The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-05-23
GEORGE HASTY LEFT
PENITENTIARY MONDAY
BLEASE GRANTS FULL PARDON
TO CHEROKEE PRISONER.
Convicted of Killing Actor In 1905
Last Chapter in Sensational
Gaffney Tragedy.

Columbia, May 21.-George Hasty,
the Cherokee prisoner, sentenced to
life, for the killing of Milan Bennett,
an actor, at Gaffney. December Is,
1905. will leave the State penitentiary
tomorrow a free man. He has been
granted an absolute pardon by Cover
nor Cole. ] Blease. Hasty will never
be tried for the killing of another
member of the same theatrical troupe
at the time that Milan Bennett was
killed. Thus the pardon granted by
Governor Blease ends one of the most
sensational cases known in the GRIM
inal annals Of South Carolina.
In his cell at the State prison to-
night George Hasty knows not thet
he has been pardoned. The papers
have not been made out in the case
yet. Governor Blease himself has
written across the back Of the par
don petition Pardon granted" and
all that remains to be done is the
making out of the official papers, the
signing of them by the governor, the
secretary of State, and the aftlxing
of the great seal Of South Carolina
This will be done early Monday morn
ing, and the Afternoon train Will bear
George Hasty to freedom T..
Assurance From Governor.
Yet, although he does not know
that his pardon has been granted,
George Hasty is not without hope. He
was told by Governor Blease as the
chief executive passed through the
prison yard Friday morning that
something would be done for MIN. Il
don't know how long you will be
here. but am going to do something
for you soon," Governor Blease told
Hasty.
George Hasty has been within the.
walls of the State penitentiary since
November, 1906 Unlike many prison
ers who enter the prison, time has
dealt kindly with Hasty. He is a
good-looking young man, and even In
prison garb he at once attracts atten-
ton. When he was told by Governor
Blease that something might be done
for him soon, Hasty simply replied,
Thank you, governor" and smiled.
Until the prison officials read OF hrs
pardon il the News and Courier Hasty
will not be informed of his good for
tune. He will be sent out the official
papers Monday, and it is expected that
he will Immediately leave for mis-
home.
Statement Of Case. ~
From the supreme court records the
following statement Of facts was OBJ
tanned:
"This was an indictment against
George Hasty, defendant, appellant
herein, under the charge of murder,
for the killing of Milan Bennett, at
Gaffney, said county and State, on
December Is, 1905. On the fourth
Monday in February, being February
26, 1906, defendant was arraigned and
pleaded mot guilty to the Indictment
The Woman in the Case.
Miss Verne Sheridan, member OF
the Nothing But Money" Theatrical
company, a woman of 21 years Of age,
was the central figure Of the trial. 1t
was about her that George Hasty be-
came involved in a quarrel that leo
him to kill two men. One of these
two men was Milan Bennett The
other was Davidson, also an actor, for
whose death Hasty will never be
tried, according to the statement OF
Solicitor Otis.
Born in New York and reared in
New Jersey, Miss Sheridan said she
vas 21 years old, and had been on
the stage four years at the time OF
the Gaffney tragedy, It was a little
musical comedy, Nothing But
Money" and Miss Sheridan played a
soubrerte's part. Milan Bennett was
the leader of the orchestra.
Brands Miss Sheridan.
In granting the pardon to George
Hasry. Governor Blease brands MISS
Verne Sheridan, not only as a woman
of doubtful character, but as tnlel.
This was the statement with WHICH
Governor Blease granted the PARDON
to Hasty. He based this statement
upon affidavits made to him in ohe
case.