The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-01-21
CLOSED In MYSTERY
HITE CASE CLOSES WITHOUT DIS
CLOSING THE FACTS.
Walter f. Gurganous and Mrs. Ella
Belle Hite Plead Guilty to Assault
and Battery in Lexington Court.

C2he oolSSAS LII AS.AAASSSA Noolts
Walter E. Gurganous, the young
Southern Bell Telephone lineman,
and Mrs. Ella Belle Hite, charged
with the shooting Of J. Milton Hite,
a young business man of Bates5urg,
on the night of December 6, last,
Tuesday entered a plea Of guilty to
the charge Of assault and battery
with intent to kill and carrying con-
cealed weapons in the Lexington
county court Of general sessions.
Judge Spain passed sentence upon
the prisoners. On Gurganous he laid
a sentence of six months at hard
labor or a fine Of SIPS. Ella Hite
was sentenced to Imprisonment cat
such labor as she may be able to per-
form" for three months and to pay a
fine of 500, provided that the prison
sentence should be suspended upon
the prisoner paying the fine and leav-
ing the State Of South Carolina and
remaining away.
Both Gurganous and Mrs. Hite
paid their fines promptly. Before
sentence was passed Col. J. Brooks
Wingard OF counsel for the defence.
said: 'It is agreed by the solicitor
and counsel for Mr.. Gurganous, that
counsel shall have the opportunity at
this point in behalf Of Mr.. Gurgan-
Gus to make a short statement and
to have the same incorporated in the
record of this case. Mr.. Gurganuus
is quite a young man engaged in the
laudable business Of earl. Lg an hon
est livlihood by his own 1ahors. Elis
present unfortunate situation Las i'm
pressed him as perhaps nothing else
could, the fact that SOM ime or 9th.
er all men are or may be subjected
to influences that too frequently
cause a lapse from the path o. up
rightness and right living.
"He is conscious, even now, Of not
having committed any legal wrong
which could justify or give rise to
the offenses now pending against him.
He fully realizes the indiscretions OF
his past associations; but he is will
ing to enter this plea, and to meet
this obligation rather than to enter
into an investigation which would
disclose situation which might be
construed by some as bearing too
hardly upon others who are interest
ed in this case, and could result only
in producing sense Of deep humilia-
ton on the part Of all parties inter-
ested in the issues involved"
Mrs. Hite appeared in the court
room neatly attired in a becoming
suit of blue. She did not appear the
least nervous until the time came for
her to sign the plea. AS soon as the
sentence had been pronounced she
left the court room with the sheriff.
Her escort. her attorney, E. L. Asbill
did not make any open plea for his
client, but he and the solicitor con-
ferred with Judge Spain before the
sentence was pronounced. A few feet
distant, on the opposite side Of the
room, sat Walter E. Gurganous. Mrs.
EIite's eyes were centred on the judge
and she did not glance in the direc.
tiou Of her husband.
1T the Jail, in private room, after
the proceedings were over. Mrs. H!tf
agreed to receive reporter in the
presence of Sheriff Miller. This is the
first time since her arrest that she
has permitted herself to be inter-
viewed. In calm and dispassionate
manner, even modest, she expressed
her great satisfaction that the case
had been ended.
'My only hope and desire," she
said, "is to be with my husband and
dear little girl. I want to correct the
impression that has gone out over the
country to the effect that my husband
and I have separated. Such is not
the case. assure you. Milton IS anx.
ious to be with me. and know that
he will come to me as soon as he can.
7 don't mind leaving the State at all:
there are other places to live besides
South Carolina, and I know that we
vii he as happy as ever. once we get
settled down and my husband recov-
ers entirely. 1 expect to go where he
can come to see me every day II he
wants to, and where can go to him.
OF course. our future plans have not
been definitely decided upon. but it is
my intention now to go to Augusta.
My husband and I will decide all OF
these matters later"
Thus came to close what prom
ised to be the most sensational case
ever tried in the courts Of Lexington
county. The mystery surrounding
the happening remains as deep a mys-
terry now as It did at the beginning.
LOSE THEIR LIVES.