The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-08-31
m LEss COUNTY OFFICERS.
Although Gov. Hey,sard had Order
ed arrest Of Ben Bennett, of
Hampton County,
Aad His Resnntien uatil Turned Over to
Penitentiary Authorities, Coroner
Rssers Allowed Hin TO Escape.

ar shining illustration Of the know-all
ofHcsrs shat South Carolina has and
how county officers are law unto
themselves, and the county officer who
does as: he pleases is entirely inde-
gendent ef the Governor OF the State
Or other responsible officer.
When Governor Heyward heard that
Bennett had killed his wife he sent
the following telegram
Columbia, S. Ang. 2S.-J. 81.
Iaghtsey, Sheriff, Hampton, c.:
Arrest Ben Bennett. convicted OF
murder and sentenced for life IN the
;peniseutsary. Pardoned January is,
39oS By Governor MeSweeney on con-
sE7sson that he leave the State. Said
x,nuditiou having been broken, await
ssn;5ensiary authorities. Advise me
alf arrest
D. 6. Heyward, Governor.
ShsriT Lightsey was away from
home and his deputy sent the follow
ing telegram
ssh Hampton, S. o., .Aug. q, 19o44.
Esaps. w Brunson. Magistrate,
Ebrnrson. 6. Governor Hsyward
wires to arrest Ben Bennett. Do your
fesssto get him. Send one or two
discreet contbles after him at once
SheziH is absent.
r. Anderson, Deputy Sheriff.
RRUNSON END OF THE STORY.
Tie Hampton Guardian OF tins week
tells what was done at the scene of
sae trouble, how the jury decided the
question and how Bennett was allowed
SD do ezactsy as he pleased. sIt tells
sihs Brunson end of the matter as fol-
lows.
he verdict Of the coroner's Jury.
uas as follows.
That Mrs. Benefit came TO her death
b5a gun shot wound In the hands Of
B. Bennett by Misfortune and con
tlary TO his viii.
Magistrate G. N. Brnnson, of Brun-
Elsn was asked over the phone what
ne knew ID correction With the kill
ing of Mrs. BE- lnett, he said:
Hearing Of Inc killing yesterday /
sent my constable to arrest Ben Ben
Rset, which he did and delivered him
30 Coroner Rivers. ffter9 the inquest
sls coroper sent Bennett to me-. [ sent
aEsrn back to the coroner with the
sEasement that the proper man to have
him placed IN Jail was the coroner and
not to release him. have not seen
The verdict Of the ilry.
Ben Bennett said IN conversation
sthat be kept good pistol and knife,
and that he would never give up. He
would kill himself first
Mrs Bennett was before her mar
9ige a Miss Prlester. She leaves one
emile, little girl. ss
TIE CORONER BLAMED.
This morning Governor Heyward re-
ceived the following letter, which
shows what attention has been paid to
his message
Governor Hayward, Columbia, IS. @.
Dear Enlosed find verdict of
sgoraner's jury in the Bennett case.
When your telegram Of the 23d reach
81 here the sheriff was absent and is
now. As you will see by enclosed
clipping I wired the magistrats at
runsen to have Bennett arrested and
also went to the place aS once.
When arrived there learned that
lie had been released by the coroner,
and had left the State. was inferm-
ID that Bennett boarded the Seaboard,
g Il Line train a t. Fairfax, that
snorning at o'clock and had gone IN
tie direction of Sayannas. Respectfully
yonrs ~. e. Anderson,
Deputy Sherln.
GOVERNOR HEYWARD's @sCATH-
ING COMMENT.
Governor Heyward said today he
mas amazed at the action of Coroner
Rivers. IN not binding over j. B.
Bennett fox the killing Of his wife. !
notWi fhgghdiHg the fact that the eoro-
ner,s jury returned verdict that de-
ceased came TO her death by mis-
chance, for the criminal laws posi-
fsve,y direct the coroner, under such