The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-23
keen the matter quiet lust then and


that he would see me and talk over
the matter within few days. Sever.
al days after I called again to see the
Governor. He then told me that
Colonel Tompkins and Comm 'ssioner
Mixson had called to see him on tie
night of the morning after my return
from Cincinnati, and that they had
stated that w. T. Mixson had confess
ed everything and that no case could
be made against Commissioner Mix
son. I remarked to Governor Evans
that I was ready to Land in my official
report whenever he desired it, and he
replied that he would let me know
when he wanted it; that w. I. Mix
son had confessed and as there was no
way to reach him through the law he
did not then see what good the re.
port could do.
twas my intention 10 proceed to
Baltimore from Cincinnati to investi.
gate at that end OF the line, but I de.
cided to first return to Columbia and
then proceeded to Baltimore from here
But as the investigation resulted as it
did l dismissed the idea of any further
prosecution of the investigation and
this was the end of the matter so far
as was concerned.
QUESTIONED BY LAWYERS.
Mr.. Barker asked Mr.. Scruggs to
turn to that portion of his evidence,
referring to amounts paid to Mixson's
boys and asked where he got his infor
nation, from the books2
Mr.. Scruggs: Yes, but I have nc
certified copy. The amounts appear
ed in the the cash book Of the com.
pany. l made a memorandum ot
dates, but haven't them with me. The
books were for 1895 and 1896, the last
payment being made in 1896. I didn't
see any receipts for the amounts
Manager Yost talked to me and show,
ed me the books. He said it was sim
ply a business proposition but if il
was wrong he would stop it.
Mr.. Barber asked him about those
letters previously referred to.
Mr.. Scruggs replied there were only
two.
Governor Evans: I am positive
there is a letter about Whites com
mission. told you to keep it.
Mr.. Scruggs: No that was only
conversation.
Mr.. Barber: What facts led you to
suppose rebates were being gotten in
Baltimore2
Mr.. Scruggs: Just analogy. Isup
posed if they were being gotten in
Cincinnati the same thing was going
on in Baltimore.
Mr.. Barber: Did you find an
facts that would be conclusive on f. M.
Mixson2
Suspicious AS TO ToMPKINs.
Mr.. Scruggs: No. That's just the
trouble. I saw nothing to show thai
he knew his sons were getting com
missions. I saw nothing against
Colonel Tompkins. There was only
one suspicious circumstances against
him, which I remarked to Governor
Evans, and that was his intimacy with
Mixson. asked him why he stuck
to Mixson and he said he didn't be
lieve he was guilty.
Colonel Tompkins: Well, is there
anything conspicuous about thata
Mr.. Scruggs:: Again Colonel Tomp
kins was at my house and 1 was copy
ing what was paid to w. 7. and James
Mixson. He was looking over nay
shoulder. 1 put down a certain
amont and said that was "for James. u
He replied "No, that is for William.
Mr.. Tompkins: Why did 1 say
that2
Mr.. Scruggs: I may have gotten i
wrong.
Mr.. Tompkins: 1t was in LITTLE
memorandum book. Where is D2
Mr.. Scruggs: No it was on piect
of letter paper in the memorandum
book.
Mr.. Tompkins: Well, how was j
suspicious as to me anyway.
Mr.. Scruggs: Because I didn't know
how you knew what was William'
and what was James's.
Mr.. Tompkins: You said there wer'
suspicious as to me. Now what wer'
they3
Mr.. Scruggs: had no proof. I wa
suspicious because of your friendlines
for Mixson.
Mr.. Barber: Have you ever seer
any letters duplicating Tompkins
Any whiskey drummers, say so2
Mr.. Scruggs: No; White said he wa
guilty and then said he wasn't.
Governor Evans: Didn't Farnhan
say Tompkins was too smart to b'
caught2
Mr.. Tompkins: That's right. You't
never get me through any boys.
Mr.. Scruges: To the best of my re
collection White said he was in it.
l told Tompkins and then White de
MED it.
Mr.. Tompkins: Yes, | pulled hin
out of bed early in the morning ant
he denied it.
In reply to further questions by Mr.
Barber Mr.. Scruggs said: saw moth
ing in Cincinnati against Tompkins
Saw an entry against Mixson and NJ
drummer ever told me anything. By
reason of his relation to his two son!
I suspected his guilt. I don't know
whether he received any rebates o.
whether any officer of the dispensary
did.
Governor Evans: Did Tompkins Wis
it the dispensary frequently2
Mr.. Scruggs: Yes, he came herr
every day.
Mr.. Tompkins: Don't you know
have been here as much since the boart
has been in Office as before2
Mr.. Scruggs replied that he did no
know. lie was up stairs now.
Mr.. Nicholson asked whether he die
not visit the dispensary frequently by