Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-04-06
Court pf Sessiens.

U1tlrt nt SR55leM.
CIRCUIT COURT OF YORK COUNTY.
covr,vUaT1oy OF THE PROcEEDINGs OF
THE COURT OF SESSIONS.
The Circuit Court of York county, which
convened on Monday, 9th ultimo, was occu-
MED with Sessions business during all OF last
week. and for part of last Monday, the case
of the State vs.. Sutton and HayWorth, charged
with the murder of N. T. Gibson, at Fort
Mill, on the 9th Of November last, consuming
Thursday and F. day. Our report commeh- men
ces with the proceedings OF wednesday, zsth'
on which day the following cases were dlspos-
ed of {:
State vs.. Annie Briant, alias Annie Brian,
and Bob Ward, both colored arson. Prose,
cntor-Dayid L, Black. Robert Ward pleaded
guilty of the second count in the indictment,
Which charged him with being accessory to the
crime after the act, by harboring the perpetra-
4 tor, Annie Brian. The other Setanaant, tala An
4 returned a verdict Of guilty with recommend
alton to mercy. This case will be remembered
as an attempt by colored girl, indentured to
the prosecutor, to destroy his barn by setting
fire to it on the night of the 4th ultimo. She
is only about 19 or IA years old, and while her
guilt was clearly established, yet on account OF
her age and sex, and other circumstances con-
nected with the case, the jury was prompted to
make the recommendation to mercy, which
met the approval of the Solicitor, and which
his Honor announced should have the due con-
sideration of the Court. Mr.. Solicitor CASTOR
appeared for the State. Messrs. Harts& Hart
for the defence. An Indictment charging the
same defendant, Annie Brian, with grand lar
ceny, viz. the stealing of forty dollars from
David L. Black, was, on motion Of the Sol!c-
itor, mol pressed after the foregoing verdict was
rendered.
State vs. John Stevenson, Sr., John Steven
son, Jr., Hugh Stevenson, Henry Lowry and
Massa Lowry; malicious trespass, and enter
ing on lands after notice. Prosecutor-T. N.
Youngblood. The alleged treSpass consisted
in the using of road by defendants on the
prosecutors land, the defendants claiming that
it had been used as public road for twenty
years. Verdict, guilty on the second count of
Indictment, charging the defendants with en-
tering upon the lands of another. Mr.. Solic-
itor CASTOR for the State Messrs. Hart d
Hart for the defence.
In this case the sentence of the court was
that the defendant, John Stevenson, Sr., pay
the costs Of the prosecution, or in default OF
paying the costs, all the defendants be lmpl1s-
oned for three months.
State vs.. Charles P. Jackson grand larce-
ny-stealing watch valued at forty dollars.
Prosecutor-W. B. Smith. Mr.. Bell was re-
tanned for the defence; but on calling up the
case, the defendant pleaded guilty.
State VS.. Walter Nelson, colored ; larceny
from field. Observation-Disclosures Hall, Jr.
Verdict, guilty.
The grand jury was discharged on Wednes-
day, after making the following
rREsENTMENT.
To his Honor J. S. CoTHRAN, Presiding
Judqe: We the grand jury for York county,
for the year 1882, beg leave to make the fol-
lowing report Of matters which came up for
our consideration at the March term.
| We have examined the Clerks office and
find his books very neatly and accurately kept.
| Also, that proper care is taken of the county
| records. We examined the Sheriff's Office and
his books were found to be correctly kept:
| The books of the Probate Judge were fonna "
tapgfsy ptaaat. and fl Of
the Auditor was examined, and his books were
found to be very nicely kept. The books OF
the Treasurer were found to be correct and
we'll kept. Also, things pertaining to his office
in proper condition. The examination OF
the School Commissioners Office. was salts
factory. The books of the County Commits
sioners' office were examined and found to
be very well kept. All of these officers afford
ed us every facility towards proper examina.
tion of their respective offices, and many OF
them seem to take commendable PRIDE IN
keeping strictly nice books and we think they
are to be commended for the faithful perform
ance of their duties. :,
| We inspected the county jail, and found
| TWENTY-FIVE prisoners incarcerated therein
six white and sixteen colored. We found, on
careful examination, that the premises are
kept clean and that the prisoners are well
cared for, and their comfort properly consid-
cred, and that all necessary precautions are
taken for their safety.
The DOOR House was examined by commit
tee of the grand jury, consisting OF three men.
There are now twenty-five inmates OF the
same-thirteen white, and nine colored. Ihe
premises were found to be properly kept and
the comfort Of the inmates duly considered.
The stock consists of four mules, in good con-
dition two hogs, and two COWS. Two wagons,
and the necessary farming implements, are
on hand and in good order, and the necessary
steps towards planting crop have been taken.
In addition to this examination the grand
Jury held conference with Mr.. j. G. Gwin,
the superintendent, and freely discussed sever
al matters bearing on the interests OF the Poor
House, which we deem unnecessary to men
tion in this report, but which may possibly
come up hereafter.
The books of six Trial Justices were sent
up for examination, to-wit: T. G. Culp, J. 5.
Lewis, w. D. Camp, S. L. Davidson, w. Z.
Good and G. G. Leech. With the exception
of the last named, these books were found to
be properly kept in fact, some Of them very
neatly kept. In general, the charges were
correct, and all of them gave evidence OF
correction of the Irregularities considered III
the special report of the committee appointed
by the last grand jury.
The book of Trial Justice G.. c. Leech con-
tanned some Irregularities, to-Wit: l. Ihe
proper order Of dates not observed. 2. One
and the same offence under several different
names entered on the books four times, aggre-
eating cost of twenty dollars and twenty
cents, the highest cost in any one OF these In
stances being six dollars and eighty cents,
which would leave an Overcharge OF thirteen
dollars and forty cents-a very lmportant
item, when we consider the amount involved
in book of that sort. A mol. pros. is enter
ed twice in this case; no disposition, once
and at last committed for Court. 3. No dis
position of two cases entered on the book
We have reason to believe that the intentions
of this Trial Justice are good but we are
, not prepared to pass good Intentions for bad
:: book keeping.
Trial Justice w. j. White and R. T. Gil
lespie reported no entries on thier books since
the last report. Trial Justice S. NJ. Fewell
sent up sufficient excuse for not presenting
his book Trial Justices A. L. Nunnery, d.
M. Wallace and E. F. Bell did not present
their books for examination. The last-named
, has been acting only for few days, which we
| deem sufficient excuse.
Twenty-one indictments were placed in our
hands. True bills found, twenty; no bill, one;
| Tho or;mina1 docket hpinp unusually large,