The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-06-14
NEAL
Senator Tlllman and Con-
gresham Latimer Write
the Committee.

were present, Chairman Stevenson aud
Senators Livingston aad Hay. Ms.
Patton aud Mr.. McDaw are expected
this afternoon aud tom orrow.
The morning testimony was interest
ing from the fact that it came out that
Representative Josh Ashley had stabbed
his horse al the pepisensiary through
out ore session Of the legislature free
Of charge.
Senator Tillmao and Mr.. La,imer
sent in statements as to charges made
as to their receiving certain aceommo-
dations from the periteotiary. 1t is
expected that ey Governor Evans will
write or appear before the committee in
reference to his farming operations
while he occupied the mansion.
The meeting convened 10 the
supreme court chamber. Colonel Neil
vas not present. but was represented
by Mr.. Boggs. Of Pickens, aDd M.
Nelson, Of THE city. Penitensiary
Directors Cunningham, Tatum aud
Sanders we're on hand.
The 6rss witness called vas exCap-
tain of the Guard West6eld.
Mr.. Stevenson said it had been
reported that member of the legisla-
ture from Anderson, had had HE horse
stabbed and fed at the penlseotiary
free of charge during it's session of
1898. He asked as to the truth of it.
Captain West6eld replied that Josh
Ashley had rode through the country
to Columbia aud had bis horse kept
at the peniten.iary and no charge had
been made for il, He said, however,
Mr.. Ashley bad frequently aoeommo-
dated the peniteutiary ofisers With
teams, horse and buggy for them to
visit stockades 10 that county.
he was asked who constituted the
Congaree brick company. aud he ea;a
Colonel Neal was oee of the company.
He didn's know anything about an
entry of 500 paid to the company
during 1898 for brick for the Reed
farm. Mr.. Stevenson said it indicated
that brick on hand at the peuitentiary
had been used oo the Reed farm and
that some had been bought in addition.
Mr.. Stevenson asked whether it was
true that officers of the peuitentiary Of
a higher grade had to pay part of their
salary to Colonel Neal in consideration
of receiving an appointment. He said
is was not true as to himself and he
dido's believe there vas anything 10 it
as to the Others
A letter vas read by Chairman Ste.
7ensoa from Senator TiIlmaa 10 refer
epce to brick, comuissasy supplies and
farm accounts. brought out 10 former
evidence In it he says he deems it
unnecessary to appear before the COM
mistee to answer about such trivial mat
eers. aud sends the letter in lieu thereof.
He could not see how Col. Meals dere.
licsion could be charged to him he
said be never had any oommissary sup
plies charged to him during bis term Of
Office as governor and he could nos
understand how such things should
appear on the books. He had paid for
the few things be got. but had proba
bly, received few messss of vegetables
from Col. Neal as compliment.
He said be had never farmed while
in Columbia in any true sense of the
term He rented four or Eve acres.
planted oats 90 1t, usiug his carriags
horses. and afterwards planted peas fol
the fodder. The little piece of g:ouud
about the mansion had been planted by
convicts sent to repair about the man
sion aud they assisted in hauliug and
cutting the stuff from the rented land
He said the committee could calculate
the cost of that.
He said that Colonel Neal had offer.
ed him some brick. as present, while
they were at Rock Hill. if be would
pay the freight, which he agreed to do
| Afterwards bill was sent him by Col
Lipscomb aud when he wrote Nea
| ahont II he eai3 4tnaver uin6-;t7e al