The leader., 1903-11-04
LINCOLN CIRCUIT COURT
The November Term Opened Monday
Morning, Judge Miller Presiding.
The New Judge Delivers a Vigorous
Charge to the Grand Jury.
A Few Cases Tried After Organization
and a Recess Taken Until
This Morning.

The November term of the Lin.
coin county Circuit Court conven.
ed Monday morning, with Judge
David M. Miller presiding, and
District Attorney Greaves, Cir
cult Clerk Oliver, Sheriff Apple
white and his corps of deputies
all at their posts, ready for duty.
From the list of so summoned
as jurymen for the first week the
following we're drawn by the court
and duly impaneled as grand iu-
rors:
L. II. Bowen, Martin Denham,
X. f. Kyzar, j. w. Franklin, Eu
gene Buie, NJ. B. Moore, j. A.
Chandler, J. T. Porter, W. T. H.
Brlster, J. T. Porter, L. E. Cal
cote, P. J. Cassidy, r. E. Furr.
j. B. Hart, j. M. S. Reeves, J. F..
Watson, j. G. Hall, G. W. Ivev.
G. c. Cole, R. A. Moak, A. 4.
Walker.
After the jury had been seated
in the box, Judge Miller called
upon Juryman Geo. w. Tvey and
put the direct question to him.
whether any reason existed why
he would be unwilling to fearIessIy
and impartiaIly discharge his duty
as a juryman and carry out the in
structions of the court, regardless
of who might fall under the
penalty Of the law. On being
firmly answered in the affirmative
by Mr.. Ivey, the Judge called
upon each and every juryman to
answer on his conscience the same
question, stating that if any of
them felt they were not equal to
such test, to say so frankly and
they would be excused. They all
answered as did Mr.. Ivey, and
then the court called upon Mr..
Ivey to rise and be sworn as fore
man; after which the same oath
was administered to the rest of
the jurymen in a body; the oath
in both instances being admins
tered with due solemnity by Cir
cult Clerk Oliver.
Judge Miller began his charge
to the jury by adverting to the
fact that he was a new appointee
and comparative stranger to the
people Of. Lincoln county, and
paid high tribute to his imme-
diate predecessor in office, whom
he justly eulogized as one of the
ablest, most faithful and incor-
jurists who had ever
adorned the bench of Mississippi.
There have been very few of
the graver crimes committed in
the county since the last term of
court, such as murder, rape,
arson, ETC., a fact Judge Miller
referred to. The special atten-
tion of the grand jury was called
to such crimes as the unlawful
sale of liquor, gambling and the
carrying of concealed weapons,
three classes of offenses which the
court asserted we're responsible
for nearly all the homicides which
occur in his district. The blind
tiger, especially the white Mig
ger" species and their patrons,
and the tony and professional
gamblers, and the cowardly pistol
toter were fairly blistered by the
Judge in the strongest English.
The jury was directed to make
a thorough examination of the
books of the county officials to see
if their accounts are correct, and
the foreman was instructed to ap-
point three jurymen whose special
duty it shall be to look after this
work and if necessary, engage an
expert accountant to assist them.
The jury was also instructed to
examine carefully into the condi-
ton of the county convict farm
and the keeping of the county
poorhouse. The court severely
animadyerted on the policy which
has been in vogue in this county
of having the county paupers To-
Gated on the county convict farm
'and under the same management
as the convicts. and his remarks on
this phase of the subject were the
most eloquent and feeling of any
part of his charge.
The county was highly compli-
mented on the condition of its
public roads and the adoption of
the contract system which has
brought its public highways up to
their present improved condition.
At the same time the jury was al
monished to see that the peoples
money was not paid out for moth.
ing, and that the contractors
are properly discharging their
obligations.
Inc sheIlH was specially ia
structed to be careful in selecting
trustworthy baiIiifs and deputies,
SO that the mandates of the court
may be promptly and faithfully
executed.
/ The jury was specially enjoine6
to- preserve the secrecy of the
grand jury room and honor tic
lsanctity Of their oaths, and tht
lcourt promised 70 make shining
Example of any member who i
should be found was divulging it:
proceedings to those on the out
side. The jury was also admon
1ished to be diligent in the dis
charge of its duty and save IN.