The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-03-10


not, as he had made up his mind to
discharge the accused and so he did.
1t came to our knowledge THAT J K
Wilson, constable for Magistrate W w
Wilson, had extorted $25 from color
ed man by the name of White, by
claiming that he had a warrant for
White, arrest for gambling. The ne
gro was told by Wilson that if he would
pay him $25 he would drop the case,
otherwise he would be prosecuted and
sent to the chain gang; upon this the
negro paid him the money.
It turns out that there was never
any warrant of the kind against the
negro and Magistrate Wilson, who is q
brother of the Constable, disclaimed
any knowledge of the transaction un-
til his attention was called to it by US.
We had the Constable brought be-
fore US and when charged with the
offence, he frankly admitted its truth,
and upon our suggestion he paid over
the money to the County Treasurer.
Having done this, we had about con-
cluded, not to present him for his I'M
lawful conduct, when another similar
case against him was brought to our
attention. We therefore concluded to
Law the matter before the Court. leav-
ing 10 your discretion as to what, II
any, action shall be taken against him.
We feel called upon to formally
present one General Allen, colored,
and Amanda Hall, white, as living in
a state of unlawful co~-habitation. AS
witnesses to \this fact, we give the
names of the following persons-viz:
John D. Poore, J. D. Carson, Morris
Sanders, Billy Wade and Sam Cole.
We had intended as suggested, by
your Honor, to make as full an investi-
cation of the the several County OH.
GERS, especially those of County Treas
urer and County Supervisor, the two
most important offices, in our opinion,
in the County, as the time at our dis
posal would admit Of, but from infor-
nation furnished US by the recently
installed supervisor as to the condition
of the affairs of that office, when he
entered upon the duties thereof, we
became satisfied that it would require
more time than we would have at this
term of Court, to examine that office,
to say nothing of the others, 80 we
concluded to appoint a committee OF
our number, who should be charged
with the duty of examining all Of the
offices, with instructions to report the
results of such examination in order
that it might be incorporated in our
presentment at the June terms Of this
Court.
Complaint was made to us by the
present Supervisor, that Capt e. N.
Nickels, his predecessor, had in his
possession q number Of the keys be-
longing to the new court house, which
he persistently refuses to turn over to
him, notwithstanding he has repeat
eddy asked him for them. Among said
keys is one known as a "Master Key"
with which any of the county offices
can be entered.
We therefore request your Honor to
make an order requiring him to imme-
diately turn over said keys to the pro-
per Custodian thereof, whether it be
the CLERK of Court or the County Su-
pervisor.
Our attention has also been called
to the fact that the toilet or water
closet in the basement Of the Court
House is being made q common resort
by parties who congregate there for
the purpose of drinking spurious
Liquors. We suggest that the County
supervisor see to it that this nuisance
be abated and to that end, that he call
upon the city authorities for assistance
Our attention has been called to the
fact, by the Clerk of Court, that very
considerable expense is frequently en-
tailed upon the County, by reason OF
the practice of attorneys, in cases of
felony, having subpoenald and bought
to the court, a lot of witnesses, who
seem not to have been needed by the
defense, in as much as they are not
called to testify in the cases for which
they are brought here. Quite a num-
Der of such cases occurred at the pre-
sent term of court.
We can't we'll see how this matter
can be remedied, as it would be a
hardship to deny a party charged with
a serious %offense, the benefit of all the
evidence which might be thought to
be Of benefit to him in his trial.
In conclusion we desire to express to
Your Honor, the Solicitor and the
other officers Of the county, for the
uniform kindness and courtesy mani
tested toward us while in the discharge
of the duties devolved upon us as a
Grand Jury. Respectfully submitted,
Francis Henry,
Feby 26, 1909 Foreman.
The Lurid Glow Of Doom
800. ..o~ ~ tho ~nA finn hands on6