The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-04-17
SAYS PORTER GOT FEE.
Mother Of Negro Paroled Swears
Pardon Cost Money.

cording to the story that the Blair
woman related in talking about the
matter, she said she called at the
Office of the Governor and told Gill
liam that she was seeking a pardon
for her son, and that Gillian replied
that he would help her for money,
advising her not to waste money in
employing a lawyer. Being anxious
to get her son off the gang, the wo-
man said she paid Gillian $40 and
exhibited receipts of which the fol-
lowing are copies:
(Written on a Western Union Nlght
Message Blank.)
3, 1913
received of amer blair dollars to
give James Bragman.
John w. Gillian.
Columbia, 8, 1913
Received of Amer Blair dollars.
John w. Gillian.
OlllldH1 NOC ATTcSCCu'
So far no action has been taken
against Gillian by the police or other
authorities. The woman asked the
police to help her get her money
back. She called at headquarters
Saturday morning.
Anna Blair lives at Ala Blanding
street. Willie Blair, her son, was
convicted in General Sessions Court
at the September term and sentenced
to serve one year for the stealing of
bicycle.
Grounds for Parole.
In taking executive action in
Blair's case and granting him a pa
role during good behavior, April II,
1913, Governor Blease made the fol-
lowing written comment.
"Willie Blair. (Colored.)
"Convicted at the September, 1910,
term of Court for Richland county
of larceny of bicycle, and sentenced
to one year Imprisonment upon the
public works, or in the State Peni-
tentiary.
"A petition was presented, signed
by several people, and accompanied
by the following letter from Hon. W.
Hampton Cobb, solicitor:
Columbia, S. c., April II, 1913.
His Excellency, Governor Cole
L. Blease, Columbia, S. C.-Dear Sir:
This boy, Willie Blair, pleaded guilty
to stealing a bicycle. The property
was turned over to the authorities
by the boys mother, who has i'm
pressed me as being good, respon-
sible colored woman.
"'Blair is only boy in his teens,
and his people have assured me that
if he is given a chance that he will
20 to work and keep out of trouble in
the future. I, therefore, recommend
a parole during good behavior.
Respectfully submitted,
"'(Signed) W. Hampton Cobb,
Solicitor
Upon this showing the defendant
was paroled, during good behavior,
April 12, 1913"
Governor Investigates.
When shown a copy of the receipts
Anna Blair alleges she received from
John w. Gillian, negro porter at
the Governors office and at the Man.
sion, Governor Blease made an in
vestigation of the matter and ELECTED
the following facts:
Gillian claims that Anna Blair for
some time has been getting her meals
from his family without paying for
them; that she approached him in the
endeavor to secure pardon for her
son, who was convicted in the Rich
land County Court for stealing bl-
cycle, and that he promised to help
without asking for remuneration. He
also told the Governor that he had
secured the services of another ne
gro, James Bragman, to circulate the
petition; that he told Anna Blair she
would have to pay Bragman IS for his
services. This she agreed to do. Gill
liam claims that he only collected 50,
which he turned over to Bragman;
that his services were given gratul-
tously.
Governor Blease said the petition
did not influence him in granting the
parole to the negro boy Blair Satur-
dav. hut that the letter from Solicitor