The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-03-19
ROBERT BURDETTE
RECEIVES SENTENCE
Given Six Year Sentence for Killing
ID. ID. StOddnrd Near Owings.


ID. ID. Stoddnrd Near Owings.
W. r. Burdett, charged with the
murder of d. d. Stoddard near Ow-
ings in July, 1917, was found guilty
OF manslaughter in general sessions
court here last week and Saturday
morning was given q sentence Of six
years Imprisonment by Judge Prince.
Attorneys for the condemned man
have filed notice of appeal to the su-
premc court for new trial and the
case may yet be heard again. This is
case that has attracted wide atten-
ton in the county, Burdettc having
shot the deceased in the presence OF
tho formers sister when the three
met together in secluded spot near
Owings. Mrs. Dee Bolt, the defend
ants sister, was not present at this
trial being kept at home on. account
OF sickness.
Wednesday morning the court took
up the case Of the State vs. Will Pin
son, charged with assault and battery
upon the person of Walter C. Davis.
This was one Of two indictments giv
en out by the grand jury for attacks Oh
Davis and in this case verdict Of
assault and battery Of high and ag-
gravatcd nature was returned. Tt
defendant was given sentence of
one years Imprisonment or money
fine
Three other murder cases were tried
during the weeks work. Prelo Lloyd
Henry Barksdale and Charlie Griffin,
three young negro boys, were tried
for the murder OF an old negro, Abra-
ham Alexander, in the upper part of
the county. Henry Barksdale and
Charlie Griffin, who made partial
| confession, were found guilty Of mur-
der and recommended to the mercy Of
the court. They were represented by
G. Y. Brown and p. ID. HUFF, young
barristers Of the court. who put up
an able defense but could do no moro
! than save them from the electric chair.
Prclo Lloyd, who claimed an alibi, was
| represented by w. II. Richey, ST., re-
| ccivcd similar verdict from the court
All three were sentenced to life im-
prisonment, but the attorney for Prdlo
Lloyd has filed an appeal fol- "a new
trial. These negroes, it will be rcmem-
bcrcd, were charged with murdcril z
the old man while at work in his corn
field with a motive OF robbery.
John Henry Williams, charged with
the murder OF Sam Burton on Mr.. c
ID. Nancc's place near Cross Hill, will
have another chance for his life. The
jury were unable to agree on a verdict.
Williams, who it will be remembered,
killed Burton with an axe while the
two were at work cutting down trees,
entered a plea Of self defense.
Robert Brooks, who was brought
back to this county about q month
ago after having cluded arrest for
about ten years, was tried for the mur-
der OF negro woman near Mount
vile. Many witnesses OF the killing
could not be found. The state was un-
able to make out case Of murder and
he was acquitted Of that charge but
convicted OF carrying concealed wca-
r"ns.
Henry Ferguson, charged with as
sault and battery upon the person Of
Mr.. William c. Byrd, a young farmer
of the Tylcrsville section. was ac-
acquitted The evidence in the case
tended TO show that a difficulty arose
between Mr.. Byrd and his father, Mr..
w. ID. Byrd on the one hand and the
negro and his wife on the other, IN
which the younger Mr.. Byrd was
severely cut in mysterious man
ncr and Ferguson was shot by The
young man. The affair occurred in
the ncgrO's house.
Although the courts docket was not
cleared, most OF the longer cases were
disposed OF and 1t Is thought that tho
end Of the next term will find the
docket in good condition.
At Oakvllle School.
Capt w. II. Richey will deliver an