The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1908-01-22
SAME OLD TALE.
The Old Dispensary Winding Up
I, Board Springs q Sensation.
LYON YIELDS PROBE.

scheme to Collect CLAIMS LalQ Bar
by an Enquiry Brought by Lette
Written by Whiskey House Agent
Names of T. VI. MorGecai, e. "
Robertson, August Holm, P. II
Nelson and ". D. Melton in Case
The commission appointed to vino
up the old State Dispensary, sitting
as court Of inquiry, held specia
meeting on last Wednesday for the
purpose Of making an investigation
of certain letter purporting to be
signed by W. D. Roy, prominent
liquor manufacturer Of Louisville
KY, and addressed to various cred.
itors of the State dispensary. The
letter, which is published in full
herewith, fell into the hands Of Hon
W. P. Stevenson, attorney for the
commission, and he advised the COM
mission that it was a matter which
demanded immediate consideration
at their hands. The matter created
a sensation as the names Of several
prominent gentlemen were connect
ed with it. The letter is as follows:
Letter Roy Wrote.
Columbia, S. c., Dec. 81, 1907.
Gentlemen: At meeting Of the
creditors Of the South Carolina State
dispensary, held at Cincinnati Dec
ember 9, committee was appointed
for the purpose Of securing a set
tlement, or at least to arrive at a
tentative basis Of settlement with the
commission in charge. For several
weeks prior to this meeting I had
been here and about effected ar
rangements which, If a cooperation
Of creditors could be obtained, seem
ed to me reasonably promising Of
favorable results. I so notified sew
eral Of the creditors, who presented
my proposition at the meeting, and
from the kilograms sent me I sup
posed it had been adopted and that
the committee had been appointed
to carry it out. I believe that quite
number at the meeting were Of
the same impression and to these
| wish to say that not a shadow Of
authority was given to me to act in
any capacity whatever. The COM
mittee was represented here by Mr..
Geo. B. Lester, member Of it, and
general counsel for Messrs. Fleisch-
man & Co., who made Charleston
his headquarters when he first reach
the State I met him there, and
whilst somewhat disappointed at
finding no power to act delegated to
me or my associates, determined not
our money. I went over my plans
with him and gave him tho names Of
gentlemen associated with me, also a
letter endorsing these gentlemen
from Gov. D. C. Hayward and E. W.
Robertson, in whose bank about half
of the 6ispensary money is deposit
ed. Mr. Lester seemed much i'm
pressed, both with the plans and the
eminent respectability, financially
and otherwise, Of the membe of my
organization, several Of the latter be-
ing officials or co-directors in banks
with some member of the dispen-
tsary committee.
Mr. W. D. Melton, who, with
some difficulty, was induced to join
US, is the lawyer who was rendered
and declined the position on the COM
mission now held by Mr.. Stevenson.
With these and other connections or
relationships, not prudent to men
ton here, Mr.. Lester appeared much
pleased, and gave me letter autho-
rizing me to 80 ahead with my plans.
1.-TWO days later he came to Col
umbia and at a meeting for the pur-
pose I introduced him to three OF
my associates; in the discussion
which ensued a difference Of techni-
cal nature between him and Mr.. Mel
ton, which eliminated as Mr.. Les
ter will admit. in quite a display OF
temper on his part. Mr. Melton
therefore declined to have anything
further to 90 with the case, and with
him I lost forces without which
could accomplish noting.
Before l could patch up the 'un
fortunate disagreement Mr.. Lester
was persuaded BY rosy assurance
from another element to adop
plans altogether Independent from
mine. I stuck to him, however, hop
ing his strong personality might car
" him through, but knowing that n
was pursuing a course into whlci
others had been allured only tc NEE
with failure. He proved no cXcep
ton.
Now. do not wish this to b.
construed as reflection upon MI
Lester or the vigor of his efforts
During the week 7 have been throw
with him my regard for him ha
grown daily He is manly tello'
of high attainment, and I think
LAWYER of exceptional ability, indeed
a man who under conditions approx
imately normal would succeed in a
: most any undertaking, but he
j.. wholly out of touch with these pee
e pie down here, nor has he the tax
!. to handle this situation. I am senc
D ing him a copy of this letter and b'
lieve he will confirm all / have VII
t ten.
S Now from a standpoint II r.
' source l am perhaps more vitally II
Il terested than any other creditor; m
t claim is over $4,000 and I want tt
money. \ concentration of tt
claims or a major part Of them
absolutely necessary to get 1t ar
l. I ask you to join in my plans 70
cure a settlement. I'm unable
give you any fatterins assurance
d snccess. but I am free to say tn
0, YOUR claims will be in the hands
rs men of unquestionable financial