The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-10-06
GARRISON CONVICTED
SENTENCE TWO YEARS
LAURENS MAN WHO SLEW HIS
DAUGHTERS SWEETHEART.
Daughter of Defendant, Who Was
Sweetheart Of Deceased, Gives
Details of the Tragedy.
(By Jno. K. Au1.)

Opcclal 10 Lie Ileralu ana NEWS.
Laurens, Oct. 3.-Chargcd with
murder in the killing Of J. Louis Will
hanson, J. Henry Garrison was con-
victed in the court Of sessions here on
Friday Of manslaughter, the jury
which convicted him recommending
him to the mercy Of the court. Judge
Memminger overruled the motion for
new trial, and sentenced Garrison
to serve two years in the State peni-
tertiary or on the public works Of
Laurens county.
The trial of Garrison, resulting
from one of the saddest tragedies ever
enacted in Laurcns county, ere lted
great interest throughout South
Carolina. Young Williamson, the de-
ceased, was a guest at the Garrison
home at Gray Court, as a visitor to
Miss Mary Garrison, daughter Of J.
Henry Garrison. Young Williamson
and Miss Garrison were engaged 10
be married. Williamson was prom
incnt young farmer Of Bethesda, near
Rock Hill, in York county. He he.
came acquainted with Mis-; Garrison
while she was teaching school near
his home, and their acquaintance rip
ened into love and the engagement 10
be married. On the night Of the ira
gcdy which ended young Williamson's
life ana lIaced Garrison under inlict
ment for murder, Williamson and
Miss Garrison we're in the fa'n!ly
parlor. According to her testimony
he was trying to take liberties with
her over her protest Garrison. who
stated that his suspicious had been
aroused by what he hal heard from
The parlor, went into tie yard TO
The window of The parlo,, taking his
shot gun with him. He said that be
looked through the window and his
conslusion was that Williamson was
trying to take improper advantage of
his daughter, as he expressed it. He
said that Williamson s back was to-
wards him and he hollcred to him to
move, whcrcupon Williamson faced
him and he shot him, the load taking
effect in Williamson $ bowels, and re-
sulting in death three hours later.
Garrison s testimony was to the ef-
feet that he did not know Of William
sons engagement Of his daughter
Mrs. Garrison stated that she knew
the young people were engaged to be
married., but that. so far as she knew
1,o,, h,chnnI did n,f l,,,nUr nf - NJ;cc
Garrison's s testimony was to the same
effect along this line.
Garrison $ attorneys have given no.
tlcc Of intention to appeal to the Su-
premc court and pending the appeal
thc defendant was granted bond in
the sum Of 81 900, the same amount
under which he was held before the
trial.
Solicitor Cooper was assisted in the
prosecution by Mr.. p. H. Nelson, of
Columbia. The defendant was rep
resented by MeSsrS. Ferguson &
Feathcrstone and Richcy & Rchcv, of
the local bar. There was hara
fight by the attorneys on each side,
and the arguments to the jury were
able. Messrs. Nelson and Cooper ad-
dressed the jury for the State, and
McssrS. Fcaihcrstonc and Richcv for
the defendant. Mr.. Nelson opened
for the State. and was followed bv
McSsrS. Richcy and Fcathcrstonc, for
defendant, the arguments Of each of
t'"Sr %rntl"mrn being unusually
strong. Solicitor Cooper closed for
t." State in a powerful argument.
The ease was called on Thursday
/ mNrH;"%, and ihr following" jury was
t:"'"'''2!: /. =. Bailey. H. Il. PRYOR. r..
\. \iil1m. J. ". Abrams. Sam l.. Sax
on, NJ. j. B"dcnbaueh G. c. Young,
Jno. \. Abcrrrnmbir. C. II. Finley.
Il. II. Young. 4. 7. Malaffcy, T. j. |
Layton. Mr. T. J. Layton was APP
pointed foreman Of the jury.
DR.. c. +. Rodgers was the first wit
ness called for the State. Hc testi- !
fled that about 12 clock Mr. Gar
rison came to his home and asked him
if he had any surgical instruments,