The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-06-15
JOHN BELL TOWILL'S HORSE.
M. E. Rutland, of Batesburg, Testi-
fes Concerning The Thorough
bred Horse

Bell Towill. former member Of the
old State dispensary board, is
said to have received a thorough
bred horse as a present from N. A.
Goodman, a whiskey agent, was
brought out this morning in the dis
pensary investigation during the ex-
animation Of Mr.. NJ. E. Ruthland, of
BatesbuTs. Mr.. Ruthland was ques-
toned by Mr.. Fielder as to the trans
action and told what he knew of the
matter. There was no cross-exami-
nation, although Mr.. Towill was rep
resented by an attorney. The incl
dent was very different from anyone
which has Eet occurred in connection
with the commission 5 work. The reg
ular proceedings were interrupted
long enough for Mr.. Ruthland to tes-
tify and then the commission went
quietly to work on the other matters
before it.
The horse deal as explained by Mr..
Ruthland was that he was informed
by Mr.. Towill one day in 1905 that
a horse was en- route to his stables
in Batesburg Mr.. Ruthland is in the
mercantile business, but runs also
stable and does some farming. Mr..
Towill told him, he said, to take care
Of the horse when it came, but did
not say where the horse was being
shipped from. Mr.. Ruthland said he
received the horse by freight, but did
not know who shipped it. and that he
fed the animal until Mr.. Towill came
for it and disposed Of it. Mr.. Rut-
land thought that the horse was sold
to one Of the Governors Of this State.
Col. Fielder asked Mr. Rutland about
a speech that Senator Tillman made
in which there was some reference
to the horse incident. Nj. Rutland
said he had heard about this speech
but did not know what Mr. Tillman
had said.
The interesting feature Of the horse
deal was told by Mr.. Rutland about
as follows:
@'Later on Mr. Towill came to me
and handed me $275 for which I gave
him a receipt. He said that I should
receive this just as if he were paying
me for the horse with it and later
be would trade the amount out with
me- I told him I didn't want to get
into troublt and he said it would be
all right. so I took the money and
gave him the receipt.''
Upon being questioned, Mr.. Rut-
land admitted that no record Of this
transaction was made on his books,
although that the $275 was credited
until few days ago, when he was
told to examine his books and did not
find the credit made This was all
while Mr.. Towill was member of
the dispensary board, he said.
But the >$275 was credited to Mr..
Towill later, when he bought goods
of Mr. Rutland. Mr.. Rutland's books
exhibited today show that Mr.. Tow
III carried an account, and at the time,
somewhat later than the horse deal,
Mr.. Towill accounts amounted to
about $500 for wagons, harness, etc.
This account was credited in full,
showing, Mr.. Rutland stated. that the
S275 was applied on it and the diff
ference paid in cash.
Mr.. Rutland stated that he turned
the horse over to Mr. Towill and
thought it was sold in Columbia; that
he afterwards heard that Mr.. Good
man had sent the horse to Mr.. Tow
i'll but did not know this at the time,
and Mr.. Towill did not tell him.
As to the receipt given Mr.. Towill,
Mr.. Rutland said that cee receipt was
made out when brought to him, and
he merely signed it after receiving the
money from Mr.. TOwlll. He had
heard that the receipt was afterwards
published and about the other matters
relating to the horse.
The horse, Mr. Rutland said, was
too high strung for him, and he con-
sidered the $275 an all right price,
thinking probably that Mr.. Towill
wished to sell the animal and have
the receipt to show for it. Mr.. Rut-
land could not explain why the $275
payment was not placed on his books
Immediately. but stated that he did
not have an agreement with Mr.. Tow
i'll not to do so.
When Mr.. Fielder had completed his
question Mr. Brice Of the commission
asked several questions as to why the