North Carolina Newspapers

The News and Observer. VOL. LII. NO. 7. Leads all Worth GaroMnaßailies in Mews and Circulation RENDERED RIGHTEOUS VERDICT, I | The Jury Declare Wilcox to be Guilty of Murder in the First Degree. REACH A DECISION AFTER THIRTY HOURS' The Sacredness of Woman’s Life in North Carolina is Protected. All Nerves Were on the< Stretch. Wilcox Alone Seemed Unconcerned While the Tension at Elizabeth and Indeed All Over the State Was Ter rible. The Verdict Was Not Render ed Until After the Jury Had Re turned For Further Instiuctions From the Judge. (Special to News and Observer.) Elizabeth City. N. C., March 22.—" Gui lty of murder in the first degree,” said the jury of Jim Wilcox. He stood up and heard his doom fearlessly. His nerve still did not forsake him. It was 10:10 o’clock. A short time before a recess had been held and crowds were gathering about the court house. There were knots of nervous men hurrying here and there in tlie moonlight. Judge Jones, who had been to District Attorney Ward’s office, went straight to wards the building. Mr. Ward started he other way but soon doubled. The jury left left heir hotel but did not take the direct route. The harsh clanging of the court house Jc-11 told people some thing was about to happen. Several hundred people foilowed Judge oJnes, who told the sheriff to ask the jury if they had agreed. The prisoner was there, hands folded, composed, scan ning the faqes of the jtyors. Clerk Jen nings asked if they had agreed. Derick insen was named as foreman. Wilcox stood up and held up his right hand. No man in the building wa.s more brave than he. I was watchiDg his face four feet away, as the foreman said the woids that meant death. Not a muscle of his face moved- Other people in the room were nervous. Some cried. Law yer Aydlett shed tears. It was a solemn scene there in the yellow glow of the oil light. The Judge said April 25 was the time Wilcox should die, between 1»> and 3 o’clock. Sheriff Wilcox looked sad but was not demonstrative. The doomed man uttered no word as he sat down again. The brave bearing throughout the ordeal did not forsake him at the end but he sat there like a pale-faced statue, while lookers on were nervous and trembled visibly. No verdict in thirty hours. People lingered on the streets all day, missed their meals, made their wives mad, ex cited their neighbors, said bad words, ex pressed displeasure at delay, all because of the Wilcox case. Early Hours of the Night. All day and night the natives have waited on the jury’s verdict, not patient ly, but anxiously, almost breathlessly. They couldn’t see why it took them so long. On the streets, in the stores, around the offices, in hotel lobbies, everywhere, nothing was talked of, noth ing was thought of but the jury’s verdict. ’ And the way some folks disqussed it would chill the blood of a stoic. ASK FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. About 1 o'clock the jury went back to the court house to ask further instruc tions from the judge. It had been said before the jury would have Judge Jones come down to their hotel and explain some things, and it was no surprise when they filed back into the court room and sought enlightenment. One of them asked the court to say something about first and second degree murder. The building soon filled. Judge Jones went over the instructions and rules already given and printed. He explained the difference in murder de grees and told them if there was doubt it was their duty to give it to the prison er. Judge Jones cautioned the jury again about allowing any foreign impres sions or anything heard or seen beyond the witnesses. He said if their verdict \ was influenced by passion prejudice or any public sentiment shown during the trial they would do violence to their oaths, they would perjure themselves. He told the jury to come back as often as they liked, it was their duty, and have explained any point not fully under stood. He cautioned the jurv not to construe his words to mean that he had an opinion in the matter, and if they had, to treat his opinion with contempt, to find a verdict in accordance with the facts, the evidence and nothing else. In releasing the jury he said: “Mr. officer take these men back. If they wjsh to walk let them do so, it is a hard ship to keep them in a room after so! long confinement, they need exercise. Go back gentlemen." The judge repeated that before they could find Wilcpx guilty they must de cide that his conduct was not only con sistent with guilt, hut inconsistent with innocence. Some folks thought when the jury went into the court room they had come to a conclusion, and there was excitement for awhile. Wilcox was brought into court. He sat in a section heretofore used by reporters and watched with languid interest. was no emotion, no sign of feeling or fear. When it was all over and the jury had gone, District Attorney Ward rental ked to Mr. Aydlett: “You don’t want them to clear him, do you?” Mr. Aydlett re plied, “I don’t know,’ and passed on. Mr. Bond, another defease lawyer left tonight for his home in Edenton without having heard the verdict. Mr. Ward, who has labored so hard, so conscientiously and so ably for the State’s interest, waited for the finding with the enthusiasm of a court struck novice. All day his constituents were coming to him with congratulations for the fight he had made. Mr. Aydlett and others for the defense, were