The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-04
Court Proceedings.
MONDAY.

The Court convened Mt 10 O'Clock, a
M, his Honor Judge Is. g. Presley, pre-.
siding.
Clerk Zciglcr, Sheriff Du1're. and the
newly appointed Stenogrnpher, Mr.. Wy.
att Aiken, were in their places.
The Grand Jury were organized with
j. II. Oldham as Foreman.
His Honor in charging the Grand Ju.
ry, instructed them very fully rs to their
duties, and among other thingr, said,
they had the whole year in which to
discharge their duties, and they were at
liberty to arrange their work in any way
suitable to themselves. 1t was their du-
ty examine the accounts of all the pub
lie officers, and If necessary, they had
authority to employ All expert to assist
them, who was entitled to compcnsa.
ton for four days. 1t was their duty to
examine the Office Of tho County Com
m~issioncrS, and see that they were per-
forming their duties in accordance with
law. They were trustees for tho Coun-
ty, and should discharge their duties as
such. The Jail should come under their
supervision. aud they should sec that it
was safe and the prisoners properly car
ed for, yet at the same time not allowed
too many liberties. The poor house
was likewise subject to their inspection,
and they should see that they were
kindly treated. Trial Justices were re-
quired to make their returns to them,
and if in the examination Of their books,
they should find too much encourage
ment of frivolous cases, it was their du-
ty to investigate it and report the same
to the Court. The roads. bridges aud
ferries demanded their attention, and
when in all unsafe or unnecessarily bad
condition should be reported to the
Court. In charging the Grand JSry as
to their duties when an Indictment was
presented to them, the Judge said it was
always their duty to find a ''Truc Bill'
in every murder case, where they were
not clearly satisfied from the States
witnesses that it wasSg>mmittcd by &C
cidcnt or in self defence.
In rcmarkins on the absence of Jurors
and witnesses the j Judge said their alb
sence from the Court room was absence
from Court, and that jurors and witness
cs would save n great deal Of time, both
to themselves and the Court by being
promptly in their places. The first case
taken up was that Of the State VS..
Easter Morris, Fanny Morris md Major
Morris, indicted for murder i. G. causing
the death Of all infant child by deserving
it. Easter Morris was charged us prin-
cipal, and ther two rs aiding and nhet-
ting in the crime. w. C. McGowan and
Z. T.. Gary ESq'S. represented the de-
PENDANTS.
TUESDAY.
NV, I,.Jrc ,1,orr.l tl,o .-. -- e
State VS.. Faster Morris ct al. The Jury
returned a verdict of mot guilty as to
Fannie and Major Morris, and were I'M
able to agree upon n verdict as to Easter.
Tho Judge ordered a n~listrial to be
entered.
State VS.. John Ferguson, murder.
The defendant was arraigned and pleaded
lNi guilty, but on motion OF COUNSEL the
Court allowed the defendant. till noon
to say whether or not he was really to
&c to trial.
State vs.. Peter Wideman, assault of a
high and aggravated nature, NJ. T..
Bonham for defense; NJ. w. Cuddy was
the prosecutor, and on his tcStifying
TINT he had tried to shoot the defendant
and then went after him with all axe, the
Solicitor consented TO a verdict Of not
guilty.
State VS.. Isaiah McCoppin, larceny of
live stock-O. r. and w. = Calhoun for
the prisoncr-Vcrdict, guilty.
State VS.. Ed Wardlaw. assault and
battery and assault upon an officer
Plead guilty.
State VS.. Isaac Joncs-Larccny of
1.-Two stock-Plcad guilty.
State VS.. George Campbcll-Appcal
from Trial Justice. Appeal sustained,
and case dismissed.
State VS.. John Moore, arson-Mcssrs.
Graydon and Graydon, and Giles, for
defendant.