davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24
Life Term for John Henry
and Clyde May.
Were Found Guilty of Murder
With Recommendation to
Mercy-Gus Harris is
Given Two Years.

John Henry My and Clyde May,
indicted for the murder of Henry Bo-
cha, was one of the sensational GRIM
inal cases in the court. They were
tried and convicted with recommends
tion to the mercy of the Court. They
are % and II years of age respective
ly. They were given life sentence.
The killing of Bocha was one Of
the worst tragedies ever enacted in
Union county. The killing occurred
on Main street in front of Burris'
Furniture store early in the evening
and while the streets were lined with
people.
John Hnry May put up the plea
that Bocha had made improper pro-
posals to his wife. But this testimo-
ny was rebutted by testimony on the
part of the State that Mrs. May did
not even know Bocha; also that May
did not kill Bocha upon first meeting
him. Witnesses testified Bocha was
running backward and crying: Don't
cut me, don't cut me-" as Clyde May
reached toward him with a drawn
knife. Witnesses testified that John
Henry May clubbed the fallen man
after he had emptied his revolver in
to the mans body.
The trial was sensational in a high
degree and revealed the arraigned
prisoners as possessed of great bru-
tality.
Gus Harris Given Two Years.
In the case of Gus Harris, charged
with the murder of James Sprouse,
the jury reached an agreement that
is unusual, to say the least, the fol-.
lowing is the verdict: -
"In coming to an agreement in the
case of Gus Harris charged with the
murder of James Sprouse, we the
jury in said case agree to a verdict of
manslaughter with the recommends
tion of mercy, provided the courts
minimum sentence of two years shall
be commuted to one year, and in
this case, should his health be worse
than it is now, that said communication
be made six months.
(Signed) James E. Hunter, fore
man; w. C. Alverson, w. H. Chalk,
Wallace S. Briggs, J. c.. Murphy,
Douglas Edwards, D G. Gallman, w.
j. Betsill, w. ]. Gibbs, w. ]. Jolly,
j. T. Byars, J. A. Brown"
Letter to Judge Sease from Jury.
eve seem not to be able to agree
in this case only in an agreement as
I am enclosing. Read this and let
me know if it can be done. OF course
your sanction would be necessary.
Yours,
Jas. E. Hunter, foreman"
Judge Sease's Reply.
81 always heed the recommends
tion of a jury. More than this it would
be improper to say.
"T. S. Sease, Judge"
On Friday afternoon Judge Sease
in passing sentence stated that two
years was the minimum for man.
slaughter and chat he could not i'm
pose less sentence, but intimated
that by petitioning the governor he
might consider it.
Mrs. jamie Smith, of the West
Springs section, was taken ill We'd
nesday. Her condition is conceded
critical and her relatives have been
summoned to her bedside.
Mrs. F. H. Poston is quite ill at her
home at West Springs.
Mrs. w. T. Kidd returned to Union
Thursday after visit of several
weeks to relatives at Greensboro, N.
C.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24
Mrs. Poole Takes Suddenly iii.

Mrs. H. l.. Poole, who is visiting
her sister, Mrs. L. B. Blackwell, at
Laurens, became suddenly ill Satur-
day night and Mr.. Poole and DR.. ].
II. Hamilton were summoned.
They returned to Union Monday.
leaving her very much improved.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24
Notice to Farmers Unions.

The Union County Farmers Un.
ion will meet at Kelley's local Union
s06, on Saturday, June 1, at 2 o'clock
All Unions are required to send del.
egates. + ~.
By order Of the president, dc
y. Wg;Scott. =.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24

Union county, the seat of much
lawlessness and disorder, has good
citizens. Juries last week convicted
several white men who were man.
killers.-Anderson Daily Mail.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24

mir. Goudelock is a Union county
boy, and his friends here extend
hearty congratulations to him.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24

Miss lone. Littlejohn will leave Sat-
urday for Spartanburg to visit Miss
Nelle Darlington and, Mrs, s, E, True.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24

Miss Gary Boyd of Spartanburg is
the guest Of Mrs. r. A. Oliphant.
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-24
Presbyterian Church ORGANIZED.

