The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-11-07
GUILTY OF MURDER.
SpIyENs AND McCOOMER FOUND
GUILTY. AND RECoNHaEN-
DED TO MERCY.
Court Room Packed When Verdict
Was Rendered-No Demonstrators
-Other Court Proceedings.

From the Daily Item Oct 81.
The arguments in the Gaillard case'
wasch have previously been referred
20 as masterpieces of logic aud eio-
uuenre, were concluded yesterday just
before the noon recess. When the
court re-convened, the room was
taxed to it's utmost capacity with IN
Serested spectators. Judge Hydrlck
delivered a very clear and concise
charge to the jury, and then they
were handed the record and instructed
TO md a verdict It was $50 o'clock
when the jury retired to the
Sury room. At SIS o'clock a
rap from the door Of the room
IN which the jury was confined
sent thrill through the heart Of
every man present. '1The jury have
agreed could be heard in low whis-
Ders throughout the room. Others
eshought that they had come out only
Tor instruction, for it was a very gen.
,erai belief that disagreement was
very probable The attorneys who
wece about were quickly summoned
TO the Court House, and as Clerk
Parrot asked: ttMr. Foreman, have
you agreed upon verdict?" death
aike silence fell upon all present as
4hey aeaned forward to catch the ans
wer of Mr.. H Lee Scarborough, who
reolsed in q clear voice, eve have"
The solemn faces Of the prisoners
gave intimation Of what that verdict
was. The Clerk slowly read: 'The
State VS. Henry Small, alias Campfire
Bsli, alias Jack McCoomer and Geo.
Spivens, Indictment for murder; Guilty
with recommendation to mercy, and
that is your verdict, so say you all ?"
The defendant Spivens clinched his
Sngers and was very pale; no change
came over the countenence Of Nc
Coomer, and amid that dreadful still
ness that pervaded the court room,
sMr. Welsh arose, and addressing the
Court said: "Your Honor, I give no
dce of a motion for new trial for
the defendant Spivins,'' The large
crowd slowly and silently fled out of
the conrt room and collected III small
groups to discuss the outcome Of the
Hial
2The remainder Of the afternoon ses-
sion was occupied in the trial of the
case of the State VS.. John Monday for
gambling. The defendant was repre-
seated by L. D. Jennings, Esq. The
Jury was out for only a short time,
and returned a verdict Of guilty.
The first case taken up this morn
Ing was that of the State against Ma
thar Wilson, charged with carrying
pistol into Jail to assist the inmates to
escape. It was brought out at the
trial that the defendant and other
prisoners had been subjected to very
cruel whippings at the hands Of the
la;ler and his assistants. The jury
scand Wilson rot guilty. He was rep
resented by George D. Levy, Esq.
Clara Holland plead guilty to trying
60 assist her husband to escape by car
Tying hack saws into the Jail. She
was sent to the State Penitentiary for
one gear
Three negro boys were sent to the
gang fer short times, one for 80 days
and TWO for IS days. for gambling.
Eaey plead guilty.
This cleared the docket of all cases
Hgaans, jaa prisoners and the other
cases were marked continued
The last business before the noon
eecess was the argument Of r. H.
Welsh, Esq, on the motion for a new
Trial for George Spivers. The argu-
'xnant for a new trial for Jack Nc
CoomeF. by L. D. Jennings, Esq, was
Sc for the first thing alter recess.