The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-17

NN "hoh i'uIuS UNDERTOOK the
graft investigation in South Caro-
INA he was assigned to Columbia and
the western section Of the State and
that "Bailie," the other Burns man
known as the fascinating Mr.. Will
SON had been detailed to work in
Charleston. Porter handed the coin-
mltteeS one of his cards used in maxi
ing the investigation. This gave the
Information that he was "A Chicago
lawyer"
In answer to a question by Fielder
Porter said that he had used the die
tagraph to gather the testimony in
connection with the sale of pardons.
I'VE selected" said Porter. the
worst criminal in the South Carolina
penitentiary for our investigation. This
man was known as Gus DeFord alias
James Johnson, alias Edward MUIR
phy' alias Edward Holloway. alias g.
W. DeFord alias G.. NJ. DeTord and
other aliases. This man was q yeag-
nan and safe blower. He had
ust served sentence of five yeas in
he federal prison in Atlanta when he
was convicted in South Carolina.
'lpeFo,d was convicted in Spartan-
urg county several years ago on the
Charge of blowing the safe Of the
inoree Manufacturing company. over
$4,000 was secured by the work and
he Spartanburg county court. after
& long and tedious tri sent DeFord
to the State penitentiary for 10 years.
Porter said that sam j. Nichols
| gave him letter of introduction to
Capt. Sondley Of the state peniten-
tiary. Fielder said that this letter
would be later introduced in evidence.
Porter said that he went to the peni-
tentiary and presented the letter of
Introduction to Capt. Sondley and was
We'll received
Il asked To see several of the priS
oners,' said Potter, "and vas given
admission to the prison. called for
DeFord. | talked with him and told
him that | was interested in his case.
! gave him to understand that | would
act as his attorney"
Porter said that after the confer
ence at the penitentiary with DeFord
he went to Spartanburg and met Sam
j. Nichols. He said that he gave Mich
OILS to understand that he was look
ing for a certain convict and that he
was unable to locate him. He said
that he told Nichols that it was very
necessary To find this convict as the
settlement Of Il big estate depended
on his freedom. The convict was one
of the benehciaries and his restoration
OF citizenship was necessary. Porter
told Nichols Of DeFord and said tina,
he was satisfied that he was the man.
Porter said that Nichols questioned
him as to amount involved, and that
he told him it was very necessary to
secure the pardon for DeFord. Porte,
said that Nichols told him that il
wouldn't be difficult to get DeFord
out Of the penitentiary. Porter told OF
depositng letter of credit for $2,5OC
with the Bank of Commerce of Spar.
tanburg. He read several telegram;
that he exchanged with Nichols. These
kilograms were introduced in evidence
Porter declared that after he had
talked over the matter of securing 2
pardon for DeFord he paid Sam J
Nichols check for $500 This
check, he said. was deposited in the
Bank of Commerce Of Spartanburg &c
the credit of Nichols, and that the
check would he later placed i'm ev.-
dence. Another check was drawn ful
S5OO, subject to the order of Nichols
said the witness This money was
turned loose to aid Nichols in secur-
ing the pardon. Here Porter told OF
the Injection of the dictagraph in tn,
| Investigation. The dictagraph wa,
used In the Finch hotel in Spartan.
burg in the New Willard hotel ir
Washington, and i'm the Altamon1
hotel in Baltimore The first meet
ng between Nichols and Porter oc-
CURED June %. Porter said thai
after arriving in Spartanhurg and in
stalling himself i'm room IS of tn,
! Finch hotel ne sent Il note to Nichols
asking that he call and talk over IN.
! securing ct pardon for i'ct'ord
Nichols sent back note saying tha,
he was going out of town and that il
would hc impossible to talk oTcr the
m"ttrt second note was sent t.
| NlcholS 10y Porter. y second reply
! was received. The reply oi Nichols