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Richland County, SC Newspaper Articles

The State - Sept. 19, 1911
Married Women Barred from Richland Schools
After the present session is completed no married women will be permitted to teach in the public schools of Richland county.  This was decided by the county board of education at a recent meeting.  While a rule of this nature has never before been made by the board of education of Richland county, it has been somewhat of an unwritten law for some time, and but few married women are at present employed in the publice schools of the county.

The State - Mar. 2, 1897
The Richland Mill Homicide
The jury of inquest in the Richland mill homicide met again last night at 8 o'clock in the office of Magistrate Smith and in a few moments rendered a verdict that John Yochum came to his death from a pistol wound inflicted by the hands of Bryce McComb.  The witnesses who testified on Sunday night were then required to give bond for their appearance at the April term of court.  McComb has retained John McMaster, Esq., to defend him.

The State - Oct. 6, 1914
Insurance Suit is First Tried
The fall term of the court of common pleas from Richland county opened yesterday with C. J. Ramage of Saluda presiding as special judge.  After the call of the roster, the case of H. A. Taylor vs. Fidelity-Phoenix Insurance company was taken up.  This was an action to recover the amount alleged to be due on a policy of insurance covering a house of the plaintiff.  The jury returned a verdict of $300 for the plaintiff. 

The case of Mary Nunnamaker vs. Smith's, incorporated, and H. K. Smith, was next taken under consideration.  This is an action for damages.  This case will probably be concluded during the morning.

The State - Jun. 23, 1891
Weston, June 22 - Mr. S. E. Rawls, one of the most progressive and oldest farmers in this section, died at his home, about eight miles from here, yesterday morning, of consumption.  Mr. Rawls was highly though of and had a host of friends in old Richland.  He leaves a family, but in good circumstances.

Miss Ruth Adams, of Fort Motte, is visiting Miss Mary Clarkson here.

The State - Oct. 25, 1921
Chief Justice Gary yesterday issued an order for an en bac session of the supreme court to be held Friday, November 11, for the purpose of hearing the cases of J. H. Faust, respondent, against Richland county, appellant, and Ben L. Kelly, respondent, against Richland county, appellant.
The supreme court itself has been unable to agree on a question of constitutional law in the cases and all the circuit judges will be called in to hear the arguments November 11.

The appeal is taken from the Richland county court following suits there by the defendant.  Both cases are practically identical and will cover the same ground.  The defendant claims that he resides about a mile out of Columbia on the Two Notch or Camden road and that the county in rebuilding this road filled in drainage ditches and built up the roadbed in front of his house, causing great volumes of water to run through his yard, garden and property.  It is further claimed that great holes were washed in the property and the pillars of the house were undermined by the tar as well as washing away the top soil.  Damages to the extent of $2,6000 were asked.

The case is one of considerable interest, involving a constitutional question that will have a bearing on future work to be done similar to this.

The Charleston Courier, June 24, 1816
Died, in Columbia, S.C. on Thursday night, the 13th Inst. after a few days illness, Mr. Reuben House

The State - Nov. 5, 1897
Camps A. C. Haskell and M. C. Butler will vote for colonel of the veteran regiment of Richland county tomorrow at Lightwood Knot Springs, and immediately afterward the vote will be canvassed and the election declared.  Col. Wm. Wallace and Capt. W. H. Sligh are spoken of in connection with this high office.  The regular monthly meeting of Camp Hampton will be held in its newly renovated headquarters at 8 o'clock this evening.  A full meeting is desired, as the camp will cast its vote in the election of colonel of Richland county regiment, and delegates to Lightwood Knot Springs will be appointed.

The State - Nov. 6, 1897
The regular monthly meeting of Camp Hampton was held last night in its headquarters.  Commander Capt. R. S. DesPortes presiding.  Col. Cadwallader Jones and Mr. Milton Leveret were proposed for membership.  Comrade C. M. Douglas was reported as being ill and members of the camp were requested to show him attention.  The camp was reminded that it was pledged to subscribe $100 to the monument fund to Confederate women in South Carolina.  The finance committee of the South Carolina division will meet in the camp's headquarters next Wednesday night at 8 o'clock, and it is hoped that the amount pledged will be in hand at that date.

