The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-03-04

Verdict of the Jury in the
Colleton Case.
Special to The State.
Walterboro. Feb. 26.-"Gentlemeu
of the jury, have you agreed upon q
verdict ?''
eve have
1t is midnight. The old court house
of Colleton county is dimly lighted, the
body of the bailding being in
semi.darkness TIE figures of the
prisoners are imperfecsly seen 10 the
dock. which is elevated Eve feet above
the floor. At the rail dividing the bar
from the public portion Of the hall,
there is wall Of white faces Men
have been pushing and struggling for
an advantageous position. but now
hush falls upon the assemblage.
A few minutes before. when the
nows that the jury had agreed was
heard on the quiet streets, men bad
seemed to spring from the ground. and
in an incredibly short time hundreds
were struggling and pushing up the
winding stone steps of the court house.
surging into the tuilding, almost over
povi:g the force of deputies stationed
along the railing.
But Judge Aldrich had arrived and
the stiffness of vault now reigoed
Around table aighted by one of the
three kerosene lamps in the ball. were
three or four special correspondents.
The Rev G. n. Ackermau, father of
DR.. w. Fl. Ackermau, sat by the side
of his wife. has white hair and beard
being conspicuous in the uncertain light
The devoted mother, who bas 30 faith
fully attended the court. was bent for
ward, handkerchief, pressed to her
eyes. Several girls, relatives of the
prisoners. were seated about the dock
serious but not deeply moved The
prisoners looked straight ahead.
''Wait moment, Mr.. Clerk" said
the judge, wac then warned the
audience against any demonstration.
''Let the verdict be read,' be said
"The State against w. Fl .Ackermap,
Frank Jenny. Frank Brand and Wyman
Kearse; Indictment for .nurder-no.
guilty"
A smile spread over DR.. Alderman s
face as the last words fell from the
clerks lips. His father let his face
fel! in his hands with sob; his moth
er seemed to press the handkerchief clos
er to her eyes. The other defendants
were unmoved.
Perfect silence consioaed for second
when some ONE tapped on the floor with
his feet, but stern eonmand of silence
cut of the applause. Court vas then
adjourned.
A hundred men pressed about the
dock from all sides, while the prisoners
etood up and received their enthusiastic
congratulations. M.a. Ackeaman was
overcome with emotion and the other
ladies weps aloud.
The jurymeu then dled By Rev. Mr..
Ackerman, who still weeping, took
each one BY the hand with fervens
..God bless you.'' The mother was
the nexs, with tear-bedimmed eyes, to
give thanks to these IL men, who then
shook hands with the four occupants OF
the dock aud several dozen frieods of
those men.
The prisoners we're remanded to jail
being under indictment for the murder
Of Ishau Kearses
Such is human nature ard so it ever
will be. In this friendly circle the con-
viction of these men would have been
considered crime too terrible to COZ
template the enormity of the offense
charged against them was overshadowed,
forgotten. in the moment Of danger to
those for whou, they have regard, and
all the Influence of powerful connect
ion has been exerted TO spread that feel
ing to the minds of ueighbors. "Why
should our friends be- the first to fall
before this newly aroused public scnti-
ment. when if they killed these people
they did DOT intend to take life ?
Oa toe other side, those living beyond
this little circle of friends aud acquaint-
auces of the defendants. those who
know that neither the leading COUNSEL
uor the prisoners will deny that the lat
ter committed the crime Of whipping,
those who have given intelligent aud
unbiased attention to the evidence and
have heard distinguished lawyers make
desperate effort to create tie shado~
of a defense. must realize that this vas
another case 10 which-from whatever
cause.-The, eyes of Justice have oeen
bound and the unbalanced scales taken
from her hands-and in the sight Of an