The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-03-31

nuQCeQ GnlIIldl SUIIOuiloCo Ny iiiSiA "AAS
sought its life. The old Bigham had
passed and did not show again un-
til Judge Memminger asked him what
he had to say that sentence should
not be pronounced against him. Then,
leaning forward on the raillni, "f the
prisoners dock and in voice that was
calm and unshaken, the prisoner spoke
as follows: 81 have nothing to say
except that 1 am innocent. l know
nothing of how that crime was COM
mitted. That is the truth, SO help me
God" "That's all I have to say. I
wish my mother could come down and
tell how the thing happened. wish
that little boy had lived when l asked
DR.. Poston to save his life He would
have told the same things and my
wife told. Judge, hope you will give
me time so some of the people who
testified here against me may have a
chance to come forward and tell the
truth and not come too late like Judas
making his offering of the Thirty
Ieces of silver, 81 do want to say
something more. I hope you will
take no exception to it. AS far as
YOU are concerned l have had a fair
trial. But if people had had time to
think things over, consider and take
il up with their God, they would have
testified differently"
When asked to explain the finding
of his pistol in his brothers hand,
Bigham said: 81 left that pistol in my
bureau drawer and it has been testi-
fed that the door was found broken
open. That is the only way Smiley
could have got it." "f / am guilty J
hope I may be petrifed in front OF
this court house, just as / was that
day or as l am now. / am as in
nocent as a new born baby"
Bigham's show of weakness at the
end may have been in some measure
due to the fact that he was not sus-
tanned by the presence Of his wife and
children whose devotion has been so
marked a feature of the trial. Wheu
it was announced that the jury was
about to return to the court room Mrs.
Bigham and the children left and
heard the news of the verdict and SEN
tence while in the office Of the clerk
of court down stairs. Mrs. Bigham
tainted when she heard the verdict,
and Mrs. Worrel, the wife Of a Flor
ence policeman, who has been her COR
slant companion during the trlai'
went to the court room for a doctor.
DR.. F. NJ. Hicks attended Mrs. Big
ham and when she was taken back to
HRS. Worrell's boarding house where
she has been a guest.
A record attendance marked the;
final day of the trial, the percentage
of women growing greater than ever
and their manifest interest visibly in
creasing. It was an orderly crowd
however, and only once during The day
did the Judge have occasion to rebuke
any outbreak on the part of specta-
tors.
Attorney A. L. King began his ar
gument for the defense shortly after
the court opened. Mr.. King read lm-
pressively from the gospel according
to st. Matthew 26 and drew the an
to St. Matthew 26, and drew the analo-
CIV between this case and the false wit
nesses against the Saviour, and then
from st Matthew 81 the demand OF
the mob for the release of Barabbas
and the cruifxing of Christ. The
attorney handled this delicate propo-
sition very effectively and without
bringing upon himself any show O.
feeling upon the part of listeners. 1t
was a daring thing to do and ne did
! il we'll. O
AS Mr. King warmed up to his at