Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-03
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.

REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
The grand jury concluded its labors on
Wednesday afternoon and submitted the
following:
To his honor I. D. Witherspoon, presid-
ing Judge, of the Sixth circuit: We, the
grand jury Of York county, beg leave to
submit this, our final report:
We have acted upon all the bills handed
out to us by the solicitor.
A committee composed Of members OF
our body has investigated the manage
ment of the county home, and finds that
the same is in a satisfactory condition and
we'll managed. The inmates are prop
erly cared for and there is every evidence
that business principles are being applied.
We suggest that the members of the
county board of commissioners build an
additional barn there.
We have also investigated the Jail and
find that the safety of the prisoners de-
mands that some repairs be made without
delay, and we would call especial atten-
ton to the fact that one cell is unsafe on
account ofthe damage done it by some
prisoners in a recent attempt to escape.
We would recommend that the county
board of commissioners secure estimates
on the cost of furnace for heating the
Jail, and if the same can be economically
done, would recommend that one be pur-
chased and put in.
We have inspected the stockade at the
county convict camp, and find it in good
condition. The prisoners are well fed and
clothed and treated and are doing good
work.
1t has come to our knowledge that::Sam-
uel L. Pursley, coroner of York county,
Meek Capps, together with Boyce FAIRIES,
have been engaged in disturbance or
riot in violation OF the laws of the State, in
which Pursley was seriously injured by
the said Capps. We would respectfully
ask that thorough investigation be made
and the said parties be brought to strict
account for said disorderly conduct.
We also present the following parties
for general riot: John Pursley, Meek
Capps, Aaron Howell and Frank Carpen-
ter. All of the above disturbance occur
red in York county, S. c., on or about the
2lst day of March, 1895, at the store of
James L. McGill. Following are witness
es: John A. Falls, Jake Ford, James L..
McGill, Will Erwin, Mack McCarter,
Newton Glenn. Attending physician, E..
w. Presley.
We have investigated the books and
management of the dispensaries at Tirzah
and Blacksburg. We find the following
irregularities at the former: A number
of requests to purchase liquor without
any date, and we saw one sale of liquor
made without the written request being
signed at the time of the purchase. These
Irregularities are in violation Of section IL
of the dispensary law, and should be
corrected. In all other respects we found
the management of the dispensary in
accordance with the law.
We find the following irregularities in
the management. of the dispensary at
Blacksburg: A number of prescriptions
for liquor (given, as the dispenser states,
on the Sabbath day. without any date,
the larger number being signed, Ram
SCI r, NJ. D." We find many of the
written requests for the purchase OF
liquor are signed by the dispenser, in the
place of the purchaser, the same being
also attested by him. We also find that
said dispenser does not in every instance
ascertain or inquire the age of parties
purchasing liquor as required by law.
1t has been reported to us that Trial
Justice w. d. Camp is often intoxicated,
and is on that account, at such times, inca
pacitated and unable to properly discharge
the duties pertaining to his office.
We call attention to the fact that j. j.
Waters, trial justice, as we are informed,
has been negligent in the matter OF look
ing after the interest of the State in GER
tain cases, in that he has admitted parties
to bail on worthless or what IS commonly
called "straw bonds"
1t has been brought to our attention that
Trial Justice NJ. S. Carroll, Of York town.
ship, has resigned his office and that no
one has been appointed to succeed him.
We recommend that this again be brought
to the attention of the governor OF the
State, and that some suitable person be
appointed to the said office.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. NJ. BLACK, Foreman.
Judge Witherspoon thanked the grand
Jurors for the careful and intelligent at
tention they had given to their duties and
said that the special matters mentioned in
their presentment would be looked after
and properly disposed of. He then dis
missed the grand jurors until the next
term of the court.