Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-11-28
his client, gentlemen, and we are try
ing this case on the facts"

The solicitor spoke Tor twenty-five
minutes, arguing that he had never
heard Of a more atrocious crime in the
annals of southern criminologY and
that he feared for the future Of the
people of the state If the jury did not
return a verdict requiring the full
penalty in this case. He sail he would
not under any circumstances bring the
Word Of God into an argument in a
case like this. FAIRIES showed no mercy
to Newton Taylor, he argued; and
don't think it right that he should ap-
peal to you on sentiment and the Word
of God, although I concede that his
counsel have the right to do so if they
see proper But 1 would not do it.
Bease Speaks.
II am surprised at my friend Solicit
tor Spears" said Governor Blease, "in
attempting to take from you the only
means by which you can be saved from
hell fire and damnation-the blessed
Gospel of Jesus Christ. And / resent
the statement that York county has
the worst record for homicides in the
state.
I'VE are pleading for that mercy at
your hands for this old man that you
will no doubt have to plead when you
go before the Great Judge. If this
world is ever saved it will be through
mercy and not justice. We have ap-
pealed to you in this case all the way
through and will continue to appeal in
a spirit of Christianity, asking for a
verdict based on justice tempered with
mercy.
"A man can be nagged until he loses
his reason" he continued. II recall the
famous Tillman- Gonzales case. Jim
Tillman was nagged and nagged and
worried until he killed; and you re-
member that the jury exhonerated him
of the killing. l too in my own life
have been nagged and worried to the
point Of desperation. was put in a
newspaper cartoon in a newspaper in
this state, depicted as a buzzard with
outstretched wings flying over this
state. I felt like taking the law in my
own hands on that occasion. But by
the grace Of the Supreme Power l was
able to resist. But God only knows
how long 1 will be able to continue to
resist.
"One Of the jurors in this case when
placed upon his voir dire has advocat-
ed mob law even as 1 have done in
certain cases-in cases where the su-
premacy of the white race and our
civilization is at stake.
as there any doubt that old man
FAIRIES was worried and nagged? One
of the witnesses testified that Mrs.
Taylor had said old man FAIRIES was a
coulter hunting - - She said
that and it was not denied, then she
must have been somewhat Of a hell
cat"
Mellow Compliments Bease.
II have a higher regard for you now
than have ever had before" said
Thos. F. Mellow, as he interrupted the
speaker and grasped his hand.
Thank you, sir" returned Blease
and proceeded with his speech.
Mr.. Blease concluded his speech to
the jury at 1925.
Hart Makes Final Speech.
John R. Hart, Esq, made the con-
Guiding argument for the state. York
county" he said, had never before
been shocked by a homicide as 1t was
shocked by the Taylor killings at Clo-
yer. So far as the newspaper ac-
counts prior to this trial are concern
ed and about which a great deal has
been said l submit that the newspapers
printed practically nothing that has
not been brought out in the testimony
here. The defendant himself testified
yesterday that he had stayed home
before the tragedy looking for trouble
with the Taylors. l don't believe a
children's quarrel was responsible for
this quadruple killing and neither do
you.
What mercy did you show Newton
Taylor. Mr.. Faries?" he inquired turn
ing to FAIRIES. What mercy did you
show the other victims of your "cnip-
age?"
Mr.. McDow interrupted to say that
the defendant was being tried only
for the killing of Newton Taylor. Mr.
Hart admitted the correction.
Judge Makes Charge.
Immediately following the conclusion
of Mr.. Hart's argument at 1855 Judge
Peurifoy began his charge to the jury.
He concluded at /: 3S and the jury re-
tired to their room, returning their
verdict of guilty less than two hours
later.
Motion for New Trial OverruIed.
Addressing the court at 4:S0 on a
motion for new trial Mr. Mellow
made another powerful, impassioned
plea for his client. He argued that he
had offered to submit to a verdict of
guilty with recommendation to mercy
but this the state had refused although
Acting Solicitor Spears had said he
was willing for il. | mean to stand by