The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-05-03
Conspiracy Case
Called in Court.
J. ". Tolbert Testified
Against Hen Of McCor-
mick.
SDecia! to The State.

Special to The State.
Greenviile april 27.--When the
United States court took recess this
evening at 7.30 o'clock all the leading
witnesses for the government in the
much-talked Of conspiracy case, the
outcome OF the Phoenix election riots
aud the bsnisbment Ct James ".
Tolbers from Mccormick, had been
examined aad the district attorney
announced that. in all probability, the
government had closed its case.
The witnesses examined proved to be
extremely poor cnes for the purpose of
making cut case against the citizens
Of MoCormiok-M. L B. Sturkey, J.
n. Dunlap. James L. Reynolds. Luther
Tucker, T. J. Bentley, Wade F
Cothrar, j. P. Jennings. j. @
Stiliwell ard Henry L. Martin, wbo
are charged with the conspiracy The
ccu,t roon vas packed and great
iOsCl So1 w 40 l1oUtiOoeC0'
| The prisoners are represented by
Hoo George Johostone, Senator Deao
and N G.. EvaDs.
L was not uasil afternoon that the
case vas taken Up. At TIE outset the
attorneys had lively tilt as to whether
tie ofanse charged gas nisdeneaoos
CT felo1y. l. vas held TO be the
latter, and the defense got its extra
challenges. A fne looking jury Of
white mer. SIX f:om this county. vas
obtained. Every Edge6eld nan vas
objected to BY the government.
| E. R. ToIbers, the man whose
candidacy for congress vas at the
bostou Of all the trouble, was tie first
witness. usreiy testifying to requesting
j. W. Tclbers to get af63avi's for hin.
Then j. Y. Toibers vas put on
the stand, and from that time till the
recess the proceedings we're brimfni Of
interest and at times exciting.
The witness wished to 60 way beyond
ell questions asked by the district
attorney and argue matters.
When Mr. Jobostooe got hold Of
hin there we're numerous warm pas
sages, tie witness using bis tongue
freely aud often to his own uadoiDg.
He told CT the calling Of Mr.. Sturke3
at his house how he invited hin inside
because he vas afraid 10, to 60 TO
S:urkey's store; how both he and
Sturkey secured witnesses to the COZ
ference ard s:ugEey read to him the
resolutions adopted by the ci;izeos,
giving him SO hours TO leave town.
He swore St1rkey told hin ''We would
have killed you last aighs bet for yo7T
wife aud child" The resolutions had
not been given bin. There we're 80 CT
30 names signed to the resolutions.
he remembered those Of the defend
ants. He told how he got cut OF to"a
by back way aud said be was "Scared
to death. neagly''
Bar. Joapstone made hiE acsocTl-
edge that he came upon tbe streets Of
the toEn after going the back way and
DO ooe mclested him He bad seen
Mr.. Cothrao crossing a street With
Winchester rife He also admitted
Mr. S:urkey told hin be was sorry that
be had to leave, and shook hands With
him.
He denied thai he bad written q
friendly letter 20 Sturkey asking hin 20
get him g job 10 Washington, sayicg
ne had written letter with purpose.
He also denied that the resolutions bad
reached BIN in Washington. He also
admitted thai Sturkey had said be
would protect hin 35 hours IN argr-
ing with Mr.. Johnstone the witness
exclaimed "And you told me your
self this morning that if I went bacs to
Mccormick I would be killed
Mr. Johnstone-"Aad I believe that.
But Gido'; I tell yoc aIso 10 that con-
versatioa hat would ssaod for it that
these defendants would net touch hair
of your bead F."
Toiberi-"You cor:do's prevent it. ("
Then epsued sensational scene.
M. Joho5tone. wheeling and 10 a,os:
dramatic manner exclaimed
Now didn't you call me in to your
.oom this very uorn!ag eod talk With
nc. and GidD'5 We pledge oc. boocr oos
,o divulge one word oe that converse.
ton ~
Tolbers stammored, was confused and
6nsllg said eyes, did, but | forget
it
M7 Jobustooe, with biting sarcasm
And you are the kind of map 90
whose word the jury is expected to send
men to the peni;eo,iary."
Toloert aduitted that be did not
know whether Mr.. Tucker. (83 years
ODD. had been in Mccormick He had
r.suzrnrzzzzzrszzszz.