The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-04-27
COURT IN WILLIAMSBURG.
lndqe Purdy Lectures the People
on Their Mob Law Spirit.

KingstIee, April 20.-The Court of
General Sessions adjourned here this
afternoon. The case Of greatest inter
est has been that of Karo Williams,
alias Caro- Williams, who in February
killed Thurston O. MCGEE, a white
man, in Lake City.
It will be remembered that at the
killing a strong effort was made to
lynch Williams and it was only
through the recourse to strategy By
Sheriff Graham that the negro's life
was saved. He was taken to the peni-
Tertiary in Columbia for safe keeping
at that time. having been brought
back to this place on Sunday.
Judge Purdy yesterday appointed
Messrs. Leroy Lee aand R. j. Kirk,
of the local Bar, to undertake the
defence of Williams. After looking
into the case last night and this
morning these gentlemen came into
Court today and moved for contin-
aance, basing their motion in part
upon the fact that that they had been
unable to locate witness who might
prove material, but relying mainly
upon the fact that they had been
unable to sufficiently prepare them
selves.
Both. gentlemen stated that from
such examination as they bad been
able to make into the case they were
satisfied that the defendant had a
meritorious defence, but that if the
case were forced to trial at that term.
of Court they could not discharge
their dnty either by the defendant or
by the Court.
Upon this showing Judge Purdy
granted the motion to continue, and
on doing so he took occasion to say
that he had satisfied himself that the
prisoner at the bar could not obtain
justice, or anything even remotely re,
sembling justice, were he to be tried
here and now.
The fact that he occupied position
on the bench and was in sense re-
moved from the people, or that mat
ters were not discussed in his pres
enceN as freely as out OF it, did not,
he said, prevent him from having
cognizance of what went on in COM
munity or of the state of feeling exist
ing in it. That the sentiment here
had not died down since the attempted
lynehing was, he, said, apparent, and
with such sentiment prevailing ne
lid not propose to lend himself to the
carrying out of judicial farce which
would be the inevitable result OF
trial at this time.
ssThe Courts,' - said he, ''guaran-
teed to every man equal protection
under the law, and be the sentiment
of the community what it may, his
purpose in any Court over which he
might preside is going to be to try
and see that substantial Justice is
done, be the party on trial white or
black. -
Addressing himself particularly to
the people Of Lake City Judge Purdy
said: :" I want to say to the people
here, very few Of whom know per-
sonally that they are doing them
selves and their community great
wrong when they allow their feelings
to crop out in the presence Of the
Court and of Jurors who must uncon-
sciously be Influenced by their neigh
bors.' -
He went on to say that with such a
condition as this existing, if they did
not get speedy trials it is their own
fault, adding that if he had come here
and found the people calm and dis
passionate, anxious to see justice and
only justice done, be would have safely
entrusted this mans life in the hands
of the most inexperienced lawyer at
the Bar, but that as matters STOOD he
had appointed experienced counsel to
look after the defendants Interests.
For these reasons Judge Purdy said
the motion for continuance was grant
ed. and he then proceeded to caution
the people against any renewed at
tempt to take the law into their own
hands, stating shat he knew and that
they ought to know what the sheriff's
course would be in that event. and
warned them to beware Of the conse-
qeunces of such a proceeding.