The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-15


penses from August 1895 to January 1891
amounting to Sl6l. AS TO why he didn't ac
| count for the 81 600 then was because he hoped
to be able to return II, but was not able al
amounts were not credited on the books o
In reply to Mr.. Patton, he said that If ht
have lost If his bondsmen could not pay it..
| In answer to Mr.. Patton he said that ht
now thought that 1t YVES not right from ar
ethical standpoint. About three or four hun
dred dollars year was his ordinary travel
not suppose that all OF 1t would be necessary
tor travelling expenses.
Referring TO payment Of $500 by Cooley q
sG be- had ShSa soen on e sos
SS56, IL was collected fiom Hammond. Ofthil
sum he kept $500 and turned the rest over Il
he used it for his private purposes. In Mr.
Watson's papers there was note for $500 en-
dorsed by Col. Neal as Superintendent. Mr.
| Watson said 1t vas made by him TO pay Mr.
about that, but his signature was to the note
He could not remember whether the peni
tentiary ever had anything to do with tnt
| note. He endorsed the notes IS Superintend
Wpsss said ns bst he Woad not say thai
Mr.. Watson's statement was false. He simp
ly didn't remember whether 1t was per-
sonal matter or not.
RagsdaIe for $500, he said that Ragsdale had
bought them all over the contry. Possibly
two cows came from his farm. The COWS
were bought to supply the institution with
dale. The Neal plantation got profit OF
about 81 q head.
ExaminIng Bank Books-The Sure.
ties on NeaJ's md.
onooIo, to tho Granville Naw1
Columbia, 8. c.. March n.-In the Neal
penitentiary investigation today Treasurer
Tim norman testified as TO Colonel Meals
bond. The last one was dated April 9Th, 1897.
and was for $4,000; Colonel Winie Jones; W.
The bond was irregular. While 1t is signed
all right, the names OF the sureties are left out
of the body of the paper, but 1t will hold.
Another bond, of January 3rd, 1885, Is In
proper form with the same suroties.
The first bond given by Colonel Neal was
produced. 1t was made In January 1888. The
suretles were J. 3. Watson, j. s. Fowler. Geo
E. Prince, ]. B. Douthit Robert Moorehead. B.
B. McPhail. R, M. Burreas, Thomas Burreas,
Samuel McCravey and John Eskew, OF fAnder-
son.
The committee adjourned to the Carolina
bank for the purpose Of examining the books
OF the bank relative to various notes. This
was long and tedious and Is very much COM
plicated. President Clark gave all the infor'
nation readily but such vast field was open
data asked for prepared and given the COM
mittee. Colonel Neal rsn an individual &C.
count as well as one as superintendent.
MIR. Stevenson asked MIR. Clark as TO Colonel
Meals personal bank account.
Mr.. Weston objected, as Colonel Nears
representative. Mr.. Patton said that Colonel
Neal had admitted using State money for per-
sonal purposes, and II he has funds the State
can reach they ought to be found out.
Mr.. Weston held that mans personal &C.
count was sacred. He asked that the ques'
tion be postponed until Colonel Neal return.
ed.
Mr.. Patton said that he had no doubt as to
the committees right or duty, but he would
consent to withdraw his question until Neal
returns.
The committee will likely take a recess
Monday afternoon. 49,,
Colonel Neal has gone to Anderson but will
return Monday. 1t was discovered that the
dent had been discounted and that the pro-
ceeds were no credited either to the peniten'
tiary or to Colonel Neal. Mr.. Patton remark
ed that. then, II was not true that all the
peniteptiary. Mr.. Clark replied that that was
correct; the cash was gotten on the bote.
Col. Neal as a Letter Writer.
Report Of the investigation Of Col. w. A.
Meals conduct as superintendent of the peni'
tentiary has filled considerable space on the
daily newspapers for week or more. The
following letters will be interesting:
Mr.. Watson read the following letter from
Col. Neal, which was offered In evidence
Columbia, 8, c., November 5, 96-Dear
Bolton: wanted to have had talk with you
while up the country this week. but failed TO
see you. 1 find we will make lS5 to 195 bales
OF cotton on the two places this year, which, |
am glad to say will pay all expenses and give
you So, 900. One thousand one hundred dol
lars for guano, and 81 500 for convicts hire
Is all the farm Ia due. except Ragdale's salary,
S400, making $500 due you, will make $1,000.
You will see the farm will be able to pay all
demands at 1-2 cents for the cotton. Now, l
soon and we will pay amount due you on or
before December Is, and will be on hand with
the money that day. know you can give us
that much time. Let me hear from you.
Come TO the Fair and bring Cousin Matte
with you. All well. Truly, w. A. Neal.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NEAL LETTER.
Mr. Watson also presented number OF cot.
terday. He then read another letter, which
Columbia, s. c., March 1s, 1s9s.-Hon. j. Bel
ton Watson, Anderson, S. C.-My Dear Sir
Yours of 18th to hand noted. l wanted to
have seen you while up the country last week
at Due West; had no time or chance. Went
to town on two days for short time, but failed
ton possibly so, but you, j. Bolton Watson,
said to me the last time I told you that yon
believed we would get7 cents for our cotton
and we expressed the belief that II was best to
wait until April |. You say something about
using our credit; haven't used your credit