The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-11-16
ONE CRATER CONVICTED,
BLACK GUIITN-JODIE vi. RAW
LINSON AND Ill. LEE SOLO
SONS NOT GUILTY.
Attorney General Lyon Warmly Con-
graduated on Result-UsuaI Mo-
ton for New Trial viii be Heard
This Morning-Ablc Arguments
Made by Lawyers i'm Case.

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on second count; not guilty on first
count" was the verdict of the jury
in the case of Rawlinson- Black Solo
mons. charged with conspiracy, at
/ $3.50 o'clock tonight.
Immediately on announcement of
verdict, counsel for John Black ask
ed court to note on minutes a mo-
tion for a new trial. which motion
will be heard by Judge Moore on the
convening of court tomorrow morn
ing at 10 O'CLOCK.
The case went to the jury at 6:lO
o'clock and the verdict was returned
at $3.50 o'clock-3 hours 20 minutes
OF deliberation.
The verdict was received with
much interest
Blacks counsel Immediately, on
the announcement of The verdict.
gave notice of a motion for a new
trial and this will be heard when
court convenes tomorrow morning. In
the meantime Black is out on bond
and is spending the night at the no.
tel.
The attorney general. Mr.. Lyon. is
receiving the congratulations OF
friends on the outcome. When seen
tonight and asked for a statement he
said that he had nothing to give out
now. There Is much speculation OH
the next step In this case. People on
the street and especially In the lobby
OF the hotel are discussing the prob
able result.
The result of the verdict is
triumph for the attorney general. a
great many expected to see a mistrial
at best while others, from the evil
dence presented at the trial of this
case. were of the opinion that Black
would be convicted.
What the sentence will be will de-
pend on the court. as the matter is
left to 1t.
Last Day OF Graft Trial.
Chester, S. c.. November IL
The evidence is in; the arguments
have been made and the case of the
alleged dispensary grafters Is in the
hands of a jury of Chester county
men.
Up to today thera has been much
dependence placed Upon the rumors
that the issue would be not guilty or
mistrial. But after the powerful
and in fact. convincing. argument of
w. +. Stevenson this afternoon. a
great many have been hard to say
that they believe that the jury will
not dare TO acquit. Mr.. Stevenson
left for the North at 6 O'Clock this
evening and he declared his firm
belief that at least one of the defend
ants would be convicted.
Never has a case been fought on
such lines Every vile known to the
legal profession. every kind of special
pleading and specious argument has
been made in behalf of these defend
ants. There are on all sides evidence
OF regular political campaign dur
ing the months preceding and the
attorney general. the commission to
wind up the affairs OF the dispensary
and the witnesses for the State have
all been pilloried. ridiculed and
abused in advance OF this trial.
A 81
court room has been an uphill fight.
and If the verdict be for the defend
anst there will be no surprise. The
most powerful man on the jury Is
variously reported To have said only
Few days ago that he would not
convict any of the defendants and
the local attorneys for the prosecu-
tion have by some persons been criti-
cised for allowing the attorney gener-
al To permit certain men to go upon
the jury.
But the array OF evidence produced
by Mr.. Lyon and Mr.. Stevenson. the
wonderful argument OF Mr.. Abney on
the law Of conspiracy and the power
ful address before the jury by Mr..
Stevenson should he sufficient TO Gre
ate reaction i'm favor OF the prose-
cutlon. The attorney generals argu-
ment before the jury was the best
effort OF that kind that he has made,
no oratory, but a convincing presen-
tation OF facts. but it was not such a
rivet-clinching speech as that OF MIR.
Stevenson. The local attorney, JOS.
q. Mcclure, representing Solicitor
Henry, In a quiet and unimpassioned
manner. made an argument 10 the
jury this morning which carried great
weight. He did not denounce the al
legged graftcTs as thieves and Scoun-