The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-08-16
A SERIOUS CHARGE.
w. P. Leaphart Arrested on Warrant
Sworn Out By His Wife's Father,
D. S. ConWell

LukcS section OF the county. was ar
rested by Sheriff Buiord on Sunday
on the charge OF assault and battery
with intent to kill committed on his
wife. Jennie I. l,eaphart. and that
this assault was made while Mrs.
Leaphart was in such delicate cOndl-
sion that serious results ensued. The
warrant was sworn out by Drayton
5. COnwell. the father OF Leapharts
wife. The warrant alleges that on or
about the first day Of August Of this
year I-eaphart fcloniously and with
malice aforethought and with GER
tain pistol and certain club in and
upon the person OF Jennie I. Leap
hart did commit the assault alleged.
Mrs. Leaphart being at the time in
delicate condition. and then and
there did ieloniously strike and beat
her the said Jennie |. Leaphart, and
;hen and there" as a result OF Mrs.
Leaphart's delicate condition. "fel
oniously, wilfully and with malice
aforethought did commit murder
against the peace and dignity of the
said state" The warrant was sworn
out on information and belief, before
Magistrate B. B. Hair, at Prosperity.
Leaphart was brought before Mag
;strate Hair at Prosperity on Sunday
afternoon Immediately after the ar
rest, and gave bond in the sum Of five
hundred dollars for his appearance at
.he preliminary hearing before Mag
:stratc Hair, which was set for
Willie Leaphart is a son of the late
Wade Leaphart, and lives about one
mile from Big Creek school house,
in the St. Lukes community. About
six years ago he was married to Jen-
lie I. Conwell, the daughter of Dray-
ron S. Conwell. who lives near St.
Lukes church. To this union two
children have been born. Mr.. Leap
hart is farmer of considerable
August 22, at 10 a.. m. The prelimi
nary was subsequently waived.
1t appears. however, that he and
his wife have had some trouble before
his and that several months ago she
went back to her fathers home and
remained for several days, until finally
persuaded by Leaphart to return 70
his home. An affair OF this kind al
ways excites considerable talk and
sets number of wild rumors aRoat,
but out Of it can be gathered def
litely that Mrs. Leaphart has on
:everal occasions complained Of i'll
treatment from her husband since
heir marriage six years ago. When
Sheriff Buiord Went TO Leaphart's
home on Sunday to serve the warrant.
however. Mrs. Leaphart indignantly
denied that her husband was guilty OF
he charges. and begged that he not
sc taken away from home. Her ap-
Dearance. however. indicated her con-
ii1ioa. though she was moving around
he house.
Leaphart also protested his inno-
>ence. but willingly submitted to the
aw and accompanied the sht:if to
Prosperity. where the bond was given.
The warrant for Leaphart's arrest
vas sworn Cut on Friday and was de-
livered to the sheriA's office on Sat-
lrday. Sheriff Buford was attending
he county campaign meeting at
Whitmire on Saturday, and for this
reason the warrant was not served
Immediately. Just as Sheriff Buford
Eas getting ready to start for Leap
hart's home on Sunday morning, two
gentlemen of the community arrived
in Newberry for the sheriff. They
went back with Mr.. Buford
The physician in attendance upon
Mrs Leaphart after the occurrence
alleged was DR.. w. F. Lake. Whether
he was called in or not has not been
definitely learned. He was not In
regular attendance at the time. Mrs.
Leaphart IS now improving.