Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-16
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.

Lancaster special of February 10.
to the Columbia State: The corner
stone of the Lancaster Confederate
monument was laid today on the court
house square with impressive ceremony
py the grand lodge Of Free Masons or
South Carolina. The grand master
being unable to be present, Worship
full Master w. T. Williams Of the To-
cal lodge, by special request acted In
his stead. A number OF Masons OF
other subordinate lodges among them
some from Georgia and Virginia, par
ticipated with the members OF the To-
cal lodge in the exercises. Acting
Grand Master Williams made an ex-
cellent address and much interest In
the proceedings was added by the
singing of appropriate songs by the
graded school pupils, about 600 In
number. Judge Ira B. Jones, VINO was
to have spoken, was prevented from
doing so by the pressure Of official bus
mess. He will deliver the address,
however, at the unveiling on Memo
rial Day. Col. l. G. Hough OK ker-
shaw, who was also on the programme
to speak, was not able to be present
but an eloquent and patriotic letter
from him was read. Mr.. John T.
Green read, with fine effect, an ex-
tract on immortality from Mr.. Bryan's
famous lecture, THE Prince Of Peace.
Quite a number Of papers and other
articles were deposited In the corner
stone, among the papers being an IN
teresting historical sketch Of the Lam
caster chapter, u. d. c.. by whom the
funds were raised to erect the monu-
ment. Between 1000 and 1,600 persons
were present. Mr. w. H. Rives, HIM
self a veteran, was marshal OF the oc-
casion.
Union special of February IL. to
the Spartanpurg Herald: w. T. Jones,
convicted of wife murder, was refused
a new trial by Judge Memminger here
this afternoon and sentenced to LIE
Imprisonment. The arguments for
new trial were made by Cob Johnstone
and Mr.. Nelson, and were concluded
one hour after court reassembled after
dinner. Judge Memminger having
heard the argument stated that to his
mind the prisoner had had an abb
solutely fair trial, that as judge he
had sought diligently to do fairly, the
affidayits presented from several peo-
pie in reference to the jurors having
expressed an opinion and being biased
was of little value, for In every such
case such affidavits could be collected
in large numbers. Jones was then put
upon the prisoners dock and Clerk OF
Court Peake read the indictment.
When the clerk said, what have you
to say as to why sentence should not
be passed upon you?" Jones answered:
Nothing, except am innocent" Judge
Memminger then briefly pronounced
sentence. There were tears In the
judges eyes, and in the eyes Of w. I.
Jones. The voice Of Judge Memmin-
ger was low, and at intervals faltered.
1t was q very striking scene and
brought tears to many eyes In the
packed court room. The Judge said
in part in passing the sentence: Nv.
T. Jones, stand up. ! have desire
to say something to you, but am too
fatigued by these exhaustive argu-
ments. I feel sure that you have had
q fair trial by twelve men. I am sat
isfied that they were all good men for
noticed them during the trial.
know that the case will undoubtedly
be carried to the supreme court, but
right here I would say to you that
were I in your place I would not fight
this case further, but take what the
law has given, without any further
effort. Go to the penitentiary as you
will have to do under the law. Event
ually there you may, before your time
expires, obtain mercy and forgiveness.
II you get a new trial you would prob"
ably be hung. The sentence of the
court Is that you be confined at hard
labor in the state penitentiary for the
term Of your natural life"