Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-06-28
CIRCIIIT COURT.

Mr. SOLICITOR GaStOn ana all Cne OIIeT Olil-
GERS of the Court present. There were
fewer persons in town from the country
than is usual on the opening Of the Sessions
Court, and especially was it noticeable that
the colored element was not so largely rep
resented in the Court House as is custom
ary with those people during the progress
of Sessions business.
The panel of grand jurors was called and
all answered as follows: J. d. Hamilton,
Foreman; Alvin Smith, colored, w. S.
Crawford, J. c.. Gwin, VIM. Dickson, j. p.
Epps, D. T. Partlow, James Belts, Alphon-
so Gettys, A. Y. GLADDEN., R. NJ. Carroll,
Andy Hall, colored, Peter Nance, colored,
George Cunning, colored, Joseph A. Smith,
w. J. Garrison, S. a. Fewell, James +.
PleXico.
The solicitor placed in the hands of the
Court number of indictments, when his
Honor briefly charged the grand jury. He
said that the jury having been charged here
tofore in regard to their duties, he did not
deem it necessary to charge them at any
great length. He would remind them,
however, that it is expected of them that
during the year they faithfully discharge
all the duties that are enjoined upon them
as grand jurors. It is a mistake to suppose
that the duties of grand jurors end simply
by their attendance upon session of the
Court, and making a complimentary report
upon the condition Of the books and offices
of the county officials. 1t is their duty to
examine thoroughly the books of the county
officers, and this cannot be done at one
term of the Court. Without the experience
of an expert in such matters, the books and
records of the public officers cannot be ex-
amined in the short space Of time usually
devoted by grand jurors to such duty. You
can, however, at this term, prosecute the
investigation begun at the last. The grand
jury also has the supervision Of all public
property Of the county, which tits theirduty
to look after. The conduct of trial justices
also comes under their supervision.
While it is not regarded as the duty of
Grand Jurors to bring before the Court all
manner of trivial cases, there are certain
cases of which they should take cognizance-
cases, such as adultery, retailing liquor
without license, etc.-which private indi-
viduals dislike to report. Violations of
this character coming to the knowledge of
the grand jury, they should have an eye
single to the public good by permitting no
such cases to 60 unnoticed.
The condition of the public highways is
another important matter for the considera-
tion of the grand jury. The present system
of working the public roads is not efficient; !;
but simply because it is conceded by all to
be defective, is no reason why the work
of keeping the public roads in repair
should be entirely abandoned. RoadWork-
ing has almost degenerated into scratching
over the roads few days before the conven-
ing of summer and fall terms of court, that
the grand jurors may see that something
has been done upon them; but for the pub
lie welfare it is the duty of the grand jury
to see that the roads are properly worked
and kept in good condition; and if you
know of any duties having been neglected
in this respect, you should bring the same
to the notice of the Court. He then charg-
ed the grand jury as to the nature of the
indictments to be placed in their hands,
after which they took the papers and re-
tired.
The contingent docket, on which there
are three cases, was called, and all the cases
were continued.
The list of petit jurors was called, and
the following answered to their names;
Mitchell Meek, colored, ]. P. Duncan, j. c.
Conner, John NJ. Jackson, D. c. Mckinney,
James Nelson, Charles B. Byers, Andrew
Neely, colored, VIM. Bridges, j. r. Caroth-
ers, Jos. NJ. Whitesides, J. d. Mcconnell,
Peter Hardin, colored, Erwin Blair, d. T.
McCarter, Lawrence Adams, colored, 5.
N. Merritt, VIM. M. McGill, Isaac R. Oates,
Philander E. Moore, Coleman Robbins,
colored, A. Sidney White, Johnson Byers,
colored, Simeon Earle, colored, r. A.
Smith, w. B. Love, S. P. Blankenship, L.
l.. Smith, D. P. LESLEY, S. R. Patrick, S.
+. White.
OF the original panel drawn, j. G. r.
Neely and A. D. Holler failed to answer,
and the following three were not found in
the county: James Meacham, colored,
G. r. Bolin, j. J. Stewart. Mr.. Bridges
was excused by reason of being over age.
TO complete the panel, the Court then Or
dered that six names be drawn from the
five mile department of the jury box. This
was done by the jury commissioner, the
sheriff and the clerk, and the following
names were drawn: r. j. Withers, Wal
ter Brian, coored, John w. Evans, Alonzo
Rose, G.. R. Shillinglaw and A. Frank
Woods.
The following cases were disposed of on
Monday:
State VS.. David McFadden, colored re-
ceiving stolen goods. rosecutor-Robert
Black. Verdict, guilty.
State VS.. Rufus Allison, colored; assault
and battery with intent to kill. Prosecu-
tor-Edward Tate, colored. Verdict, guilty
of simple assault and battery.
State VS.. Adam FeWell, colored; retail
ing liquor without license. Pleaded guilty.
State VS.. VIM. Sims, colored; retailing
liquor without license. Pleaded guilty.
In the indictment against Elizabeth Dye,
charged with infanticide, the grand jury
failed to find true bill, and she was dis
charged from custody.
The following cases were disposed OF on
Tuesday,:
State VS.. Sylvanus Thornburg; retailing
liuuor without license. Continued.
State vs.. Henry Blalock, colored; assault
and battery with intent to kill. Prosecutor,
] ohm l.. Watson. Verdict, guilty of aggra-
waited assault and carrying concealed weapon.
State vs.. Walter Smith, cOlOred; house
breaking. Prosecutor, Mary Bratton. Yer
dict, guilty: :+;
Verdict, not guilty.
and battery with intent to kill. Prosecutor,
wv u pnrl.s Nardict not guilty.