North Carolina Newspapers

4 , ML I A i Ihe f ews Bes the Li.n est Circulation oi Any Afte? noon Pe par Publisfod in the Two Carolina 3 TEN PAGES TEN PAGES FOUR O'CLOCK EDITION m FOUR O'CLOCK EDITION A a. a. .fv. 9. THE ONLY' EVENING ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWSPAprn in CHAPLOTTE. ESTABLISHED 1388. CHARLOTTE. N. C , MONDAY tiVENlNU NOVEMBER I909 PRICE 5 CENTS n son ter 1 I er rod t0 aimb. &tood Bv B Ji r atner ana " TF I i Harris i Was Married Iragedv Satur i ay Night in Mullis Store Near Mint Hili Primcipal And Father Brought Here. lull Details of Revolting Act Bad Blood Ex f sting Betzve en Families' Over Business Dealings Directly Responsible. There are no new developments to Kiark the case agaiust Mr. William Ha lis who is now in jail charged with the murder of Mr. Robert Simpson, the victim of a shooting scrape Satur day night in Mullis' store near Mint Hill. With the exception of the fu neral and the retaining of attorneys i.y the defense and prosecution and the inH that two men are in jail on coro-k;,.-"s -warrants, one charged with 'under and the other being held as an accessory before the fact, there ic r thing new about the case. A general resume of the case, as veil as can te ascertained from the Iturly-burly of eye-witness testimony, it as follows: Mr. Robert Simpson, one of Meck lenburg county's most prominent farm ers was shot and killed early Satur day night by Mr. William Hartis, an other well known farmer, the scene of the tragedy being about three miles item Bain Academy at Mullis store. About 7 o'clock Saturday night Mr. William Hartis walked in the back door of the store and in his hand was a shot gun. From this time to' the time the shot was fired all is very clear. As Hartis walked in the back door, Mi. William Simpson and his son. Mr. Avery Simpson were standing in the front door of the store. Mr. P.obert Simpson, the deceased, wras sitting on a box in the store and was net armed. From e-witnesses to the tragedy, it is stated that Hartis first vomel his gun at Mr. William Simp fcoa, ;.nd with a beautiful display of iii?rrard for self and love for his farher. the younger Simpson placed hims -if directly in front of his father fir. 1 in line cf the fire and cried: 'Don't shoot him." Ywien Hartis saw that he could not tfhfKt ihe elder Simpson without first injuring the pen lie turned the muzzle oi the weapon. on Mr. Robert Simpson and just as Mr. Simpsonrose from the Vex. with his hands outstretched, pull ed the trigger and his victim dropped to the floor dead, with his life blocd gushing from a horrible wound in his chest, lie was dead ere he fell to the floor and never spoke after the fatal shot was fired. Eac! Biood. It is said that bad blood existed be tween the Hartis and Simpson families and that Mr. Yv7illiam Hartis had a grudge against Mr. Robert Simpson well as his brother and that that -vjis responsible for the shooting of an 'M;trerit spectator. The trouble is 'li';;ight to have resulted from a diffi eu!ty that grew out of a bargain in 've:;l that Mr. Will Hartis entered into v-'ith the local firm cf Simpson and Roediger, of this city, composed of Dtvid Simpson, son of the deceased, and Mr. Herman Roediger. The con tracr was that Mr. Hartis was to buy some wood owned by Mr. Simpson. Rnrnm- has it that Mr. Hartis began han'.ing the wood away before he pay ed any money for it and that after h' :r:a stopped from that he came to t-e eity and secured claim and deliv ; -apers against the lot, the suit scheduled, at an early date. Mr. twvl Simpson was attending to his father's interests and this is thought te, naVf, been the initial cause of the kad blood. William Simpson and the de-eea-fi' spent the day in the city Sat iA.v and it is said that on their way ' " they were met by Hartis near J:;s ewn residence and there some '''ds were passed, Hartis doing most cf the talking. Words which are un hniuuble were passed and Mr. Wil 'Wffi Simpson, nephew of the deceas ed who was drinking, told Hartis to cora ? on down the road and that he we;!d fight it out with him. This in vitation was declined and the couple V'(-W. on home. Mr. Robert Simpson i-y Associated Press. fMion, Ga.7fvov. 29. After killing Villiam Walls Aid probablv fatally fooling Hal Holland, while return- "s, i.ora a dance, Pickett Collum rendered to the police and was raeed in the county jail yesterday. C'dlum declares -t.h txnnhlp i?rpw ; ;11 fn a misunderstanding of his m itittiou by a young woman whom he "-:Ked to danc with him. TO MURDER was not dru t is stated. After going home. M. illiam Simpson se cured his gun an'd so did Hartis. Mr. Robert Simpson went home from the scene of the war of words and after wards went to Mullis' store unarmed. At all times he was calm and compos ed and was