The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-03-07
Court Continued.

Court Continued.
As we went 10 press last week. the
case against J. p. Brock. indicted by
W. ). RichbOurg for criminal libel. had
Just been concluded IS 70 the testimony.
CAPTAIN w c. Davis who was retained
TO assist the Solicitor in the prosecution
of the case made the opening argument.
Captain DaviSS speech attracted. not
only the jury but the Bar and the au-
dience. and it was the universal opinion
that il was 4 mastery effort for the
vindication OF his client. His appeals
for justice were full of pathoS and elo-
Quence. and the words which fell from
his lips went straight into the minds
and hearts OF the jury. Major Marion
Noise followed, opening for the defense.
who also delivered magnificent speech
Major Noises speech was full OF dra-
matte eloquence. and his reasoning was
strong. 1t is seldom that We hear such
magnificent oratory. Col. r. d. Lee
and Hon. Joseph T. Rhame made the
closing speeches for the defence, these
gentlemen applied themselves princi-
pally 10 the legal phase OF the case.
Their arguments We're full OF strong
legal points. and 70 q layman it seemed
as if they had the law on their side OF
the controversy. The Solicitor closed
the arguments, and after making q
careful review OF the testimony. and
commenting on the arguments OF coun-
sci for the defense. Solicitor Wilson
made one OF his strongest efforts 70 up
hold the law In fact. this case lur-
niShed the public With a grand display
of orator., and legal learning. An
incident occurred. just as Colonel Lee
had begun his speech which interrupt
ed the proceedings. Juror Geo. A.
Bradham was suddenly taken Ill. the
trial of course was suspended, and Mr.
Bradham left the court room TO receive
medical aid. 1t turned out not to be
serious. and after remaining out in the
air little while he returned and the
trial was resumed. At the conclusion
of the arguments. His Honor charged
the jury. making them the Judges OF
the law and the facts. which neceSsl-
tated his charge being within limited
scope. When the jury retired, the con-
sensuS of opinion was that a cOnpro-
missed verdict wonld be reached. or
there would be miStrial. The jury.
however. seemed anxious 10 do their
duty: after some deliberation they re-
turned a verdict of guilty. with recon-
mondation 10 the mercy OF the court.
When His Honor was about 10 pro-
nounce sentence. Mr.. ". 5. Richbourg.
the prosecutor. and the man whose
character was impugned in the defam-
atorv circular which caused MIR. Brock
10 prosecuted for libel. rose IN court
and asked the Judge TO impose a light
sentence. expressing in effect. that al
he was seeking. was a vindicatlon. this
he had. at the hands of the jury. and
now he was satisfied. The result of the
trial had removed the stigma from his
character.
Judge Townsend was evidently af-
fected by this request from Mr.. Rich
bourg. and made the sentence fine OF
fifty dollars or one day in Jail. Coun-
sci for Mr.. Brock made . motion for q
new trial. which was overruled. and
then they gave notice OF appeal 10 the
supreme court.
The next case heard was against
Conductor +. H. HurSey. for the killing
of Lewis Burgess. colored, al Plnewood.
| Ii will be remembered that this homl-
! eide caused good deal OF commotion.
and uneasineSS in the Pinewood COM
munitv on accout OF threats and dem
onstrationS made by some Of the color
ed population. The Governor was
called on for aid. and ne ordered the
Sumter Light Infantry TO he in readi-
ness the law did not allow him 70 ship
guns down 20 PinewOod. as was request
ed by some of the citizens of that place.
The defendant was represented by K.
/ Q. Purdy Esq. of Sumter and J. +.
Mcneil Esq. of Florence. The te>u-
mony for the defense convinced the
jury that Conductor HurSey acted ir
self defense. and that the gentleman
aad displayed Il great deal OF forebear.
ance in not acting Soooner. Is the prov
location was Very great. The jury
promptly rendered verdict Of no,
guilty" When this verdict was an
nounced, Z ripple Of applause cant
from the audience. which WAS quick! y
suppressed By the sheriff.
The last case was the famous Silver
tolkOII Sltt.!kLIS NtlSS. Will! NO4tSNAt4''N
the whole Of Friday Considerable in
tereSt was manifested in this trial or
account of the many rumors Of SENSE
tional developments. and al times the
testimony was spicy and b0rdered or
towards letting something drop. The
large audience was somewhat dlSap
pointed in not getting from the witneS:
stand the evidence 10 point out with
convictin9 force, the thieves that stole
the cotton at Silver. The partie:
charged were Charlie and Bolin Wash
ington. and Scott Wilson, al colo"ed
Mr.. +. P. Briggs was the States prime
ipal witness, and his testimony wa:
direct against the parties on trial, anC
in all of the material points he was cor
roborated by Mr.. NJ G.. Butler. Cl
!COnnorS, who had already been con
victed. but not sentenced, also gave
direct testimony. Notwithstanding a.
of this. Captain w. {. Davis. coun>e
for the defendants. proposed At the con
clusion OF the testimony. 70 submit the
case 20 the jury without argument
Hon. J. T. N;hame. who was assisting
the STATE and Solicitor Wilson. agreed
to this proposition and the jury re-
tired IL 4 few minutes they returned
with Z verdict OF not guilty The
jurors were then diScharget
Saturday the court took up it'e tim,
with hearing appeals from Magistrates
and the issuing OF orders on the civil
: