The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-10-02
IS SPIvENS INNOCENT?
PUBLIC OPINION APPEARS tn nm
IN HIS FAVOR.
"A Case Of Stranger In a STRANGE
Land - Testimony At Trial Was
Circumstantial And Not Complete
After Discovered Evidence.

The article in yesterdays Item IN
regard to the case Of George Spiyens
VINO Is in Jail here awaftfn~
an appeal from the supreme court
caused not little comment and many
were heard to express their belief In
the prisoners innocence. The public
Is familiar with the details of the
case of George Spivens. an employe Of
Cole Brotheres' circus, who was con.
viceted Of the murder Of Ted Gaillard
nearly a year ago, and Of the negro,
Jack McCoomer, who is held on tho
same charge. There is no need OF
reciting the details OF the case.
After the article appeared in. yes.
terday's issue with the letters of two
circus attaches, a representative or
the Item called at the county fail,
Thanks to the courtesy Of the jailor,
Mr. Hodge, he was permitted to en-.
ter the room where Mr.. Spivens was
confined and had a long talk with
him. He appeared very grateful for
the publication of the letters of the
circus men and said he knew them
welE Winslow was a clown and Sy.
low was contortionist with the show
at the time Of the killing. MIR. Spiv.
ems said he would most assuredly have
had these men at the trial, but he had
no idea they would be needed, as he
had no thought other than he would
be acquitted at once on the testimony
which he understood would be pro.
duced by the State. However, these
men will appear at the next trial, if
the supreme court sees fit to grant am.
other trial.
1t is a case of stranger in a strange
land with no chance to help himself
The public generally is antagonistic
show people, anyhow, and such is the
fate Of this unfortunate man today.
All that is said i'm regard to Spiven's
case may be said of Jack McCoomer.
even if he is colored man. The Jury
in this case was out from Friday un-
til Tuesday, which goes to shaw that
grave doubts must have existed in
their minds as to the guilt of the de-
PENDANTS. 1t is said, and on good au-
thority, that the jury stood seven for
Iconviction and Ave for acquittal and
| that the verdict was compromise
one. The jury could not have been
more evenly divided on the case.
A number of people have interested
themselves in the case and spoken Of
| attempting to get pardon for Spfv-
ems, but he said yesterday afterno on
that he wanted another trial and he
felt that he would come free. The
circus people have been supplying
these two unfortunate men with.
money from time to time, and are
preparing to help them if another
trial is granted.
There can be no denying the fac,
that public opinion is in favor of -Spiv-
ems, and that the people generally,
would like to see him acquitted.
pathetic side to this case is the
fact that Spivens has a mother. "a
yetars of age, living in Indiana, and
he does not want her or any of his
family, to know that he is languishins
in Jail for fear that it may prove In.
furious to her health as he is, the
youngest SON. He does not appear to
be man OF desperate character at ALI
and easily enlists the sympathy of alb
visitors to the JAIL
1t is to be hoped that justice viii
triumph in the end and that Spiyens
will yet get satisfactory hearing.