The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-05-12

and at that time all be saw 10
the trunk were a few partially filed
boxes of cigars aud two ora three cans
Of peaches, but scattered 90 the foer
were sig or eight empty cigar boxes;
that on that day in the presence of
Castor and Garris deponent took a
handful of these cigars. Garris took
haudful and CASTOR took handful aud
be jokiugly twitted Judge Gastou with
the remark that he could now account
for the cigars which he. CASTOR aud
Harry, had been smok ag for several
weeks = that cigars which deponent
took be carried into the State board
room and gave Mr. Williams aod Mr..
Douthis some Of them, and told them
he had gotten them out of the contra
band room aud would get them some
more which be intended to do before
the adjournment Of the board aud be.
fore they left the city. bat 10 the multi
p!icity Of his duties it escaped mis- at
teD;ion.
That few days after this be went
iato the board room, and got the key
Of the coa,raband room which belonged
to the State board of control aud Which
was 10 the custody of deponent as clerk
of the board, and with Charles Lyoch.
clerk in his Office. and got four boxes
of cigars partially filed, as he remem-
bers. aud four cans of peaches, ard TO-
structed Lynch to take then into the
Office and the boys 10 the Office could
eat the peaches. and be would divide
the cigars with them that these four
boxes Of cigars aod CAPS of peaches
we're utterly valueless to the State, as
the cigars were very cheap cigars. aud he
does DOT believe they could have been dis
posed Of for any consideration /; that
deponent also discovered several bottles
Of domestic vine the day be took Lynch
10 for cigars aud peaches aud
bumorously remarked I'VE will get
that wine too before some oae
takes it.'' but as matter
OF fact did rot mean TO take
it at the time of makiog toe re-
mark. as it was not seriously made,
and be di1 not take the wine and COM
missioner told bio be had taken charge
Of the vine: that be seldom entered
the contrabaod room and never uuIess
upon urgent business. As Colonel
Jooes and the attorney generals Office
will bear him out. there vas . great
deal Of trouble with oontraband seiz-
ures made by the coostabes, as macy
threatening letters we're received
from parties about liquors ship
ped to them for personal use !;
that Col. Gas:on did Dot attend
to these matters as promptly as Chair
mao Jones thought he should aod Col
Jores told him be aad deponeot would
have TO take this matter in hand, and
With the attorney geaeral would have
70 look after the return Of coo:rabard
liouors, aud the onl7 occasions on
which be wsns into tue contraband
rcoo was to refer to tee records sup
posed 10 be contained in the receiving g
coatrabaad book; than cn several occa-
sioss gith the consent Of Chairman
Jones he pv-chased deuilohus of corn
vbiskey which had beeo seized and for
feited to the State. aud paid therefor at
the rate of 81 so per gallon, which the
records in bis Office will show. whilst the
price the State board paid for some
goods was from 81 80 to 81 IS per gal
lon ; that further than herein stated,
be has never taken a sing lie article from
the coptraband room that 10 taking
these four boxes OF cigars and cans of
peaches he was only following out a
custom which had been 10 vogue ever
since his connection with the State
dispeusary (; that 90 divers occasions
such articles as brandy peaches, bran
dy cherries, cigars and other artlcies
other than vines and whiskies, have
been placed 10 the custody OF the com.
missioner and he bas often given him
some Of such Articles and also given
them to others and to show ttat 1epo-
oens did DOT suppose he was commit
ting al act which would make him la
bic to cessure, he gave to swo meu bers
Of the board some Of these very cigars
and told them where be had gotten
them that be did say to Mr.
Lyoct to say oothipg to Mr.. Blakeley.
because B!akeley was his mortal euemy
for soue reason be knows not why. ard
be did not wish any distortion of tie
facts, aud this vas she reason be told
him to say oothing to Blakeley about
cigars o. peaches : that he lad no OBJ
jec;ioo to Mr.. Biakeley knowing be
had taken the cigars and peaches to the
clerks in bis cfice, provided a friendly
o,2 (o,;t;p,o 10 o,oct,,-.+,or ,o,,, ,rL /. ;