The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-09-11
Grand Jury PrcSeNltIhch''
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
Co1-NTY OF ABBEvILLE.

County OF ABBEvILLE.
To Ills Honor, j. II. Hudson, Pres'dlng
Judge ofMe September Term Of the
Govt for AbbeviM County,:
The Grand Jury beg leave to make
the following presentment:
Having at the two last courts held i'll
this county made preseutment of all
matters of public Importance, we do not
deem it necessary to reproduce them.
and shall touch upon those matters that
have been specially assigned US at the
present term of the Court in a brief
manner.
The Grand Jury visited in a body the
County Jail and found it kept in a most
satisfactory manner and the prisoners
we'll cared for. We found one of them,
Jake Maxwell, whom We thought needed
medical attention and have called the
attention of the County Commissioners
to him. At their request Drs. Temple,
ton and Parker visited the prisoner and
we would call attention to their report
hereto attached and marked I'D"
We have investigated the offices OF
the Clerk of Court, Probate Judge,
Treasurer, County Commissioners, Aud
itor and School Commissioner and found
them neatly kept and their occupants
fully conversant with the duties Of their
respective Offices and discharging them
in a manner highly creditable to them
selves and to the County Of Abbeville.
We regret that We are unable to make
aov report of the condition of the Sher.
ifs Office on account of the absence Of
Sheriff Jones who has abandoned the
same and left the State. We would
recommend that Governor Hampton or.
der an election to fill the unexpired
term of that office as soon as practicable.
We submit to the Court the reports
of the Probate Judge, Treasurer and
County Commissioners as to their tlnan,
cial matters which are hereunto attached
and marked a." "B" and &C." and
also call attention to the report of the
School Commissioner contained in the
accompanying copy of the Press and
Banner. -,
The County Commissioners have called
the attention of the Grand Jury to the
Boisseau fund !; a statement of which ls
embodied in their report. We recoIl-
mend that they take immediate steps to
carry out the provisions of the will con-
tanning the donation.
A committee of the Grand Jury Wis
tied the Poor House and found the in
mates properly clothed and fed and the
apartments in good repair and clearly
kept. The paupers, nineteen in number.
appeared generally healthy and we'll
satisfied with their treatment.
We find the bridges Of the county in
good repair and that the roads through
out. the county have been generally
worked, but in consequence of heavy
rains since we suggest that they be re,
paired where necessary. -,
At the June term of the Court held
at Abbeville G. H. the attention of the
Grand Jury was called to the alleged
cruel treatment of the convicts employed
by the Greenwood and Augusta Rail
road Company by the presiding Judge,
J. B. Kershaw. At the request of the
Grand Jury a committee consisting of
seven members of that body were ap.
pointed to 60 down to the stockade and
Investigate the charges preferred against
the said company. Upon the report OF
the investigating committee and other
evidence brought before the Grand Jury
we beg leave to say that we found no
real grounds for the charges and further
to confirm the report Of said committee
Gen. Bradley has placed before the
Grand Jury a communication from
Major Parmele, (who was appointed by
Governor Hampton at the request OF
the railroad company to investigate these
charges which have been circulated
since the visit of the committee in
which he says, "after q very thorough
examination of the matter | am entirely
satisfied that the charges against your
company are without real foundation;
in fact | found convicts we'll housed and
clothed and in good condition-showlng
no signs of brutal treatment or neglect"
In conclusion the Grand Jury cannot
refrain from expressing their hearty
commentator for the able and Impair
tial manner in which your Honor has
. discharged the duties Of the present term
and must express their high apprecla'
ton for the many favors which they
have received at the hands Of the court,
as we'll as the States able Solicitor and
the officers of the court.
In retiring from the position which
the members of the jury have occupied
during the present year, they desire,
through their Foreman, to express the
hope that the quiet and ~peaceable year
through which we have just passed,
may be a bright omen Of a more peace
able and prosperous year, that will fol-
low after be who has redeemed US from
our political troubles has been restored
to the head of the government.
Respectfully submitted,