The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-04-08

and when no attentloh was poiu ny
Sheriff Butts, he called Sheriff San
ders of Anderson county, whose depu-
ty found q revolver in the pocket In
which he had his hand. Particular
stress was laid by the defense on the
failure of the Gossetts to secure local
counsel at Abbeville, claiming that it
not only prejudiced their case in the
minds Of the people, but handicapped
their attorneys in making. the fullest
Investigation and presenting the
greater weight Of the evidence to the
jury.
The prosecution did not contest this
point, except by merely stating that
the personel of the Abbeville bar was
limited and that a lawyer did not have
to take a case he did not want. The
first argument for a change, Of venue
was made by the defense, it being
opened by Mr.. Bonham, who was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Price. The prosecution
was opened by Solicitor Zimmerman
and closed by Solicitor Blackwell. Sen
ator Moore did not participate in the
argument. The principal pleas were
made by Mr.. Bonham and Solicitor
Zimmerman, and both delivered mas
terly addresses.
Judge Sease, in his decision, which
was delivered extemporaneously as
soon as the arguments closed, took
the position that the indignation at
the alleged crime when it was COM
mitted was due to its enormity and
was not directed at the defendants.
He was satisfied, he stated, that the
people had regained a calm mental
poise, and that the Gossetts would re-
ceive a fair and unprejudiced trial
from the people, particularly the jury
men, of Abbeville county. For that
reason he overruled the appeal for a
change of venue.
No Danger, Thinks Judge.
Scouting the idea that there was any
danger of mob violence, Judge Sease
said that he did not think it was
necessary to bring the militia or any
part of the militia here to protect the
defendants" On a question Of MIR.
Bonham if he was not going to order
the militia at all or request them to
protect the Gossetts, Judge Sease
stated that he had nothing to do with
what the militia did before it got to
the court room. that it could march to
the front of the courthouse, but under
no circumstances could it come into
the court room. 81 don't want any
armed guard in this court room," ne
exclaimed. will leave the protection
of the prisoners to the sheriff and the
court"
"Your honor" said Mr.. Bonham, II
have been working among the people
on this case and for that reason can
know the sentiment better than you
can, and tell you if some extra-ordl-
nary precaution is not taken am
satisfied that the case will not terrni-
nate in this court room.
Judge Sease replied that he was sat-
isfied that the sheriff would take every
precaution to protect the Gossetts and
he directed Sheriff Burts to bring Ken
meth and John Gossett to Abbeville.
The jurist reiterated that he did not
"like the uniform Of soldier In the
court room, for it smacks too much
of militarism and Prussianism."
Alleged Crime March IA
The Gossett cousins on Sunday,
March ID, while automobile riding on
the outskirts of the town Of Abbevllle,
are alleged to have accosted two young
women of the town as they were
walking to Abbeville to attend young
peoples meeting of the First Bap-
tist church and asked them to take
a ride.
. The girls, it is stated, consented to
be driver to the church, but later
were persuaded to take ride into the
country. It is alleged that when the
automobile reached the vicinity OF the
bridge crossing Long. Cane creek
about four miles east of .Abbeville,
one of the girls was criminally as
saulted.
They were brought back to Abbe-
Vile by the Gossett boys and let out
of the automobile. 1t is alleged that
the Gossetts picked up the girls about
$50 o'clock in the afternoon and
brought them back to town about 8
o'clock, or after dark.
By a peculiar coincidence, James