Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-10
c. s. MAY RELEASED ON PAROLE.

Chas. S. May, who plead guilty at
the November, 1909 term of the court
Of general sessions for York county, to
the charge of breach of trust with frau
dulent intent, and who was sentenced
by Special Judge Moore to three years
in the York county Jail, and afterward
transferred by order Of Governor An
sci, to the tuberculosis hospital Of the
state penitentiary, has been paroled
pending good behavior, with permission
to leave the state for the purpose OF
trying to build up his health.
In granting the parole, Governor An
sci comments as follows:
"The petitioner, Chas. S. May plead
ed guilty at the November term, 1903
of the court of general sessions OF
York county, Of breach Of trust with
fraudulent intent, and was sentenced
to three years in the York county Jail
While serving his sentence he develop
ed q case of tuberculosis, and it be-
came necessary to remove him from the
York county Jail to the tuberculosis
hospital at tine state penitentiary for
treatment. Since his confinement
there, he has not improved as much a.
it was hoped for.
"A petition, signed by great num-
Der of the people Of Rock Hill and OF
York county, has been filed with me
asking for a pardon and stating, among
other things, that the only child of the
petitioner also manifested symptoms
of the same disease from which her
father is suffering. The petition has
been reported upon by the solicitor of
the circuit court and by the presiding
Judge, and after mature consideration
of the case, in mercy to the petitioner
to his health and to that of his only
child and in order that he may have
an opportunity of regaining his health
If that be possible, do hereby parole
the said Charles S. May for and during
good behavior, he to go within thirty
days from this date to a climate be-
yOnd the limits Of this state, where
consumption may be arrested"
The prisoner was released from the
state prison on Saturday, and shortly
afterward gave out an interview to the
Columbia State, which appears in tnat
paper of Sunday morning as follows:
Il am grateful to my friends for all
that they have done for me, and espe-
cially am | indebted to Gov. Ansel," "
said May yesterday, as he was getting
ready to return to his wife and little
daughter at Rock Hill. II shall go to
Hendersonville. n. c., and try to get
back my health. or at least my
strength. and then | propose to come
back to Rock Hill and start all over
again"
The story of this young mans humil-
iation is indeed unusual. His father.
Tom J. May. was one of the most pop
ular men of York county, but died
early i'm life and soon thereafter was
followed to his grave by his wife.
Charles S. May shared his fathers
popularity. and year after year was
elected city clerk Of Rock Hill. He
had very profitable fire insurance
business also. He attended the meet
inss i'm Columbia Of the South Carolina
fire insurance agents, and was popular
with his fellow members.
The public might never have known
that he was Il defaulter, but for his
own confession. His statement yester-
day was as follows:
"The American Audit company four
years in succession checked my books
%. X and stated that the books were
well kept. The next year l was check
ed 800 short. | had been living too
cxpensively. l had a dread of my
health breaking down, and | got to
drinking.
Il decided to make clean breast of
the whole affair. To Mr.. Cherry
chairman of the finance committee, |
announced that | was short in my ac-
counts. He replied that it was a small
matter, only 800. When / told him
that my shortage was over $4,000 and
had covered n period of several years
during which my books had been au-
dited and approved. Mr.. Cherry seemed
to think ii impossible.
when | convinced MIN. he asked
what | proposed to do. | told him |
would dispose of my home. pay the city
and quietly resign. He stated he
thought this would be adequate rcsti-
tuition but would have to submit the
matter to the other members of the
committee. Naturally a man in Il pub
lie position has enemies. and 80 had L
in council.
Il gave up my home. endeavored to
make full restitution, but this did not
satisfy some persons in Rock Hill.
They insisted upon warrant for my
As late as o'clock one night
friends and relatives were at my mouse
begging me to leave Rock Hill. that