A Presbyterian church was organ
lied at Buffalo on Sunday afternoon
by commission appointed by Enoree
Presbytery at recent meeting in
Greenville and consists of Rev. John
F. Matheson and Elders Capt. F. M.
Tarr and ]. D. Jones.
Quite number of Presbyterians
from Union attended the services and
the church at Buffalo was organized
with fifteen members. An election of
officers was held and w. B. Todd and
]. t. Padgett were elected elders; T..
B. Henry and ]. II. Baker, .deacons
AZ This h ting ,tsso insflbsrs were
are very bright.
The services will be held in the I'm
ion church at Buffalo and will be sup
piled from time to time by different
Presbyterian ministers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22

1t required no imagination $ all-encircling sweep to touch her lovely face with the charming air of romance, or surround her with the fragrance of lavender and old laces. She had loved and had lost and had suffered And she had emerged from the furnace not without hope. but reconciled, calmly determined bravely to bear it all, to smile as sweetly as she could, always, to weep with those who weep, quietly to re joice with those who are glad.
 The ground about the tree was sacred ground to her, for she approached with the hesitant step of the holy soul who hears the altar. Timidly she glanced about her to make certain that none would check the pell -meH flight of her mind turned back ward. And then she sighed and gazed be- fore her. Tenderly she touched the trunk of the tree which knew her story
 Instantly she was'shut out from the spell of the world, and breathed as one apart. The unlsind years with their burdens slipped mnoted from her shoulders, and she stood little girl, a little brown eyed girl, with the merriest musical laughter, happy in the love of him she called Cher man
 The head bent lower and lower on the breast and but for the arm which pressed againet the tree, she might have fallen. And then she stood erect again. A wavering hand brushed the lingering tear away, and she quietly disappeared.
 There was no garrulous chatter from the fellows across the street. unwittingly, perhaps, they had peeped into tue vtals of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22

became his lips With heart in bitterness he walked away.
 The ghost had gone!
 ''Well see this through, ''- the fellows agreed, and a block behind they followed.
 The man, grown stern, swung himself along. Tn his heart, there was little of the joyous Christmas spirit.
 Somewhere an angel chorus sang "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men,
 This man smiled bitterly and flung him self ahead
 Block after block, without checking his precipitous pace, he passed, and then-so suddenly halted that those who followed approached too near before they knew.
 He stood. All the bitterness had left hls heart, and but for the regret of long ago he might have smiled
 He then moved slowly across the street, where, from out cottage window shone light Beside the light the lady sat, wait ing there beside the light. If in days agone wrong was done she had forgiven. If she longed for what in justice would have been, her yearning was not of the violent kind which burns, embitters and destroys-but tender, patient, sustained by a feeble hope that some day the latch would spring, and ran resoumd upon the door.
 The man, seeing and knowing, stood within the shadow of the fence The vision was of all most dear to him. His fingers gripped the palings and his lips moved.
 As if she had heard him call through all the years between, the little lady raised her head. A smile broke about her Lips. and her
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22

tha. life of which they knew not, and were aweJ
 We can disband until 10 clock, J said the leader, certain of what was to follow, but each of you be here at the appointed hour.
 They were there when the man ap- ,peared.
 He stalked along with sturdy stride, his frosted head held high until he stood be- meath the tree, the cak without the leaf and of the frozen bough. He cared naught that the world beheld, for he scorned the world.
 And vet, even as he scorned, a magic finger smoothed the frown from out his brow, each wrinkle from the cheeks of bronze, removed with gentle touch the tramp of age. With the blood of youth his body glowed and his heart and mind made glad
 And the ghosts of the yesteryear ap- peared again.
 Thc little girl with the eyes of brown from out the shades of the misty past-the bouyant youth of long ago!
 Ire Christmas moon swung low be- tween two lazy clouds. The girl crept coy ly into loving arms and nestled there The boy looked long into her face and tenderly.
 And Fate--the subtle alchemist, life's golden metal into lead transmuting tore the girl away, and turning upon the boy, made him man again.
 The frown returned unto the brow, the wrinkles to the cheek. A thin, narrow line
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22

