The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-09-02
HE|RR|ln
MASSACRE
INQUIRY
Special Grand j u r y
B e g in S Investiga-
ton of Butcherir1g
Mine Workers by
Mob

Marion, H., Aug. 2S (By the
Associated Press) First witnesses
were called today before the grand
jury investigating the Herrin mine
war of June p and 90, after. the
jury had received its instructions
from Circuit Judge D. T. Hartwell.
Today's witnesses included en-
ployees Of an electrical railway
running between here and Herrin,
who were said to have been eye
witnesses OF the man hunting
battle, and the owner of AZ hard
ware store from which a1nmuni-
tion was taken during the prepa-
ration for. the battle.
The actual investigation began
this afternoon when Sheriff Melvin
Yhaxton, against whom there has
been considerable criticism since
the massacre. was called. He was
followed by his. deputy, S. e. Sterm.
Considerable time was then given
to examining Col. Dan Hunter Of
the Illinois National Guard. who
was in close touch with the ac-
tual conditions on the first day of
the riot than Sheriff Thaxton, who
had been called away to Carbon
dale
I.;., Hardware Merchant Called.
The: first. civilian called before
the grand Jury, after Coroner VIII
Eam. McCown had been examined,
was T. A. Cox, a hardware mer-
chant from whose store a mob
forcibly took a quantity of am
munition. He had been warned Of
the forming Of the mob and had
removed his rifles ard other
weapons from the store, he testi-
fed, on previous occasions, but on
the evening preceding The battle all
ammunition was. taken from the
store after a. mob had forced him
to- open his place OF business. HIS
son, Harry. followed him into the
grand jury room.
In addressing the grand jury,
Judge Hartwelf pointed out that a
fair and complete investigation
should be made and that all
guilty should be brought before
the bar of justice in order that the
guilty may be- punished for the blot
stamped on Williamson county's
records by lawless element -
4 In defending Sheriff Thaxton in
his address. Judge Hartwell said
this, official has voluntarily stepped
aside and left the selection Of the
jury to the states attorney.
Sheriff Steps Aside.
'It is a; mater of common
knowledge. the judge stated, that
we have been charged with being
in league with crime and criminals.
that all of the public officials have
been cowed and intimidate6; that
the county board would select men
as grand jurors. il we waited for
the regulaf. term of court and
would not indict any person reI
gardless of the evidence that
might be produced.
s.The sheriff 8 has been charged
with gross failure of duty and
every official of the community ia
general has been branded as one
great body of law, breakers. The
officials have been pictured as
members of d political machine
placed in office and kept in power
by the voters of lawless mob.
Il mention the above in order to
inform you that ti1e sheriff yoiun-
tarily consented to step aside, and
to have nothing to do with; the, Sc
lection OF this special grand jury.
He :tae voluntarily consented to
appoint such deputiessas the states
attorney and the attorney general
desired.
1.-The sheriff took the position
that regardless of what he might
do. hewould be charged with the
failure of duty, and. think 1t Is
not out Of place for me to say right
here that the deputy sheriffs have
all been selected by the states at
torney, with the approval OF the
attorney general"