The camp then went into an election for colonel of the Richland veteran regiment, and Col. D. Cardwell was chosen for the high position by a large majority.  Major Brooks was appointed by the camp to carry the vote to Lightwood Knot Springs, where the vote of the three camps comprising the regiment will be canvassed, and the election declared.  A letter from Col. Wm. Wallace was read declining to allow his name to be used as a candidate for the colonelcy of the Richland regiment.

The telegram was received from Gen. M. C. Butler regretting that he could not be present, owing to important business engagements in Washington, D.C.  Capt. W. H. Manning of Gen. Coward's staff was then introduced and delivered an eloquent address on the subject "Only a Courier," which was listened to with great interest and attention.  At the close of his stirring speech Col. McMaster spoke in highest terms of the fine effort, and moved a vote of thanks to Capt. Manning, which was unanimously carried.

The camp was invited to visit Lightwood Knot Springs today and carry one day's rations with them, which was accepted as a whole, and the commander appointed the entire camp as a delegation.  Speeches will be made by Col. Wm. Wallace and Col. Jno. P. Thomas, and a most enjoyable time is anticipated. At the next meeting of the camp Col. McMaster will deliver an address on the battles of Boonsboro and Sharpsburg.  The camp enjoyed the new furnishings and renovation of their headquarters, and were much moved by the introduction of a bust of the lamented heroic Tennessee martyr, Sam Davis, the Confederate scout, who died an ignominious death at Pulaski, Tenn., rather than disclose to his captors from whom he obtained the information fund on his person.

The State - Feb. 11, 1918
Robbers Enter Richland Street home in Absence of Owner
Robbers entered the home of Mrs. C. E. Brown at 914 Richland Street sometime between Tuesday and Saturday of last week and looted the house.  The intruders forced an entrance from the rear and took advantage of the absence of the occupants of the dwelling.  Mrs. Brown is off on a visit and the losses can not be determined until she returns.  The robbery was discovered Saturday and the police were immediately notified.  An inspection of the premises showed that the burglars evidently took their time about going through everything in sight.  They forced open every container that gave any evidence of the presence of valuables and things were scattered all over the place.  The police are working on the case and as soon as Mrs. Brown returns the amount of the losses will be ascertained.

The State - Jun. 24, 1910
F. R. Way Accused of taking money under false pretenses
Following his arrest in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday, F. R. Way, formerly engaged in the drug business in Columbia, was brought here and lodged in the Richland county jail yesterday, confronted with a serious charge.  Way is accused of obtaining money under false pretenses.  It is charged that Dr. Way secured several thousand dollars of his wife's money by misrepresentation, it being alleged that he borrowed the money from his wife with the promise to give a mortgage on certain property for the amount, and that he told her he had made such a paper and had it recorded.

The charge is preferred that the mortgage was not recorded and that no such document was found.  The accused has been absent from Columbia some time, leaving Columbia shortly after the failure of his business.  After the bankruptcy proceedings, Mrs. Way appeared before Magistrate Frost and a warrant was issued for the arrest of Dr. Way.  This warrant accounts for the latter's presence now in the Richland jail.

Dr. Way was one of a firm which purchased the DuRant pharmacy last year and was engaged in the operation of this drug store until last summer, when proceedings were instituted that resulted in the firm being declared  bankrupt.  The preliminary hearing for the prisoner on the charge of obtaining money under false pretenses is ordered by Magistrate Frost for Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.  Mrs. Way is at present in Greenville, but is expected to be present at the preliminary hearing.

The State - Sept. 5, 1914
The governor has issued a proclamation, offering a reward of $50 for the apprehension, delivery and conviction of Morris Jones, charged with the murder of John Turnipseed in Richland county on February 2, 1912.

