Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-11-06

held on the 9th of October, Oliver Robbins
swore positively that the assassin was Columbus
Crawford. On being pressed lin this same ex-
amination) as TO whether he was certain that the
fatal shot was fired by Columbus Cranford he
said he could not say positively that it was Co.
lumbus Crawford but he was satisfied that it was
he. On the same inquest, Wilson Robbins, Jr.,
swore that he believed the murderer was Colum-
bus Crawford, but he could not swear positively,
nor could he swear that the one who fired the
shot was white or a colored man.
On the second inquest, held on the 9Th, all three
of the witnesses swore positively that the muir
derer was Columbus Cranford and on the Ses-
sions trial they swore the same.
On the trial Junius Thomson excused himself
as to his testimony on the first inquest, because,
he said, he had been advised by Mr.. Jason
Jones, Jr., to be careful how he charged Colum-
bus with the crime before Columbus was put
under arrest the reason assigned for this ad-
vice being that Columbus was desperate, dam
gerous man. Mr.. Jones verified this statement.
The prisoner sought to establish an alibi by
proving that at the time the shot was fired he
was in his yard, sitting in front of his house.
This the prisoner swore, and was sustained In
it by Mariah, his wife, Julia Ann Crawford and
Sam Good. The alibi failed, however, in conse-
quence of contradictory statements made by
Sam Good on the morning of the 7th, when he,
the prisoner and the two others were arrested
on suspicion.
It was currently believed that the shooting was
done with musket. Columbus Crawford had
musket which has never been seen since the
commission of the murder. Before the commit
ting trial justice he said he did not know where
the musket was and search warrant failed to
find it.
The State was represented by ]. J. Waters
and w. B. Wilson, Jr., and the defence was con-
Quoted by Hart & Hart. The prisoner had the
benefit of able counsel who did all that legal
talent could accomplish in his behalf, and the
trial of the case occupied the day. The jury was
out but short while and returned veadict of
guilty
The prisoner was remanded to jail ana Court
adjourned until Monday morning.
On Monday morning, at $50, the Sessions
Court was opened, when Crawford, the con-
demned being in Court, Major Hart, of his coun-
sci, made motion for new trial, the points Of
which he argued with much ability; but the
Court refused the motion, and proceeded to pass
sentence upon the prisoner, sentencing him to be
hanged between the hours of 10 A. NJ and 3 +.
M. on Friday, the 10th Of December, 1884.
The Sessions Court was then adjourned, and
the Court of Common Pleas opened, Monday
and Tuesday being devoted to causes not requr-
ing the intervention Of jury, the jurors for the
second week of the term having been excused,
by order of Judge Cothran, from attending un-
| til yesterday.
The grand jurors were discharged on Thurs
day morning, after making the following
PREsENTMENT.
To the Hon J. s. CoTHRAN, Presiding Judge:
We beg leave to submit this, our special return.
We have examined the books of the trial justices
and find them correct The county Jail was also
inspected by portion of our body, and we are
pleased to add that we find everything connect
ted with this institution carried on in the excel
lent manner that our previous reports have men
toned. We find however that the ventilation OF
the building is incomplete, and we would earn
estly recommend to our county commissioners
the importance Of remedying this defect at as
| early day possible.
Acommittee of our Jury also visited the county
| poor house, and we find as inmates therein six
| teen paupers-ten whites and six colored-who
express themselves as well pleased at the treat
| ment they receive from the superintendent AS
we'll as we can determine, we find at at the poor
| house between 400 and 500 bushels of corn, 95
bushels Of wheat Is bushels of potatoes, l25 bush
els of oats and "a bales of cotton besides guam
tity of cotton seed. Weare so well pleased with
the management by the superintendent OF the
county poor-house, that we believe the interest
of the county will be subserved by retaining him
| in his present position.
| We regret here to be forced to call the atten-
ton of the Court to the fact that in our previous
reports that the recommendation as to the erec-
ton of certain offices for the use OF the county
auditor and the school commissioner has not
been acted upon by our county commissioners,
and we again urge that they take action thereon.
In conclusion, allow us to express to your
Honor the great aid we have received by your
1 able and clear exposition of the laws governing
our duties. Respectfully subrnitted
| w. NJ. ADAMS, Foreman.