The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-06-19
COURT PROCEEDINGS.


murder, was called " Wednesday afternoon, and
on showing that owing TO The illness Of
material witnesses it would te impossible 10
try the case at this term, continuance until
the October arm was granted.
The Case of The State VS. Henry Davis, for
murder. consumed All Of Wednesday and
part Of Thursday R. D. Lee, Esq, spoke
for two and half hours Thursday morn
ing in defense of Davis. The speech WAS
an ahle argument, and there was
large crowd in the Court House during ts
delivery. Col Lee was followed hy Solicitor
Wilson for the State. Judge Gary charged
the iury, laying particular stress upon The
law reAtiug TO circnmstantlal evidence. The
jury retired ut 81 O'Clock, and after deli
ners,of. returned verdict Of no, guilty
The case of The State vs. Moses Taylor,
arson, WAS tried Thursday afternoon and
verdict Of guilty entered. A motion for
new trial was made but the Judge would
not grant il, and Taylor will 60 to the pen
itentiary for 10 years.
CM Hurst, Jr., ESQ appeared for.the trst
time before the bar in defense Of Taylor, and
made favorable impression Mr.. Hurst.
pro7rd himself panstakiog and conscientious
as \ LAWYER, AS he has in all Of his undertak-
ings.
The case of The State vs.. Dolpnus Hix,
bousebreaking was before tine court most Of
Thursday. Hix was found guilty aud SEN
tencsd to six months in the penitentiary or
on public works of the county.
Court adjourned Friday and Judge Gary
left for his home Saturday morning.
The Grand Jury made its Presen'men'
Wednesdav morning and was discharged.
The presentment WAS rs follows:
To His Honor, Ernest Gary, Presiding
Judge:
The Grand Jury having passed on all
indictments placed in their hands, aud nav
ing disposed of such other business as has
been brought to their atien ton, submit this
their presentmen;
Jail-The Jail WAS visited and found to be
in good condition, with the exception OF the
plns,ering, which is out of repair. This mat
ter was referred 10 at laat term OF court
The prisoners received good treatment st the
hands of the keeper, who is giving perfect
satisfaction.
Poor House-The Poor House WAS also
visited The inmates are well attended TO,
and seem satisfied with the management OF
the Superintendent, who by the Nay is most
efficient officer The repairs recommended at
last term Of cour, have not yet been fully
completed.
Court House-Tne Court House is still bad
" in need OF repairs and we would recon-
mend that this matter be attended TO At once
Especially DO we recommend that the railing
leading up stairs, be repaired, and also the
windows in the Clerk OF Courts ofhce, which
are very insecure.
Committee Report-The report Of the special
committee, which Was appointed al last term
of Court to examine the County Officers. ls
hereto attached, and is adopted rs "A part OF
our presentment-
Bonds-We found bonds of County OFF,
cials sufficiently strong, with the exception
Treasurer Kees', which we reported al last
term of court, as being IN need OF additional
security.
Trial Jus,ices-Tral Justices J l. Parrot,
J Rsffield l. D Jennings, L Wells and
B P Kelly, submitted transcripts or dockets.
| and we're found TO be correct. Trial Justice
w a. Netiles' books were not as complete
as we think they ought to te. Trial Justices
DAM Keels aud Z. Goodman made 20 re.
port.
We have received some communications OF
an ANONYMOUS character, which we could not
take any action on. But if such information
comes 10 Us in proper form, we are ready to
do what we Can TO bring all guilty parties to
Justice These communica tions refer 10 'dul-
terry and cruelty 10 animals.
We also report that from evidence produced
at Curouer's inquest, held over the dead
bodies of Daisy Evaos and Aston Evans, Jr.,
that Aston Evans, Sr., and Vernelle Brown,
are living in adultery, and that March Bal
lard, Ishmael Jackson and Julia Washington
are ma teria witnesses to prove the same.
We desire TO return thanks to His Honor,
the Solicitor, County Officials and Hon R. D.
Lee for courtesies shown.
Nv L. R. TINDAL, Foreman
SuxrsR, S. c., Jure 6, 1895.
To the Grand Jury Of Sumter County,:
Gentlemen: Your committee appointed q
the March Term of Court TO examine county
offices, have performed that duty and submit
,hoir report as follows:
Clerk of Cour;-We find this cfhce we'll
kept. the books and recods in orderly condi-
tion and easy of access. All business up 10
date. One book Of Abstracts Of Judg-
ments'' is in a dilapidated condition and We
recommend that the Clerk be authorized to
have it rebound.
County Auditor-This Office has been Pu:
i'll reasonably good condition. There is
great accumu ation Of tax returns and other
papers lying about this Office, which oughtto
be placed in packages, properly labelled and
put away in suitable receptacle. For this
purpose We recommend that the Auditor be
| authorized to have built such case Of shelves
or drawers as may be most convenient for
storing these papers
SheriF-This Office has been put 10 very
good condition. Business up to date.
County Commissioners-Th office is kept
in tolerably good order. All business is up
TO date and books in good shape.
Judge of Prooate-Ofice kept in tolerable
neatness. Books and records in orderly coo-
dition Business up TO date.
School Commissioner-At suggestion Of
this officer we deferred examination of his
Office until next term of the Court, that some
outstanding matters may be settled up, and
! more satisfactory examination can be made
than at this time.
City Trial Justice-Dockets in this office
are very wei, kept and everything seemed in
| business like shape.