The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-05-11
LETTERS MAY SAVE BIG.
HAM FROM THE CHAIR.

I'm tired of this unpleasantness
here and intend to end it all-you'u
never see me alive again. or words
to that effect, L. Smiley Bigham is
alleged to have written from Pampli-
co to his brother, Edmund D. Big
ham, who was then still in Georgia
and is now held in the death cell OIL
the South Carolina penitentiary, IN
Columbia under sentence to be elec-
trocuted for having kille Smiley.
This, with much other formation
bearing directly on the famous case
is contained in letters which have
come to light, are now in the hands
of Edmund's attorney, A. L. King.
and probably will be made the basis
of a motion in the coming term OF
criminal court for new trial Tor
him on the ground of after discover
ed evidence.
The letters are understood to be
typewriter, and signed by Smiley
with either pen or pencil. The sigma
ture on the letters, compared with
checks of Smiley that were paid
through the First National Bank OF
Florence, has been pronounced genu-
inc by local authorities, who qualify
as experts in handwriting. OF the
signature on the checks there can be
no doubt, of course, as long as
the bank accepted and paid them.
Mr.. King declined today to discuss
in detail the letters, but did admit
having them. He did not state either
what use he intends to make OF
them, but to- seek a new trial on the
ground Of after discovered evidence.
AS nearly as could be learned,
these letters were written during the
early fall months, chiefly August, in
1920 Immediately before Edmund re-
turned to Pamplico from Georgia in
September or October. The letters
we're addressed to him in Georgia.
The killing of Smiley, his mother, his
sister, Mrs. R. Black, and her two
adopted children, came in January
1921, following.
In one letter, which is believed to
clear somewhat the record in the
case. it stated that the family owed
Edmund so much money, around
$4,000 in all, that Smiley had no
hope of their ever being able to pay
it. He said they could not even pay
the interest on the debt. 1t is stated
also that he family had had a deed
for the property made in Charleston
in August, and it was ready for execu-
ton upon Edmund coming back to
Pamplico. These statements, if con-
firmed, would tend to clear up the
alleged mutilation of the deed which
came to light about the time Of the
trial. Persons who followed the de-
tails of the case remember that the
deed, which was alleged to have been
mutilated, was made in Charleston
and the original date was in August.
One letter also stated that the faml-
" had practically concluded arrange
ments to pay the bond of DR.. Cleve-
land Bigham, who skipped his bond
of $4,000 while at liberty under the
charge of having killed his wife,
Probably the principal letter OF the
batch, is one relating to the unhap-
piness of the family. In this, over
the signature which is said to be
Smiley's, Smiley wrote that condl-
tions at the Pamplico home were
very unpleasant. He averred he had
to board out all the time to, o,(have any
peace at all. In consummate unhap-
piness, he wrote to the effect that he
intended to lend it all-yOu'1 never
see me alive again."
! E. NJ. Singletary, clerk Of the
court, has passed his opinion on the
signature in the letters. When asked
this morning relative to the matter,
he was surprised the information has
become public. He declined to d.
vulge the contents of the letters, as
a confidential matter. But he did
state that he had passed his opinion
on the signature, in comparison with
smiley's proven signature on the
paid checks. He said he believes the
signature is genuine and stated fur
ther that the letters have created
considerable doubt in his mind as to
the guilt of Edmund, of which he has