The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-11-29
HOYT HAYES CASE.
Governor Does Not Pardon Him
Now, Hayes Friends Say, Be-
cause 1t Is Feared Hayes
May Be Lynched.

COiumDla, >. T., november 3d.
Hoyt Hayes, the young Oconee coun-
ty mountaineer concerning the COM
mutation of whose death sentence
there was so much feeling engen-
dered throughout the state recently,
and which act of the governors in
spired red-hot petition from Hayes
county asking the governor to re-
sign, presents the unique situation
unique for this state at least-of
man being denied pardon for fear
of his being lynched. At least it is
understood among Hayes friends
and others that the governor is sat
isfed the young man is innocent of
the crime for which he was sentenced
to hang, is convinced-as practically
everybody else has been convinced
who has studied the testimony in the
case-that Hayes did not murder his
young bride but that she committed
suicide But it is urged that feeling
in certain parts of Oconee is still so
strong against The young man that
there would be grave danger of his
being lynched should he return there
now. Hayes expects, and probably
will get, a full pardon within six
months OF year, but hardly before
that time. Up to a few days ago
he was not required to wear prison
garb and was not asked to do hard
labor. But in order to allay dissat-
isfaction among the other prisoners
and shut off talk, striped suit has
been put on him and he is working
along with other convicts in the knit
ting mill. The governor continues to
get letters from various parts of the
state commencing his course in
granting a communication to life i'm
prisonment.
A prominent Oconee man who
heard all of both trials and who has
acquainted himself intimately with all
other matters connected with the
case was here today and related an
interesting incident of the case
which has escaped all of the
newspapers. He declares that the
strong prejudice against Hayes which
has spread to all parts of the county,
and which has been communicated
to neighboring counties and found
expression in their newspapers, had
it's origin about four years ago in
misunderstanding among the mem
bers of Return Baptist church, where
Hoyt Hayes and his wife attended
services and were enthusiastic STU
dents in the Sunday school. Ac-
cording to this gentleman, the feeling
against Hayes was inherited from his
father, who was close in money mat
ters, but, as is frequently character
istic of such men, just and strictly
honest and reliable. A new build
ing was needed, the story runs, and
those in charge Of affairs in the
church decided to make assessments
in proportion to the amount of prop
erty held by the members, being
guided in making out the bills by the
tax return records at the county
seat. They assessed the father of
Hayes on basis of $4,000, and ignored
his protest that this was unjust for
the reason that there was mortgage
for $1,000 on his land and that he
should not be assessed on basis
of more than the net value OF his
property. Consequent contentious
led to arrangement and even bitter
ness. and this was soon followed by
the old man leaving the neighbor-
hood in disgust and settling at West
minister. He left about 50 acres
each to his three children to settle
upon in the Return neighborhood,
and all but Hayes are living there
now
Mr.. R. T. James, of counsel for
Hayes, here attending the supreme
court recently, told of the great diff
! Guilty he experienced in getting spec