The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-10-04
NOT BILL DIXON.

We are not disposed to criticize
officials because we know they have
rnnch TO contend with that public
policy forbids them from explaining,
and at the same time the public does
not understand and often misjudges
an officer, but when we find an officer
so Indifferent to the cause of justice as
10 thwart or hinder other officers
from doing their duty we cannot con-
scientiously refrain from giving the
public the facts, even if it does iDjure
somebody. The public welfare is OF
more Importance than an officers in
di7idual feelings.
Everybody knows how anxious the
people are to have that notorious des-
perado Bill Dixon captured, and all
rumors in relation to his whereabouts
are carefully investigated by our
sheriff. On last Monday Mr.. Davis
was in town and reported the arrest
Of negro in Sumter who answered
the description Of Bill Dixon, immed-
lately Sheriff Bradham sent the fol-
lowing telegram:
Sheriff B. 6. Pierson, Sumter, S. c.:
We learn here you have Bill Dixon;
is it so? D. J. BRADEAN, Sheriff.
After waiting about two hours the
answer came as follows:
Sumter, S. c., Oct. 2, 1899.
D. J. Bradham, Sheriff:
Bill Dixon has not been arrested
by me. B. G. PIERsoN, Sheriff.
Sheriff Pierson wires back that
Dixon was not arrested by him, but
evaded saying, that party suspected
of being Dixon had been arrested by
Mr.. c. ". Stansill and was at that
very moment in the Sumter jail. The
answer of Sheriff Pierson, under the
circumstances was nothing more or
less than a culpable evasion, and
tended to thwart another sheriff in
the discharge OF his duty. Why did
Sheriff Pierson, wish to conceal from
Sheriff Bradham the fact that an ar
rest had been made? Was he look
ing into the matter of rewards, before
giving the required information? The
conduct Of Sumter's sheriff in this
matter is nothing short OF outrageous
and it is pity that Governor Nc.
Sweeney has not the power to sus-
pend from Office, an officer who so
hagrantly violates the laws OF ordina-
ry common sense. Sheriff Bradham
after receiving the answer to his tel
egram from Sheriff Pierson contented
himself with the assurance that Bill
Dixon had not been arrested IN Sum-
ter, and that the report was another
of the many false rumors in connec-
ton with the outlaw, but on Monday
night TIE TINES editor received
letter from Mr. G. ". Stansill, IN
which be relates that he arrested q
negro that he believed to be Dixon.
We herewith reproduce the letter:
Sumter, S. c., Oct. 2, 1899.
Mr.. Louis Applet, Manning, S. c.:
Dear Sir:-I arrested a negro here
on Saturday evening with stolen
horse and buggy. which parties have
followed him here with and claimed.
Now some seem to think that he is
William Dixon. don't know Dixon,
but am almost certain that this fell
low is one Of the three negroes that
you want in Manning.
r1Now what want is for you to find
the party or parties who saw those
negroes in Bradham's barn down in
the swamp, and see if they would be
able to identify either OF the parties
they saw at that barn. If they can't
maybe some other parties may have
seen them and might be able to iden-
tify this fellow am almost sure he
IS one of the parties and would be
glad if you could find some one who
could identify him. He has all the
marks of Dixon, but | don't know
him.
Let me- hear from you at once.
Respectfully,
G. W. STANSILL.