The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-04-07
STROTHER TO BE TRIED THURSDAY.
Aysainged Yesterday He Demanded CustO-
mary Three Days -MeSSrS. Schumpcrt
ss and DOminick to Defend.

mary Three DayS-MeSSrS. Schumpcrt
and DOminick to Defend.
The special term of the court of genera
sessions, called for the purpose of try
the negro rapist, George Strother
convened yesterday morning. The
scrime with which Strother is charged
committed on the 10Th day Of Feb
zruary upon the person Of Miss Emma
Bowers, who lives with her brother
gDr. j. l.. Bowers, in the lower part Of
the county. 1t is alleged that on the
safternoon of the day in question Miss
Bowers was returning home from the
$Shouse of George Counts her brother-in
N law, who lives about one mile distant
81 That she was accompanied by Mr..
'%Counts' children the greater part of the
way. Just as the children left her,
between five and six O'Clock in the
AFTERNOON, she was accosted by the
negro, who asked her for money.
Words ensued, and Miss Bowers fled
= and was caught by the negro, who ac-
complished his purpose.
! The negro about a week and half
later was brought to Newberry and
S placed in Jail. A special term of court
for his trial was asked by relatives of
miss Bowers, and was ordered by So
(Slicitor Sease after personal investiga-
Stion. Hon. G. Duncan Bellinger, of
NJ %Barnwell, was appointed special judge.
81 The court house yesterday morning
was crowded to it's capacity. Miss
Bowers, heavily yelled, was brought
into the court room on the arm of her
brother.
A true bill was returned by the grand
jury, and the negro arranged and his
plea of not guilty entered. Col. o. L..
Schumpert and Mr.. F. II. Dominick
were appointed attorneys, and upon
their demand for the three days allowed
by law in which to prepare the case,
the trial was postponed until II o'clock
Thursday.
COURT CONVENED.
The court was called prompt
ly at ten O'Clock, Hon. G. Duncan Bel
linger presiding, and Solicitor Sease and
Stenographer Mote in their places.
q The Indictment of George Strother,
charged with rape, was handed the
grand jury.
Judge Bellnger briefly charged the
jury. There were two counts. The
first that Strother, on February 10Th
feloniously made an ,sault upon
Emma Bowers, and then and there did
that George Strother did assault Emma
Bowers with intent to rape. This is a
special term of court, and Judge Bel
linger said he was only special judge,
md it was not expected of him that he
should deliver a charge as to the gen
eral duties Of the jury. He had only to
do with the specific indictments handed
him. If they found a probable case
they would so Indicate by finding a
"True Bill, - if not, by returning ''No
Bill.' The definition of rape is wher-
ever man ravishes a woman without
her consent, before or after, he should
be deemed guilty of rape.
"rRUH BILL" RETURNED.
:! The grand jury retired and after re-
Gmaining out FOR nearly an hour returned
'"True Bill. There being no other
indictments to be acted on the grand
jury was dismissed
@ BROUGHT INTO COURT.
# Strother was Immediately sent for
and was placed in the dock. He was
asked if he had any attorney and re-
piled that he had not. When asked if
he had any preference among the at
torneys, he asked for the appointment
of Col O. L. Schumpert and Col. C. l..
Blease.
Mr.. Schumpert said that he was al
ways ready to oblige the court, but he
had been sent for by the defendant Sc
veral times and he had named fee.
No more was said and the matter had
passed entirely from his mind He
thought he had served his apprentices
ship and that there were younger men,
bers of the bar who could make just as
> able a defense.
Judge Bellinger insisted that Mr..
Schumpert act. and Mr.. Schumpert
consented.
Mr.. Blease, coming into court, asked
tOsbe excused also for the reason that
.it3had been currently reported that he
chad asked to be appointed.
Judge Bellinger said it gave him
pleasure to state that no such request
had been made to him.
Mr.. Blease said he had other and
personal reasons and must decline and
Mr.. Blease was excused.
Mr.. F. H. Dominick was appointed
by the Court, and consented to serve.
Strother was then arraigned. He
listened intently to the reading of the
! indictment, and replied mot Guilty"
Asked if he was ready for trial. he re-
piled that he was not.
Mr.. Schumpert asked that the trial