sitting in the store on a box and William Simpson came up, pnt his gun down on the front porch and stepped up in the front door and was drinking a bottle of ginger ale. It was at this time that Hartis entered the back door and leveled his gun at William Simpson and the' son, Avery Simpson, jumped in front of his father with the words: "Don't shoot him." As soon as the shot was fired Hartis retreated through the back door and as all cf the people in the store rush ed to the side of the wounded man, he made his escape. Hartis' father "was standing in front of the store at the time of the shooting and the son ran up to him and then through the thick ets and was lost to sight. Later he met his, father and they proceeded to ward town in the father's team. Hartis says that he was coming in to surren der. Sheriff Averts Another Tragedy. Shortly after the tragedy, the sheriff was telephoned to from Mint Hill and started for the scene of the tragedy and to look for the murderer. He was in an automobile and accompan ied" my Mr. David Simpson, son of the deceased. At the point where he was met. by the sheriff and Mr. Simp sen, the team in which Hartis and his father had started to town, was pulled to one side of the road and Mr. Har tis was standing in front, of the home " of Mr. C. H. Wolfe. At this point the machine was stopped and it seemed that another tragedy was im minent, for Mr. David Simpson sprang to the ground from the machine and started to draw a weapon he had with him; the coolness andy courage of the sheriff prevented him from drawing, however, and prevented another trag edy. Hartis was placed under arrest and brought to the city where he was placed in jail with his father and held for the poroner's inciuest. The coroner held his inquest yes terday and the facts of the case were brought cut more clearly but in the main they were about "the same as have been stated heretofore. The hearing was held in the basement . of the court house Sunday morning at which time about a dozen witnesses were examined, there being no diffi culty to establish the scene, the mur derer and the cause. It is said that both Hartis and his father were drink ing, but neither of them were so drunk that they were irresponsible. Henry Hartis, the father of the principal is to be held as an accessory before the fact, as the result of witnesses before the coroner. The coroner's verdict reads: "The deceased, Robert Simpson, came to his death by a gunshot wound inflicted by Will Hartis, with Henry Hartis an accessory before the fact." Tho jurv consisted of Messrs. R. J. Sifford, J.'W. Cobb, T. J. Gribble, J. D. Brumfield, C. B. Flournoy and F. M. Gresham. ,Mr. Simpson Funeral. The body of Mr. Simpson was brought to the city Sunday night and turned over to the undertaking estab lishment of J. M. Harry & 'Co., to be prepared- for burial, which took place near the home of the deceased this morning. It is rumored that the Simpsons have retained Messrs. J. D. McCall and Mr. Lucas and probably will retain Judge Frank I. Osborne to prosecute the case. Nothing can be learned of the defense's plans. There is not much chance for the case to be tried at the coming session of the criminal court as there are sev eral murder cases ahead of it that will probably take up all the time of the court until it adjourns. Trestle Burned N3ar Rocky Mount. By Associated Press. Roanoke, Va., Nov. 29. A long tres tle bridging the stream and lowland nPar Rockv Mount, on the Norfolk and Western railroad, was destroyed by fire last night, it was ignited oy syaiKs from locomotives. The structure -was on a sham curve. It will be several davs before traffic can be resumed. Charged Witn Stealing On a Large Scale By Associated Press. Paris, Nov. 29. Four men and one woman,' who have posed as American millionaires, but are alleged to com pose a gang of international swind lers, were arrested today, charged with stealing on a large scale. Jeyels valued , at $15,000 were found in their possession. The po lice claim they were stolen from European houses. The two men gave names of John Francks, oi New York, and Jacob Hymen, ot Philadelphia. More cf Aslop Claim. T- Anonniatoil PrPSS. !. London, Nov. 29 The request that King Edward meditate iue claim dispute between the uavtea States and Chili was made by tne United States ' through the frel ! office today. His majesty had been communicated with miormauy subject previously .but at that time gave -a non-commital reply to tne suggestion. THE EARLY CATCHES TtiE. WORM ' ' PP0ITIEST5 BE AT 1. E. G01F Special to The News. Raleigh, Nov. 29. Tbe sixth day's session cf .the Methodist conference met at 9:30. Devotional services were by Dr. Ivey. Revs. L. N. Booth and Geo. Wr. Stancil were received from