The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-30

ing in his professional capacity, But
if 1t is so wished, although 1 am not
desirous of telling what 1 am in
formed, will do so."
The point was not pressed, and it
was not told at the session today what
sort Of information it was that Col.
Fielder had. The statement was re-
peated several times and at the con-
clusion IF the examination Mr.. Mat
thews said that he would pay the ex-
penses Of the men who would come
here and testify that he had received
rebates or commissions on account Of
the State dispensary matter. But Col.
Fielder again stated that he had not
so charged. and the matter was drop
ped. At another time, Mr.. Matthews
said: "I will give you $4,000 II you
can prove that received commits
sions." Some portion of this side
light Of the examination was conduct
ed under rather tense circumstances
indicating just a tinge Of excitement
on the part OF the witness. Mr.. Mat
thews said he would give q great deal
to be able to clear up some of the
matters that had been brought to his
attention during the examination. ana
that he was going to do 30.
Mr.. Matthews. who Is cashier OF the
Palmetto National Bank Of this city.
the bank formerly being known as the
Palmetto Bank and Trust Company,
was placed on the stand just after the
commission had held q brief execu-
tive session. during the course OF
which 1t was discussed as to whether
examination OF Mr.. Matthews should
be in open or secret session. During
the days of the State dispensary, as
has already been brought to the at
tention of the public in the recent
trials. the Palmetto conducted con-
siderable business with the whiskey
men In this State. It was concerning
some Of these transactions that Mr..
Matthews was questioned today.
In 1903 letters and kilograms were
written by Mr.. Matthews to Baltimore
with a view, II appeared, of arrang-
ing an appointment at which should
be present Mr.. Matthews. Mr.. Sam
Lanahan and Mr.. l. ]. Williams. in
Baltimore. 1t is ststed that this meet
Ing never was contaminated, and that
sSmsthihs prevented the gatHerins Of
these three men.
Why this meeting was to be held
Mr.. Matthews says he does not recall,
but 'it was not for the purpose of
making any deal to sell whiskey in
South Carolina" Witness at first did
not recall anything about the letters
shown him, and did not know why the
meeting was mentioned in the letters
and telegram.
Other matters drifted into during
the course Of the questioning, and
about w...ch Mr.. Matthews testified
were endorsements Of notes of E. H.
Aull and G.. r. Koester. the latter be-
ing referred to by Col. Fielder as the
editor of "the official organ of the
plunderbund." Witness did not re-
call the specific matters, but did know
that there were transactions in which
Mr.. Farnum and those mentioned
above were interested. That Farnum
bought stock in Koester's paper.
Numerous letters were put in evil
dence. One written December IS,
1904, contained the sentence: ''The
writer knows as much as anyone
about the dispensary." This letter
was from ]. p. Matthews to the Stan
dard Distilling Company, and witness
explained that ne did know about the
payments, etc, for which he looked
out In behalf Of his customers at the
bank.
The note Of ]. M. Walker, a former
member OF the legislature, was
Drought up. This note was endorsed
by Black, and in the bunch of letters
was a notice to Major Black to "cail
tomorrow and arrange to pay a part
of this note" Offers of cases Of whis-
key were mentioned, but were not
stressed, as this was merely incidental
to the main issue.
In the election OF John Bell ToWill
witness said he did take part to the
extent of speaking to his friends, and
that he perhaps wrote some letters.
| don't recall just now" A letter was
produced showing that he had writ
ten: Il have spoken to quite a num-
ber OF people. I am doing all 1 can"
n letter to Hub Evans said: "I am do