Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-13
of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTEn FKUM CHE5rHR.
CHESTER. Jan. 10. 1879.

Reference was made in my last correspondence
to the proceedings of the Court on Monday. On
Tuesday, the case of the State VS.. G. I. Minus,
Spencer Cook, w. D. Barnes, ]. E. Cook, white,
and David Cornwell, George Hooper, Lawson
Sims, George Crawford and George Rawls, col.
ored charged with riot, was called, and the trial
began, consuming almost the entire day. The
prosecuting witness was Mr.. j.. B. Stokes, who
alleged that on the night of the 18th of Novem-
Der, the defendants, while passing by on the pub:
lie road, stopped at his premises, and abused and
threatened him in a violent manner: SO great
was the terror excited by them, that Mr.. Stokes
barred his door to prevent their entrance. The
counsel for the State, A. M. Mackey, Esq, en-
but unfortunately for the State it was shown that
one of the witnesses had been offered certain
amount Of money to make certain statement,
which, of course, weakened the case greatly
endeavored to rebut the allegation of his clients
acting In disorderly and riotous manner upon
Mr. Stokes premises Mr.. G. T. Minus. the
prominent witness for the defence, swore that ne
stopped to see Mr.. Stokes in reference TO some
Objectionable language that he had heard that he
(Mr. Stokesl had used concerning him (Mr. MI
nus); that he only desired an explanation OF the
offensive remark, and intended no harm to Mr..
Stokes. The counsel for the defendants also en-
deavored to establish by testimony, that only two
of the defendants, Spencer Cook and w. D.
Barnes, followed Minus to Stokes house; the
others remaining at the gate.
The counsel for the State, In making his argu-
ment, asked Of the jury verdict OF acqu1ttai IN
favor Of Lawson Sims, as he expressed his inten-
ton of taking no part in the affair but that the
other defendants, while only two or three had
acted prominent part, had, by their presence
and by expressing no manner Of disapprobation,
approved Of the riotous proceedings, and should
therefore, he said, be convicted.
The judge, in his charge, instructed the jury
upon the elements constituting riot, and In
formed them that conviction of the defendants
must rest, not simply upon their presence, but
upon words spoken and acts committed by them
while at the house and gate Of the prosecuting
witness. ..., .,. 4
The Jury, after brief consultation, renderedf
verdict Of mot guilty." This case has excited
considerable amount Of public interest, and
stating the main points OF the trial, haver
deavored to give just and impartial account
Wednesday morning, and consumed shorsme
in the disposition of cases connected with pch-
ct No. 8. The Sessions business was DE % le-
sumed in the calling for trial of the cass0i ;4 tte
State vs. Stephen Younge colored, chare a. VIM the
night of the 9Th ultimo. The main fscs IN con
nection with this foul and cruel deed fGe even
in my last correspondence. AS was ba s.aveo ~
the affair occurred at dance, In ths.Sity ths ~ y,
Blackstocks. The testimony Of wsaesest wsnpate "no
currenee, pointed, with unerrng searsy " atar snr
guilt of the defendant. It was shofn tnat, aa;ea
making disturbance, he left witt tne P.oMise
that he would 60 home; but instssd ot uHi,E s ~
he obtained Knife, and gaining bicb resu]
ted in the death Of George Mercer. Inc ;o So" nnn
for the defendant, c. .. Brce ESQ., relieo ruo upoa
the insuicency of the States evlosree 10 W petion
the charge of murder, and susIaiheu aa e nnitted
The Judge charged the Jury on the law points
bearing upon the case, and tne1 yatad Iney .H Sor
make up their verdict. They denDeret d" ~ tbe,r
time over the matter, and alteI retueihs hot nf
seats announced their Vero'c' W W
guilty" -, .u,o h;,,s aoainst
William Gore and John Lilly for keeping dlsor-
derly houses n,a. &, tho trial
The Court was engaged on Thursaag n ~ co1oraS soe
charUed With ao assault and battery, with 1ntens
To co,om;t a rane. The outrage was comMltteu
several vears 400 and though warrant Wss wa no
sued at the time for bis arrest ne nss opa Of the
sent esst his arrest The State was
represented by A. M. Mackey, Esq, assisseo +S ~
Patterson IL CASTOR on behalf oi tne
prosecuting witness, the mother OF toe III
was the Victim Of the defendants 1laSpJ hy
Hemphill, Esq. A good portion OF the Gay mas
consumed in taking testimony, which was, IN q
great measure, of such character as does NOT ao-
init Of publication. The testimony Was arso1 of
* = n,it of the accused. Still the jury, moved
, S,,e eoonaicting feelings and prejudces, were inca
nshie of arriving at any agreement in their 'er-
dic1;, ,er brief adjournment the Court re,assem-
"a A at o'clock, Thursday evening for the pur-
biea nsa Of irving the case Of the State vs. B. g;
Cannon, William Dayis and Wesley Ths Bailey asnoa al.
1 nisce on the night Of the 2lst ultimo in Lii
VS. VS. b%arroom, % and the unfortunate victim was
4 Henry Worthy, colored. The fact was proven,
the shadow Of doubt that aef seoey
e roen already narisAd, and while there becoming
engaged @ in gambling with the defendants lost the
entire amount. 8. J. Couch, Esq, endeavored
10 establish that one Of the defendants, B. g.
Cannon, was too conscientious TO indulge In the
evil practice of gambling; but the contrary was