The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-11-30
FIEND TO HANG
aightswer, the Negro Convicted Of Grim
NAL Assault ID Columbia
WILL HANG NEXT MONTH

AA~ SA
After Hearing Testimony OF Victim
and Several Other Witnesses Jury
Returns Verdict Of equity" In
Case OF Brute, Charged With Raw
ishing Young Columbia Married
Woman.
For the heinous crime of assault,
Minus Hightower, a young negro
hend, will pay the death penalty in
Columbia on December 90.
The hand of the law moved swift
ly and with unerring decision Mon
day, in the trial of the young lend,
who, on October Is, ravished a mar
ried woman of Columbia. Placed on
trial Monday morning, at a special
term of Court ordered by the Gov
ernor, the evidence in his case COM
pleted at $3.50 o'clock, Hightower
knew his fate within three minutes
after the jury retired. The sentence
OF the Court was Immediately IN
nounced, following the verdict OF
"guilty."
There was no special denunstra-
ton against the negro, although the
crowd appeared eager for the law
to be carried out. 1t Is only within
the range of surmise that might
have been done if the verdict had
been othtrwise. Likewise is the
question as to how many Of the mel
had pistols. The Governors Guards
and the Richmond Volunteers were
on guard during the trial. These
are two of the oldest military CON-
paniss in the State.
The husband of the p~rosecutrix,
during the morning hours, had a pis-
toll in his pocket. When this was
found out by the sheriff, the pistol
was taken away. The talk around
the Court room was that the hus-
band intended to start something
if his wife had to testify before the
crowded Court room. That after
noon, the husband was closely watch
ed in Court. He is a painter by
trade, and there were many of his
friends, both inside and outside the
Court room. The police co-operated
with the militia and officials of the
county and Court in handling the
case systematically.
In addition to that of the prosecu-
trix, there was testimony by a negro,
John Franklin, who stated thai
Hightower did not go with him on
q hunt, as the accused had stated In
Jail. Policeman Hite, who made the
arrest. and one or two othtr witness
es also testified.
The Court appointed Alfred Wal
lace. Jr., and Richarl f Carwile
TO defend the negro. When Minus
Highower was arrested, within hall
an hour after the assault, with which
he is charged, was committed ne
gave the name of ED Byrd" Dur
ing his arrest he had other alias IS
but Minus Hightower IS his right
name.
Under the law, the newspapers
may not print the name Of a wo'
man upon whom an assault or at
tempted assault has been committed
The ]prosecutriX in this case Is a pref
~ young woman. She lives in the
northeastern section OF the city. The
State did not take advantage Of the
law OF 1909 as 10 the prosecutriX
testimony. but she was in Court and
testified.
On the converting OF the Court ths
grand jury, Gen. John D. Frost being
foreman, was polled and the Indie
ment, drawn in usual form, wa:
handed out by Solicitor Cobb. D.
the bench was the Hon. 7. fanceJ
Williams, Of Lancaster, presiding by
appointment OF Governor Ansel. The
grand jury retired. briefly examined
a fSy Of the witnesses for the Stale
and soon returned with a true bill
Shortly afterward the prisoner was
brought in for arraignment. Sheriff
Coleman headed the little group. IT
the midst Of which walked the negro
Rural Policemen Hipp and Huffman
and Courl Bailiffs Grimsley and
Duming were the officers immediate
ly in charge Of the accused. TheS
seated the negro In the dock an
took chairs around it. Other depr
ties and rural policemen had pre-
viously heen disposed about The
room and among .he spectators bail
ifs moved with their slaves. enjoin'
ing silence on all. One rural police
man. standing. took post in the gate
way leadin. TO the bar from the main
portion Of tho room.
The tension was less than miSas
have been expected. An lnteres'
keen, but impersonal. composed in
the main Of n lively curiosity. was
the prevailing emotion manifested.
There was no display OF arms. The
only soldiers within the Court room
;tself--;hough. OF course. II was
known two companies were und"
trms nearby in their armorieS~-wcrH
~ -. i..,h - tIlnn pn,,N ~ II II ~ =