The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-06-10
Court.

vened here Monday.
Judge R. c. Watts delivered an
elaborate and thoughtful charge to
the grand jury instructing them as
to their duties.
Judge Watts has, by his impartial
rulings, courtesy and sound judg-
ment, won the respect and esteem OF
the bar and the people at large. His
prompt dispatch Of the business OF
the court has been marked and the
occasion of favorable comment.
The Solicitor gave ont number OF
bills upon which the grand jury has
acted, and made it's final report for
this term and were dismissed. The
following is the report:
To the Hon. R. G. Watts, Judge
Presiding:
We, the grand jury"of Lexington
county, beg to make the following re-
port. We have examined and passed
upon all the bills handed US by the
Solicitor.
AS we made an examination of the
poor house, Jail and dispensary at the
February term Of court, We did not
deem it necessary to do SO again, but
have appointed a committee to make
a thorough examination of every
thing coming under our jurisdiction
and make final report of same at
the September term of court.
As We are informed that the State
constables, now in attendance upon
court, are employed by the State and
pid by the same, We heartily recon-
m End that they be not paid by the
county for their attendance upon
court nor for mileage for the reason
D: the trivial nature of the cases
t,ey have brought before the grand
jury.
We thank mis- Honor and the So
licitor for their kindness and courte-
sizes shown US.
Respectfully submitted,
S. o. HAMMER, Foreman.
The business thus far is as follows:
The first case tried was against
Henry Sheppard for violating the
dispenssry law. The verdict was
guilty, as also in the case against
him for resisting arrest. He was
tried in his absence and hence no
sentence passed. This man is a
brother of the noted Bill Shops ara
of Supreme Court fame.
The case against Jas, A. Caugh,
man and W. B. Seay, with assault and
battery with intent tokill, was next in
order, and the verdict was in favor
of Seay but against Caughman who
gets nine months on the chain gang
or 500 fine.
G. L. and Sidney Epting were
convicted OF assault and battery OF a
high and aggravated nature and
ntenced to pay s25 each, or i'm
prisoument sixty days. Mr.. E6rd,
their attorney, gave notice of appeal
to the Supreme Court.
Eddy Holmes plead guilty to
house breaking and larceny and was
sentenced to six months on the chain
gang.
The Solicitor mol pressed the case
against H. A. Argoe and Linford
Barefoot charged with malicious
trespass.
In the case of the State against
il. johnson, charged with breach
OF trust, the grand jury returned nc
bill.
The case against Silas Bonds, il
dicted for assault and battery was
mol pressed. Mr.. Asbill represented
the defendant.
The Solicitor entered mol pros. il
the case against Alexander Marks
charged with assault and battery
also in the case against Isaac Hal
aud others, for similar charge, anc
in the case against Lee Berry fol
house breaking and larceny.
All day yesterday was consumed
in the trial of the case of the State
against ". Patrick Bowers, charged
wsh solicitation Of felony. Messrs
Meetze & Muller were of counsel
for the State. MI. y. 3. NlDgarC
and Mr.. Cole S. Blease appeared for
the defendant. The case was hotly
contested, but the verdict was guilty
Mr.. Bowers was sentenced to five
years in the penitentiary or s75(
fine. Supposed to be the first man
sentenced under such a charge in
this State. His attorneys gave
notice of appeal to the Supreme
Court. He gave bond.
The case against Paul E. BLACK
for breach of trust, was continued
also that against Sam Whitmore, fol