The State - Oct. 6, 1914
Memorial services in honor of the late Ernest Gary of Columbia, judge of the Fifth circuit, and of lately deceased members of the Richland Bar association, P. H. Nelson, P. T. Youmans and G. R. Rembert, will be held Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the Richland court of common pleas, according to an appointment made yesterday by C. J. Ramage of Saluda, special judge, presiding.  Wm. H. Lyles, president of the bar association, has requested the secretary, Alan Johnstone, Jr., to give due notice of the memorial session and has assigned members of the bar to prepare resolutions on the deceased members, as follows:  On Judge Gary, D. C. Ray; on Mr. Nelson, B. L. Abney; on Mr. Youmans, J. B. McLauchlin; on Mr. Rembert, C. S. Monteith.

The State - Jun. 27, 1922
John T. Parker, white farmer in the upper part of Richland county, was acquitted yesterday in the criminal court on a charge of having shot and killed Mary book, negress, who lived close to the defendant.  The jury retired at 5:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon and the decision was announced 45 minutes later.

Wesley Strickland, young white man, pleaded guilty of stealing a motor car from L. P. Scott and Judge Townsend sentenced him to serve three years in the penitentiary.  Strickland told the judge that he took the machine and abandoned it when the gasoline supply was exhausted.

William Green, Negro, pleaded guiltily to a charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and was given three months or a fine of $100.  Green shot and injured another Negro named Jasper Bolick and the judge was informed that Green was paying the hospital bill and that Bolick had asked that mercy be extended the prisoner.

Solicitor Spigner called the case against John W. Crocker yesterday morning when court convened and attorneys representing the accused asked for a continuance until Thursday.  It was intimated that the defense would make an effort to show that the defendant is insane.  Crocker is held for killing Superintendent Davis at the Richland count almshouse on May 28.

John T. Parker went on trial for his life at 10 a.m. and the verdict of not guilty was announced at 6 o'clock.
Dr. M. Langford of Blythewood testified that Mary Book died from the effects of gunshot wounds received in the region of the head and throat.  He said the body was peppered with shot that appeared to be No. 3.

Annie Davis, negress, said she was in a field when she heard Parker shout to Mary Book, "Say! Say! Come here and het these -- cows or I'll shoot the -- cows,"  She said she could not hear what Mary Book said in her reply.  The witness said she heard a loud report and running through the neck of woods she found Mary Book's body in the corn field.  The woman said Parker said, "I have killed Aunt Mary, I was shooting at a rabbit."  The witness said she told Parker that he lied.  The woman said there was no weapon of any kind near the body of the dead negress.  The witness said Parker never said anything to her about stumbling over a bush.

Walter Davis said he heard Parker curse abut the cows being in his corn field and that Parker had claimed he shot Mary Book accidentally while attempting to shoot a rabbit.  The Negro said Parker told officers that he fell over a bush and the gun fired.

Sheriff Heise, Chief Dunnaway and Coroner Scott testified that they went to the scene of the killing and that Parker had claimed that he was in the field with his gun when he stumbled over a bush.  The three officers were united in the opinion that the bush was a small affair with several sprigs and not calculated to be of sufficient strength to throw a person to the ground.  The coroner said there was no obstruction anywhere between the point where Parker said he was when the gun fired and the spot where the negress was shot.  He said the bush was very small and did not think it was strong enough to trip anyone.

Chief Dunnaway said the bush that Parker showed him was a "volunteer bush," one that usually grows up in any field.  Sheriff Heise said the bush was about 14 inches tall with several small sprigs.  He said he saw no evidence around the bush of any one having fallen down.  He saw foot prints, he said.

Parker took the stand in his own behalf and declared that the gun had fired when he stumbled over a bush.  The witness said he had no desire or reason to kill the negress and that he had his gun to shoot rabbits when it was accidentally discharged.  Parker said he saw cows eating his corn and that he called on Mary Book to take them away.  He said two left and the third one was near him when he wheeled with his gun in hand.  Parker said he stumbled over a bush and the gun fired.  He said he did not see the woman.  The witness said he asked his brother to notify county officers.

The jury in the case was composed of H. J. Dent, W. M. Yelton, E. C. DuBose, M. A. Ballentine, E. C. Culley, E. J. Lever, J. D. F. Monts, C. A. Scott, J. A. McCracken, W. H. Tiller, W. E. Rawls, and T. J. Elkins