The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-06-09

and given seven years in the state
penitentiary, arrived in Columbia
May 10 from Greenville and COM
menced his period of servitude in the
State prison.
After he was convicted at Green
vile Tidwell was let out of prison or
bond pending an appeal to the su-
preme court. The convicted man said
that he went to Alabama and was
engaged in special edition work on an
Alabama newspaper for the purpose
of raising funds to take his case into
the higher courts. He said today that
he notified his bondsmen where he
was at that time
Later Ildwell was arrested for al
legged violation of the Mann "White
Slave" act and tried in Pensacola,
Fla. He was cleared by the jury. A
letter from L. w. Nelson, an attor-
ney of Pensacola, in Tidwell's pos
session, says that there was no case
against him and also spoke of the
high regard the court officials ard cit
lzens of Pensaloca generally felt for
Ildwell. Following his release by the
federal authorities, Tidwell gave him
self up to the sheriff's office, inform
ing the Florida officials that he was
ready to be sent back to South Caro-
lima without requisition papers.
Gave Himself Up.
Tidwell says that after he left the
federal court he was going to the
sheriff's office and passed a police
captain and two privates on the
street. He spoke to them and they
returned the salutation, evidently not
knowing him, for they had instruc-
tions from South Carolina to arrest
him on sight. Shortly afterwards the
policemen, said TidwelI, was stopped
by citizen who evidently informed
them of the identity of the pedes-
trian they had just passed. Tidwell
said that they turned in their tracks
and came on after him. Tidwell
quickened his pace and beat them
to the sheriff's office. He said that
when he arrived at the court house.
deputy sheriff was in the office and
he surrendered.
About this time, Tidwell recount
ed, the policeman showed up and the
captain said, "Tidwell, you are want
ed in South Carolina; therefore, | ar
rest you"
Sorry captain, that I cannot ac-
commodate you," replied Tidwell
but l have just surrendered to the
sheriff"
Tidwell, who is Sd years of age.
seems to bear up we'll under his mis-
fortunes, but, judging from photo
graphs of himself that he has in his
possession, he has aged considerably
within the past eighteen months. Now
he is man of rather distinguished
appearance, with almost snow white
hair and mustache. He has a florid
complexion and weighs about 18O
pounds. Formally he was much heav-
ier. He stated this morning that he
was commencing his sentence and ex-
pected to abide by all the rules and
regulations of the state prison, and
that he did not regret what he did in
the past. He seems to regard himself
as the avenger of his family's wrongs.
Tidwell tells an amusing story about
his personal appearance. He said
that while Taft was president It'd
well was in Augusta. At that time
ne was much heavier than he now is
and then also wore mustache. His
appearance was so much like that of
the then president, who frequently
visited Augusta, said Tidwell, that
people followed him on the street,
thinking he was Taft. One day, stat
ed Tidwell, crowd followed him into
the Albion hotel, so he slipped out the
back way and had his mustache
shaved off to save himself further
embarrassment.
The following statement was hand
ed to the newspaper men by George
w. Tidwell:
Headlines will no doubt appear in
the newspapers all over the State
saying 'Old Man Tidwell at last be-
hind the walls Of the State prison.
All the scandal of this unfortunate
affair will be spread as feast before
the devouring public to the detriment
of my family and myself.
"Never has there been an editorial
written or local story printed in the
papers of the State showing why
George w. Tidwell is convict in the
State prison today. Have the good
people of the State had facts? Those
men who love their mothers, wives,
sisters or daughters even as they love
their God, have they ever been asked,
as man to man what would you do
under similar circumstances How
many would stand in G. w. Tidwell's
shoes today for the same cause?
IF l were a felon, if I had robbed
you OF your valuables or your family
of its chastity, I would hang nv head
in shame and disgrace and never look
an honest man or woman in the face
again. What is honor? Have the