The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-02-09
KEELING TO BE PROBED.
Five Men Accused OF the Murder
Are in Jail.

Are in Jail.
A dispatch from st. George says
with the surrender of Charles Nc
Alhaney Saturday morning all of the
parties charged with the murder of
Presley Reeves are now lodged in
the county jail. McAlhaney was not
arrested with the other defendants
yesterday, it being the intention Of
Sheriff Owens to apprehend him Sat
urday morning.
A preliminary examination into
the affair will be held by Magistrate
Moorer Wednesday. The defendants
demanded an investigation immedi-
ately, but in view of the large num-
Der of witnesses to be subpoenaed
this was impossible. There are
nearly fifty witnesses to be summon
ed, some of whom reside in other
counties, and it will take seevral
days to have them notified.
The defendants when interviewed
were not disposed to talk very much.
They all protested their innocence,
however, and said they knew abso-
lutely nothing of the killing.
All of the men, with the exception
of Fairly, are confined in cell to-
gether on the first floor Of the Jail,
while Fairey is confined on the Sec
ond floor. They have been made as
comfortable as possible under the
circumstances, and apparently EN-
tertain no fear to the outcome. In
fact they seem rather inclined to
treat the matter with Indifference.
Arant, one of the defendants, re-
Gently suffered stroke of paralysis,
and the effects thereof are still aD-
parent. He was unable to testify
at the inquest because Of illness, and
is the only defendant whose testi-
mony has not been taken. When
seen today he was lying on the bed
and had his right arm bandaged, al
though his condition is not such now
as to necessitate his being confined
to bed.
Sheriff Owens and several special
officers have been conducting a thor
ough investigation into the matter
for the past several days, and it
is thought that the preliminary en-
animation will develop features of
sensational nature.
Lon Weeks, Of the local bar, rep
resents the prosecution, while four
of the men charged with the killing
are represented by John A. HERS,
Esq. The defendant, Fairey, is with
out counsel as yet.
The killing Of Reeves was prob
ably the most exciting and sensation
al homicide in the criminal annals
of Dorchester county, not only be-
cause Of the fact that it is generally
accepted that his connection with
the Audubon Society was the cause
of his death.
The Edisto River, which runs
through the section in which the
murder occurred, was faforlte
place for the people of that commu-
nifty to fish, and Reeves being gen
orally regarded as man OF undls-
puted courage, the violators of the
fish and game laws realized that his
appointment as game warden would
cause them trouble, especially since
he was a resident Of the immediate
section, and was we'll acquainted
with conditions thereabouts. Then,
too, there existed a family feud OF
long standing in the community, and
young Reeves had had several tllts
with his neighborS prior to his death,
one of which. it was said, was with
one of the defendants at Branchyille,
a day or so before the killing.
The jury of inquest impanelled to
investigate the killing had three
hearings, but were never able 10
agree upon a verdict. While evil
dence produced at these hearings
was circumstantial, it is understood
that the prosecution has additional
evidence to present at the prelimi-
nary examination, and the arrests
Yesterday is evidence that they have
something up their sleeves. The
case has created high interest in
this section Cf the State, and results
are anxiously awaited. The defend
ants are all prosperous farmers, and
will doubles be represented by able
counsel.
Arant, especially, is we'll known
and is said to possess considerable
property. Each side is equally de-
termined. ami the matter will be
fought to the last ditch.
A DRUG FARM