Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-08-03
wEprEsDAy. AUGUST 5, 1904.
WHAT WE ralnk.,

Under the above heading the Kipgstree
County Record of July 2s gives utter
ance to the following
$50 far as we recall the only white
man convicted of murder and sentenced
TO death in South Carolina, In several
years, was Hayes, of Oconee, who killed
his wife. The State hoped to use him
as an example, and now comes the news
that he has escapsdl The law is weak in
conviction of white men, aud too weak
to execute the few who are convicted
What ought to happen to the officers of
Oconee who allowed that fiend to es-
cape ?"
Z From whence came the news that
hayes has escaped? 1t is news indeed
If the Word news can be interpreted to
mean false statement, tho originating
of which has not even the semblance of
foundation in fact. Yet this idle rti-
NOR that Hoyt Hayes has escaped is in
keeping with the blending of idle rumors
with actual evidence and facts in the
case that has placed Hayes where he is
now-and whore he will remain until the
carrying out of the mandates of the law
removes him. Mr.. Hayes is in the Oco-
nee Jail under the care of an ever watch
full Sheriff, than whom there is no better
in South Carolina.
Had Hayes desired to escape there was
during the months he was at liberty on
bail fixed by the Court. Yet he did not
escape, nor did he attempt it. He ap-
peared for arraigument, stood his trial,
was convicted on circumstantial owl
dence, and when sentence was pro-
nounced, asserted again, as he has al
ways irtained, 81 am innocent"
"The State hoped to use him as an OK
ample" 1t would seem so. Yet "what
we think" is that the State will do well
to use as examples the men, be they rich
or poor, of high or low estate, who are
occasionally convicted, and too often ac-
quilted, on POSITIVE EVIDENCE,
making guilt conclusive
Wc wish it were possible for every
person in the State to read the cvide .ce
adduced in court in this case. To those
who have read it it has been a revelation.
Rumors have been circulated freely and
have been so interviewer with what is
claimed TO be evidence that there is a
sentiment, not only in Oconee, but in the
State at large, prejudicial against and
unjust to Hoyt Hayes.
We believe Hayes to be innocent, and
base our belief on the evidence in the
case, the mans general bearing and con-
duct and his claim of innocence The
State may realize its hope of "using
Hayes, of Oconee, as an example," and
III the years to come the Commonwealth
may learn with sorrow that she used an
innocent man for criminal example.
Better a thousand times hang the guilty,
proven so by direct and positive evil
dence, regardless of wealth, family con-
nection and political influence, than men
who are convicted upon circumstantial
evidence, though they may be in humble
circumstances, but little known and
without political pull.
When Hoyt Hayes is judged by the evi-
dence as given to the court and not by the
rnmors that have been so neatly blended
with the supposed evidence as retailed
daily in all parts of tho county, there
will be change of sentiment. 1t may
come when it is too late to save the life
of n man and the State from the posi-
bility of making horrible mistake, but
it will come.