the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Protestant churches. The reports of the various beards were read and adopted. The principal appointments are as follows: Raleigh District R. B. John, presid ing elder. , Edenton Street, H. M. North; Central, A. D. Wilcox. . Durham District R. C. Beaman, pre sidingelder: Trinity, G. T. Adams; Memorial, M. Bradshaw; Car church, J. A. Daily; Burlington, J. A. Horha day. . Fayette'ville District J. T. Gibbs, presiding elder. ' Fayetteville, L. E. Thompson. Rockingham District W. II. Moore, presiding elder. Rockingham, E. 11., Davis; Hamlet, H. A. Humble; Maxton, A. P. Tyer; Lumberton, E. M. Hagle. Wilmington District W. L. Cunning gim, presiding elder. Grace, T. A. Smcot;. Fifth Street, K. D. Holmes. Newbern District R. F. Bumpas presiding elder. Centenary J. B. Hur ley; Goldsboro, St. Paul's, D. H. Tut tle; St. John's, J. H. Frizzelle; Kins ton, J. H. Hall. Washington District A. McCullen, presiding elder. Washington, M. T. Plyer; Wilson, C. F. Smith. Warrentcn District J. E. Under wood, presiding elder., WTarrenton, D. H. Caviness; Henderson, R. C. Craven. Elizabeth City District R. H. Broom, presiding elder; Elizabeth City, J. n. Bundy. Continued on Page Four. Seventh Day of Battle J rial Special to The News. Greensboro, N. C, Nov. 29.--The sev enth day of the trial of Lee H. Battle, cashier of the City National Bank, in the United States court, began this morning, the entire morning being de voted to the examination of S. ,F. Campbell, bookkeeper of the Pomona Mills and books of the mill by the prosecution. The district attorney is trying to show that Battle as an officer of the bank, and president of the mill, was using the funds, of the bank to float the insolvent mill, and -that loans by the bank to fhe mill were never solv ent credits,: as reported to the comp troller. ' The Pomona books show that Battle, Thompson and Lindley, directors - and officers of the bank, were also directors and officers of the mill, an&that at the time the mill declared and paid dividends, it was , heavily involved. An Important Decision. By Associated Press. Washington, D. C, Nov. 29. The su nreme Court of the United States today affirmed the decision of the United States circuit court, from the district of Minnesota, restraining the enforce ment cf the interstate commerce com mission's order reducing from $2 to $1 per car terminal charges on live stock cn railroads entering Chicago. Privilege of Aliens. By Associated Press. , San -Francisco, Nov. 29 Revision of the imperial laws of Japan which will extend to aliens the privilege of owning property in fee simple for agricultural purpose's will be a consideration of the next treaty consummated in Japan with another nation, according to M. Zumoto, proprietor of the Japan Times of Tokio, a close friend of the late Mar quis Ito. Mr. ' J. S. Walker has sold to O. R. Harrison for $1,350 a lot on the Providence road. . DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY THERE'S Steamer Stranded Utt Diamond Wre ckers Ordered Out By Associated Press. Beaufort, N. C., Nov. 29. The German steamer, Brewster, with a cargo from Jamaica and Cuban ports for Nei' York, is stranded aground in a dangerous position off Diamond Shoals-lightship, south of Cape Hat teras. The steamer is in a precarious position in 14 feet of water. . A wrecking outfit was ordered. out from Norfolk to, render aid to the stranded steamer. ' . The Brewster's crew were taken off the steamer by the government lightship. ' . Hope of Rescue. Norfolk, Va., Nov. 29. The weather bureau observer at Hatteras, says that the prospects are good for floating the Brewster if assistance reaches her quickly. , Durins the forenooi the sea ha3 wind is blowing 14 miles an hour from the northwest. This was favorable to the stranded steamer. .' Revenue Cutters Dirpatched. Washington, D. C, Nov. 29. Revenue cutters Oonodaga, at Norfolk, and Seminole, at Wilmington, have been dispatched to the assistance of the i Brewster. Serious Trouble Started C a 1 By Associated Press. Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 29. A riot Call brought out a big force of police reserves last night to quell a disturbance among GO foreigners, who were endeavoring to gain admittance to Burning homes to rescue valuables. Many men wore injured in the melee. One woman threw-an infant out of a window. Several inmates of the burning buildings narrowly escaped death. Three score of people were-rendercd homeless by .the flames, which started from an overturned lamp. Boys Planned To Rob Bank By Associated Press. St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 29 Tom Galla gher, 13 years old, captured after a wagon-load of policemen surrounded the Lafayette Bank today, confessed he, with another bey, planned to rob