The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-10-21
KeeIs and Commander
Show Cause.
Ex-Treasurer Keels and Coroner
Commander Answer the Rule
cf Court.


cf Court.
At high noon Thurs lay Ex-Treasarer D. E.
Keels snd Coroner Commander appeared he
fore Judge Benet in opea court TO answer the
rule to show cause why they should not &c
indicted for ma!feasance cf the pu5lis funds
which we're in their hands as county cf1cia's
The cases against these two Officials are 100
we'll known In ell their details TO make re-
capitulation of the facts necessary to clear
understs rdiug of The answers put IN oy eacn
OF ,heG1.
Nr. Conmaader was 61st called 90 to
make his return to the rule which had eeeo
duly served on bin. He was represented oy
H. l.. B. Wells, Esq who read the answer
which recited briefly that Mr Commanoer
became acting Sheriff on the death OF Sheriff
Marion Sanders aad continued IN charge OF
the Office until successor to Sheriff Sanders
was appointed During the time he was act.
ing Sheriff be collected certain moneys ana
made correct records Of all transactions as
REQUIRED oy law. That when Mr.. George r.
McKageu was appointed Sheriff be W. q:
Commander) offered 10 make u settlement OF
all matters which had come into bis hands
while acting Sheriff, but that the Sherlf re-
fused to accept a settlement unless an tne
open accounts, including those coming over
from the administration of Sheriff Sanders,
deceased, should be made. This be was not
in position to do, nor was it incumbent
upon him to do go. having no knowledge CT
them, and be therefore refused to do 80,
having no knowledge Of them. lie had oeea,
and is stisl anxioas to eettle for all funds
coming into the Office while it was ID his
bands and therefore prayed that the RUE
be dismissed AID a time appointed for set'
,Iement. BE reported S77.81 on hand.
Judge Benet ordered that the rule be dls-
missed aud that Mr. Commander be required
to make q settlement withln reasonable
time.
Can't Kee!s represented himself aud read
his answer which is given in flll herewith
Judge Bere, reserved his decision.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
SUMTER COUNTY.
In re D. E. Keels. Return.
Rule to show cause.
To His Honor, W. c. Benet, Presiding
Judge.
In answer TO the rule to show cause why
should no. he indicted upon the the present
ment of the Graud Jury to your honorable
Court made out by A w. Snder, Expert
Sookkeeper of the Grapd Jury, hereby sub
nit to vour honorable Court the following
reasons why should not be indicted, to Wit;
l. That deny each and every allegation
in A. W. Suaer's bookkeeper report to the
Grand Jrry except sach as are hereinafter
ADMITTED 20 be true and further deny that
have been guilty Of any malfeasance or mis-
feasanee in Office
Under the head Of "Dispeusary Ac-
counts in the aforesaid report deny the
amount Of Sz49 es beirg due or any part
thereof other than that charged to me IN
last annual settlement on balance sheet
Sl73.65, that would have beso paid, had
settlement seen completed and had l rot been
advised .y those who were connected With
making settlement and by A. W Suder. rot
TO cay until after settlement was completed,
which amou hare always been and am
cow ready 10 p.y
That uoder the head "Ceurt Exposes"
in the aforesaid report, March AID June term
1925 error Of Slo0.l0 know Dothing what
ever Of l posted my Court vouchers With
number and 10 whom made payable. ios
clerk of tbs board Of CountT Conc clssionecs
checked he "ccoGEt 6y the ToucaeTs and bal
auced the accounts as The books Will show.
Hsvinn imD;ic;t confidence iu his integrity
sna hooe;tv. nave never verified the ac-
count snd if there is an error am not aware
of IT, If upon investigation ma error
am ready tn pay iae a.ooant :,
4. That uude: the bead pubic Schools,
the sum of S!26l % with credit o. Treas
urer q l.. Scacoorcusa's receipt OF Sizco,
is admitted sbe ol26l OF ;s charged tc me
on balance sSset 10 last aaaos' ss.uensns aasas
and kno"a 10 Tue couolg ohc'a's co"a.e.ea
with The Treasurer once ana many o.oe's.
This amcu"t did not pay because 'oefe "ss