Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-01-03
THE PARoLING OF O. L. ANGEL.
Granted Freedom Provided He Ap-
pear as Witness In Case.

Nl9lO, OF murder, with recomme enda-
tion to mercy, and sentenced to life
Imprisonment In the penitentiary, on
the condition that he appear before
the Clerk Of Court Of Oconee and
give bond for his appearance at the
next term Of the General Sessions
Court in that county. This action
was taken by tho Governor upon the
request Of Solicitor Bonham, the rec
ommendation OF Judge Gary and tho
request Of NJ. c. Long, who worked
up the case.
Angel was convicted, along with
G. M. Gaines and j.. r. Cantrell, Of
the murder OF Robert G. Emerson,
this being the case in which the evil
dence was worked up by Mr.. Long.
The following record In the case
was placed in the papers In the Gov.
ernor's office, giving his reasons for
paroilng Angel:
Angel, G. L., (white)
"Convicted at the November, 1910,
term Of Court for Oconee county, Of
murder, with recommendation to
mercy, and sentenced to life impris-
onment in the State penitentiary.
petition was presented, along
with letters from the detective, NJ. G.
Long, who worked up tho case, in
which he says:
"Under all OF the circums.a noes ex-
listing In the trial and conviction Of
G. l.. Angel, think he should be par
doned. I am satisfied that he has
made truthful statement in the al
fidavit filed with you, and I would be
glad to see him pardoned, but would
like to have him bound over as
States witness before he Is released.
"(Signed) M. G. Long"
Also the following letter from
Hon. Ernest Gary, presiding Judge:
columbia, S. c., Dec. 23, 1911.
"Hon. Cole l.. Blease, Governor
Dear Sir: In view Of the fact that -.
l.. Angel has abandoned his appeal to
tho Supreme Court OF South Caro-
lima from verdict Of guilty Of muir
der, with recommends ation to
mercy. and sentence OF life impris-
onment in the penitentlary of tho
State. I recommend that his petition
bo granted. The reason OF this rec
ommendation Ia that, while Angel
was present at the commission Of tho
homicide, 1t appeared that he did no.
actually participate in tho homicide,
was at that time under tho influence
OF liquor, and, In fact, was nothing
more than n tool. to screen or shield
the real criminals. therefore rec
ommend that clemency be granted.
'Very respectfully,
"(Signed) Ernest Gary"
Also the following letter from p.
A. Bonham, Solicitor at the trial:
"Anderson, S. c., Dec. 25, 1911.
Governor Cole l.. Blease. Column
bia, S. C.-Dear Sir: Owing to the
fact that G. l.. Angel has made full
confession Of his connection with the
case Of the State vs. Gaines, Angel
and Cantrell, and owing to the fact
that 1T appeared that Angel was more
or less a dupe In the matter, for
which think he has been sufficient
ly punished, I recommend that he be
pardoned, upon the condition that
he go to Walhalla, s. c., and make
satisfactory bond for his appearance
as witness in this case In the court
IN case the same should be tried
again. (Signed) P. A. Bonham,
solicitor Tenth Circuit"
In addition to these letters, tho Pc
tition Is signed by about fifty of the
prominent citizens Of tho town OF
Walhalla, where tire crime Is alleged
to have been committed.
"1n Wow Of this, paroled the
said Angel upon the condition that he
appear before the Clerf of Court Of
Oconee County, at Walhalla, S. c.,
and give bond for his appear rance at
the next term OF General Sessions
Court for that county, as per the re-
quest Of the solicitor"
Angels Affidavit.
The following affidavit of Chas. i
Angel was made before Notary Pub
lie John Taylor on August II, 1911,
In Richland county:
PERSONALLY appeared before me c..
l.. Angel, who, upon oath, says that
on the night Of December 6, 1909, he
left his livery stable and went to his
home and ate supper at about eight
o'clock; that after eating supper hp
went out In the town OF Walhalla,
S. c., and was with G. NJ. Gaines and