The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-07-28
SOLICITOR MAKES REPORT
Tells the Governor That He Has Suffi-
cient information.

| "ciu y Oii!SS lSIS.NCu INV iSpoi1 VI
Solicitor Hildebrand on the matter Of
the alleged 'lynching" at Eutawville
Mr. Hildebrand mentions no names
but it is plain from his statement that
he mas information sufficient to pro
ceed upon at the proper time. Once
again "lynchers" are to be prosecuted
in South Carolina.
The solicitors report is as follows:
Hon. D. c. Hayward, Governor, Col
umbia, S. c.:
Dear Sir: Pursuant to your tele-
graphic order, | proceeded to Holly
Hill on last Tuesday and spent the
day there, within seven miles OF
where the lynching of Kit Bookhard
took place, and also drove several
! miles in the country in order to spend
| the night previous to attending the
inquest at Eutawville, which was held
on Wednesday last. l had two reas-
ons for proceeding in this manner,
one of which was the railroad connec-
tions, and the other and controlling
reason was, a belief that I might find
out something of how the tragedy
took place, and at whose hands this
unfortunate man met his death.
On Wednesday l proceed to Eutaw
vile and met Magistrate Virgins,
who seems in entirely accord with
yourself and with all of the good peo
pie, in his efforts to bring to justice
| the perpetrators of this fearful crime.
Upon arriving at Eutawville, about
$50 a. m, and after consulting with
the magistrate, acting coroner, we
began to take testimony at o'clock,
in the town hall. AS matter of eau.
tion | had twelve persons sworn in
as special constables to keep the
peace, and included in that number
several colored men. There were a
large number Of colored persons and
white people present. The crowa was
variously estimated, bat no estimate
that heard was less than 1000. The
behavior ON the part Of the people a.
whole was entirely satisfactory, Or
derly. and thought, very commenda.
BILE.
The jury Of inquest had been pre-
viously organized, but answered to
their names upon the call, after some
delay. Upon the jury Of inquest were
two very respectable looking colored
men, and the foreman of the jury was
Mr.. R. G. Causey, whom l am inform.
ed is the county Democratic chairman
Of Berkeley county, and whom l know
to be most excellent citizen. After
this the magistrate charged the jury
in the language of the statute, direct
ing them to find the cause of death,
etc, and then the proclamation was
made as required by law, for all per-
sons here present knowing anything
of the manner in which tie deceased
had met his death, to come forward
and let their names be known, and let
their testimony be taken. In re-
sponse to this proclamation, after
some difficulty, some names were as
certained, and l proceeded to take tes-
tlmony. The testimony has beer
published mostly in the newspapers,
to-wit: The State and the News and
Courier, but of course you must un
derstand that that testimony does not
represent one-tenth of what was said
or done; and, indeed, we did not de-
sire that all the testimony should be
reduced to writing or published. be-
cause some of the details were too
horrible to appear in the coiumns of
any respectable newspaper. l think
it is hardly necessary that l should
rehearse to you the testimony, after
its publication already stated, al
though the testimony of all the wit
nesses has not been published. | will
say here that | have the able assist
ance of Messrs. Raysor & Summers,
law firm Of Orangeburg, than whom
know of no more able counsel, and
we are satisfied; l think the acting
coroner is satisfied, and indeed |
think every citizen who heard the
testimony is satisfied as to the per-
sonnel Of the guilty parties. We think
the perpetrators of this crime number
ed not exceeding six. All of the wit
nesses who offered their names were
carefully examined and everything
was done that would shed light upon
the transaction. so far as | could see.
The coroner's jury seemed to be
composed Of lot of conscientious and
upright men, willing to ascertain the
truth, and were willing to make pre-
sentiment as to certain parties, but af-
ter advice and consultation, it was
decided to leave the finding Of the
verdict open until some future day,
upon additional testimony, for the
reason that we want no innocent man
punished and no guilty man to es-
cape. l will say here that SO. far as
| could ascertain, public sentiment in
the community regards it as most
heinous offense, and one that certainly
ought to be met with the most con-
dign punishment. The good people
are outspoken in their denunciation,
and am sure they will lend nv office
and my associates every possible aid
in ferretting out and bringing to jus.
tice these culprits. Awaiting your