The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-12-31
Whit GOODWIN PAROLE
WAS STRONGLY URGED
GOVERNORS REASONS IN THREE
NEWBERRY CASES.
Some of Those Who Signed Petitions
for Clemency in Newberry's Share
of Christmas List.
Special to The Herald and News.

]
paroles during good behavior were
three Newherry cases, one CT which
that in the case of the State VS. B.
Whit Goodwin, convicted of man
slaughter in the killing of Eugene l..
Leavell-is Of unusual local interest.
The governors reasons for paroles IN
the three Newberry cases are publish
ed herewith. The petition in the Good
win case was perhaps one OF the
strongest appeals ever made to gov
ernor for the exercise of clemency
where the crime attracted no more
than local interest, so far as knowl-
edge of the details was concerned.
Among the names on the petition Is
that Of Mr.. w. H. Wallace, editor Of
the Newberry Observer, who has in
times past, and recently, registered IN
| his newspaper protests against the
| FREQUENT exercise of clemency by the
governor-and particularly, recently,
in connection with rumors in regard
to the governors course in regard to
conyicts in the hosiery mill in the
State penitentiary in case that instl-
tuition were not abolished. AS will be
seen by reference to Governor Blease's
reasons for the parole, Mr.. J. H. West
is one of the petitioners; Sheriff Bu-
| ford, Probate Judge Schumpert, and
MANY others of the county officials
and of Newberry's good citizens, are
included. There were several petitions
in this case. The latest was brought
to Columbia by Mrs. Goodwin on the
light before Christmas eve. The pa
ole papers were given to her, and she
carried them to the penitentiary and
delivered the two copies to her hus-
band and TO the penitentiary autnori-
ties
In the two other cases the petitions
we're also strong In these only neg
roe. were involved, but in matters OF
| this kind Governor Blease makes the
,tfort to give all the same considera-
ton: and those who know him best
say Of him with truth that when it be-
comes necessary to give more time to
one matter than to another, when de-
mands upon his time are urgent, the
hunlblest-because they are usually
the friendless and the most helpless
will not suffer at his hands.
The reasons in the three Newberry
cases follow:
b. Whit Goodwin, (White).
Convicted at the June, 1908, term of
court for Newberry county, of man
slaughter, and sentenced to ten years
Imprisonment in the State peniten-
| tiary.
Petition was presented, asking for
the pardon OF this man, March I, 1911,
signed by quite large number OF the
citizens of the neighDorhood where
this crime was committed; but, in my
opinion, the defendant was fairly and
Justly convicted OF manslaughter.
think the jury returned just verdict;
however, | think the judge was exces-
sive in imposing such a heavy sen
tence. Still, at the time OF the pre-
sentation of this petition, did not
feel that he had suffered sufficiently.
Now, in December, 1912, an add
tional petition is presented, signed oy
A number OF the jun ors, in which they
say that they think the law has been
yindicated and that he has received
enough punishment, and request par
don or parole. In addition to those,
the petition is sigled by an unusually
large number of the citizens OF New
berry county, both from in the lmmeo-
late neighborhood, around Chappells,
whore the offense was committed, ana
from various quarters Of Newberry
county, including w. H. Wallace, edl-
tor Of the Newberry Observer; e. q.
Sale; B. B. Hair, magistrate; }. l."
Wise: H. ". Lominick; S. P. CrotWeli;
J D. Wheeler; NJ a. Carlisle; }. II.
West; R. C. Sigh; J. r. Green; }. 1.
Henais; Probate Judge c. {. Schum-
pert: Rural Policemen T. G. Williams
and O. H. Peterson; Coroner }, II.
Chappell; Health officer D. B. chand-
ler; E. NJ. Longshore; Clerk and Treas
urer OF the Town Council OF NeWoer-
= J. Z. scrrry: County Auditor Eu-