The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-15
THE LElPH4RT CASE.
Miller, the Author of the Respite Affidavit,
and Lawyer Graham Arrested-A
Pretty Big Muddle.
columbia Register, Sth. !

Columbia Register, Sth.
The last of the Leaphart case has not
been heard by any means, and yester-
days developments were certainly Of
an extraordinary nature.
THE PAPERS PRONOUNCED FALSE.
]. B. WiEgard, Esq, Of Lexington,
who in the trial Of Leaphart assisted in
the prosecution on behalf of Miss Can
non, was in Columbia yesterday and
made some important statements in
reference to the papers on which Leap
hart was respited.
Mr.. Wingard said that he had al
interview with Miss Cannan since the
publication Of the papers given out at
the Governors office. She positively
denied that she WRITE line to her
mother about the matters contained in
the letters alleged to have been written
by her, and she as positively pronounced
those letters forgeries. Mr.. Wingard
also stated that Miss Cannon would
make affidavit to that effect yesterday
in Lexington.
In relation to his own knowledge Of
the case Mr. Wingard related how Miss
Cannon described her assailant to him
at the time of the affair, and how she
positively identified Leaphart as the
man when he was shown to her. Mr..
Vineyards own opinion Of the atfida-
Wits, unhesitatingly expressed, is that
they are fabrications without the least
basis of truth; and he says further that
had the affidavits been published when
first received, counter-attidavits proving
their falsity could have been promptly
secured from parties Of unimpeachable
reliability.
AS to the motive of Miller, who made
the main affidavit, that upon which
Leaphart's respite was recommended,
Mr.. Wingard states the belief that i'll
feeling towards Mr. Sim. Corley, on
Miiler's part, caused his action in this
matter, as Miller wished to receive the
Republican appointments as postmaster
at Lewiedale and Mr.. Corley refused to
aid him with his influence when re-
quested so to do.
THE CHARLIE CANNON AFFIDAVIT.
Space is cheerfully given to the fol-
lowing, which corrects an error for
which the Register is not responsible,
as will be seen further On:
LEEsvILLE, S. c., May 7th, 1890.
To Editor Columbia Register: no
tice in to-day's issue an affidavit (or
copy ofone made by Charlie Cannon
claimed to be made before me. did
not even see Mr.. Cannon on that day,
Yours, &c. J. p. BoDIE.
This affidavit, pu1ported to be made
before Mr.. Bodie as Notary Public, and
the original in the Governors office,
bears what purports to be Mr.. Bodies
signature in that capacity. His state
ment given above settles beyond all
doubt that so much, at least, Of that
affidavit is false.
MILLER ARRESTED YESTERDAY.
Close upon the heels Of this remark
able discovery came the intelligence
of the arrest of w. J. Miller, the author
Of the respite affidavit, and the person
who is understood to have furnished
Charlie Canron's affidavit and other
papers i'll the case.
He was arrested at Lewiedale and
from that place yesterday sent the fol-
lowing telegram to Il party in Column
bia:
LEwIEDALE, May :, 1880.
Have been arrested to-day. Will be
brought Lexington tonight, guess.
W. J. MILLER.
No further details of the circum-
stances attending his arrest are known
beyond that he is charged with perjury
and forgery.
THE GOVERNOR REFUSES TO INTER-
FERE.
governor RlcnarQSOn Was sought Oy
Mr.. Graham, the counsel of the late
Wellie Leaphart, yesterday afternoon
and informed of the contents of the
telegram above mentioned.
The Governor refused to interfere in
Miller's behalf, explaining that he had
no power in the premises and that be
could do nothing under the circum-
stances.
SEEKING SAFETY IN COLUMBIA.
AS was published in the Register Mr.
G. T. Graham, Leaphart's counsel,
thought it best to leave Lexington for
Columbia the next day after the lynch
ing. So far as is known he has not been
back since, but Mrs. Graham, who
came over Tuesday to learn if her
husband was safe, returned 20 LeNing-
ton the same evening.
She returned to Columbia yesterday
and with their three children Mr.. and
Mrs. Graham have now sought an asy-
lum Of safety here. Mrs. Graham stated
last night that on Tuesday night her
house in Lexington was made the ob-
ject of disagreeable demonstrations by
some Of those who are irritated and Mr..
Graham for his procedure in the Leap
hart case. She said that parties came
about the house and one person even
intruded into the hallway. Mr.. Gra-
hams side Of the story, as given to I
reporter last night, is, briefly put, that
he has been actuated throughout in
the Leaphart matter by pure and con-
scientious motives, and the desire to
see justice done 4 defenseleSs negro,
whom ne believed from the evidence
developed after the trial was innocent
of the crime charged against him.