The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-11-02
GRAND JURY RETURNED
TRUE BILL YESTERDAY
MAY BE REMOVED TO An
OTHER COUNTY.
Prosecuting Counsel Present
Affidavit Saying Fair Trial
in Concord is Impossible.

Concord, Nov. 1.-The announce
ment by the Cabarrus grand jury
this morning at $50 o'clock that it
had found true bill for murder
against CASTOR b. Means. in connec-
tion with the death near this city
on the night of August 80 of Mrs.
Maude A. King, of Chicago, came as
somewhat of a surprise to the ma
jority Of the people of this city, who
had been following the case. The
most general opinion on Tuesday
was that a true bill would be pre-
sented. but as Wednesday passed by
with no decision by them, the senti-
ment grew that at the investigation
there had not been enough evidence
presented to warrant the case going
to trial.
After presentment of the bill by
the grand jury. Means was formally
arraigned in court and made his
plea of not guilty.
Solicitor Hayden Clement then, on
behalf of the State, presented to the
court an affidavit asking that the
case be removed to an adjoining
county in this judicial district for
trial.
Counsel for the defense asked for
time to make their reply in the case
and were given until 2:3O o'clock
this afternoon. At that hour thev
appeared in court and asked for
more time which was granted them.
Shortly before 5 o'clock they an
nounced themselves ready. and r..
T. Cansler presented an affidavit
from CASTOR b. Means in reply to
that OF the solicitor.
Affidavit Presented.
l.. T. Hartsell. counsel for the de
Tense, then presented afldavits from
representative men Of Concord
saying that in then opinion ii faiI
trial for the State could be had
here. The men signing these am
davits We're the postmaster. mer-
chants. manufacturers, salesmen
bank officials, county officers and
others.
]. l.. Crowell. OF defendant
counsel. read affidavits from several
other officers and prominent persons
of this place.
Solicitor Clement presented aft
davits from Detective William
Jones and Capt. William T. Jones
from the attorney general. and a GER
tifcate from the clerk OF superior
court. showing that Since April
1914, three bills for murder had
been presented in this county in
each of which cases the defendants
were acquitted. No other bills foI
murder had been presented during
that time.
At the conclusion OF these. Attor-
ney General James S. Manning. foI
the State. began argument before
Judge r.. b. Cline to have the case
moved to another county. He was
followed by j. l.. Crowell. L. T
Hartsell, Frank Armield. Frank /
Osborne and f. T. Cansler. for the
defendant At the conclusion OF the
latter's speech court took recess
until tomorrow morning at $50
when argument will be resumed
There can be only speculation as
to what the decision OF Judge Cline
will be. At the conclusion OF the
speech OF Judge Osborne the presid-
ing judge asked the sheriff how
many names were in the jury box
OF this county at this time. He was
told that there were nearly 1000 OF
them there. and that they had been
placed in there only the past June
This was, taken by many to indicate
that he intends to grant the request
of the defense that the trial be held
in this county. 1t is more than
likely that a conclusion of the argu-
ment will be reached pretty soon
after court convenes tomorrow, and
the decision by the Judge shortly af-
terward.
Where II Would Go.