Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-18
STATE NEWS.

WAKE SUPERIOR CoURT-THE HODGE CAsE.-As
W. predicted Yesterday, the argument Of Col. Ed.
Graham Haywood, for the prosecution, IN the
Sturdivant murder case, was not concluded until
about o clock last night The effort IS spoken OF
by those who heard 1t from commencement to
closing as one of great power and eloquence, fully
coming up to the high expectations which had
been formed in he premises.
At the conclusion of Col HIS argument, Judge
MerrimOn read his instructions to the jury, and
the charge was such an as 10 indicate his great
anxiety to sustain the dignity of the law. He has
the admirable abit Of dlstrustlng memory ana re-
living upon copiOus notes OF the evidence; and,
therefore in summing up neither the interests OF
the state those Of the individual are compro-
missed. i is sufficient to say that the paper pre-
scented the law and evidence IN clear, concise
and impartial form, so that the jurors could not
have other than thorough understanding OF the
he jury retired and were in consultation an
h011r when the foreman, Gen. Hm. Cox, EOtl-
fed the proper officer that a decision had been
reached. The scene at this moment was typical
OF the deep interest ielt III the result Lopll@eIS
in the court. room. who had lot been W0ed from
the locality either bv dinner, thirst supper,
gathered themselves up, some making a rush Tor
more eligible places and all determined to see and
hear every thing that transplred. Ine bell was
made TO ring oUt summons ioT the judge and
counsel, and curious people, beGGar and banker,
black and white specimens OF humanity, raced
along the streets each competitor for the mann
chance. 1t was disgusting unusual, but pre-
seuted 10 the eye only Il tar picture OF republican
manners and morals.
ti0n. Judge II, rrimOn soon afterwards took his
seat the ilrOrs catered cOur', and the finding was
announced. They found fufuS \. Hodge guilty
of nansIaughter in the killing oi John d. Sturdl
want and acquitted James !. Hodge.
From considerations satisfactory to himself, the
udge refused 10 atfiX branding as the punishment
dcca ing the practice arparOus, and therefore
sentenced the convicted party to II months i'm
prjsonment and to pay Il fine of one thousand dol
lars.
Otb her Iprnit ted liberty.
The term Of the Court then closed and the
spectators retired, their appetites for excitement
not half satisIed.-H9! PFogfcSS
DEAp.-Wo learn that the remains of Maj JAS.
H. Hone. so long the proprietor Of the larhor-
ough House in this ci.y, reached mere this after
noon by the northern cars He died at tdenton
last Friday-of what disease We have not heard.
The deceased was Il native of Portsmouth, Va.
RAJ. Progress, 9Th.
AnJa1-r;SED.-Ihe Convention offreedmen which
convencd in this city last Tuesday, says the hal
eigh Progress Of saturday, adjourned last even
ing. The conduct Of the members OF this conven-
tiGn during their short stay here, has been such
as 10 elicit mEcn praise and cOmmendauOn from
all high-mindod people. The freedmen have learn
ed that their hest friends are the South,rn people,
and have dct TInnet to make that friendship sa-
cred. We were not present last evCnl' q, but un-
Gcrstanl tie discourse Of James Harris the dele
gate from this county. was one filled both with
coQucn"e and sound, good advice TO the blacks,
III which he spoke OF the pure friendship, OF the
southcTntr~ toward them, and that tteIr conduct
, towards then former masters sn0uLd be shaHedln
such q manner az 10 show then appreciation
Taten altogether, the adjourned convention was
, one OF IAucn good and profit 10 the blac5s.
DIsGRAc1yuL.-From the report OF the city po-
ice, learn Ilt the United States patrol acted
very di>Gracviu!E last night. Instead Of ende2v-
,,iii.g t. protect the public and suppress IL dis
turbances, they We're drunk and HOlsv--a disgrace
/ to any party to whom is assigned tae protection
/ OF slumbering public, VINO ieel themselves Sc
cure under tacr guardianship: II they pursue
course Ike this no one can rely on them for pro-
. tection.-HGl. Progress.
AyEDEEED.-A colored man by the of
| Noal Ni,iIn!ns, W'o resided just over Lanes
branch, ont III the Suburbs OF tins city was shot
! through the head and instantly killed on SUNDAY
evening about dusk BY some unknown party
| ", learn from the " ife Of the deceased that
| child entered the house and told Noah that some
Gne was on the prtn!lses and on his going out at
! the door to who it was he sho; dead No
clue as yet to the murderer. .-Ne,rbern Times
! SERIOUS AcClDENT.-On yesterday morning
about IL O'Clock, III. john Gift rd, respectable
mechanic. engaged az work on The large brick
store OF Mclean * Co., now und.r erection at tn
corner of Craven and Pollok streets, fell from a
scattOld about 81 feet high, to the ground, but We
are glad to say that Mr.. e. received DO worse i'll
jury than the breaking Of his light leg just above
the ankle. He is doing as well as could be exp c.
ied.-Ne1cbeIm Times.
4 RECEIPTS OF COTroN For the past few
days the receipts of ncv. Cotton have been
quite large INTO this market and larrt. - i;j-
ments are being made. AS consequence,
business generally is on the increase Cot
ton picking is generally going rapidly for
ward, and the daily receipts must necessa-
rily increase. Newbern is the port of ship
ment for a large tract Of country, and her
! facilities are unsurpassed.
Ne,cbern Commercid.
SCHOONER SUN1.-The schooner Topaz,
which has been lying in the stream for
some time past, sprung leak yesterday,
and sank before she could be docked.
| NeaV. Commercial.