worn old eyes beamed with the fire of youth.
 And as they stood and sat--the man in the street beholding, and the lady beside the light, expecting-the ghosts of the yes teryear appeared again.
 Within tie little girl with streamings' eyes paced the floor and wrung her hands for in the sombre shadow of the lovers quarrel, all was dark ahead.
 Without the boy stood beside the picket fence ashamed of his part in the tragedy agonizng in the knowledge of the pain and sorrow he had caused the girl.
 Some inaudible voice pleaded that he return. Some invisible hand gently urged him forward. All the best in him prompted the tender word to heal the wound.
 But still he stood-until the boyish ghost raised its head.
 '.I won't. y it said
 The Christmas moon sailed gorgeously from behind its shielding cloud, and those of tE.c yesteryear vanished.
 Beside the fence, without stood the ( man; beside the light within, sat the woman.
 Us those across the street saw and un- derstood, the dear old face dropped within a pair of hands. The man, who also saw, struggled with himself and impulsively at tempted 10 spring the latch.
 And then as they who saw thought the story about to end, the man stood still again. his hand withdrawn from the garden latch
 And there came as an echo out of the misty past:
 ''I won'tl"
 And thus he strode away
 It was Christmas night. From the neigh boring block came the delightful laughter of children who danced about the ladened tree. An invisible chor chanted-''We Praise Thee, o Lord!'
 It had become bitterly cold A ruthless wind rattled the frozen, leafless boughs A melancholy bird sadly piped from across the gloomy marsh.
 "It is not everyone who is happy in this season. solemnly said the youngster with serious turn of mind.
 And the cynic with curling lip replied: 'sFoolsl Their reward is neither here nor thsreln
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22

VRA) ing fire of the Bachelors Club.
 1t is not everyone who is happy in this season.o said the man who had not entered into the spirit of the celebration.
 And as the cynic smiled, he continued:
 .'This afternoon, for instance, 1 saw an old lady with the softest brown eyes, stand an hour under the frozen limbs of an oak tree. She stood there unmindful of the wind, looking into space, or perhaps revel- ing in the visions which merciless mem ory wrought.
 "And finally she sighed, and brushing away tear, silently walked ont of vew.'
 Again the cynic smiled. The teller of the tale continued:
 .sAnd tonight, with the moon making everything beautiful with the architecture of a fairy kingdom, I saw the man. He ap- peared with a steady stride, pressing head long on some mission of moment and merit unmirdful of those who passed and minded him, gaided as it were, by some star, or the plaintivc cry of bird of the night And he stood under the tree Simply stood!
 ssperhaps he saw the ghosts of his child hood--of the yesteryear-or was awed by the terrible cry of the hope that is dead.
 .sFinally he shrugged his shoulders. His steel gray eyes closed out their tenderness. He looked the old world scornfully, face to face. And thus he walked away"
 'sOf course" concluded the wag, "you have connected the incidents. ''
 1.-The surest thing in the world, replied the speaker ''And what is more, there can be no question but that the little tragedy of pair of lives is re-enacted every Christ mas afternoon and night ''
 And then, as result of the cynic's re- marks, the agreement was made. On the following Christmas day the entire party would endeavor to solve the mystery.
 The year passed.
 It happened that the youngsters who had talked the previous Christmas night were gathered together in a residence di- rectiy across the street from where stood the frozen oak
 At o clock the lady appeared.
 She walked with pended head and hands clasped before her. She was not at that mo ment of this world, this beautiful old lady.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12

1t has been the custom of Hon.
Ebenezer J. Hill, during score of
years. to be converted, in the public
prints, to divers excellent legislative
gospels, a few months before an
election.
His capacity for seeing a great,
white light in the nick of time is not
excelled by any American statesman,
near statesman, or no statesman,
known to us. But his most recent,
emphatic, complete and overwhelm-
ing flip flop is to the parcels post, for
which we are now given to under
stand, he has always stood. Stood
is good. Mr.. Hill took his stand
squarely on the neck of the parcels
post many years ago, grinding its
bleeding face into the marble pave
ments of congressional halls
But all the time the fires of passion
for parcels post were burning in his
heart. If he chastised the legisla-
ton, it was for love, and if he kept a
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12
Fairfield County News
A Bad Fall

