The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-07-27
THE EUTlWVlLLE LYNGgIEGa.
EXPORT OF SOLICITOR RILDEDHanD
70 GOV. HEYWARD.
He has Come to The Conclusion
that Only Six Persons Were
Concerned in the Murder
of Bookhard, and that
they will be In
dicted in Due
Time.

Vail 0S 1h
dicted in Due
Time.
Governor Hayward is away, but it
is known that he will give Solicitor
Hildebrand carte blanche to prosecute
the lynchers regardless cf expense and
trouble, and he is going to cooperate
with the States judicial officer in
every way possible. OF course, it is
to be expected that it will he some
time before decisive steps can be
taken. Governor Heyward has receiv-
ed the official report of Solicitor
Hildebrand concerning the Eutawville
lynching. It is to the point, and,
while it merely reviews what has al
ready been said, it has the authority Of
the States representative. The re-
port reads as follows:
Hon. D. G. Hayward, Governor, Col
umbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: Pursuant
to your telegraphic order, I proceeded
to Holly Hill on last Tuesday and
spent the day there, within seven
miles of where the lynching of Kilt
Bookhard took place, and also drove
several miles ia the country, in order
to spend the night previous to attend
ing the inquest at Eutawville, which
was held on Wednesday last. bad
two reasons for proceeding in this
manner-one of which was the rail
road connections, and the other and
controlling reason Vas belief that |
might find out something of how the
tragedy took place, and at whose
hands this unfortunate man met his
death.
On Wednesday l proceeded to Eutaw-
vile and met Magistrte Virgins, who
seems entirely in accord with yourself
and with all of the good people in his
efforts to bring to justice the per-
petrators 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 9 O'Clock in the
Town Hall. AS matter of precau-
tion, I bad 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 crowd was var
iously estimated, but no estimate that
[ have heard was less than one thou
sand The behavior on the part Of the
people as a whole was entirely salts
factory. orderly and, I thought, very
commendable.
The jury of inquest had been pre-
yiously 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, who, I am in
formed, is the county democratic
chairman of Berkeley County, and
whom I know to be a most excellent
citizen. After this the magistrate
charged the jury in the language of
the statute, Edirecting them to find the
cause of the death, etc., and then the
proclamation was made, as required by
law. for all persons here present know
ing anything of the manner in which
the deceased had met his death to
come forward and let their names
be known and let their testimony be
taken. In response to this proclamation
after some difficulty some pames were
ascertained, and ] proceeded to take
testimony. The testimony has been
published mostly in the newspapers,
to wit, the State and The News and
Courier, but of course, you must un-
dersrand that that testimony does not
represent one tenth what was said or
done, and indeed we did not desire
that all the testimony should be re-
duced to writing or published, because
some of the details were too horrible
to appear in the columns of any re-
spectacle newspaper. I think it isl
hardly necessary that I should rebearse
to you the testimony, after its pnbii-
caticn, as already stated, although
the testimony Of all the witnesses has
not been published. ! will say here
that l have the able assistance OF
Me>>rs. Raysor & Summers, law
firm of Oraneebars. than whom |
know of no more able counsel, and we
are satisfied, think, the acting coro-
ner is satisfied, aid indeed, think
every kcitizen who heard the testi-
mony is satisfied, as to the personnel
of the guilty parties. We think the
perpetrators of this crime numbered
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 corouer's j4ry seemed to be
composed of a LOT of conscientious and
upright men, willing and anxious to
ascertain the truth, and were willing
to make a presentment as to certain
parties, but after advice and consulta
tion, it was decided to leave the find
ing of the verdict open until some
further day, until additional testi-
mony can be obtained, for the reason
that we want no innocent man punish
ed and no guilty man to escape.
I will say here that, so far as l
could ascertain public sentiment, the
community regards it as most helm
Gus offence, and one that certainly
ought to be met with the most con-
dign punishment. The good people
J 4.