The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-02
PROCEEDINGS OF COURT.
The Docket Being Cleared of Minor Cases.
Homicide Cases Set For Thursday.

Court convened Monday morning at
II o'clock with Judge G. G. Dantzler
presiding. Solicitor John S. Wilson
being absent in attendance upon the
special term of court in Florence,
Marion Noise, ESQ.,, by appointment
acted as Solicitor and discharged the
duties of the position in a most accept
able manner. Stenographer Geo. D.
Tillman was also in Florence. and his
duties were discharged by Nj. Robert
Latham who was appointed court
stenographer protein.
The grand jury was organized. and
Mr.. William J. Durant was made
foreman.
Judge Dantzler in his charge to
the grand jury outlined the duties and
powers Of that body in a clear and
forcible manner. He referred to the
condition Of the public roads, laying
particular stress upon the need of i'm
proyement and the prevention of en-
croachments upon the right of way by
land owners who plow into the roadway
which are in many instances reduced
in width to ten feet. whereas they
should all be at least 20 feet.
The following bills have been acted
upon by the grand jury:
The State VS.. Oney Porter and
Joseph Brooks: Burglary and larceny.
True bill. On trial.
The State VS.. Rachel James, house
breaking and larceny of a hog. True
bill.
The State VS.. Moses Farmer, mur-
der. True bill.
The State VS.. Albertus Elliott,
murder. True bill.
The State VS.. Willie Martin and
Charlie Vaughan, conspiracy and for
an assault and battery of a high and
aggravated nature. True bill.
The State VS.. Arthur Mack, forgery.
True bill.
The State VS.. Thomas Nc
Callum and Nathan Coldcbeese,
breaking and entering raiload car
with intent to steal and grand larceny.
True bill.
The docket is unusually heavy, there
being quite number of cases Of
homicide to be tried and larger num-
Der than usual of cases Of a serious
nature.
During the afternoon session of
court Monday the trial of Oney Por-
ter and Joseph Brooks was concluded
and the jury retired.
The trial of Arthur Mack for forgery
was then taken up and concluded
within short time, a verdict of guilty
being returned. Mack is a boy OF
sixteen or seventeen years, but never
theless hardened criminal. He had
no lawyer, but examined the witnesses
himself and addressed the jury in his
own behalf. The evidence was con-
elusive Of bis guilt and his speech did
not convince the jury that he should
go free.
When court convened yesterday morn
ing Solicitor Wilson was present and
relieved Marion Noise, Esq, who act
ed for him Monday. Stenographer
Tillman was absent, and, as he had
made no arrangements for substi-
tute, Mr.. Latham who served as
stenographer Monday having return
ed to Columbia that night, it became
necessary to secure a stenographer
before the trial of any cases could be
proceeded with. Mr.. Robert Shelor
consented to act and was appointed
Court Stenographer pro tenn. He will
serve throughout the term, as Mr..
Tillman is reported to be sick and
unable to discharge his duties.
The following transcript Of the
docket shows what has been done since
the recess Monday:
The State VS.. Andrew Kelly alias
Andrew jackson, larceny, to wit
horse. Verdict not guilty.
The State VS.. Oney Porter and
Joseph Brooks, burglary and larceny.
Guilty with recommendation to mercy
of the court. Sentence 5 years each
on the chain gang.
The State VS.. Arthur Mack, forgery.
Guilty sentence 4 years on the chain
gang.
The State VS.. Sarah jackson
privily stealing from the person. Mol
Pros
The State vs.. Israel Willeford and
Philip Porter, burglary and larceny.
Mol pros.
sault with intent to kill. Mol pros.
The State VS.. Clifton Wilson, grand
larceny. True bill.
: The State VS.. Joseph Anderson,
burglary and larceny. No bill.
The State VS.. James Brown,
burglary and larceny. No bill.
The trial of Clifton Wilson for grand
larceny was next begun. Wilson is
only fourteen years old but. this is not
his first appearance at the bar Of JUS
tice, having been tried and convicted
in the magistrates court few months
ago OF stealing. The charge against
him is that be stole a diamond ring
valued at 5000. He plead guilty and
was sentenced to six months imprison-
ment.
Albertus Elliott, charged with mur-
der, was arraigned and the case set for
trial on Wednesday.
Moses Farmer, charged with murder,
was arraigned and the case set for trial
on Thursday