A BAD Eall
The heel of his shoe catching in a
crack in the floor of freight car
at Georgetown, Tuesday, James Con-
nery fell backwards from the car on
his left shoulder, straining the liga-
ments and dislocating the arm and
shoulder.
Burned to Death
Paulina H., wife Of Frank B. Wheel
er of Bethel, was so badly burned at
her home Tuesday night that death
resulted at the Danbury hospital.
Mrs. Wheeler was subject to epileptic
fits and it is supposed that she was
stricken with one of these, and that
she either fell on the stove or her
clothing caught fire through her eff
forts in kindling a fire. She was
alone at the time and when discov-
cred by neighbors her clothing had
been entirely burned off and her whole
body terribly burned.
Greenwich Man Missing
George Monohan, 6f Greenwich, a
rural free delivery carrier, has been
missing from his home since Satur-
day. and there are no clues as to
his whereabouts. His accounts at the
post office are said to be in salts
factory shape.
Boy Makes Bomb
Joseph Holland of Greenwich, aged
Is, who had read of the manufacture
of bombs in the newspapers, made one
Tuesday with disastrous results to
himself. He put some gunpowder in
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12
TODAY is SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF
THEFT OF A RAILROAD train
OSWALD PRENTISs BACKUS

telegraph wire cut. Reaching King
ston, three trains had to be passed.
Andrews alleged that he was taking
ammunition to Gen. Beauregard, and
his claim was accepted without sus-
picion, as it was known that the Con-
federate general was greatly in need
Of supplies. The Confederates had not
been idle, however, and had taken
up the pursuit, first on hand car
until Etowah was reached, where an
engine was secured. While the raid
ers were attempting to set fire to the
Ostanaula bridge their pursuers came
upon them. Rain was falling and the
bridge refused to burn. Then began
one of the most desperate races in
the history of railroading. To the
managed to maintain a safe lead, but
their attempt to set fire to the bridge
was futile. Near Ringgold the sup
ply of fuel gave out, and the train
was deserted by the men, who
sought to make their escape on foot.
Within a few days all were prisoners
of the Confederates, and Andrews and
seven of his followers were executed
as spies. The others were imprison-
ed, and eight of them managed to es-
CAPE while the remainder were ex-
changed about year after their des-
perate feat. The remains of Andrews
and his little command lie buried in
the Chattanooga cemetery, where a
monument in their honor was erected
by the State of Ohio about twenty
two years ago. While military nec-
essity demanded that Andrews life
pay the penalty for the failure of bis
hazardous project, his reckless brav-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12

In the National Cemetery at Chat
tanooga rnere is a monument, sur
mounted by a miniature locomotive,
which is an object of interest to all
visitors. 1t commentaries one of the
most thrilling adventures of the civil
war, a struggle replete with deeds OF
heroism performed by the soldiers OF
both sides. Today is the sem1-cen-
tennial of that stirring episode, in
which two dozen picked Union SOL
diers, led by James J. Andrews, a
Union spy, invaded the enemy
country. and stole a railroad train,
in an attempt to destroy the bridges
and telegraph lines Of the Western
& Atlantic railroad. The party left
the army of Gen. Mitchell at Shelby
Vile. Tenn, on April z, 1852. and
made their way with great difficulty
to Marietta. Ga. EARLY on saturday
morning, April II, 1862, Andrews and
his men boarded the train they pro-
posed to steal. At Big Shanty station
where the train stopped for break
fast while the trainmen and passen-
gers were in the dining room, the
raiders 1ncoupled three box cars
which were in front of the coaches
and all climbed into the cars except
Andrews and two of the party who
were locomotive engineers. The throt-
tie of the famous old locomotive, the
General. was, opened wide, and with a
defiant shrek the engine sped down
the track and was we'll on it's way be-
fore the $500 Confederate soldiers en-
camped near the track realized what
had happened Safely beyond fear
of immediate pursuit, the train was
stopped and a rail removed and the
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12

pregnant heel ground into the bill, it
was merely to prevent it's premature
slaughter. But the agony is over.
The Democrats have concluded to
pass a parcels post bill, and. Mr.. Hill
has begun to study the question. He
is determined that this country shall
have the best parcels post in the
world. He will offer amendments.
He will favor any and every kind Of
a parcels post system except the one
the Democrats, intend to adopt and
perhaps he will favor that one, if he
continues to get the same kind of
notices from the home folks. Trust
your Uncle Eben to climb aboard the
band wagon, take a front seat, clutch
a megaphone and proclaim to a wait
ing world that he organized the first
band, built the wagon, and enunciat-
ed the principles that underlie
acoustics. We hear him now de-
claring he will lead the band himself
as soon as he learns to read music.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12

