The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-02-20
Court Proceedings.

present excepting ore who was
reported sick and was excused by
the Judge. The jury commissioners
drew the name of ". G Sem, to
complete the panel and the oath was
administered, after the election OF
Mr. ". H. T. Rast as foreman.
They speedily completed their duty
and were discharged yesterday in
the forenoon.
Judge Gage has the reputation OF
being an able iurist and he certainly
disposes the business OF the court
with promptness that shows him
to be an industrious and hard work
ing presiding officer, who does not
consume the time of the court in
unnecessary delays. His charge TO
the grand jury was brief, clear and
concise and his culture and dignity
has won for him the good opinion of
our people.
Solicitor Thurmond has pushed
the work of the court with remarka-
BILE rapidity and has handled the
cases with ability and fairness to the
State, which he so faithfully repre-
sents and the defendants whose duty
it is to prosecute.
This is the first term that MIR.
Samuel B. George has served as
Clerk of the Court, but having been
trained and educated in the office
under Clerk Spann, the work re-
quired of him is familiar and he is
prompt, careful and his records are
nicely and neatly keep in business
like order.
Sheriff Caugbman is giving salts
faction to bench and bar alike and
keeps perfect order during the ses-
sions of the court, which is very
satisfactory to all concerned.
True bills were returned in al
cases except the State vs.. Chal.
Stoudemire, charged with house
breaking and larceny, and there were
no verdict of guilty.
The case against Lodrick I.
Perry, charged with murder, was
continued until the September term.
William Mccoy, who stated that
be was from Columbia, plead guilty
to the charge of breaking in Rev.
Lybrand's house in Brookland, and
larceny therein and was given fifteen
months on the chain gang.
Arthur Samuel, another negro
upon similar charge, plead guilty
and this ofense being more grave,
he was promptly given two years on
the chain gang.
The first trial was that of W. Flick
ling Mack, of Castor, upon the
charge Of the murder of Sam Blue,
a negro, on December 10, 1900.
There was only one witness for the
State. Mr.. Sharpe represented the
defendant. The trial was very short
and resulted in verdict of acquittal.
The case against j. G. Long
charged with stealing cross ties, was
continued.
The grand jury returned true
bill against VIM. Butler and Agnes
Casteelian, for housebreaking and
larceny, afterwards the Solicitor en-
tered a mol pros.
Wm. Kelly, Fed Kelly, Dave
Kelly, jim Kelly, Luther johnson
and John Stroman answered to gam
bling and William, Fed and Jim
Kelly plead guilty. The two latter
were given 3 months or S25 and
William received 6 months or $50.
William told the Judge he had been
on the chain gang before.
Jesse Jones, another negro, also
called Jesse Stuckman sometimes,
entered plea Of guilty of gambling
and was sentenced to 3 months or
S25.
John Racker, a Batesburg negro
was tried for the killing of another
negro, Will Clark, in that town some
time ago, and was acquitted. He
was represented by Mr.. Strother and
Mr.. Asbill.
The last trial in the sessions of
court was Charley Williams for the
murder of Edd Posey, in Bull
Swamp township, on the 2od day OF
february, this year. Mr.. ]. A. Null
Ter represents the defendant. The
verdict was guilty of marslaughter
and sentenced to 10 years in the
penitentlary.
This wound up the business of the
court of Sessions and it adjourned
sine die. The Court of Common
Pleas will convene next Monday
morning at 10 a. m.
To the Hon Gen. W G3oe. Judpe