The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-19
the cue occupied by Mr.. vinson. 81 saw no

the enc occupied BY Mr.. Vinson. 81 SAW no
fire in this store NATL about a half or three
Quarters of an hour after got there. | then
saw FIRE 10 the back room up stairs. Saw it
through the back window. Window had DO
sash or blinds, but some bars nailed across It,
Window was in the end of the store, while
the burning stores were a; the side Wind
was blowing between the stores, but 1t SHIFTED
now and then.
R. Cassidy-'I know nothing about the fire..
I saw SIR. Vinson in his store the afternoon
before the fire. That night when going
home I saw two wagons, loaded with barrels
and boxes coming from the direction of
Hacood. Did not know who owned the
wagons. Did not know where they were
going.
Edgar Olnkius-''Was at the fire, but did
FIRE sometime after it caught. .hen saw 1t
through broken down window in the back
of the store We made no effort 10 put out
the fire. Made no offer to help put it out.
Ransom Loag 81 was at Hagood, while
the stores were burning When got 10
Haeood Mr.. Jackscn's store was nearly
burned down. About half an hoar, or
three quarters of an honr afterwards, saw
Mr.. Vinson's store on ire saw the fire
through the back window, and saw man
in the upstairs room. I cannot say what he
was doing, bat he looked like he was trying
to put cut the FIRE y
Mr.. Purdy asked: ''Do you kuow Mr.
Furman Jacksou?" Eyes "
'Have sou had any conversation with him
about this case?' ''Yes f"
"Did you tell him that you had been Of
fered $50 to come bere and testify against Mr.
Vinsop? ?" eyes"
Questioned BY Trial Justice Wells. "Who
made you this offer, and what were the cir
cumstances?' II was told that must come
here and tel! what knew about the FIRE, and
that is what am doing"
''But who told You that you would get
S50?" 'sMr Marus," meaning Mr. Msrius
3. Sauoders, The prosecuting witness.
This concluded the testimony. Mr.. Purdy
spoke briefly, and was followed By Mr.. G. NJ.
Hurst Jr.
Trial Justice Wells reviewed the evidence
and declared the case discharged 90 the
grounds that a prima facie case had not been
made out. In making this decision be said
that throwing out the case at this time would
not prevent the prosecutors bringing another
case should they discover additional evidence,
or they could go before the grand jury and
demand an investigator.
Immediately after the case was discharged,
Mr.. Marius Saunders was arrested on war
rant charging him with selling whiskey. The
warrant was issued By Trial Justice john 5.
Raffied on the affidavit OF Mr.. Larken Jen-
nings. The arrest is the ontgrowth of the
feeling eneendered by the arrest of Mr..
Yinson. It is said that there is abundant
proof that Mr Saunders has been selling
liouo. for months, and no one has cared TO
take the responsibility of bayag the warrant
issued.
When Trial Justices Wells rendered his
decision throwing out the case, The crowd
that filed the Court House, broke into an
enthusiastic cheer, and some of them were
so enthusiastic that they c5eered after they
got out on the street. They crowded around
Mr.. Vinson to shake his hand and congratu-
late him, and express their qualification that
be had been vindicated and set free.