also be sieged with admirers. Questioned about the danger of vio lence, former Sheriff Wilcox, Jim’s father, said he anticipated no trouble tonight. He thought the deputies sworn in could keep orderu and save his son in case the mob should try to do anything. Mr. Wilcox is a highly respected citi zen, and for his conservatism as well as for his loyalty to his boy, the public here gives out its sympathy. Mr. Wil cox, talking about the case with tears in his eyes. He knew the situation and deplores it. He realizes Jim’s position. It is understood that Jim said today he would rather be hanged than go to .State’s prison for a long time. The maximum term here is thirty years. There is a rumor that Jim had a dream, and said words about the case in his sleep, words that showed his feeling. A negro jail inmate is reported to have heard them. Wilcox uttered a protest against people following him between the jail and the court house. He is carried to and from without hand-cuffs. When the verdict is brought in the judge will, if it is conviction, name the day of death or the time in State’s pribon, and then the defense law’yers have the right to appeal, which they will. The elder Wilcox will spend his whole estate before seeing Jim convicted unjustly. District Attorney Ward thinks he knows one man on the jury who is hold ing out for V\ ilcox, and there may be others. Mr. Ward does-not think the two ne gro jurors count for much. He believes they Will be swayed by the white men. People are saying words of sympathy for the jurors. It is realized they wall be criticized in any event, and should one man cause a mistrial it will not be pleasant for him hereabouts. In no case of importance has public sentiment been so much one way. Like before the bar of heavenly justice all Elizabeth City to-‘ night is waiting for the jury’s words eagerly, anxiously, nervously, almost breathlessly. Most of them want the prisoner punished legally if possible, but punished. Talk indicates they will see that he does not go unpunished. This afternoon the jury took a. walk. The Afternoon Report. (Special to News and Observe.) Elizabeth City, N. C„ Mach 22.—Like men bifore the bar of celestial justice the good citizens of Elizabeth City waited for the verdict. They stood upon the street corners, they gathered in the stores and talked about the Wilcox case. Nothing else was thought of; nothing else was talked about. Early this morning there was a street report that the jury stood 8 to 4 for hanging, and later it was said they were 10 to 2. A prosecuting lawyer had in- j formation it was 9 to 3. Ail over town people were anxious and there were all sorts of reports. Many said W ilcox would live longer on a ver dict ot conviction than if he were freed. jhe talk has been all along that a leader ; was lacking, but they were saying today that several leaders could be had if the juty did uot do its duty as the people saw it. I tried to learn if the common rumors were true. Jury Officer Pritchard was seen at the River View Hotel. The jury was closeted and he was on the veranda. Mr. Pritchard declared there was no foundation in any of the rumors. He bad not heard their debates and did not know how tho jurors were; nobody else could know. Tho jury had luncheon about two o’clock. Miss Lottie Crojxsey, Nell’s sister, was out driving about noon. Asked to say something about the case Lettie said she did not see how the jury could do any- RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA. SUNDAY MORNING. MARCH 23. 1902. thing but convict. She knew' that Nell had ceased to care for Jim some weeks before the murder. They had been at outs since about the first of November. She discussed the case feelingly. A FAMINE IN COTTON Facing a Deficiency of 1,000,- 000 Bales in the Supply. (Special to News and Observer.) New York, March 22.—The cotton market closed tonight at 25 points below the highest figures reached during the course of the present bull movement. The decline has been the result of sell ing on the part of over-loaded bull op erators in conjunction with bearish at tacks made by those whose purpose it is to profit through the unwisely extended accounts of weak speculators. Thus it seems that the decline has run its course. The following arc the ccld facts of the situation. Spot cotton throughout the South is selling above the equivalent of New York prices, and at very nearly the highest prices of the season. Consumption is practically the largest on record. The reports of -he ♦ FAKE DENIED BY HON. BY WATSON “1 Have Never Spoken to Judge Clark About the Senatorship or the Chief Justiceseip, ” He Declares. (Special to the New's and Observer.) Winston-Salem, N. CL, March 22. -Mr. C. B. Watson was asked today about the report sent out from Greensboro to the morning papers wth regard to poltcal rumors concerning the Chief Justiceship and Senatorship. Mr. Watson made this statement: “I have been from home most of the winter attending pro fessional duties- There is positively no ground for such a rumor—if there be such a rumor —and I do not believe there is any such rumor, except in the ears of this nameless correspondent. I have never been in a political combina tion and never will be. I never spoke to Judge Clark about the Chief Justice ship nor the Senatorship, and if that gentlemen has any choice among the gentlemen spoken of for that high office he has never by word or letter inti mated the same