The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-11
SPAPTANBYRG SENSATION.
Cora jenkins Accuses Prof. j. C. .Meares |
i'm Court


In the sessions court at Spartanburg
a genuine sensation was the trial OF
Prof. J. C. Meares for the seduction Of
Cora jenkins.
The following is a collection of facts
regarding the case. About five years
ago, Cora Jenkins, 13-year old white
girl from an orphanage in Asheville,
n. c., came to Spartanburg to make
her home with the Misses Morris, two
elderly maiden ladies, who live near
Cedar Springs. She remained at the
home OF these ladies fer two years, at
the end of which time she went to the
home of Prof. J. C.. Meares, an ins.ruc-
tor in the State Institute for the Deaf
and Blind at Cedar Springs, to accept
duties as domestic. The girl was re-
ceived with good recommendations as
to her character and industry as a
worker. Sle remained at the home Of
Mr.. Meares for nearly two years. When
the condition of the girl was discoy-
cred Prof. Meares Immediately shipped
her from his house, and she drifted to
the county parish where she gave birth
to a child. After the birth Of the babe,
the young mother asked Prof. Meares
for the support OF her child, claiming
that he was the father, and that he
had taken advantage of her under his
own roof. Prof. Meares refrained from
having anything at all to do with the
matter, at the same time protesting his
innocence. Immediately after these
charges the officers Of the First Bap-
tist church, of which Prof. Meares is a
member, met and investigated the case
thoroughly, and completely exonorated
the professor from the charge.
The young mother, Cora jenkins,
however, strenuously asserted that
Prof Meares was her seducer and the
father Of her babe, and about Two
weeks ago the case was investigated in
Magistrate Kirby's court. AS a result,
Prof MeareS was bound over to the
court of general sessions in the sum OF
$500 bond which was given.
When the proceedings fcsI started, i
was a sensation of the first water in
and about Spartanburg. Prof. Meares
is an albno, IS years Of age, and has
been married for twelve years, but mas
no children. He and his wife have been
teachers in the Cedar Springs Institute
for the past eight years. until acout
three weeks ago, when they voluntaTl
" resigned their positions, as the pro-
fessor wished to face the charges with
no encoumbranceS.
In the testimony Pro-. Meares stated
that he had nothing whatever to DO
with the young woman, and empna1l-
cally denied having ever been criminal
ly intimate with her. At this point,
Cora Jenkins, the girl, shouted out
from her seat in the court room; You
are damned liar"
Judge o. W. Buchanan told the young
woman that a repetition OF such a
scene would mean that she would be
punished for contempt Of court. inns
was the warmest feature OF the tTial.
Mrs. Meares bore out her husband S
testimony and indignantly denied Cora
jenkins story OF the home life at their
house in almost every particular.
The young woman aged Is years. was
then put on the stand. She told her
story of the affair in very creditaD!e
manner. She stated that Prof. Meares
had ruined her, and that she coa!d net
and would not lie in regard TO the
matter. At intervals during the ques-
tioning and questioning the
young mother wept, and she was at
other times convulsed with emotions.
She exhibited heT baby. boy, three
months old, which is decided blond.
After the charge by the Judge the
iury retired to their room and remain
ed in session. The court waited Tor an
hour, but as no verdict was forthcom'
ing Judge Buchanan summoned tht
Jury and instructed them to return a
scaled verdict.
After being locked up for 81 hours
|. the foreman of the jury reported the
body unable to agree.