Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-24
Soufh Carolina News

COLUMBIA. s. c. Sept. -Z--Tne nrst OF
the criminal cases growing out Of the In
vestigation OF the late state dispensary
system was taken up in the circuit court
at Columbia today when the trial OF
James S. Farnum. OF Charleston. a form
er liquor dealer and brewer, was started.
The charge upon which Farnum was in
dicted was bribery OF a member of the
board OF directors OF the state dispensary,
which. board made the purchases Of
liquor FOR the system
his Is only one OF the several cases
against Farnum and there are nine other
persons under indictment for bribery and
conspiracy 70 defraud the state. including
fve former dispensary oficials.
The defense moved 10 quash two Of the
three counts I'm the indictment on the
ground that the indictment charges brib-
cry under the common law which. II was
alleged, was superseded by the statute.
Judge Memminger overruIed this motion.
The defense then presented a formal
and lengthy demurrer to the indictment
on similar grounds This was argued Cor
the defense BY Ernest F. Cochran. United
States district attorney. and for the state
BY B. L. Abney. OF Columbia, and W. F.
Stevenson. OF Cheraw. who are assisting
Attorney General Lyon. $50
Fer three years or more the. attorney
general has been gathering, evidence for
these prosecutions. and great interest in
The trials is manifested throughout the
state. .-t.-.
CREENyILLE. S. c.. Sept Fur
man university. and Greenville Female
college opened. today with record breaking
attendance. and with every indication that
incoming sessions will be the best in the
history OF either institution
CHARLESTON. S. G. Sept. 22.-The eff
forts tu-secure convictiens Of blind tigers
are being renewed and the police and con-
stables are swearing out warrants and
making cases for the grand and petit
irries to pass upon A strong sentiment
Is developing in Charleston for a stricter
enforcement OF the law.
CHARLESTON. S. c, Sept. 22.-Fire
+ Chief Behrens is going TO Augusta to
witness the test Of the auto fire engines
IN that city with a view of recommend
ing the purchase Of a couple for the
Charleston department.
The Charleston chief has had an auto
for his own use for several years. but
the Charleston department has held TO
the horse engines. and the trip of Chief
Behrens TO the Georgia city probably
means that the horseless machines are TO
be used also in Charleston.
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. Sept. u.-w. NJ.
Brunette. formerly teller OF the Bank OF
Graniteville. S. C. was arrested here yes
terday on a telegram from Graniteville
stating that he was wanted there for en-
bezzlement.
Brunette is in jail awaiting the coming
OF South Carolina officer. The amount
OF the banks fund involved is estimated
10 be $500.
COLUMBIA. S. C. Sept. z2.-The trial Of
James S. Fsrnum. charged with having
bribed member OF the late state dispens-
airy board. was continued today. The tes-
timony presented by the prosecution to-
day tended TO show the course taken by
certain drafts made by Farnum at
Charleston IN favor OF Henry Samuels,
now mayor Of Chester. s. c., and the pro-
ceeds OF which. IL is claimed. were turned
over by Samuels to Joseph B. Wylie, then
a member Of the dispensary board.
IL was testified yesterday by Robert
Gage. OF the Chester bank. that he had
marked one OF the bills given to Samuels
an payment OF a draft from Farnum, and
that this marked bin was afterwards de-
posted BY Wylie. 1t is understood that
states evidence and Will be put on the
stand by the prosecution TO prove the
bribery. The amounts alleged TO have
been given ranged from s1.10o to 1900 on
several occasions.