to me. I have aot seen Judge Clark but once in a year and then never spoke to him on the subject of his candidacy or mine. No letter has | exhaustion that reached me from the I South are from people who cannot be un | truthful, and the prospect of the great (st cotton famine the world has ever known is none the less definite, because ! prices have reacted 25 points. The statistical situation tonight is as follows: Receipts today are 17.000 bales; exports are 44,000 bales; net stocks at the United States ports tonight are 624,- * 000; stocks at the interior towns are 444,000 bales. The amount of cotton to come into sight if the crop is 10,000,000 bales is 900,000; total available supply in America 1,968,000. The minimum re quired from this supply for American ! and American consumption, to the end of the season, are 1,600,000. For export | 1,300,000. Necessary stocks at the end of the season 150,000: total 3,050,000. With an American crop of 10,000,000 hales, | therefore, we are face to face with an actual deficiency of 1,000,000 bales of cot ton in the supply. Under these circum stances there seems to be no reason to anticipate any further decline in (he market. I take this method of replying to the many telegrams that I have re- I ceived and to advise people who own cot- j i ton to hold it, and these who aie pre pared to trade in it to buy it. THEODORE H. PRICE. Hanna Entertains the Gridiron Club (By the Associated Press.) Washington, March 22.—Senator Hanna gave a dinner tonight at the Arlington to he Gridiron Club. The Senator has been a guest at every Gridiron dinner since he has been in Washington and th e af fair tonight was to get the members of the club together to acknowledge the “many roasts” that he has received at their hands, aqd as he says, to “play a return engagement.” It was attended only by members of the club who took occa sion to see that the Senator did not es cape being placed on the Gridiron even though he was the host. It was a thor oughly enjoyable affair, ther bing good speeches, songs, and several “slits” which were a surprise to the host. The Senator received a number of “presenta tions” each with great formality but with a vein of saiire and humor which char acterize Gridiron dinners. 1 SIXTEEN PAGES— SECTION ONE—Pages 1 to 8. MISS BUNNS IS FREE The Girl Accused of Murder ing Walter Brooks is Discharged. (By the Associated Press.) New York, March 22.—Florence Burns, the young Brooklyn woman who has been in the custody of the police of this city i since February 15 under suspicion of ! knowing how Walter Brooks met his | death, was discharged from custody by , Justice Mayer tonight. Brooks, who was a young commission merchant here, had been keeping com pany with Florence Burns. He was found I dead the night of February 11 in a room at tlie Glen Island Hotel. The gas in the room wa.s turned on and there was a bullet wound in the head, j The District Attorney tried to show that Florence Burns was likely to have killed Brooks because he was trying to break off his association with her. The de fense advanced the cuiside theory and for several days Justice Mayer has been ex amining into the two theories. He finally decided, when the hearing closed to night, that nothing had been brought out sufficient to hold Florence Burns to the grand jury. After her discharge, she re turned to her home in Brooklyn. At the hearing this afternoon Attor ney Backus, representing he Burns girl, made his argument, contending there was not an iota of evidence to show that his client was eanneeted with the death of Brooks. Assistant Attorney Schurman followed in an argument intended to cast, suspicion cn the girl, holding that tin re was plen j ty of circumstantial evidence on which j to bring he* case to the attention of the grand jury. Justice Mayer at once gave his decision in which he reviewed all the evidence and held that nothing had been brought out by the State sufficient for him to hold passed between himself and myself in twelve months except as to a matter to be published in the regimental histories, i No friend of lii.s has spoken to me <>n ; such a subject, nor have I ever au - tho'ized any man to speak to him or I any friend of his on the subject. Now this is intended as a complete ; denial of the fake. I regret to have to go into print in this way and had rather ; live in obscurity than be compelled to jdo so. If the people of North Carolina should see proper to invest me with the great office of Senator, I should leceive ; it and appreciate it as a high and di«- t tinguished honor and at the same time realize its great responsibilities. If tlie people prefer another I wll never be heard to complain. I have never avoided a duty or responsibility and have never complained of treatment at the hands of political associates, but I would not en ter into a political combination with any man, or set of men, to secure any place within the people’s gift.” the girl for trial in the criminal branch | of the Supreme court. Justice Mayer is of the special ses j yions court and sat as an examining mag i istrate. j EARLY REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS. The hearing in the case of Florence | Burns, who is accused of the murder of Walter S. Brooks in the Glen Island ; Hotel, this city, on February 14, was continued today before Justice Mayer | in the Court of Special Sessions. Ruth ! Dunn, the young woman on whose ac j count