The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-16
Court Proceedings.

Since our last report tie following is
record of court proceedings:
WEDNESDAY.
The State vs John F Beard. assault and
battery With intent to kill Guilty OF as
sault of high and aggravated nsture. No.
tice Of motion for new trial
The State vs. Willie johnson, larceny. Mol
pressed aad new bill given out.
The State vs josiah Spann, larceny OF live
stock Not guilty.
The Grand Jury banded in the following
true bills this morning.:
The State vs. George Elliott and Wallace
Brown. murder. True bill.
The State ys Charlie Black, assault aod
battery of high and aggravated nature and
carrying coocealed weapons True bill.
The case of The State vs Ed. W. Trimna'l
was taken up just before recess for dinner
and jury empaneled, but as the defendant,
who has been out on bond, was not present
and did not appear wien called by the crier,
the trial could not be proceeded with. A
beach warrant WAS issued by order OF the
Judge for nis arrest. As but short tune
was wanting before the hour for recess, court
was adjourned.
The afternoons session was taken up
with the trial Of one case of assault and bat
tery. and nothing else was accomplished. :.
The case af asssult disposed of was The
State vs Johnnie Mack, assault and battery
of a high and aggravated nature and carry
ing concealed weapons. Gully. Sentenced
to pay foe Of S25. Fine paid.
Charles William, the arrde. Of }. W. Lee
vas brought into The Court House aud ar
rsigued He stated that be was guilty of
killing Lee, but wished to make a statement
The Judge asked him if he desired counsel
end be said that be did. aessrs L. D. Jep-
piogs aud 1. G.. Strauss were appointed to
defend him and the trial wes set for Monday.
The Grand Jury reported in the following
cases:
The State ivs. Lee Logan, ceiling liquor
contrary to law. No bill.
The State vs. William Pinckney, selling
liquor contrary to law. True bill
THURSDAY.
This moroipg the court was engaged in the
trial of the case of The State vs. Charlie
Black, assault and battery of high and
aggravated uatare ard carrying concealed
weapons. Guilty op the FIRST conpt. Sen
fenced TO pay 6ne of S25: Fine p,id
The Grand Jury made its presentmeut just
before the court adjourned for dinner and
vas discharged The presentment which was
ahort and to the point was AS follows:
To His Honor, Earnest Gary, Presidiog
Judge;
The Graod Jury beg to report the follow
ing, to wit:
We have p.esed upon all bills placed 10 our
hands and have given attention to such other
matters as have been given us in charge
In obedience to your Honors' instructions,
we have made ioquiry concerning the exist
euce and conduct of bawdy houses IN the city
Of Sumter aud we 6ud that there are several
common bouses Of i'll fame within the limits
Of the city conducted BY both white and col
cred women. We also find the city cureed
With assignatiou houses, which We consider
even worse than the other class of houee of
i'll fame. asd the Grand Jury will be able to
report fdr,her concerning this grave matter
a, the next term of court.
We End that while some OF the magistrates
OF ,be county are prompt and careful to make
complete returns and file their papers ten days
before court, as the law requires, others are
not prompt and careful in this respect and
thereby delay the progress of court. There
fore we warn those who thus offend, that they
will be presented should the ofense be re-
peated
The county Offices, &c, have been care
fully examined during the past year, we will
make the general examination for this year
at . Subsequent tsfm.
The Grand Jury beg to thank your Honor
for courtesies received.
Respectable submitted
F. A. FOLSOM, Foreman.
thursday afternoon the Ccart made but
slight progress. but one csse being disposed
of, which was The State vs. Wm. Pick.
eos, selling liquor contrary TO- law.
Guilty. Sentence, one hundred dollars 6ue,
or four months 90 the public works or
four months in peuitentiary.
FRIDAY.
The case of the State against Henry Bur-
rows, for murder, was concluded 10 the
afternoon by verdict of "MansauRnter."
Parry Williams was next tried under an
indictment for burglary and larceuy-charg-
ed with stealing chickens from Ar. J Frank
Patio. Verdict not guilty.
SATURDAY.
Anderson ]. Shelton, charged with bigamy
was tried to-day and found guilty. He was
sentenced to 4 years in tho penitentiary.
Shelton, it will be recollected, is the white
man who married girl of fifteen years Of
age, the daughter of respectable farmer
of the Carter's Crossing section, short
t;me ago, although be then had wife liv-
ing in Georgia
Sheriff Pierson went to C,arksvi!le for
Shelten's FIRST wife, was put oa the stand
as witness for the prosecution.
AZ the concluslon OF the Shelton case
court was adjourned until 10 o'clock Monday
morning.
MONDAY
Az sooa a. court conveoed Monday morning
the trial OF Ch.rlie Williams, the murderer of
Mr.. J. W. Lee, of Bishopville, was COM
manted.
L. c. Strauss, Eco, and L. D. Jennings,
Esq who were appointed TO defend Williams
by Jadee Gary conducted the case for the
defendant.
All witnesses for the Stete we're examined
before the recess for dinner aud the Solicitor
announced that the State would rest ts Case.
The counsel for the defendant stated that
there were no witnesses for the defendant