The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-11-06
The Jury did Their Duty.
Two Men and a Woman
White, Convicted Of
Murder.

SpARrANBURG, November 3-The
famous Greene-Carson trial came to a
close .bis morning little after 3
o'clock. The verdict was guilty as to
all three prisoners, with recommenda-
siou to mercy in the case of Fannie
Carson and John L. Page. The pris-
opers' attorneys gave notice Of appeal.
In the argument W. ". Thompson
made the opening speech. He said the
two main witnesses, Blackwell aud
Mrs. Carson, could not be believed.
He thee clearly pointed out the daa-
gers of oircumstantial evidence. He
held to the suicide idea Remove the
weight of Mrs. Carson's and Black
wells testimony and the State has
made out no case against Greene He
was followed by Jos. E. johnson 10 be-
half of Page. He showed the danger
of taking sbe testimony of an accom-
plice. Mr.. Hydrick then opened for
Mrs. Carson. He made most touch
ing and pathetic address. He admit
ted that bis client stood convicted by
her own evidence, aud said that she
only asked the mercy of the Court.
These we're the opening addresses.
Major D. R. Duncan followed for the
State. He showed tha. suicide was i'm:
possible. He also stated that Black
Wells testimony must be true, as it was
not contradicted by any other witness.
II he was telling an nutruth then Mrs.
Carson made a false confession. He
showed very clearly that Greene was
the principal actor The testimony of
all the witnesses pointed to that fact.
Mr.. Earle. a young man from Green
vile, 500 of the presiding Judge,
had been employed by Greene. He
made short speech, the main point
being that Mrs. Carson alone did the
bloody work. Solicitor Schumpert
then spoke for the State. He had the
facts we'll in mind, and his argament
was clear, logical aud convincing.
Then cape the replies, Mr.. Simpson
leading of for Mrs Carson. He made
an earnest appeal for mercy, not liberty.
Mr.. johnson then closed for bis client,
Page, and those who listened to him
said it was very strong and conviuc-
ing speech, and to bis argument, it is
believed, Page owes his life. IF Mrs.
Carson tells Che truth, aud 40 one
doubts it, Page was as gailty as
Greene, fer there is no difference be-
tween the prircipal murderer and the
hirellng VINO assists. After Mr.. john
son's address the Court took q recess
for supper.
At 7.30 it met again. Mr.. Mooney
began the closing argument at 7.40,
and continued for two hours and ten
minutes. His main point was that the
State had not made ou: it's case against
Greene. He handled the testimony in
an admirable manner, but the jury did
not agree with his hypothesis. Judge
Earle had written mos. of bis charge.
He vas very G., ,ear as to the law reIat-
ing to murder and testimony. He
was absolutely impartial in his sugges-
tiops. The jury received the record
about 1870. 1t is supposed that they
made bitch Oh Pages case as to
recommendation to mercy.
The parents and friends of the pris-
oners have been by their side all the
time in the court room. About month
after the murder Of Carson, John Page
married Rhoda Bowlen, cousin Of
Fannie Carson. She was always iu the
court room during the trial.
The verdict of the jury agrees with
the outside verdict. There has been no
doubt 10 the minds Of the public as to
the guilt of Greene and Mrs Carson.
Some seemed to think that Page may
not have been with Greene when he
committed the murder. but the major.
ity think that he is guilty. Taking it
all 10 all this has been a remarkable
trial. People who never heard Of the
Carsous and Greenes before the murder
sat hour after hour in the Court House.
At12 O'Clock last night it was crowded
Never has such general interest been
manifested.