The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1907-01-23
Criminal Court.

The spring term of the court of gen
eral sessions was convened here
promptly at the usual hour on Monday
morning with Judge Geo. E. Prince,
of Anderson, presiding.
The grand jurors were all present
and sworn in with Col. John Bell
Towill, of Batesburg, as foreman.
Our county is to be congratulated
upon being in the hands of 80 firm a
set of men as the present body.
There are only thirty-one petit
jurors in attendance.
The first trial was against Fed
Caughman charged with violation of
the dispensary law, in which Mr.. A.
D. Martin appeared for the defendant.
There were many witnesses on both
sides, but the case was finally given
the jury about dark. Near midnight
Judge Prince and the court officers
appeared at the court house, and after
interviewing the foreman, mistrial
was ordered. Clerk George was the
most unfortunate, as he had retired
when the bailiff called for him.
Deputy Sheriff Hutto and Consta-
BILE swygert hauled in the following
Sunday gamblers the week before
court: VIII Cobb, Spencer Guess,
Ed Nix, Isaac Jones, Preston Skies
and John Cooper, colored, and John
Jacobs, white, whom they captured
at the Lexington end Of the G. N. &
L. bridge, and all being Columbians.
The first five plead guilty and got $40
or elk, months, Jacobs stood trial
with Mr.. Sturkie as his attorney, was
convicted and given $75 or seven
months, and Cooper went free.
Sidney Fox charged with breaking
in the store of NJ. P. Gunter on Dee.
2sth last, was released.
Some time ago Sheriff Corley met
George Smith, a gentleman Of COLOR
from Columbia, dourishing pistol,
as he was going the Ferry road from
town. The sheriff took him and the
gun, and upon plea of guilt yesterday
the Judge gave him $50 or six months.
On the sth Sept. last Chapel Sim
mons, a Scuf1etown coon, created
quite stir in town by resisting ar
rest and taking the policeman's pistol.
He ran, but was soon overtaken by
the sheriff at the depot, when he at
tempted to shoot, but was overpower-
ed He lately served out four months
for the town trouble and yesterday
plead guilty to the others. His SEN
tence was 5000 or seven months.
For long time Gary Hampton, a
black negro 20 years old, has been
driving for Mr.. Hayne Williams at
Irene. Yesterday morning he went
into Hartley's store at the depot,
made himself obnoxious, and was Or
dered to leave by Mr.. Frank Sharpe,
one of the clerks. Not realizing the
venom in the negro, Sharpe turned
about his work, and as he stopped for
al atticle, the negro struck him on
the back of the head and on the right
arm with a pair of brass ''knucks,"
knocking him down and cutting
frightful cash on the scalp. The ne
gro escaped, but was later brought to
Jail. The grand jury returned true
bill; he plead guilty and was given
one year, or s125. This was quick
work for our red tape, congested
courts.
On February %, 1905, Mr. G. Y.
Wingard Of this place swore cut a
warrant against DR.. %. G. Holley,
charging him with practicing medicine
in violation of law, in that he was not
licensed by the State Board CT Medical
Examiners. True bills were returned
at the last August and November
terms, and the trial come on yesrer-
day., Messrs. Efird & Dreher and
Thurmond appeared for DR.. Holley.
Drs. 0. 3. Mayer of Newberry and
Mary R. Baker OF Columbia, repre-
senting the, State Board, were wit
nesses, with numerous citizens of
Hollow Creek township. The case
was interesting and closely contested.
After snort deliberation the jury ac-
quilted him. DR.. Hollcy lately mar
ried a Lexington girl, daughter of
Mr.. George G. Shirley.
AS we go to press the Taylor-Monts
murder case is being tried.
The grand jury Will complete their
work today.