At 98c-Splendid assortment o.
House Dresses and Wrappers ane
well made. (;
AT 25c-Large lot extra quality
Paint Brushes. Flat thick Brushes
good brist'es, never made to SELL al
price. A big bargain at the time we
all want Paint Brushes.
At 8c-Splendid line colors, House
Paint. You will be surprised at the
large can we give you at this low
price. Compare with anything you
get for ten.
At 8c-Good Paint and Varnish
Brushes suitable for many uses.
At ESPECIAL lot Tan Colored
Canvass Gloves.
At 8c-Men's and Boys Collars
Same. kind we have been selling at
ten.
AT 25c-Men's Balbriggan Shirts
and Drawers. New case of these has
just arrived.
At 25c-Our best Table Oilcloth,
White and Colored.
At 58c-New Table Covers. LOOK
like drawn work. See them.
At Sc-Shaving Brushes.
At Sc-Plenty of the Ten Cent
Stockings. Mems in all colors. Wo-
mems in black, medium weight
ChiIdren's black with double knee.
At 25c-Boys' Knee Pants. Cut
full sizes.
At 15c-Special Saturday Price for
our fine Secco Silks worth 25c.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12

evidently the basis upon which such
private correspondence rested.
The pope has been in poor health
for some time. In fact his physicians
have regarded his condition as serious
since last September. 1t is possible,
and perhaps probable, that the rumor
grew out of a despatch to or from
Madrid, relative to the condition OF
His Holiness. which was missent, Or
misinterpreted.
The occasion served to show in ev-
cry newspaper office how closely the
world is knit together by telegraph
lines.
In a few minutes the papal dega-
tions. or representatives. in Washing
ton, Vienna. London and Paris had
been consulted, and Catholic prelates
and church dignitaries had been
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-12
YES! JUDGES ARE AGENTS OF THE PEOPLE

legislatures to make laws, and the
judges to annul them for unconstitu-
tionality. If a little later the people
decide that they will exercise the SOW
ereign's right. the principle of their
action is sound, and there will be none
to prevent.
A legislature frequently contains
more lawyers than are found in all
the courts of state.
If these lawyers decide that a CIV
en- law is unconstitutional, and num-
Der of other lawyers sitting as a
court, decide the contrary, the ques-
ton is certainly one which may be
left with safety to the sovereign.
There are in the Federal Congress
some $50 lawyers, numbering at all
times some of the ablest jurists in the
nation.
If these lawyers agree upon an in
come tax law, and five Of nine judges
the same law, what is there in that
action to make a mandate from the
sovereign a misfortune?
1t is not written constitutions that
make the people sovereign. 1t is
the fact that the force abides in them
to be sovereign. All forms Of govern
ment rest upon the consent of the
governed" and when that consent
ceases, they fall. At certain stage
of civilization and average individual
culture men will consent to be gov
erned by despots. A little later they
seek limited monarchies. Further
up the scale they establish democra-
cies, and when they reach the high
est point which men have attained in
the scale of civilization they add to a
democracy of checks and balances"
the forms of pure democracy.
Judge Wheeler's conception is
sound. The judiciary in its sphere
represents the people. But the
judges are not above the people. 1t
is not treason to advocate additions to
the powers of the judges or limitations
thereon.
All of which is to the principle in
volved and not to the case decided.
This was a matter in which the
General Assembly attempted to estab-
lish a pension, not for CONNECTI-
CUT veterans and their dependents
alone, but for the veterans of the
whole UNITED STATES and their de-
pendents, if they should choose to en-
ter this state. which was, to say the
least, unusual legislation.