The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-04-16
Court Proceedings.

last Monday morning, Judge Ernest
Gary presiding. Solicitor Davis and
Stenographer Byrnes were in their places,
as well as all other officers of the court.
The Judge delivered a charge to the
grand jury as to their duties, and that
body went Immediately to work.
The following is the work of the Court
up to the time Of going to press.
Aquilla Bessinger-disposing of prop
erty under lien-not guilty.
David Johnson, Bennie Grant, Rube
Grant, Julius Grant-arson-tru bill as
to David johnson and Bennie Grant; no
bill as to Rube Grant and Julius Grant.
DanielJohnson and Brit Grant-assault
and battery with intent to kill and carry
ing concealed weapons-true bill. This
case was tried Monday afternoon imme-
diately after the Bessinger case was dis
posed Of 1t is the case in which Andrew
Bennett prosecuted other negroes for
shooting at him and others. Some of the
best white citizens of Midway testified in
behalf of the defendants, whom they be-
leved were not guilty of the charge. The
jury was out only short time and re-
turned verdict of not guilty.
with intent to kill-true bill.
Joseph Davis-murder-true bill.
Andrew J. Bennett-assault and battery
with intent to kill and carrying concealed
weapons-true bill. This is the case
which started all the Midway trouble, in
which Bennett beat another negro's wife
very severely.
A. J. Hunter-m malicious injury to a
house-true bill.
Joe Holman-larceny of live stock
true bill
Thos. Curry-assault and battery with
intent to kill and carrying concealed wea-
pons-no bill
Dave Notwithstanding and larce-
ny-true bill.
Tuesday morning the case against Joe
Davis for the murder of Policeman j. B.
King was taken up, and our readers are
no doubt perfectly familiar with the case.
Solicitor Davis and B. w. Miley repre-
sented the State, and ]. P. Matheny the
defendant. The following jury was
sworn; L. H. Carter, foreman; j. 7.
8. L HERS, NJ. D. Bishop, +.
NJ. Zeigler, J. c. Bishop Jerry Chassereau,
j. A. Nix, W. Drawdy, Jacob Free, r. c.
Clayton, ]. H. Armstrong The trial con-
sumed the entire day The defense con-
tended that Davis had a right to protect
himself in his own home, and claimed
while the State eOntended
that it was murder. The jury retired to
their room at about $50 o'clock Tuesday
afternoon, and deliberated all night, a
verdict being returned about G.3O o'clock
Wednesday morning. The verdict was
y announced, and in it the jury
found the defendant guilty of manslaugh-
ter without recommendation. Sentence
had not been passed upon Davis by the
Judge, up to the time of going to press.
Wednesday morning Joe Holman, a ne
gro, was tried for larceny of live stock,
found guilty, and sentenced to one year
on county chain gang.
Dave Green, another negro, plead gu IL
ty to housebreaking and larceny, and was
to two months on chain gang.
The case of David johnson and Bennie
Grant, charged with the burning of An
drew BENEFITS barn or out house OF some
kind, was taken up at noon Wednesday,
and was in progress when We printed the
paper.
Tuesday afternoon the grand jury
finished their labors and were discharged.
Following is their
FINAL PREsENTMENT.
State of South Carolina, Bamberg
To the Honorable Ernest. Gary,
Presiding Judge: The grand jury desire
to make the following presentment: /
All bills given US have been passed
upon and returned to the court.
We have visited the Jail and found it
neatly kept and prisoners well cared for;
All the public offices have been visited
by US and found to be neatly kept. |
The recommendation of the last grand
iury to purchase book case for the pro-
bate judges Office having not been COM
piled with, We recommend that the book
case now used by the clerk of court be
transferred to the office of probate Judge,
and that the county commissioners pur-
chase as early as practicable for the office
of clerk of court metal book case as per
diagram on blue paper hereto attached,
not to exceed the sum of three hundred
dollars, and that the treasurer and county
if they deem advisable,
borrow the money with which to buy the
case, provided the rate of interest does
not exceed seven per cent. discount.
We thank the court and officials for
for their courtesy and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
G. F. RIzER, Foreman.