The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-12
GARRIS AND THE TRUNK.
SAYS he BOUGHT FROM COMMlS-
SloNER GASTON.

and the Price Would be Fixed Ready To
Paw or Return It-scruggs Makes State
ment.
Mr.. G. w. Garris, of Colleton, who
got Beckroge's trunk, has written 8
communication giving his statement
as to his connection with the affair
The following is what he has to say
about it:
Editor News and Courier: 1 notice
in the Columbia correspondence OF
YOUR issue of April 90, under the cap
ton of "a New Dispensary Scandsl,'
that my name appears in connection
with the "Beckroge trunk affair,
s'Truth seeker" after propoundlng
the same question to certain dlspensa-
nv officials, turns to me and Gays:
1--WE would be glad to have Mr.. y.
W. Garris, a member of the leglsla'
tive committee. to say what he knows
about the trunk"
I will cheerfully state my connec.
ton with the matter, and it is as fol-
lows: I found at the close of the last
session of the legislature, on account
of some purchases [ had made. that l
needed q larger trunk. remembered
that while I was member OF the leg.
islatiye examining committee we had
taken stock of kind of ''plunder
room that contained some old trunks
and valises, among other things, that
were said to have been captured full
of "blind tiger" liquor. learned that
these articles we're disposed OF by sale.
When found that needed a trunk,
it occurred to me that could purchase
a second handed trunk at the dispen-
sary that would serve my purpose,
and at the same time save me part
of the extra expense of new one. l
went to the Commissioner Colonel
Gastou) and asked about the matter.
He showed me two small ones very bad
~ damaged. Twas about to buy one OF
these, when MIR. Scruggs, or possibly
some member of the board told me
that there were others upstairs. l
went up with Colonel Castor, and
found the trunk in question. 1t hsd
been handled very roughly in break
ing it open and needed repairs-a new
lock, etc. Colonel CASTOR and my
self looked at the trunk, and he re.
marked that he would like to buy the
trunk himself, whereupon I declined
to take it and started away. Colonel
CASTOR reflected moment, called me
back and said that if the trunk suited
me I could take it along. he deliver
ed it to me and l had it brought to the
boards room door. I called on the
members present (and I forget now
what ones we're present-could find
out if necessary to fix the price. The
members seemed. however, to be dis
cussing some matter very hurriedly.
] think some of them were going away
ON the next train, and it was about
train time. Some members remarked
that they would fix the prics later,
and that they would make it reasous-
BILE. I seat the trunk then to the shop
for repairs. The day before I left Co.
lumbia I called to settle the matter.
Mr.. Scruggs stated that the price had
not yet been fixed, but said he would
send me the bill as soon as it was.
Recently I was talking to a member
of the board, and he mentioned the
matter to me and again I asked for a
price, and he promised he would at
tend to the matter at the next board
meeting, and send me the bill. This
is all l know of the trunk.
I wish to state that I know nothing
and care nothing about where the
trunk came from. I did not know or
care whether it had been at the dis.
pensary day or year. was a SIM
pie purchaser, with no desire to give
less than full value, and, of course,
none to give more. would have
bought the trunk under similar cir
cumstances if every reporter in the
land had been there to witness the
sale. not only did not care for that
but did not think of the public prints
in connection with the matter. On
the contrary, I do say that had I
dreamed that the trunk was or would
afterwards become a matter of legal
|or other contention, I would not have
taken it under any circumstances, just
because of my aversion for difficulties
|of that kind.
I have gone into detail in the expla-
|nation of this matter because it was
made public, and believe the public,
|if it cares anything about it, would
|prefer q full statement. I make it.
foo, in justice to myself and the Off
|cers of the dispensary mentioned in
the article referred to. I wish to state
further that I am in no way connect
led with the dispensary, either as legis
|lative examiner or otherwise. I was
last year, but my active duties ended
long before bought the trunk. Still
% may have been member, I do not
know whether Speaker Gary had
made the new appointments at that
time or not.
In conclusion, l will say that I have
tried to preserve the proper spirit in
my answer to the inquiry of Truth
Seeker" His insinuation that the
trunk was given away is not truth"
And fear his whole article was not
20 much an inquiry for truth as it was
bn attempt to SANDER.
Now, if "Truth Seeker" knows any
ching that is going on wrong at the
State Dispensary or anywhere else in
his State government, for the sake of
Justice let him come out and name the
wrong and the wrong. doer in an hon,
brable way and sign his name to his
production, for the world is growing
10 hate the coward that throws q
brick and hides his hand" The money
hr fha trunk Is s1lhiact to the order of