it is alleged Brooks wished to break off his relations with Flc ice Burns, was the first witness today. She said she .saw Walter Brooks on the 1 j Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday even ings before his death. This closed her testiony and at the request of Attorney i Backus, for the defendant, her evidence (was stricken from the record. Mr- Backus, the prisoner's counsel, moved that-certain statements madejby his client tc detectives be stricken ft pm the record because she had not formed of her rights when the state ments were made. Assistant District Attorney Schurman opposed this motion j but Justice Mayer granted it, saying he l had searched carefully tor a precedent J v/here the statement of defendant, when notified of the charge against him or her, had been used as evidnece. and he had failed to find one case. Justice Mayer said he found no war rant in law- for the questioning of a pris oner by a police officer before the pris oner bad been arraigned before a police 1 magistrate or informed of his rights, j Mr. Schurman said he hoped the court j would make it possible to have that view* thoroughly tested. “It is going to work tHe greatest in novation in the system ia voyue,” he added, “not only in tlm city • J New York but the entire country. Thou sands of cases’ have been decided in court here on statenunii made by pris oners fa officers before the arraign ment.” Justice Mayer said then the system might have been established by custom, but as long as there was no warrant for it in the law custom could have uo force. The justice also declared that there was no law permitting a person to be arrested on .suspicion. CRIMINAL CASES AT WILSON Jury finds Langley Killed in Self Defense Case of Gay and Baffin Undecided. (Special to News and Observer.) Wilson, N. C., March 22.—Court has been in session here during the entire week. The case against Langley for kill ing a negro near Wilson during last sum mer, was tried. The jury brought in a verdict if slelf-defense. The next case taken up was that of Will Ruffin for the killing of Robt. Bullock on December 31st, 1X99. The jury has had the case for two days, but have not yet been able to reach a verdict. This is Ruffin’s second trial, the previous one having resulted in a mis trial. The case of George Gay for the killing of Aycoek a few months ago was taken up yesterday. All the evidence for both sides is in and today begin argument by counsel. It is the plea of the defense that Gay did the killing in a moment of insanity. It has been brought out on the stand that at times he was not himself, and on several occasions he has had to leave his work in order to reeoV>r from these spells. The only eye witness in the case says he heard no words before the shooting except that Gay told him, that is Aycoek, that he had treated hirn like a damn rascal and that he was going to kill him. Public opinion in she case has quieted down considerably. Court this week has been held in the new court house. The conveniences of fered by the new building facilitate to a great extent the workings of the court. BITTEN BY MAD CATS. Three People Attacked. They Leave for Char lotte For Treatment (Special to News and Observer.) Hoffman, N. C , March 22. —There was much excitement in town this morning, caused by three run mad cats at the resi ccnce of Mrs. L. Hartman, on Beach avenue. Mrs. Hartman and child were attacked and bitten badly. The cats also attacked Master Frank Butler, who was coming up street and bit him on the face. The parties left for Charlotte immediately to have the mad stone applied. The cats were finally killed by Mr. Ballentine. A VESSEL ON EIRE A Telegram from Kitty Hawk States She is Off Our Coast. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, March 22.—Chief of the Life Saving Service Kimball this morn ing recived a telegram from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, stating that the keeper of the Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station reports a vessel on fire about fifteen miles southeast of tlie ’station. The keeper of the station further reported that he saw a steamer pass the station at daylight this morning and this is believed to be the vessel that is on fire. ATHLETICS THE FAD Tobacco Worehouse Assured. Beaufort’s En ormous Tobacco Interests. (Srecial to News and Observer.) Washington, N, C., March 22. —Boxing has been resumed as the fad here during the last few days. The Washington Light Infantry members give at their armory almost every night exhibitions of their skill. Crowds line the ring side every night and physical sports are enjoyed and encouraged in the town. Yesterday I wa.s told that there would certainly be a tobacco warehouse here this summer and fail. Most of the stock is already subscribed. The tobacco in terests of this county are enormous as is attested by the fertilizer men. Green ville warehouses report a large tobacco trade from this county. This would not be with warehouses here. Beaufort’s weight average to the acre was larger than any other county’s in the State last year. The coming of the Philadelphia baseball team means much for this place. News paper when, who accompany them, have arranged for the transmission of ten thou sand words a day over the wire about Washington, its advantages and the base ball. They will be here about fifteen days. Washington has no baseball team and it ’is hoped that the coming of