The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-22
A LETTER FROM SHERIFF. EP-
PERSON.

Editor OF the Herald. Sir: Will
you allow me space in your paper to
correct some statements recently
published In the DAILY Item" against
the sheriff's office. In the first
place the Item stated there was no
effort made to capture Harper. This
is an error. We have made every
effort to capture Mr.. Harper. They
also state that the Governors pro-
elamation offering reward OF
$4,000 for the capture OF Mr..
Harper. should have been printed
I'm all the County papers and that
this was withheld from the Item to
deprive them OF the amount which
they would have received for pub
iishlng the same. I had an order
from the Governor to publish same
In one county paper. which was
done.
The sheriff asked the reporter OF
the Item after explaining to him. to
correct the statement. Which the
reporter failed to do.
It GEMS the Item wishes the
people OF Sumter county TO believe
there has been no effort made TO
capture Mr.. Harper. / will state
thc following truths. Every one
knows Ed. Bossard was shot at the
depot on Sunday night. A police
man vas at the depot and Harper
ors lad few minutes the start OF
him. Chief Bradford and several
mem ers Of the force made every ef-
for' locate Harper. but failed TO
DC o. because they could not get
any Information as TO his where
8,ouis. for the fact he was shielded
o. r. lends. knew nothing OF the
Sitog until the next day. Though
mi, Ilor. Mr.. Owens. was out MI
nlgh trying TO locate Mr.. Harper
Vow II seems from the printed mat
tiers n The Item they think all
The sheriff had to do was to walk
cut and capture Harper. whether
ne could be found or not.
Mr.. Harper Is not the first man
who has escaped. nor will he be
the last. III the Editor Of the Item
will come to the office we will show
him descriptions OF mea wanted in
different States. with rewards Of
fered for them as high as $4,000
90. Who have never been captured.
In regards to warrant being
sent TO this office on Saturday. 1 de-
sire to say. Judge Wells has de-
putty paid by the couaty to do his
work and under Section 1O45 Code
OF Laws OF South Carolina. Vol 1,
which reads as follows: The Mag
istrates in Sumter. Barnwell. Or
angeburg and Fairfield counties
for whom there are constables ap-
poiated, with fixed salaries. shall
not lie authorized to place their war
rants OF other criminal process I'm
the hands OF the Sheriffs OF said
counties. for services unless. at the
same time they make and file with
the said sheriffs their certificate.
setting forth that at the time. there
Is riot or other disturbance or
sufficient cause. stating the cause. In
the locality. which readers IL impos-
sible or ineXpedient To have the same
served by the regular constable and
the account OF the Sheriff for any
such service shall not be allowed as
paid unless vouchcd by and based oa
such certificate.
The people OF Sumter county will
sec ~ the above section that the
Sheriff has nothing To do with the
serving Of Magistrates warrants.
without the proper endorsement as
specified above endorsed thereof /
think the Editor OF the Item had bet.
ter post himself little In regard to
the law before criticising the duties
pertaining Co the Sheriffs Office.
". H. EPPERSON,
Sheriff.