The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-01-10
DISPENSER ARRESTED
Sensational Developments Follow an
Alleged Robbery.

Florence, Specl2l.-1ne ne hlnSSLIee
dispensary case reached climax sat
urday afternoon when Frank NJ. Play
er, the dispenser, was placed behind
the bars of the Kingstree jail to an
swer az the next term Of court to the
charge of malfeasance in office.
A few days ago Gov. McSweeney re-
oeiyed telegram from Kinsstree an
nouncing that Dispenser Player hal
been held up at the back door of the
dispensary by four masked men and
robbed Of $500. Player stated that
he was unable to identify any OF the
men and readily gave up and allowed
them to help themselves to The con-
tents of his safe. The story was pub
Iished at the time in full. Player had
been dispenser for about year, and
this is the third robbery that he had
reported since he had filled that posi-
ton.
Governor McSweeney detailed W..
H. Holloway, we'll known in Columbia,
a special constable 70 accompany Mr..
Stansell, an inspector to Kingstree, to
look into the matter and, II possible,
to arrest the guilty party or parties.
They have been at work continuously
ever since and have been reinforced
the past two days by Constables j. F..
Bateman, George S. McCravy and
member OF the State board, A. F. NJ.
Dukes. An examination OF the books
and stock on hand show shortage OF
at least S2,500 Such is the condition
Of the books that it is next TO im2os-
sible to get at the exact amount.
The statement OF these gentlemen is
that Player was incompetent to fill 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
we'll as credited out liquor, which Is
contrary to the dispensary law.
Players bond expired December 10Th
and the bond knew this fact, yet he
was not required to renew it, and 1t IS
stated that Player, while under the in
fuence of liquor, boasted on the streets
Christmas day that he had $4,000 in
his pocket, and when demonstrated
with by his friends that he should not
take such a risk but should deposit It
with the county treasurer, he coolly
replied that if it was stolen 1t could
not hurt him, as his bond had expired.
At a previous robbery, which oc-
CURED just after the primary, Player
reported that he had been robbed OF
stock amounting to S127. 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 1927. This 5000
Player paid up.
These facts, together with ot.er evil
dences of criminal carelessness, con-
yinced those in charge OF the case to
swear out a warrant against Player,
which was done by w. H. 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 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 vigorously stuck to his story con-
cerning the robbery.
Solicitor John S. Wilso was in town
to represent the State, and although
Player employed counsel, predmi-
nary was waived and he was sent to
Jail in default Of $4,000 bail.
Players home was searched few
days ago but nothing was found in the
shape OF money. He has turned over
to Treasurer Rollins s135, which he
claims was under mis- pillow at the
time Of the robbery.
The dispensary is now in the nands
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 it 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.