The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-04-03
SAYS MURDER CASE
AT SPARTANBURG is
LIKE BEATTIE AFFAIR
Solicitor Hill Discusses Alleged
Drowning of Baby in Pond.
Thinks Conviction of Pendle-
ton Girl and Clement
Easy.

licitor of the Seventh judicial circuit,
briefly outline the entire history of
the Characterization murder case
and frankly discussed the most recent
developments in the affair, when
seen by News reporter at the I'M
perial hotel yesterday about noon. He
arrived in the city early yesterday
morning and returned to Spartanburg
in the afternoon. During the day So
licitor Hill conferred with c. M.
Thompson, desk sergeant of the local
police department, Mrs. w. M.
Hodges of 205 Richardson street, and
Miss Mary f. Bebout, matron of the
Rescue Home. These are his most
important witnesses in the alleged
baby murder.
"What about the report recently
circulated at Spartanburg that men
higher up are connected with the
murder? Is it true" asked the re-.
porter.
"That report is absolutely too in
significant to cause any serious
thought" replied the solicitor, "and
so far as l have been able to learn
there is absolutely nothing to it. L
have never seriously considered the
rumor, because 1 place no credit on
such reports. Besides, that is not
the question in the case just now.
What fact we want to establish is,
Did Clyde Clement and Flora Pen
dleton murder their little baby?'"
Solicitor Hill said that was tn,
best worked case he had ever been
connected with. lie highly commend
ed Sergeant Thompson for the val
case. According to Solicitor Hill Ser
UaQnf ThOnncnn ic l,tn r,rnho hlxy
much or more credit than any othel
person connected with the affair.
Sergeant Thompson's shrewd work
in helping to connect the links of
evidence which absolutely established
the guilt of the defendants is to bN
admired. The people of Spartanb,rg
county feel very grateful to Sergeant
Thompson and Mrs. Hodges for their
splendid work."
eyes, 1 came over to your city to
Investigate the Spartanburg nur-
der" said Solicitor Hill as he talked
with the reporter in the parlor of
the Imperial hotel. 1 have talked
with Sergeant Thompson, Mrs.
Hodges and Miss Bebout and have
secured some valuable information.
l have other important witnesses in
Greenville and the testimony they ar.
w SANC WAl UC VI a ScuSdClOnal ma
ture. I cannot divulge their names
at this time, though.
am not really seeking any new
evidence over here" said Mr.. Hill in
reply to a question asked by the
reporter. "The State already has
enough evidence to convict. I am
here principally to put together what
evidence have already secured. The
witnesses whose names I have with
held have some important informa-
ton In the way of documentary evil
dence, and which will cause a sem
sation when disclosed to the public.
We have the case so thoroughly
worked and prepared that we know
the exact movements of Clyde Glen :.
ent and Fleda Pendleton from the
time the girl'went to Mrs. Bynum's
boarding house in Charlotte, Decem-
Der B, 1913, until the arrest of the
pair more than month later. We
even know the day Clyde Clement
went to Charlotte, on what train and
ms every movement up to the day of
his arrest.
"What about certain testimony
being withheld" asked the reporter
as Solicitor Hill concluded his discus
sion OF the search made for the de-
PENDANTS.
"The testimony being withheld IS
of such a nature as to cause a con.
sation when it is divulged az the
trial." he replied, "and a great sur
prise awaits the public when This ease
is called for hearing in Sparta nburg
the third week of April The peopie
will be shocked to know that such
conditions exist in this State. The
case will, in my opinion, be the most
sensational ever tried in South Can,
lima, and when all facts are known t
VIII be as sensational and horrifyinp
as the Beattie affair in Virginia. Ee,
sides being a sensational affair, the
case will be an important one because
of the moral lesson it will teach.
What do you think will be the
outcome of the case," the reporter
asked.
II am not worrying about the out
come have enough confdenc, in
q, Spartanburg county jury to know
they will do their duty and what is
right. Therefore, have no fear but
what they will render a correct YER
dict"
Solicitor Hill showed the reporter
check for $25 on Spartanburg
bank which had been given him by
M. 7. Caldwell to give the party or
parties responsible for the arrest and
conviction of the murderers Of the
little baby. He said the sheriff would
assist him in deciding upon the prop
er person for the reward. The check
will remain in the hands of the .olici-
tor until the trial is concluded.
Solicitor Hill said the citizens of
Spartanburg were divided in their
opinion as to who deserved the great
est credit for the arrest Of Cl,lda