the bank. The other boy, acting as a lookout, fled when the patrol wagon appeared. : Gallagher was captured coming down the fire esctpe. y Amend ment To In- terestate Commerce Act By Associated Press. Washington, D. C, Nov. 2. A con ference on the amendment to be pro nnsfiii hv. President Taft to the inter- stats commerce act, was held today . at ' the WThite House, Attorney General 1 Wickersham, Senator Cummins and Senator Elkins were at he conference. I The president has a mind to set upon the accomplishing of something in E connection with the alterations to this 1 law. While his policy is not to inter fere with he work of congress he will use every reasonable, influence to make laws governing transportation stronger -in their control over rail roads and in benefit to shipping pub lic and masses. j Woodward Died at County- Home. By Associated Press. Baltimore, Md., Nov. 29. David A. Woodward, a prominent artist and in ventor of the Solar v nnt system oi portrait painting, died today at his country home. , No News From Nine Men. By Associated Press. Vashington, Nov. 29. Since the re ceipt of the announcement that nine men off the gunboat Marietta, at P6rt Limon, Costa Rica, were adritt ! in a gig and whaleboat belonging to I that vessel, no further advices have reached the navy department. Tne men have been missing since Friday night. A REASON ! - been smooth on Diamond Shoals. The ire Rio t 1 S ounded By Associated Press. . Washington, Nov. 29. Recommen dations looking toward improvement of conditions of laboring men, which it is desired for the president to in corporate in his annual message to congress, wyere urged upon President Taft to-day by a delegation of labor leaders headed by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor. Mr. Gompers submitted a number of matters. Foremost was that concern ing the issuance of injunctions by Federal judges, particularly as they apply to personal liberty and their i use in settlement of disputes between employers and employees. The ex emption of labor organizations from certain provisions of tbe Sherman anti trust act .was discussed. The president has practically decid ed that his message to congress will make ho detailed recommendations re garding the Sherman act. His decision is based upon the fact that there are pending in the supreme court and on their way. to the. highest tribunal a number cf important cases involving the interpretation of that act. He feels, it is. said, that specific recommendations from him at this time might be construed as an at tempt to influence the court in some manner. An amendment to the eight hour law, so as to extend its provis ions to contractors and .sub-contract ors for government work and request ing an appropriation to pay inspectors for dutv in enforcing the child labor law in the District of Columbia, w'ere other subjects taken up at the confer ence. Capt. - Wm. Anderson took the tenor part in the choir of the Second Presbyterian church yesterday in the absence of Mr: Joe Jones, who is von his bridal trip. mm holds GOIFEREICE WITH : THE HESIIEIT Burglar Had A H e a r t By Associated Press. Chicago, 111., ; Nov. 29. The influ ence of sleeping children caused a burglar this morning to return to Adolph Huber the money he obtain ed at the point of a revolver. Huber, awakened from sleep by the burglar, surrendered money after a threat was made to kill him. The burglar ransacked Huber's garments and then took all the money in Mrs. Huber's purse. He went into the room where Hu ber's two babies were sleeping, and tiptoeing out, gave the money bad to the astonished parents, and re marked : "Those are great kids. I haven't got much coin but you give them this for me." Bowing gracefully the, burglar lett the house and escaped. The police are searching for him. PATH1G HE HAS BUFFERED DEATH ALREADY By Associated Press New York, Nov. 23. Albert T. Pat rick, whose sentence of death for the murder of William Marsh Rice, was computed to life imprisonment at Sing Sing, appeared to-day before the Ap pellate Division of the supreme court, of Brooklyn, to argue that, within the law, he has already suffered death, and thus has paid his debt to the state in full, and should be set free. Patrick contends that solitary con finement preceding electrocution has been held by the United States su preme court to be part of the penalty decreed oh the death sentence. He served that time in full and .now makes the point that, when the court of appeals reaffirmed the decision of the court of conviction and set a new date of execution, it transgressed his constitutional right in ordering him to serve another period of solitary con finement, thereby duplicating a pun ishment he had already suffered. The failure of the warden to electrocute, in compliance with the first order of the court, argues Patrick, constitutes an act of nonfeasance. De3th of Thomas Meagher. By Associated Press. Manila, Nov. 29 Thomas Meagher, son of the Irish patriot, died today of pneumonia, following an attempt at suicide while temporarily insane from a nervous breakdown'. He was a graduate of West Point. The Alexander Hescue Home will hold a fancy sale and serve lunches on Wednesday, December 8, at tbe Y. M. C. A. for the benefit of the home. Young Man Drowned In the Cape Fear River At Wilmington Special to The News. Durham, N. C, Nov. 29.