The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-09-21
Rural Policeman Asbill Scored
& for Alleged Shooting on
Fourth Of July-Recom-
g mend Abolishing Holidays
for Convicts.

last THURSDAY Drought IN ltS plesen'-
) 1nent to the court. Tie presentment.
3 touched upon many matters of i'm
portance to the county, including the
recent lynching of Will Allen near
Il Chapin, the prevailing system of al
]. lowing some eonvicts on the chain
gang weekend holidays, improve
{ { ,r1,1ent OF matters at the county poor
:house and others. The grand jury
was particularly severe in its con-
demnation of Rural Policeman Asbill
for his alleged shooting at the auto
mobile Of Dr.. Rice B. Harmon on the
Z Fourth of July last and asked Judge
Seasel to publicly reprimand the Off
Ger. Judge Sease stated that this
was out of his province, but said that
Il the presentment of the grand jury
was correct the officer should be re-
moved from office. He directed the
clerk Of court to transmit to the leg
islatiye delegation copy of that por-
ton OF the presentment dealing with
{ that matter together with his COM
sment thereon.
The presentment in full was as fol-
ssiows:
50 Presentnelt >.
To Hor.. Thomas S. sease, Presiding
Judge.
We beg leave to report to this hon
Sfable court that we have considered
sand acted upon all bills of Indictment
anded US by the solfsitor. Our en-
aid Indictments and thus speak for
s themselves.
Assto the lynching that occurred in
This eosnty near Chapin, upon which
zyour honor has spoken to US, we beg
report that the solicitor has inform
ed this jury that detective is cow en-
gaged in investigation of this matter.
Sand that this will be followed by
proper action by the proper authori-
ties In this connection, We wish to
80 on record as strongly condemnihg
mob violence. =
Through our committees, we beg
to report that we find the chaingang
Nsof the county in good condition; but
5sit has been called to our attention
that certain TRUSTEES of the gang
have repeatedly been seen riding on
the public highway dressed in ordi-
;snary civilian clothes, and that these
8 same persons have been seen in Co.
lnmbia dressed in the same manner.
Dne particular case of this sort is that
Eof Will ("Shine") Meetze, now serv-
ing time on the gang. We recon-
mend that the proper officers be re-
quired to discontinue such privileges
to such convicts. ...,
-. We find that there are some repairs
needed at the county poorhouse. We
reeommend that these repairs be
.laade at once. We also recommend
that the present steward of the poor
6 house be removed and that man of
IN smaller family be put in his place,
g 10 that the expenses may be reduced.
further recommend that the farm
g 1 the county poorhouse be so man
aa9ed that the institution may become
ef1sustaining and provide provis-
lions FOR, the county changing.
\ We recommend that all mail route
roads be kept in good state of re-
park and that the county supervisor
take in all unused tools and machin-
cry and properly house them, or sell
them.
- We present Jim Jones and Elsie
Jones Of near Swansea, for living in
adultery, and recommend that the
solicitor take the necessary steps in
this case.
1t has been reported to us that
: Magistrate Sem Of Swansea, did, on
or about the 18th of September, 1921,
s settle a case Of violation Of the prohi-
bition law, for the SUM of fifty dol
lars. We think that this action is be-
!, yond his authority. and recommend
that the matter be investigated at
once.
The Fat st Hopes Ferry crossing
is in bad condition for use. We recon-