The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1915-06-23
CHARLESTON TIGERS
AGAIN GO FREE
Grand Jury Returns "No Bills"
Against YiOlntOrs of LijuOr Laws.


Against ViolatOrs of Liiuor Laws.
Charleston, June 17.-Of greater in
terest to the crowded court room in
the court OF general sessions today
than the trial of ]. w. Messervcy, of
Meggets, charged with murder, was
the action of the grand jury in re-
turning II no-bills in the cases Of
persons charged with keeping blind
tigers in the city and county. More
than 80 indictments Of alleged pro-
prietors Of blind tigers were handed
the grand jury by the solicitor this
morning. About noon the jury re-
turned five or six no-blls in the IL
quor cases and when asked about the
other bills by the court the foreman
announced inability of the jury to
agree.
The judge spoke to them of their
duty in finding either a treu bill or
no-bill and asked If there was any
thing further they cared to state or
be informed on. Foreman S. S. Book
er told Judge Moore: at does not
seem to be question Of law or evil
dence, but prejudice against the dis
prnnsr ry law" The court ordered
them to retire and take some action
in regard to the bills still in their
possession.
The jury returned to the court
room at 3 o'clock, as court was about
to adjourn for the day. and handed
in II no-bills and one true bill The
foreman stated that there were yet
about 10 indictments of the same
kind to be passed upon. The true
bill returned was that against Lovcy
Jenkins, negro. Solicitor Peurifoy
| Immediately stated that he wished
| this case mol pressed as 1t seemed that
the only indictment on which the
grand jury was able to agree as a
! true bill was against the only negro
: indicted. Mr. Booker said he was
sure the grand jury would recon-
mend that the case be nolprossed
, Judge Moore said neither he nor
any one else had any right to inquire
into the VIII yand wherefore Of the
grand jury'S decisions, but he con-
sidcred it unfortunate that the Off
GERS of the county should present so
many indictments in which there was
not sufficient evidence to warrant a
trial by petit jury. llhc characterized
the action OF the jury as the eQuiva-
lent Of Il statement that no blind tiger
existed in Charleston in violation Of
the law. In charging the grand jury
as to its duty this morning when it
had failed to agree on any except a
few indictments. Judge Moore told
the members to remember that Char
lesion was a part Of South Carolina
and that they must abide by the laws
OF the State, otherwise their action
would condone anarchy. When court
opened the Mcsservey case was
brought up for trial. The trial was
not completed.
Messervey is being triad on the
Charge Of killing j. d. Altman, at
Ravcncls. in 1909, in what was then
a part Of Collcton county.
More "NO.BilIs".
Charleston, June l9.--Fifteen no
| bills were returned today by the grand
jury against persons charged with
violating the dispensary alw. After
these no-bills had been returned,
Judge Moore addressed few straight
forward remarks to the jury with ref
crence to it's duty and in regard to
| conditions existing in Charleston.
Much interest was manifested in
the action of the grand jury on the
Iindictmctns against alleged operators
OF blind tigers. \ total of 80 no-zIls
| and one true bill have been returned
whore indictments charged violation
| of the dispcnsary law Solicitor Pcu-
riloy asked that the one true bill be
mol pressed