-Alvis A. Pleasants, a young man, managing the Navassa factory, a branch of the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, to which he was promoted 10 days ago, from Durham, was drowned yes terday in the Cape Fear River, at Wilmington. With another Durham boy, Hubert Maynard, Pleasants was rowing and the boat capsized. Maynard made a desperate fight for the life of his com panion, and was so nearly drowned that it took him a day to recover. Durham relatives went to -Wilmington this morning, but had not suc ceeded in finding the body. ' He was 23 years of age and one of the best men in the company's service. Bands Placed-Around Polling Plac es Jo Drown Prayers By Associated Press. " " Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 29. Bands of. music were placed around the voting places in Birmingham early today to drown out prayers, singing and pleadings of women and children who gathered in the effort to influ ence votes for the constitutional amendment for prohibition. . Deputy sheriffs and 'extra policemen are on duty around the polls and excitement is intense. : f . Business is practically suspetide d today. . Women Take Part. Mobile, Ala.,' Nov. 29. At the constitutional amendment election here today, women were at the -polls with coffee and sandwiches, urging the men to vote for the amendment. Voting is very heavy. .. . A band of women, wearing white badges, carrying banners, paraded the streets in a tally-ho, singing, "Vote for the amendment and save the home;" "Vote for the home and mother," and other songs to the tune of popular airs. v nti Children Aid in the Fights ' Montgomery, Ala., Nov. 29. Aiding in the prohibition fight, committees of children were present about the polling places throughout the day. . Vote Delayed Mobile, Ala., Nov. 29. ShortlyXaf ter noon the claim was made - that amendists in every ward in the cky were delaying the vote by slowly go ing over the lists for Ihe name of eadh person called . S ' . . . . . - , . ' Miss Juanita Howard, Daughter of Ihe "Fath er of The American Derby" Wededd in Pre sence of Dead Parent. Minister Read Marriage Lines Then Officiated at BuneialGirl Fulfilled 7 he Wish of Her lather: By Associated Press. Chicago, Nov. 29. Standing by the coffin containing' the body of her fath er, James Howard, formerly one cf the best known horsemen In the United States, Miss Juanita C. Howard to-day married Irving Herriott, attorney. The last wish of Howard, who was fatally injured bv an automobile last week, was that nis daughter should be married in his presence. Before license could be obtained, Howard, known as "Father of Ameri can Derby," became unconscious. He died in that condition. Miss Howard and her affianced hus- ' band stood beside the open casket and were jcine in matrimony, j Rev. J. W. Nicely, who later offlcia i ed at the funeral, read the marriage lines. President at Work On Message to Congiess By Associated Press. Washington, D. C, Nov. 29. Alvah H. Martin, of Norfolk, Va., Republican national committeeman of Virginia, called on President Taft at the white house today. No political significance was attach ed to the visit. The president has be gun dictating his annual message to congress. He will be busily engaged at the task for the next few days, and expects to complete his work and have it in'vthe hands of the public printer by the' middle of the present week. Zelaya Will Not Leave. By Associated Press. Washington, Nov. 29. The Nicara guan legation issues a denial that President Zelaya is about to leave Nica ragua. as the result of the revoii tion he faces. The legation asserts the reports that Zelaya is leaving are absolutely false. Sugar FraucPCases. By Associated Press. New York, Nov. 29. On a criminal ch'arges resulting from revelations of extensive underweighing frauds in tbe docks of the American Sugar Refining iCchmpany, six former employes of that company were placed on trial in the United States circuit court today. The Farmers' Union meets next Saturday to elect delegates to the. state convention at Grfgnsboro. i ' - 2 1 i. c ! ( It IV I i . t I ft 4 'i r if n - f fi I' i ' !;- I i t I' i 1 In ;-!-. U : i 1 1 i i t i r m .1 5- . ft - i 1 t i