The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-10-31
Grand Jury Presentment.

State of South Caroline, Orangeburg
>County-In the Sessions October
Term 1879.
The Grand Jury, in attendance up
on this Court, submit the following
Report: :.
TO The Honorable d. p. Aldrich, Pre-
siding Judge:
In the discharge Of our responsible
duties, it is our privilege to note cir
cumstances which afford us gratifica-
ton; and we are called upon official
ly 10 notice matters Of a contrary ma.
tuIe. Numerous complaints have
been made to. us Of the condition OF
the Roads and Bridges in the county,
many of which are in dangerous
condition, unfit for travel, ; and sever
al cases of wilful obstruutions Of high
ways by individuals 20 the disregard
Of public convenience and Of the law,
have been called to our attention.
One of these latter complaints as to
the closing up of road in Union
Township, leading into the Binnakcr's $
Bridge Road, is appended hereto as
apart OF this Report; and we present
to the Court the name Of r. Y. Nc
Michael for Indictment for obstruct-
ing the said road and report the
names Of DR.. A. S. Salley, Donald
Salley, Nathaniel Salley, John Rowe,
Allen Gray, and l. NJ, Fielder, us wit
ncsscs to prove the charge.
The Holman's Bridge has no foot
way on the causeway, and the water
is knee deep ut ordinary times. This
is a serious Inconvenience 10 the
ncighbors who have in numbers COM
planned to us, and requested us TO
bring it to the attention of the Court.
All the roads in tue Fork of Edisto
arc sadly in need Of work.
Jefcoat Bridge, near the line Of
Lexington County, has never yet
been repaired though futile efforts
have been made. One of our County
Commissioners informed US that a
contractor said he would do the work
for Lexington County at the rate Of
ten dollars per thousand feet for the
lumber used, but would want twenty
dollars from this county, because the
pay was very uncertain. A sad COM
mcntary this, upon our linancicrs!
The Orangeburg Road, leading
from the 900" Road TO Davis Bridge
has been and is now DISTRACTED by
one Thomas Cartmill, who has erect
ed two gates across the same, and
plows and plants up the road, leav-
ing scarcely eight feet open for travel.
Mr.. N. N. Hayden, Chairman Of the
Board Of County Commissioners, in
forms lis, that he gave Mr. Cartmill
permission 10 Sdo as aESvc stated.
We present Mr.. CartmiIl for tie said
offence, and ask that q rule Issue
against N. N. Hayden to shcw cause
why he should not be punished, and
by what authority he could thus
grant induigenccs TO persons TO OBJ.
struct the public roads, to the great
inconvenience and wrong Of the pub
lie.
We furnish the names of Walter
G. Jumper, Melvin A. Posey, b. A.
Ion, and NJ. l.. Glcaton, as witnesses
in this matter.
The road leading from Barnwcll to
Columbia, in the part next TO New
Bridge, is almost impossible and is
very dangerous and unfit for travel
This from the bad work and want oi
work the work that has been done
being in its present condition q de.
cidcd injury rather than any benefit
We present the County Commits.
sioncrs for neglect Of duty in all these
matters; and urge upon the CourI
that they he held to strict account
ability for these grievances, whicl
como so numcrously 10 us from tho
people. The excuse is, as we arc in
formed, !hc want Of funds. We have
done our duty in reporting these mat
ters to the Court. A vigorous inves
tigatioh will discover the true cause
of all this trouble and then the rem.
cdy can be applied,
The Poor House is disgrace I,
our civilization. 1t is too small, ever
for the fortunately few occupants
scarcely furnished at all f; and the in
mates arc nearly naked. These
ibinnc, cbDr1l ~.