The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-06-10
PARDON REFUSED B|GHAM.
BLEASE DENIES GEORGETOWN
DOCTOR CLEMENCY.
Petition Presented by Mother OF Man
Convicted of Staying his Wife and
Now a Fugitive - BighaIn-Ava
Trial ut Georgetown Recalled
Result OF Tragedy at Murrelrs In
iet, when Bigham's Young Wife
Met Death ON Beach.

columbia, June IA mothers
pihsul plea was turned down late to-
day by Governor Blease. when he re-
fused - pardon G. c. Bigham, the
young Georgetown doctor. who, with
w. B. Avant his close friend. was
convicted at the fall term of court in
1909. Of the killing OF young Mrs.
Bigham. and each sentenced to
term OF three years and a half in the,
State Penitentiary. both Blgham and
Avant escaping from the community
and being still at large.
This Is the second petition present
ed TO the Governor. this, however,
being the first formal petition. When
Il was sought some time ago to have
Avant pardoned. Governor Blease said
that before lie would consider the pa
pers even, the man would have to be
In the hands OF the law. He takes
the same position with regard to Big
ham.
The following IL the petition of DR..
Bigham's mother:
The humble petition of NJ. Medora
Bigham respectfully shows that she is
the mother OF DIR. c.. c. Bigham. who
was convicted in Georgetown County,
charged with the killing of his wife,
on or about September 3, 1909, and
sentenced to 1-2 years in the PEN
itentiary; that his wife was Ruth
Crisp. OF Laurens County; that she
knew the relationship between her
son and his wife and knows that her
son would not have wilfully and
knowingly killed his wife or been
party thereto; that she Is the widow
OF the Hon. l.. e. Bigham. who was
a member of the State Legislature
with your Exceliency during the
eighth decade OF the nineteenth CEN
tury; that her husband was instru-
mental In the passage of a certain
FISH law that very materially affected
the fisheries In and around George
town. and the people OF Georgetown
County have ever since been very
bitter against her husband and fam
ily. and this was the prime cause Of
the conviction OF her son. DR.. G.. G..
Bigham; that she humbly petitions
your Excellency TO grant to her son,
Dr. q. c. Bigham. a full and free par
don, and your petitioner will ever
pray. Mrs. M. NJ. Bigham.
February 81. 1911"
From the daughter:
II. Margie Bigham. am the daugh-
ter OF the petitioner. l have lived
and taught school near Georgetown
and know that the above petition is
true and Join In it,"
card Is attached with the petition,
this card being not admitted as evi-
dence at the trial. The News and
Courier correspondent at the time. at
tending the trial. printed a portion of
this card. The card addressed To DR..
q. c. Bigham from his wife while she
was visiting her relatives in Laurens
County Just prior TO the killing reads
as follows:
Look for me tomorrow. Friday.
VIII be there sure. Am just wild to
see you. Ruth"
Senator Tiliman wrote the follow
ing letter under date Of March so,
1911. from Trenton:
Mrs. l.. S. Blgham. 5O7 Bunc ome
Street, Greenville. S. C.-My Dear
Madam: I have your letter Of
March 20. There is a mistaken i'm
preston gC!2g the rOund, that / have
become influential win tee Governor
In the matter OF parions. ] presume
this Is due To the desire Of the news
papers TO couple Governor Blease and
myself together. have asked for
only ono pario and that was for "a
white boy at Clemson, whose step
father according 20 the boys 81 Dry,
was whipping his mother and he shot
him.
ct realSmhcT your husband very
pleasantly In the days that are past
and would be glad TO help you. I
will take pleasure In signing a petition
for your son. IL you will send II TO me.
think Avant tho guilty man and
ought 20 be punished. Very sincerely
yours. "B. Il Tulman."
The old mother Of pr. Bigham
n came in person 90 the Governors Of
fee bringing her sons petition for
pardon with her. She sat with others