The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-11-09
SUMTER s. c.. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 8. 1904
AARON WILLIAMS RESplTED.
The Governor Acted on Strictly
Legal Grounds.

Woman, AfHdavits We're Submit
ted by White Men that They
Did Not Believe in His
GuiIt.
Columbia, Nov 2-Governor Hey
ward today had to deal with another
troublesome case Aaron Williams,
negro, is under sentence OF death,
having been convicted Of q criminal as
sault upon a white woman. Ordinari-
ly it is unwise to interfere-in cases Of
this kind, but humanity and Justice
seemed to demand it in Shis one. The
Rev. Mr.. Gordon, we'll known cler-
gyman OF Camden, and Mr.. L. ".
Boykin, member Of the State disper-
sary board of control, have interested
themselves particularly in the matter,
being convinced that Williams ought
not to be executed.
When the petitioners first came to
Governor Heyward be asked them if
they could secure afidayits from the
neighbcrs of the woman in the case
that she was not of unblemished repu-
tation. They went home and not only
did they bring the afidavits that
they did not think highly of the
woman, but they also brought affida
Wits that the white woman was living
with the negro nan-the man under
sentence of death. It is repulsive
case, and the instance of moral de-
pravity in that neighborhood is said
to be .larked.
Governor Hayward did not care to
interfere with the sentence of the
Court, except to grant respite. so
that with the new facts that are now
on record an application may be MADE
for new trial. He, has communicat-
ed with Solicitor Thurmond and
suggested that it might be we'll, so
that there should be no delay, to have
an extra term of the court that the.
motion for the new trial may be heard
and, if granted, to have the new
trial at once.
Governor Hayward simply wants
the case to take its course through!
the proper channels of the law.
On October II Governor Hayward
declined to grant the petition for
the reason that it was too general in
terms and showed no specific reason
why it should be granted. It did not
appear from the petition that new
evidence, if produced, would have
had an effect aud would not have
been other than cumulative, nor
that due diligence was not use at the
trial to discover this evidence. The
Governor notified the petitioners to this
effect. The following af6davits we're
then submitted, presented in person
today by DR.. ". B. Gordan and Mr..
T.. W. Boykin.
". B. Gordon. sworn says: That he
is a minister at Camden, Kersbaw
county, s. c., that he is cognizant Of
the case of the State versus Aaron
Williams, who was tried at the last
term of the Court of General Sessions
for Kersbaw County,. That the de-
fendant was without counsel. and that
w. D. Trantham, Esq, at the call of
the case, was appointed by the Court
to defend the said Williams. That
the defendant had no opportunity to
summon witnesses That he has read
the affidavits of J. j. B. Truesdale,
II. J. Ammons and D. V. Keels !;
that from what he knows of the case
he does not believe that the defendant
had an opportunity to produce them
at the trial.
". B. Gordon.
The affidavit of J. J. B. Truesdale
was to the effect that Aaron Williams
did not commit criminal assault, bat
had Illicit relations with the woman
ESor some time. that be does not think
l@oat Aaron Williams should be hung
or sent to the Penitentiary for life.
The affidavit OF Z. j. Ammops was
in effect that Aaron Williams worked
With Langley fer several days af-
ter it vas reported to Langley that
Aascn Williams had committed the
| crime. and that ne does not believe
that Mrs. langley was virtuous VIC
man Further that Aaron Williams
had Illicit relations with the woman
Cor soretime before this happened
it was the general report round the
neigh borEood.
The affidavit of d Y. Keeeis was
that On June % last John L. langley
came to him and said one Aaron Will
lia!ns bad committed the ,cTine: that
be asked Lareley wien il was done.
Langley said en- the Friday mornlng
| pevious keels asked how long had
he knawn Il. and be said his wife lad
told HIN IN Monday. eels asked
him WHERE Aaron was and be said he
was at his iLarsiey'sl hoUse. that
be vas worEine there IS usual md mad
been working along witli him since be
Nangleyl knew The crime had been
ccmaitted.
Upon consideration of these atfida-
Wis in connection with the petition
the Governor felt constrained TO grant
the respite until the 23vd day Of De-
cember in order TO allow defendant to
make q motion before the Court OF
General Sessions fer Kershaw County
for new trial, believing the defend
ant was entitled to this upon legal
groun0s.
Governor Hayward has commission
ed Mr. G.. c. Featherstone to hold