The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-09-23
PARDONED BY GOVERNOR.
Henry Williamson a White Man Of
Greenwood County Freed by
Governor Hayward.

NoSSlil Ivy "diu oii NIOlludy
acted on a petition for pardon in
very unusual case from Greenwood
county and one which at the time ex-
cited considerable comment and in
dignation. Henry Williamson,
white man. was convicted in Green
wood county Of assault and battery
with intent 70 kill and sentenced to
five years in the penitentiary. An ap-
peal was taken to the supreme court
and the decision OF Judge Gary in the
lower court was sustained. William
sor was charged with brutally horse
whipping J. H. Werts. white man,
because the latter had made some re-
marks about him and when the horse
whipping was done Williamson had
negro to hold Werts so that he could
not get away or defend himself. Snow
was given the same sentence, and in
March. 1908. they commenced 'serv-
ing sentence.
Last December a petition was pre-
sented to the governor for the pardon
of Williamson and Snow on the
ground that both had been sufficiently
punished. The petition contained
654 names, all prominent men
IF the county and also county Of
icials A delegation from Green
wood county also came down to urge
the pardon and letter was obtained
from Capt. Griffith, superintendent Of
the penitentiary. stating that tie
conduct OF Williamson had been ex-
cellent, that he gave no trouble and
was faithful worker" Solicitor
Sease recommended the pardon in
December and Judge Gary stated the
following: Il join in the recommen-
dation Of the solicitor and recon-
mend that Williamson be pardoned
at once as I am satisfied that his pun
;shment has been amply sufficient to
meet the requirement of law"
Upon tn investigation OF the mat
ter Governor Hayward found that
the offense was OF considerable gravi
tv and was also Informed that there
was strong opposition to the pardon
from brothers of Werts and that they
had employed counsel to fight it
In view of the fact that Williamson
had been in Jail eighteen months and
in view of the recommendation of the
Judge and solicitor the governor de-
cided to follow UP the petition fur
ther. He found that the wife of Will
hanson was in a critical condition
and also that from the petition pre-
sented showed that the sentiment Of
the people was for the pardon as the
petition showed.
A few days ago the governor re-
ceived the following letter from the
brothers of Werts. who had opposed
the pardon:
We are brothers OF J. H. Werts,
the prosecutor in the case Of H. r.
Williamson, brought by the state, and
we employed counsel to prosecute
the case. Williamson was convicted
and sentenced to five years in the
state prison. and has served about
eighteen months. AS to the petition
for his pardon we have instructed our
attorneys to withdraw further oppo-
sition after October Ist on account OF
the condition of Mrs. Williamson
whose health we are reliably inform
ed is in a critical state This was
signed by R. NJ. Werts and G. NJ.
Werts
In view of the critical condition OF
Mrs. Williamson the governor de-
cided not to wait until October 1st,
but he signed the order for his par
don Monday As it was only right
that Snow should be released his par
don was also issued.
Late Monday afternoon Governor
Howard received word that J. H.