The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-01-09
THE KINGSTREE DISPENSER
Charged With Ma1feasance In
Office Gross Earelessness and
InCompetency.

The Kingstrec dispeusary case
reached climax Saturday aften Don
when Frank NJ. Player, the dispenser,
was placed behind tho bars of the
kinSstree Jail TO answer at the next
term of court TO the change Of malfca-
sancc in Office.
a few days ago Gov. McSweeuey
received telegram from Kingstrcc
announcing that Dispenser Player had
J been held up at the back door of the
dlspensary by four masked men and
robbed OF 81 500. Player stated that
he was unable to identify anv of the
men and readily gave up and allowed
'hem to help themselves TO the con-
t'nts of his safe. The story was pub
lished at the time in full. Player had
been dispenser for about a year, and
this 10 the third robbery that he had
reported since he had filled that posi-
ton.
Gov. McSweeney detailed W. II.
Holloway, a special constable, TO ac-
company Mr.. Stansrll, an inspect tor,
to kingstrec, to look into the matter
and, if possible, to arrest the guilty
party or parties. They have been at
work continuously ever since and were
reinforced by Constables j. +. Bate
man, George $. McCravy and member
of the State board, a. f. II. Dukes.
An examination Of the books and stock
on hand show a shortage of at least
81 800. Such is the condition of the
books that 1T is next to impossible to
get at the exact amount.
The statement of these gentlemen is
that Player was Incompetent to fiji the
position and had no conception of the
duties required of him. Evidently he
was badly imposed on by his friends
and loaned out the States money AS
well as credited out liquor, which is
contrary to the dispensary law.
Players bond expired December
10Th and the board knew this fact, yet
he was not required to ronew it, and it
is stated that Player, while under the
influence of liquor, boasted on the
streets Christmas day that he had
1000 in his pocket, and when re-
monstralcd with by his friends that he
should not take such risk, but should
deposit it with the county treasurer.
he cooily replied that If 1t was stolen 1t
could not hurt him, rs his bond had ex-
pircd.
AT q previous robbery, which occur
red just after the primary, Player re-
ported that he had been robbed OF
stock amounting to 1927. This the
board allowed him and credited the
amount, but when an investigation
was made it was found that he was
1927 short instead Of $l27. This 5000
Player paid up.
These facts, together with other evil
dences Of criminal carelessness, con-
Vinced those III charge of the case to
swear out Il warrant against PLAYER,
which was done by w. II. Holloway
and placed in the hands of Constable
Bateman for execution.
Bateman went to Players home and
quietly arrested him. Player broke
down and wept like a child. He pro-
tested that he had done nothing wrong
and added that he had loaned out some
small sums of money to his friends,
which his books would show, but Wig.
orously stuck to his story concerning
the robbery.
tcOllCllOI 0Ollll .. w llSOD was IN Town
TO represent the State, and although
Player employed counsel, a Preliminary
was waived and he was sent 10 Jail in
default of 1000 bail.
Players home was searched q few
days ago, but nothing was found in
the shape of money. lie has turned
over to Treasurer Rollins Sl35, which
he claims was under his pillow at the
time of the robbery.
The dispensary is now 10 the hands
of Mayor Kennedy, being turned over
to him by Mr.. Dukes, of the State
board, but will not be reopened until a
new dispenser is appointed. AS soon
as 1t can be done a new county board
will also be appointed. The State is
in possession of much eliminating evil
dence, which will not be made known
| until the case Is called in court.
Player comes of good family in
Clarendon County, who have always
stood well in their community.