The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-10-14
Five Murder Cases Scheduled for
Trial at This Term-Many
Minor Cases.
EVANS CASE BEING HEARD
Trial of Nose WitherspoOn for
the Murder of Luther Horton
Will BE Taken Up Tomorrow
Morning.

The fall term of the court Of gener-
al sessions convened yesterday morn
ing, Judge Thomas S. Sease presid-
ing and Solicitor j. X. Henry pros
ecuting for the state. There is a
large number OF minor cases on the
docket, together with five murder
cases. all of which will probably
come up at this term
Judge Sease made short but
forceful charge to the grand Jury
In the course of his remarks he stated
that Lancaster county is badly in
need of a new courthouse and that
while the grand jury was without au-
thority in the atmter, they could rec
ommend il and perhaps in the course
OF time, by continually recommending
it, it might be obtained. lie stressed
the fact that compulsory education
Will be of great benefit to the state
Good roads. good schools and good
educational facilities go hand in hand
and are the foundation of demo
cratic form of government" -" he said.
Judge Seasc said that for ten years
he had made compulsory education
one OF the main points in his remarks
to grand juries, but that it takes a
man with a vision to see the untold
good that will be derived later on
from this source. He also stated
that good roads was one of his hob
bies and emphasized the fact that
each county in bonding itself for good
roads should lay aside a fund for the
maintenance of the roads after they
are built.
Judge Sease declined to excuse any
of the petit jurors on fimsy excuses,
stating that court is organized to
protect society against criminals and
If habit is made of excusing Jurors
on every little plea another pane
would have TO be drawn and that will
shift the burden to some one else
which looks to him like Stacking.
The following cases were disposed
of at the morning session yesterday:
Dewitt Truesdale, housebreakng
and larceny, plead guilty and was
sentenced to four months on the
roads
Sam Reeves, highway robbery
was without counsel and conducted
his own defense. He was convicted
and sentenced to two years on the
roads
William Harris, housebreaking and
larceny, plead guilty and was given
one year on the roads.
William Mackey, assault and bat
terry with intent to kill. plead guilty
and was sentenced TO three month.
on the roads or pay fine OF 500.
At the afternoon session of court
yesterday Fred Witherspoon. colored.
was acquitted OF the charge of muir
der, after two witnesses were heard
the judge ordering a verdict of not
guilty. Witherspoon shot to death
John Stover on Pumpkin row August
IA
day for the second time. it having
been appealed to supreme court and
new trial granted
The trial OF Nose Witherspoon for
the killing OF Luther Horton, a plant.
er OF near Kershaw. is set for hear.
ing tomorrow. Wednesday, morn
ing. Witherspoon. it will be remem-
bered. was chased for week or more
by sheriff's posse after the killing
and finally when exhausted he gave
himself up to the sheriff OF Fairfield
county. He was taken to the state
penitentiary for safekeeping and has
remained there since that time. He
was brought TO Lancaster by Sheriff
Hunter last Wednesday and is now
in the Lancaster Jail