Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-06-26
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.

portion of my correspondence last week in
reference to the Court proceedings, the trial
of the case of the State against Tilmon Gas
ton, Judson Heath and Isom Crockett,
charged with arson, was progressing, and
continued until Wednesday morning, when
the arguments and the charge of his Honor
were Concluded. The State had a strong
case until the Judge ruled out the confession
by one of the defendants of the commission
made under threats. After the ruling out
of this important evidence, the testimony
was of such a character as did not warrant
the jury in rendering a verdict of guilty.
The lawyers for the defendants also worked
with the greatest zeal and energy in behalf
of their clients. Messrs. J. M. McNeel and
J. K. Henry displayed ability in the man
agement of the case, and could not have
worked more faithfully if their clients had
been men of means instead of poor, money
less colored men. The Solicitor made fine
argument in behalf the State, and the
Judges charge was conspicuous for its fair
ness and impartiality.
The next case was that of the State against
Robert Caldwell, colOred, charged with as
sault and battery. The prosecuting witness
was Sam Macon. The defendant was con-
victed, and sentenced to the penitentiary for
five months. The next case was that of the
State VS.. Oliver Russell and Albert Stevin-
son, both colored, charged with larceny.
They were found guilty, and sentenced by
the Court to twelve months in the peniten-
tiary. The next case was that of Rufus
Niles, John Steele John Owens and Taylor
The prosecutor was Mr.. j. H. Neely, who
missed hog and found it in the possession
of the defendants. They were convicted,
and sentenced as follows: Rufus Niles and
John Steele, eighteen months in the peni-
tentiary; John Owens and Taylor Archer,
twelve months in the penitentiary.
The case of the State VS.. Andy Worthy,
colored charged with larceny in stealing
grain from the field, first engaged the atten-
tion of the court Thursday morning. The
testimony pointed to the guilt of the defen-
dant, and he was accordingly convicted.
He was sentenced to twelve months in the
next tried on the charge of larceny. Mr..
Elmo Kell was the prosecuting witness.
The defendantWas convicted, and sentenced
| to the penitentiary fortwelve months. The
next case was that of the State VS.. John Glib
son, charged with assault and battery.
-. Watt was the prosecuting witness. The
defendant was represented by w. A. San
ders, Esq, who succeeded in securing ver-
dict of acquittal for his client. Dan Atlin-
son, colored, charged with larceny, made
confession of guilt, and was sentenced to the
penitentiary for twelve months. One of the
most important criminal cases, that of F.
M. Lencher, charged with breach of trust,
was postponed until the next term of the
Court in consequence Of the absence of a ma
terial witness. The Court of General Ses-
sons finished it's work on Thursday after
noon, and adjourned sine die. On Friday
morning the presiding Judge and the men,
bers of the bar were engaged in the transac-
tion of such business as did not require the
presence Of jury. Judge Witherspoon in
the wise and impartial manner in which he
performed the duties of his high Office gave
great satisfaction to the members of the bar,
the officers of the Court and the people at
large.
Miss Eliza Pratt, who has charge of an
interesting school within a few miles of this
place, gave picnic to the pupils and pat
rons of the schoola short time since. 1t was
a most enjoyable occasion. There were
about seventy-siX persons present, and the
supply of good things was far greater than
the demand. The young lady in charge of
the school is fine teacher, and gives great
satisfaction.
Some of the prominet citizens in Baton
Rouge Township in this county are show
ing lively interest in the extension Of
They believe that by proper effort on the
part of this township and this town, Ches-
ter can be made the objective point of this
railroad instead of Union, as is now con-
templated. I was informed on yesterday
by a prominent citizen of Baton Rouge
Township that this township would sub
scribe literally in aid of the construction of
a railroad from Gaffney City to Chester.
I was further informed by him that the peo-
pie of this township desire the railroad
to pass by or near Mount Tabor in Union
county, and cross Broad River at or near
Lockhart's Shoals. The grading from Ruth
erfordton to Gaffney City, he said, was no
longer matter of any doubt, as the con-
tract had been given to some Boston capital
lists. Gowdysville and Pinckneyville town.
ships in Union county, he said, had each
subscribed $4,000 in aid of the extension of
the the road from Gaffney City, on condi-
tion that it crossed Pacolet River at Skull
Shoals. The people of these townships,
my friend also said, desired the extension
of the road from Gaffney City to Chester
instead of to Union, and will heartily CO.
operate with citizens of Chester county in
the construction of this road. This is the
golden opportunity for Baton Rouge town,
for the development of it's resources. Its
citizens ought to move at once in the mat
ter if they earnestly desire the construction
of the railroad from Gaffney City to Ches-
ter, which would be a most important
line of railroad. With the completion of
the Rutherfordton, Gaffney City and
Chester Railroad the line would doubtless
be extended to Camden and from that place
to Georgetown. The Mayor of the latter
town attended railroad meeting recently
at Gaffney City for the purpose of urging
the construction of this line of railroad.
The Democracy of Chester county met in
convention on last Saturday. Col. W. 4.
Davie was elected President, and G. w.
Gage, Esq, Secretary of the Convention.
The following delegates were elected to the
State Convention: Messrs +: L: Mockbee'
E. C.McLure, Q. Barber, w: 6. Austin,
and J. C. McAfee. The alternates were
Messrs E. NJ. Shannon, F. T. Morgan, O.
Wylie, j. H. Wade, Hugh White, A. Glib
son, C. w. McFadden and A. Wise. The
primary plan of nominating candidates for
county offices and members of the Legis-
lature was adopted. There was very ami
mated discussion on the motion not to al
low any primary canvass under the auspi-
ces of the County Executive Committee.
The motion was adopted with the under
standing that the Clubs have the right TO
invite the candidates to declare their po-
sitions on the issues of the day.
The Convention adopted resolution OPP
posing the nomination of q State ticket in
June.
Delegates were not elected to the Judicial
and Congressional Conventions.
The following resolution, proposed by
Hon. G. J. Patterson was adopted by the
Convention:
Resolued, That we disapprove and condemn