The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1911-06-14
LEXINGTON, WEDNESDAY
COURT PROCEEDINGS.

The June term of the court of gen.
erai sessions for Lexington county
convened on Monday morning with
Judge George E. Prince, OF Anderson,
presiding. Clerk of Court Frank w.
Shealy had everything in readiness,
and Solicitor Zimmerman. Stenogra-
pher Anderson, Sheriff Corley and the
other officers of the court were at
their respective posts of duty.
For one hour and a half Judge
Prince addressed the grand jury. His
was perhaps the ablest charge deliv-
cred before Lexington jury in many
years, covering as it did, every phase
of grand jurors duty. He urged a
thorough investigation into the affairs
of the county-a thorough exanlina-
ton OF the county offices. He urged
that better salary be paid the county
supervisor and county superintendent
of education. These two offices, he
said, should be filled by the best men
in the county-the best equipped men
for the performance of the several du-
ties of these officers. He stressed the
Importance of securing good teachers
for our schools-teachcrs who have
the ability, the backbone and the
moral and physical courage to do
their duty. Judge Prince declared
that no teacher should have the right
to enter the school room unless he or
she has been divinely called. Teach
ing, like other callings, is an art, he
said, and only those who have been
thus endowed should be employed.
Judge Prince said that he greatly
deplored the terrible tragedy which
took place in the Dutch Fork week
ago-the tragedy in which Mr.. J. P.
Bouknight lost his life. II want you,
gentlemen, to Investigate this killing;
I want you to find out if possible who
was with this man at the time he was
killed, ascertain if the party had le-
gal warrant for the negro. If they
did not every man composing that
party of white caps is guilty of an il
legal act and it is your duty to pre-
sent them to this court.' Judge
Prince stated that this tragedy was
most uncalled for. "This is q white
mans country" said Judge Prince,
"and the negro will never be empow-
cred with the administration of our
laws.'
The first case called for trial was
that of the State against Lewis Ham
mond, one-eyed negro, for obtain
ing goods under false pretence, the
property in question being mule. He
was found guilty and sentenced By
the court
Isaac James, a negro, was tried up
on the charge OF ASSAULT and battery
with intent to kill, the alleged crime
having been committed in the Swami
sea section. James was acquitted.
JAKE Gadsden, negro, was tried
and convicted on the charge OF arson,
it having been alleged thai be burned
a residence OF Mr. Avant IL Brook
land several months ego. He was
recommended to tn3 mercy Of the
court and will, therefore, 60 to the
penitentiary for life.
the grand jury returned the follow
ing true bills: Lewis Hammond, OBJ
tanning goods under false pretence;
Eugene Merritt, assault and battery;
Isaiah James, assault and battery;
Press Franklin, assault and battery
with intent to kill, carrying concealed
weapons and resisting an officer, etc.;
Thomas Dreher, assault and battery;
Pinky Culpepper, murder; Will Rowe,
murder; Isaiah Dreher, assault and
battery, (no bilD; Jake Gadsden, ar
son; Wash Rawl, arson; w. West
moreland, adultery; julius Wingard,
malicious mischief.
The petit jurors were excused from
further attendance at 10 o'clock tc-
day. Grand jury st;p in session.
Il