Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-07-31
Wednesday, July 81, 1901.

J. D. Boseman, superintendent of the
ment, and lessee Of the electric light
plant during the month Of June, was
charged by the town with having tap
ped the towns water supply without
authority and in violation of the Or
dinance. Mr.. Boseman denied the
charge and was represented In the case
by John R. Hart, Esq. Mr.. F. P. Nc
Cain represented the town. Mr.. w. o.
Rawls, superintendent of the water;
works. testified as to the situation at
the: mill. He had read the meter on
different occasions and he found that
the figures were considerably less on
May 4, than they had been on March
81, previous. He made test Of the
meter; but was unable to account for
this curious state Of affairs. He was
aware of a pipe connection with mill
fire sprinkler, which was connected
direct with the towns meter without an
intervening meter; but this connection
only went to a basin in the adjoining
dIQ, UC5iuC6b Ado Aoh6
since been discontinued, so there was
no reason to charge up the trouble to
that circumstance. But as the result
of little digging there was discovered
a new connection, which led from the
sprinkler pipe down into the well to
the discharge pipe Of the pump, and
which was capable Of being used to.
convey the towns water into the tank
from which the boilers at the power
house draw their supply, and which
was supposed to be used only from the
well. Mr.. Rawls was not able to tes-
tify that this arrangement had been
used as indicated; but only that 1t
could have been so used: Mr.. Boseman
testified that he knew all about the
connections described. He desired the
use of the towns water in the mill Of
flee for bathing purposes, and as the.
connection with the sprinkler arrange
ment was more convenient, he asked
Mayor Willis for permission to make
that connection. He onered to pay
rental at the old rate for the use Of the
water. Mayor Willis had declined to
give the desired permission on his own
responsibility; but had promised to lay;
the matter before the council. On the
strength of this promise, witness went
ahead and made the connection, and
upon being later informed by Mayor
Willis that the council was unwilling
for such arrangement, took the connec-
tion off. Then, in order to supply the :
office basin, witness made a connection
with the discharge pipe Of the pump:
so as to get. water from the tank over Z
head. Mayor Willis testified as to,
circumstances under which the appli-,
cation for the connection with tho;
sprinkler pipe was made. differing in :
some particulars from that OF ME-
Boseman, and going to show that he
had committed himself TO nothing that
would have warranted the making of
the connection before the consent OF
the council should be obtained. There
was other testimony as to the time the;
connection was made, and as to other
unimportant details; but nothing be-
yond the unexplainable action Of the
Of clandestine use Of the water. After
argument by counsel, Acting Mayor
Moore charged the jury that II It,
should find that the defendant had
tapped the water pipe with criminal
intent, it's verdict would be guilty; 9th.
erwise, not guilty. The jury returned
verdict of not guilty. .:.-: =. ..ssa.'