Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-11-02
A CASE IN COURT.
EdsefieId Citizen Makes Some Start.
Iinq Statements.

EdaefieId Citizen Makes Some Start
ling Statements.
+ A negro named Bill Broadwater was
acquitted in Edgefield county recently
for the murder Of his step daughter,
and Dr. D. A. J. Bell Of Parksville, was
so impressed with what appeared to
him the most outrageous miscarriage
of justice involved, that he wrote quite
a frank and courageous protest, which
was published in the Edgefleld Adver-
tiser. Assuming that the jurors knew
as much about the case as he knew,
he censured them for their verdict
One Of the jurors replied, in the Co
lumbia State, showing that there was
no evidence upon which to have con-
yiction, and DR.. Bell has come back In
this highly sensational reply:
To the Editor Of The State:
l am glad to see Mr.. j. M. Wrights 8
article in your issue Of the 2Sth and
beg to say that I accept his statements,
knowing him to be an honorable man
whose motives l would not impugn.
When / wrote the article for the Ad-
vertiser did not know who the jury
were, nor do now, except Mr.. Wright,
nor that the said jury were not given
the facts. Mr.. Wright's explanation as
you suggest, seems to put the respon-
sibility upon others.
Now, as to the intimation by Juror
Wright, that I had been remiss, as
did not answer when called, want to
say that / attended the August term of
court, at which time true bill was
found against Bill Broadwater and a
week before the meeting Of the last
term wrote the Hon. Geo. Bell Tim
norman, stating to him In substance
that g. true bill had been found against
Bill Broadwater, and that was busy
man and didn't have time to go to
court and lose two or three days, but to
please set a day for the trial, as is
usual, and wire me at my expense, and
/ would be on hand.
1 never heard word from the solicit
tor, the case went to trial the afternoon
of the first day, and Tuesday morning
the papers announced Broadwaters ac-
quittal. No, they did not want me.
But let us somewhat review the facts
in this case, In order that the general
public may draw their own conclusions
as to who is to blame in the case.
After the killing, Broadwater lefs
home, the governor offered q reward
and he was apprehended in Burk coun-
ty, Ga, and brought back to Edgeneld
and put in Jail. He employed Mr.. VIM.
u.
Judge ]. D. Devore at home, applied
for bail, which was granted in the sum
of $1,000. Whoever heard OF man
accused Of such dastardly murder
being let out on a $1,000 bond?
But 1t was generally understood that
there was but one white man In this
whole county who would go on Bills
bond, and Of course, 1t had to be put
down to where this particular man
could reach It. This was the first chap
ter In the farce trial Of Broadwater.
The case was called the first day OF
the August term, whereupon Mr.. Thur
mond, defendants attorney, arose and
said In substance: Your honor,
would like to have the case Of the
State against Bill Broadwater contin-
ued." Judge Aldrfch said: I'VE are
here for business, Mr.. Thurmond, and
I think we had better try the case.
"If you want the case continued" said
the Judge, you must come within the
rule" The lawyer knew that he
couldn't do that; that is, make Bill
swear that a certain witness material
to his defense was absent, that he had
used due diligence to get him, but he
couldn't be gotten, and that he could
not go safely to trial without said wit
ness. Not being able to do this, OF
course, Mr.. Thurmond simply stated
that he could not get all his witnesses
here to consult them, as to the case;
to which the judge replied, Il will ex-
haust all the power Of the court to get
your witnesses for you, Mr.. Thurmond."
Very kind in your honor" said Mr.
Thurmond, who smiled and leisurely
took his seat.
I said to myself, they are determined
that this case shall not come to trial
at this term of court, and shall watch
their manoeuvres, knowing that the So
.licitor and Mr.. Thurmond had at one
time been law partners, and were very
intimate, and did watch.
Now, the state was ready, the judge
was ready, the witnesses were present,
etc., but notwithstanding all this the
last thing the solicitor did that after
noon was to say: "Your honor, we will
continue the case of the State against
Bill Broadwater, and dismiss the wit
nesses until the next term" This Is
the second chapter in this case and the
public can draw their own conclusions.
The last term Of the court / expected
to be wired for, but was not, and Mr..
Henry A. Adams. postmaster and depot
agent at Merriwether, tells me that he,
P. G.. Middleton, another white man,
to prove substantially the matter con-
tanned in my first article when 10 and
behold, to his astonishment, the solicit
tor only put up one witness.
Henry Callahan, negro neigbbor OF
Bob's, tells me that Bob tCld him since
the trial that he hated to have to tell
so many lies, but the lawyers told him
that IL he told the truth 1t would hang
his daddy. Take this for what 1t Ia
worth; negro news.
Now, these are the facts, in the face
Of which to a large extent exonerate
the jury in this case (though 1t does
seem, from Mr.. Wrieht's statement OF
what Bob said, he was guilty Of some
thinz) but the larger blame lies at the
door Of the prosecuting attorney. We
need a prosecuting attorney, vigor-
our prosecuting attorney, for this ju-
dicial circuit.
Bill shot his son Bob once for diso-
bedience, wounding him slightly and as
said In the Advertiser I believe In
parental authority and enforcing II, but
I am opposed to the use Of the shotgun
in family government.
A man interested in clearing Bill
Broadwater when expressed surprise
said: There ia always a wheel within
wheel" which I took to mean there
Is always some way to get round the
law and thwart the ends Of justice. If
lawyers can connive and set murderers
free 1t Is high time our people were be-
ginning to think and either clean out
faithless court officials or abandon
these farcical trials.
This ends the charter Of one Of the
greatest farces. in my opinion, ever en-
acted in poor old Edgefeld, In the face
of which. as 1t appears to me. and
must to all fair-minded men, who want
the truth. I cannot help exclaiming. as
I did in the other article: God have
mercy upon usi D. A. ]. Bell.
Parksville. Oct. 20, 1909.
cURTAILMENT IN THE SOUTH.
,.,.