The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-03-20
A QUEER MIX-UP.
Negro, Claiming Father Owns Bamr
berg Property, in Police Middle.

r0SIou Cu d Sudl 50 VI Jul Siei1 A'''N
Sunday night. secretively threw S40O
in a corner of the detectives room
at the police station, he started a
series of legal fights which are novel
in police circles and will probably
occupy considerable interest in the
higher courts. At the present time,
Charlotte Elan, also colored, victim
of Goodman's alleged burglary, her
loss being $50 taken from a trunk,
is through her attorney, .. Lee
White, garnishing Chief of Police
Grubbs and Chief of Detectives Elliott
for the evidence now being held held
at the police barracks, and r. l..
Chambers is seeking to obtain the
entire amount as a fee on an order
which his client, Goodman, has issu-
ed on the police department. Archi-
bald Blackshear, city attorney, is
handling the city's interests in the
matter.
Goodman was brought into the
police barracks last Sunday night
and given a thorough search at the
desk. Twenty-three dollars was
found on his person. This was turned
over to the officer of the day and de-
posted as ''prisoner's property and
the negro was placed in cell.
A few minutes afterwards Lieut..
Elliott, while in the detectives quar-
ters, where Goodman had been cross
examined, noticed a small object in
the corner of the room. Picking it
up he discovered it to be S400 in
large bills, practically everyone Of
them being $40 bill or one of a
higher denomination.
Lieut.. Elliott then went to the cell
room and questioned the prisoner as
to how much money he had on his
person when arrested. The negro
maintained that he had but S23, the
amount then being held for his order
by the officer of the day, and after
hearing Goodman's statement, Lieut..
Elicit then went away without di-
vulging his discovery to the alleged
burglar, and turned the money over
to the officer of the day.
mice Fee," Says Chambers.
Monday morning, following Good
mans removal to the county Jail, R.
L. Chambers, local attorney, went
there and told the jailer that Good
man had sent for him through rela-
tives. Here Mr. Chambers obtained
an order witnessed by Jailer Whit
tie, from Goodman on the police de-
partment for the $500, which he then
claimed he had dropped in the de-
tectives' Office and stated on the Or
der that the amount was to be given
Mr.. Chambers as a fee for his de-
tense on the burglary charge.
According to Mr.. Chambers this
order was delivered to the police and
when he asked for the money day
or two later, he was met with the an
swer that the order had been de-
stroyed and the S40o was being held
subject to the decision of the city at
torney.
Last night Mr.. Chambers stated
that this fee was mot excessive"
for defending a man charged with
burglary, possible twenty years
sentence, although he added, it was
a nice fee" He said that he had re-
tanned the services of another law
yer, Hamilton Phinizy, to assist him.
AS to the s23 which was turned
over to Goodman by the police when
ne was sent to jail he said that he
would be glad to let the prisoner
have it after he secured the S400. In
the event of his not getting the mon
ey from the police on the decision of
the city attorney Mr.. Chambers will
go into the courts and sue for recov-
cry. He has three methods of recov-
ering his money, viz, bail trover,
possessory warrant or an open suit.
Money to Be Held.
The other phase of the case deals
with the garnishmept suit brought
by Charlotte Elan, who claimed that
Goodman broke into her trunk and
stole $50. This proceeding, which
was instituted before E. T. Bennett,
justice Of the peace, by Attorney
White, is directed against Chief of
Police Grubbs and Lieut.. R. E..
Elliott, chief of detectives. The an
swer is returnable on the first Mon
day in April. These officers immedi-
ately upon accepting service turned
the matter over to the city attorney
who stated last night that he had
advised the officers to hold the mon
ey until the case WAS sottIod hoforo