The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1860-06-23
THE robson TRAGEDY.


The facts of the case seems to be that the mur-
dered woman Abb Rhodes, was to elope with Shade
Williams, a free mulatto, and go North. For this
purpose she hired person to take her to the
cars. She had some 81, 900 in money. Her body
found last week in Lumber river.
On last week. Hardy and Kennedy Barnes,
charged with tae homicide Of Abi Rhodes, wife Of b
Rhodes, were brought before three justices tor
examination, when the following testimony was
adduced
Hezl<ia Rhodes DO not live with my
father. On Wednesday night last. Abi Rhodes left
her home; heard flying reports of her going to leave;
when saw her afterwards her throat was cut
recognized her Ab Rhodes. Benz. c.. Rhodes
read paper from Geo Brumbull stating that Abi
Rhodes had left a certain place Friday morning
and did unt Saturday morning don't
know what amount OF money Abb Rhodes had in
her possession think it was 5000 in silver and
some paper money.
james Nye sworn:-Saw Ab Rhodes last
Wednesday; Kennedy Barnes wanted to get car
pet sack of Shade Williams; said he (Shade) was
out of Jail This was on Friday, about set;
would no. say whether he knew about Abb Rhodes;
saw Mrs r., have money at various times can't say
how much. Cross examined by Mclean for the
State.-Had oonvers1 ton at all with Hardy
Barnes about this matter till yesterday. Some six
or eight months 0, ! had in my hands two bags
Of money belonging to Abb Rhodes.
Aytch Barnes sWOrn:-WaS at home Friday
last Mrs Rhodes month ago last Sabbath.
My father at home Friday last working
buggy; he left home Friday about half hour after
night; was hired by named jackson to carry
him off. He returned next day; turned his mule
into oat patch half mile from the house; be-
live he to Lumberton; brought the buggy
home Cross by Naturalization came to
Barnes in the evening" a small 1nan. Mrs R.
did not go to Barnes that evening, Barnes said
he carried jackson to Lumberton took nothing
home with him except the buggy gear.
Owen Moore;-Testfed to being at Mrs Davis
about % clock Sunday, when came there
calling for fare whose voice he believed to be Har.
Barnes; did not see Barnes.
A Rowland:-Testifed that II Barnes had put
up at his house Sunday evening; did not take
supper; at 0 oclock p m enquired for room was
shown one; did not see him till next morning; his
impression from Barnes appearance, after hearing
of the death of -Ab Rhodes, that he knew some
! thing about it. BY Leitch for prsoner.-Mr Barnes
had the appearance OF being under the influence Of
liquor. BY McLean.-I had the same suspicious on
u onday, from the appearance Of Barnes.
\ Gum Testified that Barnes to his shop
! thacksnith) on Monday, tied his mule and enquired
n5 Il. M eva was Nth d:ifsit 81.
usually was, so much that it excited strong sus-
picions IN my mind Of his guilt; chain and other
irons were taken from my shop by some person or
persons; did not miss them till that morning; was
not in my shop before Barnes went in the direc-
ton where the dead body was did not see km af-
terwards although both went and returned in that
dire ecton.
Mrs Abi Lee Testified to hearing ken Barnes
on Monday, say that he helped Abb Rhodes into {
carriage Thursday night with her clothes; sale
y there was man with her; did not tell me his name
said she going in the cars with Shade Williams
This was at Kennedy's own house. By McLean.-
Live with Mrs Rhodes; Abb Rhodes, Shade w lillian
2 and another man, whose lame | did not learn
S were going to the cars Abb Rhodes was dressed il
7. mans clothes; heard Abb Rhodes say few day
IS before that, that Hardy Barnes would be friend
# her,
n Masey Ivey Know nothing about the murder
believed she was sister of Hardy Barnes.
Mary Jones Testified to hearing of the murde,
heard Kennedy and Hardy Barnes were suspicione
Shade Williams had clothing there. Kenned
Barnes it is said came after Williams clothes too
them off said Williams out of Jail.
f Elizab Ivey, sworn Know nothing of the mu
ID der have not seen Abb Rhodes in three weeks. O
It. Thursday night was aroused at my house by ma
q who suppose was H. Barnes going up the road
10 said some body had befriended him; thought
$ had met some body.
+ Henry Iyey Testified to Mrs. Rhodes at h
ct own shop on Tuesday enquired for Ken. Barn
IS and what he was doing; did not know Mrs. Rhod
was dead till yesterday; Merideth Ivey told II
that from what he could hear they would get HARD
al Barnes about it.
1g Mary Jones saw Ken. Barnes at Rhodes. Or
n time had suspicioned Hardy and Ken Barnes
o. the homicide from what had heard others say +;
ir Barnes is said to be my uncle.
I'd Benz A. Ivey Saw Hardy Barnes on Frds
N evening at his own house; saw no person else b
&c his family fixing buggy said he could n
Of carry me Lumberton next day as he had to car
ic some person another way did not Kennel
Barnes Cross examined by Mclean for the Stat
se He had to go another way, therefore could n
II carry me, as he always had to have a women hui
to his tail Saw the buggy in the high woods ne
mt sort of pond back of the oat patch, where ha
s llS never seen buggy BEFORE found piece Of met
nd in the buggy. The buggy very muddy.
sv BY Leitch, for Prisoner There are timber roa
o. near there and Mr.. B. in the habit of traveli
sometimes through there but never have seen
'u sign Of buggy there before. Mr.. B. sometin
of passes jokes, naming women &c.
VT j \ Lawson, Esqr:-Testfed to hearing IIar