this team will arouse the local enthusiasts. Mr. H. Susman, of the Susman Furni ture Company, is preparing to buy five brick stores on Market street between Satterthwaite, Willis & Co., and C. M. Little. There is a division of feeling about the Wilcox case here. Some take the view that he is not guilty, according to the legal evidence. Great interest is evinced in the case. The Atlantic Coast Line is bringing girders and material here seemingly for building. Officials here are not inform ed as to the plans, and nothing can be learned from the Wilmington division Lack of room is seripusly felt here. WARRANTS TO BE BENT NFXT WEEK. On Monday the State Will Issue the First Warrants to Needy School Districts Superintendent of Public Instruction J. Y. Joyner, said yesterday that the warrants for the second SIOO,OOO appro priated by the last Legislature to bring up the needy school districts to the con it itutional requirement of a four months’ term would be sent out next week to those counties which have complied with the law and have been passed upon fa vorably. The first of these warrants will j be sent out on Monday. i * PRICE FIVE CENTS. View I) ml THE ROYS IN LIGHT BLUE Oxford Again Fails to Pull With Cambridge. GAME BUT NEVER IN IT Cambridge Takes the Fifty-Ninth Race as She Likes. NINEIEEN MINUTES, NINE SECONDS Cambridge Had the Advantage of Station. The Distance Separating the Boats at the Finish Nearly Eight Lengths. Immense Crowds. (By tlie Associated Press.) Putney, England, March 22.—The Cam bridge crew today fulfilled the expecta tions of the prophets and won the fifty ninth boat race with Oxford as they liked. The time was 19 minutes, 9 seconds. At no time throughout the race did Oxford in the slightest degree flatter the hopes of the supporters of the dark blue. Any possible chance which the Oxoniar might have had was shattered by t* result of the toss giving the light bl (Cambridge) all the advantage of tion. Immense crowds, as usual tu out to view the contest and the wea? though showery, was not so incleme it had been most of the previous Cambridge was the first to t* water, Oxford following after delay, and both crews padd’ moored skiffs at the starting start wans delayed owing to t the tide, making it difficult boats noses straight. Lieut, Willan, the umpire, howevet them away in a capital st anticipated, the livelier s light blues gave them the vantage, and their lead wa every stroke. By the Steps were reached, Cam clear length to the gooc patent to every one that the> race in hand, barring accidents, ley’s somewhat sluggish stroke appt to be too slow to suit some of the pa. orful Oxford men behind him. Then weight would have told, at least in the earlier part of the race, had they been given more chance. As it was. each landmark on the river banks found them further and further in the rear, and at Harrod’s Stores their troubles were in ceased by the wash of their opponents* boat. Off the Saccharine Works tho dark blue stroke made his effort and the Oxford crew struggled gamely but only for a short distance. Nelson (Cambridge) difi not quicken his stroke and the gap was reduced to about a length as the boats shot under Hammersmith bridge. The effort took all the steam out of the Oxonians, their stroke dropped from 37 to 32, and the race was practically over. Cambridge came right away, pulling comfortably at an average of 36 strokes to the minute, and increased her lead without the slightest effort. Before reaching Barnes’ Bridge, the dark blues were in the greatest trouble, while the light blues amid hearty cheers, paddled past the ship, at Mortlake, the easiest winners of the tamest university boat race in many years. The official time of the finish was 13 minutes, 9 seconds, and the distance separating the two boats was officially given out as being five lengths, but it was nearly eight lengths. The spectators, especially the Oxon ians, were not slow to show their resent ment at the somewhat rare spectacle of a university “eight” absolutely rowed out. The defeated crew included the Broth ers Milburn, of Buffalo. This was the first time on record that two Americans participated in an Oxford-Cambridgo boat race. DEATH UNMASKS A WOMAN. Supposed to be a Man. Death Occurs Under Mysterious Circumstances. (By the Associated Press ) Canindiagua, N- Y., March 22.—A per on who was known here for five years is William C. Howard died suddenly Wednesdayand an autopsy showed that lie supposed man was a woman. How ird, who was about 50 years of age and vho was employed as a farm hand, came lere five years ago with a woman who vas known as Mrs. Howard. Two chil- Iren were bo n to tlie supposed wife. The dead woman worked for farmers n the neighborhood and those most in imately acquainted with the family lever had the slightest suspicion that die was not a man. The sause of the iwman’g death is a mystery. On Wed nesday right she tock two tablets for a lire at affection and was dead in ten ninnies. The medicine was sent from fVelisville, this State, where relatives eside. The authorities are completely nyrlified as to all matters touching ipon the woman’s life. The do not even her right name- Two men, claim ng to be half brothers, attended the uneral, but refused to divulge any in ornatton. An inquest is to be held nd some light may then be thrown ipon the strange case. An agreeable man is one who consents o being taught things which he already mows.