for Policeman Mothershods 5
retention in Office: tto stated that
the Council had called the policeman
before thoii, and he had stated that, as
far as his connection with tho alleged
o,ttrage was concerned, ho had acted
under orders frd,h PROPER authority.
Mr.. G. further said that rs the coun--
Gil had no authority to make full
inquiry into tho case, anl as the
policclntns statement was positive
to tho effect stated above, Tho coun:
eli had concluded to retain him in
his pos'tloll til! his case should be
fully and finally adjudicatod. Judge
MIackey 6xprassss1d hiS decided dis
sdnt fl ont this view of the, case; lind
repeated his f6rtiibr views.
The Solicitor moved that tllo Bar