Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-10-04
CHESTER, October 2.

The Circuit Court met here on yesterday
Judge j. B. Kershaw on the bench. The
juries were organized with Mr.: D: M: Mills,
foreman of the grand jury; Mr.. Frank Clin-
ton foreman of petit jury No. |; and Mr..
Joseph Nunnery, foreman of petit jury No.
2. His Honor did not consider it necessary
to charge the grand jury at great length, as
they had already been instructed in reference
to their duties by his predecessor. DE en-
Joined upon them secrecy respecting their de-
liberstions. The independence of the juror
would be destroyed, if secrecy was not ob-
served. Power would oppress the weak, and
demaeogueism poison the fountain of justice.
His Honor instructed the jury to examine
only as many witnesses in case as were sut'
icient to establish the probability of guilt:
IF one witness did this, then only one should
be examined. He directed the grand jury to
keep a supervision over the public schools of
the county. The money raised BY taxation
for educational purposes was sufficient, II
properly expended. They must see to it that
the trustees and teachers are thoroughly quail.
fled for their respective duties. After order
inp ain examination of the condition of the
iail and the public Offices of the county, the
Judge closed his charge. The grand jury
then retired for consultation and action upon
indictments placed in their hands by the So:
licitor. The case of the State va. Hannibal
Howe, charged with grand larceny, which
was continued from the last Court, was called
for trial. The trial was proceeding, but was
summarily ended for a time by the principal
witness for the State fainting and falling over
while on the stand. She was unable to con-
tinue the testimony and the Court adjourned
Before adjournment the grand jury returned
a true bill in the case of the State ss. John
Isby, charged with receiving stolen goods !;
a true bill in the case of the State Us. George
Haynes, Harry Little and Jesse Nowland, :,
charged with grand larceny, and true bill
in the case of the State Us. Thomas Smith.
Andrew Caldwell, James -Westbrook and
John Moore charged with burglary and lar
ceny. All these defendants are colored.
The Court met in the afternoon, and the
trial of the case of the State us. Hannibal
Howe was continued. Betsey McFadden
gave her testimony without repetition Of the
morning fainting scene. She swore positively
to the stealing charged against the defendant
The line of defense pursued by the counsel
for defendant, j. J. Hemphill, Esq, was to
break down her character, by the testimony
of witnesses acquainted with her, and in this
he succeeded. The jury rendered verdict
of not guilty.
The grand jury found true bill in. the
case of the State Us. Wade Chalk, charged
with assault and battery with attempt to raw.
ish true bill against Sandy Brown, Ander-
son Brown and Thomas Smith, charged with
grand larceny, and no bill against Isaac
Heyman and others, charged with grand lar
ceny. Mr.. Heyman had established in the
community character for honesty and in
tegrity, and his friends are glad to know that
there is no foundation for, the grave charge
that has recently rested upon him.
The Court is in session again this morning.
In the case of adefendant charged with being
nuisance in buying stolen cotton at night,
the presiding Judge directed the grand jury
to find no bill, unless the evidence was entire
ly clear upon the point that the cotton was
stolen. 1 will continue my report of the
Court proceedings in my next correspondence.
Judge Kershaw has already won golden
opinions from all for the dignity, ability and
impartiality with which he presides over bis
Court.
Yesterday was sales-day, but only one tract
Of land was sold. QUI.