Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-10-30
From the New York Daily Times.
hEEX. IBR YGE'S MUIR
lDHIAs HIAsS.

4IIEIR TRIAL POSTPONED By 4
DEMOCRATIC JUD GE-BRTCE XIII
LED BEClt USE He VAS Il REPUB-
LICAN.
WAInALLA. S. O., October l4--Ihe trial
of the murdercrs Of Alexander Brycc-Jerry,
Amcricus, Riley aud Aiken Moore-against
whom the Grand Jury brought in true bills
Few days ego, was on motion Of their coun.
sci, Gen. McGowan and Col. THOMPSON, pos,
puncd Until tho next term Of the Court of
General Sessions. Judge Prcssy's action,
granting n continuance on the shallow pre-
text that tho prisoners needed more time to
summon witnesses for the defense. is generally
condemned by the Republicans in this section.
Brycc's friends assert that it gives tho murs
derers, against whom they claim to have tho
most incontroverlible evidence. an opportu.
nifty to escape Justice, inusmuch us the County
Jail--a small wooden structure on the out,
skirts OF the towns not strong enough to
hold them. Sheriff Robins acknowlcd sed
the insecurity Of the building aud his inability
to retain the prisoners should their friends
make an effort to release then,.
NJ. II Bryce, brother to tho murdered
mnn, made tho following statement to the
Times correspondent to- day; "AIy brother
eau, who welded considerable influence
among tho colorcd people of this county.
The Democrats. consequently, hated him;
they frequently abused and threatened him,
but he successfully held his own until the
election of 1876. lIo was ut that time Post
master of this town, and few days after the
election Governor Chamberlain appointed
him County Auditor. Being refused access
to the Office and books by tho Democrats, who
had taken possession of evcrythin he entered
tho 0Hice secretly, accompanied by his brother,
W. Il. Bryce, and carried tho books to the
Post Office, whero they werc subsequently
seized by Democratic mob. Alexander
was arrested and tried and Judge Cooke
sentenced him to imprisonment for ono year
in tho Penitentiary. lie had remained thcro
only a few days, however, when he was
released through the instrumentaity of
Judge Cooke, who, no doubt, felt ashamed of
his action. On rcgaining his liberty hc found
his commission rs Postmaster revoked. Du.
ring tho raid on tho Post Office Alexander
lost about 500 worth of postage stamps,
which, youth employed in The olfco stated,
bad bocn taken by the mob lie secured tho
arrest OF several persons, who were bound
over by United States Commissioner to
appear before the United Statos Court. This
boy, who was the sole witness against them,
was soon after arrested by tho State autho-
rites, and on the evidence of tho persons
accused of stealing tho stamps, was cons
victed of perjury, and Judge Cooke sent
him to tho Pcnitentiary for three years."
After Bryco's release his Democratic crcdi.
tors pounced upon him and sold the greater
portion of his property for mere song,
and he found himself compelled to retire to to
small farm on the Chagua River, where
he resided at tho time of his tragic deuth,
which was fully described in tho columns
of the Times. "After tho murder" Mr..
Bryce continued, IL scnt petition and
several letters to Governor Simp pson and 10
the Solicitor of tho Circuit urging the
offor of reward for tho arrest Of the mur-
derers, two of whom had been recognized
bS Cox, but my applications wero ignored
and the men were arrested, aud ia jail before
the small reward of $3.50 was offered for
tho e:idcnce to convict. I wrote to 0
political friend in Washington TO aid me
financially in the prosecution, us the rola
tives of the deceased were too poor to de-
fray t''e expense. received no money
however, and don't expect any now, bu
this will not deter me from seeking justice
so far as my poor means will allow. 1t ia I,
hard matter for Republican to obtoir
justice at proscnt--tho Democrats have
everything their own way, aud if | were
charged with grave offense would rathe.