The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-10-31
A PECULIAR MURDER CASE.
THE VERDICT IN THE SEM CASE
NOT "A SURPRISE.

senn and Miss Helena Bo1and Found
Guilty, but strongly Recommended to
Mercy"--A History of the Crime for
Which They Were Tried.
Especial 20 the News and Courier.)
SPARTANBURG, October 22.-The YER
dict in the Sem case was not q surprise
to our people yesterday morning, nol
would they have been surprised if they
had been acquitted. The evidence was
all circumstantial, and it was SO evenly
balanced that it was most difficult case
to decide. One of the peculiarities Of
the trial was that He'ena Boland was out
on straw bond almost, and that she did
not escape from the county, but awaited
trial, and on that trial was convicted.
The verdict itself was unusual, and it is
the first instance in the history of the
county, or perhaps in the State, when
a verdict bore the expression strongly
recommended to mercy" This shows
that the jury were not only divided, but
that doubts prevailed as to the chain OF
evidence being complete. Ii their minds
had not been tinged with doubt the YER
dict would have been "guilty," without
any reservation. Our people hope that
the county is now rid of this case, which
has been up for more than two years,
and they would be pleased if the Gov
ernor would exercise his clemency and
commute the sentences.
Sem is stalWart, healthy man, with
large frame and great physical strength.
He looks as if he was about 80 years old.
He has marked features that indicate q
domineering spirit and strong will.
While he does not look like typical
villain and murderer, there is an abso-
lutte want of gentleness and kindness in
his appearance. During the trial he
manifested great interest in all the de-
tails OF the case, but never, at any time,
was there any breaking down or eyi-
dence of guilt. His mother was present
during the trial and showed great inter-
est in every detail. Helena Boland is q
frail, delicate woman, apparently about
IS years old, thin in flesh, and with q
nose that would attract attention any
where. It is combination of the pug
and club-end, with magni6ed proper
tions of each. She is evidently fasci-
mated with Sem. While in jail she
manifested the greatest solicitude about
his welfare. At one time when he WAS
quite sick and medicine had to be ad-
ministered during the night, she called
to the watcher when the hour would
strike and reminded him that it was
time to give Mr.. Senn's medicine. She
never failed and seemed to be sieepless.
In various other ways she manifested
the tenderest regard for him.
The testimony was very long and
tedious and much of it irrelevant. The
main links in the chain are about as
follows: Sem and Hosella Stevens had
been married about six years. Sem
was unkind to her and at times gave her
brutal treatment. For time they were
separated. She was brought back, not
by him, but by some of his people, and
placed in little cabin on bis mothers
land. Their only child was taken care
of for time by Helena Boland. Sem
was very familiar with Helena and their
relations were such as to show that they
exceeded all the bounds of propriety.
Owing to certain abusive treatment,
Mrs. Sem swore out q peace warrant
against her husband. About ten days
after that he concluded to come to Spar
tanburg county and rent a piece OF land
where his wife might have better health.
He hitched up two-horse wagon, placed
an old paralytic aunt in it, who has died
since then, and brought his wife and
Helena Boland along. The team was
unique one. Itconsisted of mule and an
old club-footed mare that would balk
any and everywhere. With this team
and party Sem started on his mission.
They camped the first night near
Clinton, his delicate. sickly wife sleeping
Oh the ground, or in the wagon. Sunday
morning they left clifton and set out
towards the Enoree, the objective point
seeming to be John Seun's in this county.
At midday, Sunday, they stopped several
hours. They started again, and instead
of going to John Senn's they camped on
the roadside about mile and half from
Senn's house. Sem stated that his wife
had to walk, as his team was weak and
balky; that she had to help push the
wagon when the old mare baked; that
she ate about peck of green peaches on
theroad. Going into camp they had their
supper, after which she was taken sick
and died about midnight.
There were several families living q
few minutes walk from where they were
camped, but no one was sent for until
the woman was dead. Sem had no
medicine, except laudanum, for this sick
ly wife. There was no light by which they
might minister to her wants. The body
bore marks of violence. On the left side
of the throat were two blue places AMI
on the right side one. The nose, about
the middle, showed signs of pressure, or
speedy decomposition. Just above the
LETT eye the skin was abraded. The eyes
protruded and had frightened look.
Such was her appearance after death.
Her back hair showed signs OF a strug-
gle, or great restlessness. Pine straw
was found in it. Next day Sem ard
Helena Boland were Indifferent and
showed no signs of grief. No inquest
was held in the county. The body was
carried back to Newberry, where two in
quests were held.
The above is the case as made out by
the State. On the other hand counsel
for the defence showed by physicians
that the external appearance of the neck