The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-10-26
CRIMINAL COURT
HAS ADJOURNED.
Alb Smith Was Convicted
Of Manslaughter.
WRIGHT ACQUITTED.
He Was Indicted for Perjuring Himself
In a Mag 'strate's Court Two
Months Ago.

Il llS tefSI ScSS tktSN Woo tiiol VA
! the State VS.. Thos. Dean, col
ored, charged with assault and
battery. He was found guilty
and received a sentence of six
months on the gang.
Alb Smith was convicted of
manslaughter Wednesday. Smith
killed another negro named Joe
Linsey in Jacks Township at a
frolic Saturday night, September
a5th. The killing was the re-
suit of quarrel between the two
negroes about a negro girl, sister
in-law of Smiths. Linsey was
shot fatally with a shot gun in
the hands of Smith, who carried
the gun to the party with him.
There were witnesses who swore
to seeing a pistol in Linsey's
hands when Smith fired OH him,
while others testified that he was
unarmed and begged Smith not
to shoot.
The most interesting case
heard during the week was that
of the State VS.. I. w. Wright
charged with perjury.
, The trial engaged the Court
two days and the proceedings
were witnessed by large crowds
both days.
The examination of witnesses
was finished early Thursday af-
ternoon and Immediately argu-
1nents in the case were begun, w.
c. Irby, Jr., leading off for the
prosecution. He was followed
by Messrs. MCGOWAN and Richey
of counsel for the defense. Fri
day morning B, A. Morgan, Esq,
of Greenville closed for the de-
fense and Solicitor Sease finished
for the State.
With the Judges charge the
case went to the jury shortly af-
fer III o'clock and in IS minutes
a verdict of "not guilty" was re-
turned.
The trial of Mr.. Wright
charged with perjury was the re-
suit of a sworn statement made
by the defendant in Magistrate
Hudgen's Court, August goth last
to the effect that the Clinton Cot
ton Mill did not dock its help for
quitting.
S. Bobo, a former operative at
the Clinton Cotton Mill had
brought suit against the mill for
$685.. Bobo claimed that his six
children had been docked dollar
3 each for quitting the Clinton Cot
Aton Mill without working a two
Seeks' notice. The balance
issing from the tickets, $2.85
s accounted for, having been
Zen out for rents, etc. Bobo
stifed to all this in the Magis-
ate's court.
4 Among the witnesses who were
ltroduced by the defendant COM
) any was Superintendent Wright,
who, under oath, swore that the
Clinton Cotton Mill did not dock
any of the operatives for quitting.
Bobo lost his suit. Immediately
proceedings were instituted
against Wright, charging that
in making oath that the Clinton
Cotton Mill never docked for
quitting, he had wilfully
perjured himself. The prelimi-
nary was heard by Magistrate
Hudgens who sent the case up to
the circuit court.
The case was called Wednes-
day afternoon. The State put up
Id witnesses resting its case
Thursday morning. About 80 wit
nesses were introduced by the de-
fense. These comprised of the
officers of the Clinton Mill, pres
ent and former employees and a
number of character witnesses
from Clinton and Laurens.
Witnesses for the persecution
told of being docked for quitting
at the mill and some stated that it
was rule.
This was denied by M. S. Bal
I ley, president of the mill. He
said it was not the rule and that
he had never instructed the super
intendent and overseers to dock
for quitting. Room bosses and
employees testified that docking
simply for quitting was not prac-
ticed. 1t was admitted that it
sometimes happened when all
operative walked out during
work hours, leaving his work in
bad shape, fine of one dollar
was imposed. This was done as
a protection.
Mr.. Wright, the defendant,
went on the stand Thursday af-
ternoon and swore in toto to the
statement he made in the Magis-
trate's courts
SuDerinteudent Wrioht hac