The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1891-10-06
ESToPPED BY DEATH,
CORRESPONDENCE MADE PUBLIC eY
THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR.
sheiiG MeTeor OF Hampton Would Have
Courts for the Escape ola Prisoner In
His Charge.
COLUMBIA, S. G. Sept. 25.-The death
of w. w. McTeer, sheriff of Hampton,
which vas announced yesterday, re-
lieyes Governor Tillman of an unpleas-
ant duty the ordering of his prosecu-
tion in the court for wilful negligence
in allowing the escape OF a prisoner
who was under arrest in this State for
assault and battery, and for whom a
requisitiOn from Governor Fleming of
Florida, had been hOnOred, but his sur.
render delayed until he had been tried
In our courts. The governor feels the
public welfare, and his duty as execu-
tive, requires the publication Of the
facts n correspondence IN the case.
On June 23 Governor Fleming sent a
requisitlon to the executive office for
one Sam Jenkins. who was under indict-
ment in Hampton county for the crime
Of murder. The requisitiOn was duly
honored, and Sheriff McTeer ordered to
surrender the fugitive. In reply the
governor received the following letter
from SllcrllI McIeer
HAMPTON. June 90, 1891.
His Excellency, ETC.:
DEAR SIR-Your authority TO deliver
Sam Jenkins to Mr.. Il. II. Williams,
under requisition from the Governor Of
Florida, Is just received, and in reply,
will state that Sam jenkins is now in
my custody for a very grave Offense
against the laws Of the state of South
Carolina. The offense is assault and
battery with intent to kill, he having
shot and seriously injured one j. a.
Youmans, of this county, on the Sth of
the present month at Hampton g.. III.
Sam jenkins was also desperately
wounded in the encounter, and Is still
in a very critical condition. Should he
survive. must l turn him over to T.. II.
Williams or wait until he and YOumans
have answered to the state of South
Carolina for the serious charges against
them? jenkins Is under guard, but is
not able to be taken to jail. Please in
form me how l shall act in the prem
Uses. Some are impressed with the con-
viction that jenkins should be surren-
dered that he may be taken to Florida
as soon as he Is able to be moved; 9TH
ers think that 1 should retain him in
custody to be delivered to the authori-
ties of the state of Florida, after he has
answered to the state Of South Carroll
bos l. ul w w my Aull uuVJ III SllC
matter, and only beg to be Informed of
that duty under existing circumstances.
Very respectfully,
w. w. MCTEER, Sheriff Hampton Co.
COLUMBIA, June 80.
W.. w. McTeer, Hampton, S. G.
DEAR SIR You Will keep Sam Jen-
kins to answer to our laws for the crime
committed in this State, first. and ii he
10 ,,nn yictpI Won yillifpr wnrj tho ropor6
of his crime in Florida to the superin-
tendent of the penitentiary, so that af.
ter he has served out his sentence here
he may be delivered to the Florida
authorities. In the meantime notify.
Governor Fleming of this, so he can be
ready to send for him when we get
through with him. Yours respectfully,
Il. X. TILLMAN.
\ The governor also informed Cover
\nor Fleming of his action as thus set
forth. On July 10, while at Spartan
burg, Governor Tillman received in
formation from a gentleman who lives
in hampton county that is was feared
jenkins would try to give bail for his
offense committed here, and then give
leg bail to the Florida requisition for
letting his bond, or That failing, that he
would certainly manaSo to escape by
some means or other. The governor
at once telegraphed the Sheriff OF IIamp-
ton not to permit Jenkins to give bail.
n keep close watch over him. After
this the following correspondence took
place
HAMPTON, S. G., July q.
Ills EXcellency, Etc.
DEAR SlE-In full reply to your tele-
gram received yesterday, l will state,
that i placed jenkins and Youmans
both under guards immediately after
the occurrence in accordance Will. i'll
structions OF Solicitor w. i. Murphy.
- EhelhysiciaGs attending Jenkins i'll
form me that in his present condition
it would be impossible to move him
without great risk. What shall l do
under the circumstances? l have
furnished the guard, and footed the bill
ever since the occurrence. The county
commissioners refuse to audit claim,
n | expect to have trouble with them.
The difficulty between Youmans and
jenkins has created considerable excite
ment and no little i'll feeling on both
sides. Thus l am exposed to fire from
both parties, but L care nothing for it
and Will perform my duty in the prem
ises, and all l ask is to be informed
what that duty is. / have never sup
cept for the Youmans difficulty. The
Florida affair would still be against
him, for which / should certainly hold
him in custody until the matter was
decided by judicial authority. 1t is
seven miles to Brunson, where jenkins
is confined to his room. / have, as /
stated, guard over him; don't think |
can move him against the protest of
his physicians, andam at q loss to UNI
derstand in what way your informant
(who is personally interested, though he
may deny i) would have me multiply
precautions.
- jenkins shall not escape if | can
avoid. But l see no way to make the
matter more safe except perhaps to in
crease the guard, and if this must be
done at my own expense, l must be
satisfied of its necessity. If you will
kindly inform me what to do | will
be very greatly obliged. Very respect
fully,
w. w. McTEER,
Sheriff.
COLUMBIA, July %, 1891.
w. w. McTeer, Esq, Hampton, sc.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of yesterday
was received. | have reason to fear
thnk Ia~lr,N. Il. IT,. -