The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-03-31

Doubts OF the Murderers Guilt and Cono-
nutes His sentencs--So Doube Pardon
Win Follow Later.
COLUMBIA, S. c., March 25.-City
Attorney Carroll OF Augusta, by his
energetic work done in the last 20
DAYS, has succeeded in saving the life
of Daniel G. Murphy, and that untor,
tunate man Will not have to pay the
death penalty upon the gallows. Ehls
| will be read by many before Murphy
knows, however, whether ne must die
today or not. He "ss not told last
night. the prison gates having been
locked for the night before any one
knew the result. His aged, greyhalred
father will doubtless be the hrst to
give him the news at s o'clock or short
| " thereafter this morning. As the
case row stands, Murphy's sentence
has been committed to life lnprslon-
ment in the State penitentiray. On
the streets every man one could meet
approved this action upon the part OF
the chief executive.
Governor Ellerbe has given the case
the greatest amount Of careful and
painstaking consideration. Since
his last interview with the prisoner,
he has been convinced of his guilt.
and Murphy would surely have died
on the galloWs today, but for the earn
est work Of Mr.. Carroll in securing
the testimony OF that Augusta minis,
ter whose character had been so high
| ly endorsed.
Yesterday morning, in response to
the request of Governor ElleSSe, So.
licitor Jer7ey and 4. H. Bsnson,
Esq, who prosecuted Murphy, came
to Columbia, and during the day the
governor had them in consultation
with him. The stenographic report
OF the evidence taken in the case the
preceding day was read to them.
What they had to say to the governor
is not known. Both attorneys haa
been previously convinced OF the mans
guilt, but neither Of them were men
who wished an innocent men executed
if it could be shown that he was lnno'
cent.
Governor Ellerbe thought the case
over for some time after these gentle
men had left the city; then sbout $50
o'clock he announced he had COM
muted the sentence to life inprlson'
ment in the State penitentiary, Cover
nor Ellerbs said that the testimony
that had been presented to him by
Mr. Carroll was OF such character as
tn create in his mind the gravest
doubts Of the mans guilt; consequent
lily he could not permit him to be
hanged. This was all the governor
said. His position seems to be about
as follows: While the integrity OF
the Augusta minister was not to be
doubted under the certificates Of charac
ter furnished, there was a bare posi-
bility that he was mistaken as to the
days he swears Murphy was at his
house, and for this reason the COVER
nor could not grant the f14t-rardon.
| If it ever be proven, Oy additional WI
| nesses that the minister's statement IS
absolutely correct the status OF the
case IS now such that he can be par
doned forthwith. The case has been
/ one OF the most intense interest since
Mr.. Carroll introduced the testimony,
summary of which was given yes
terday. Governor Ellerbes position
! in having TO deal with such case, In.
yolying the life of a human being,
was, to say the least, most unenvlaoie.
He has done what he considered the
only proper thing to dc and thus this
case ends for the present.
| Mr.. Carroll was about the execu'
| tive Office often during the day await
| ing to hear the result OF the case. He
and Murphy's brother will return to
Augusta this morning. The latter
and the prisoners aged father heard
| the news Of the commutatlon from
The State representative. The old
] man had hoped and expected that a
full prrdon would De granted. He
has been devotion itself during these
| few weeks and they have told upon
| his strength. He met Captain West
field of the penitentiary guard on the
istreet and said in broken voice:
well captain, we will have to Leave
nv poor boy with you" He talked
pleasantly with the captain for awhile
and then left to sleep, after obtaining
permission to see his son at the prison
at 6 o'clock this morning, before leaV-
ing for his home in Orangeburg.
The facts upon which the Governor
based his action in the case are inter.
esting. They were presented by a
LAWYER by the name of Carroll OF Au-
gusta, Ga. MIR. Carroll came before
Governor EIlerbe on Wednesday
morning with all his information IN
proper shape. He brought along most
of his witnesses and everything ne
wanted to present YVES in the shape OF
sworn afidavits. He left no point un-
guarded and presented case th2s was
OF intense interest. Asslstan. Attor-
ney General Townsend was present
and cross examined the witnesses. Tne
Governor himself frequently asked
them questions. The examination OF
,, the witnesses occupied all the MORN
ing. In the afternoon Governor Eli
Elerbe heard Mr.. Carroll present the
case. Mr.. Carroll made splendid
speech. He arranged his evidence IN
logical order and dissected the e7l-
:. dence produced at the trial IN a mas
!, terly manner. He laid particular
; stress upon the fact that the chief State
> witness, Clem Bars, had already ap-
peared before the governor and con-
, fessed that she was paid 10 lie. Gov
ernor Elleroe listened intently TO
everything that was said. lie stated
that he woild announce his decision
| in the evening. Ats o'clock he an
nouuced that ne had wired tor Sol:ci.
; tor Jervey and Attorney Brunson,
who had represented the State upon
, the trial, as he wished to confer with
, them tlls morning.
Il The first witness OF any consequence
o called was the Rev. E. E. Murphy, a
, retired Baptis. minister OF Augusta,
Ca, who now works in the King Cot
>on mill in that city. ThOuoh he bears