Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-10-18

the close of the month OF March, Iooo, HIAi"Hn
Childress came to my house with Parker and Hun
Gilman. Dunn was already there. All stald about
an hour and towards twilight persuaded Childress
to take a walk and went off. do not know Wheth-
err Chidress was under the influence of liquor. He
apparently was. I do not know how long the
party was gone, but Parker and Runciman came
back some time during the nj ght. Childress did
not return with them. They asked for water,
which was carried them, and heard sounds like
water being poured npon their hands. heard 1t
distinctly. Dunn was then in the house. He did
not come or go with the others. Runciman and
Parker then went off and came back again about
day light, bringing with them some fourteen or
fifteen dead chickens. / did not examine their
clothes or their condition. They were in the next
room when got breakfast, brushing aud washing
their coats l afterwards saw the coats and they
were bloody I did not see any knife, watch Or
money.
Examined by Council for the defence.-When
Runciman and Parker went away during the night,
Dunn told them to bring him some chickens, he
was sick. They brought the chickens when they
returned, and staid to breakfast 1t was then they
claimed their coats, AID said that it WIS chicken
blood upon them. Some Of the heads OF the chick
ems were Off
Eliza Macomber sworn.-I saw William Chill
dress on the Sunday before the inqu st was held.
l saw him at my mothers house some time during
| the afternoon. He came with Parker and Runci-
man, and remained about an hour. They then
went off about dusk in the direction of the Rail-
road. Chi1dress had watch. I do not
know whether it gold watch or not.
Runciman and Parker asked Childress to go.
Parker had a knife. He and Runcinan returned
some time during the night and asked Dunn to
hand them some water. then heard pouring
sound. They soon went off. Chlldress was not
with them. Runciman and Parker came back
! again about daylight, and brought some dead
! chickens. Their clothes were bloody and sandy;
on their sleeves and back OF their coats, some
blood in front, though not much. saw no
bruises ON them. They staid until the next morn
| ng and asked to have the chickens cooked, and
washed their clothes. l helped Parker to wash
his coat, and took knife and scraped it, but did
not get all the blood off.
Examined by counsel for the defence-I heard
Dunn tell Runciman and Parker when they went
away in the night to bring him some chickens
They stad to breakfast when they came back.
! Re-Examined-T could not positively
they staid to breakfast. It has been so long
have almost forgotten all about it.
Geo Bishop, sworn-On Monday, the Sd Of
April, 1868, in this place on Through.
stepped into a store, corner Of Seventh and Ches'
nut streets that morning, for the purpose OF pur
chasing some little article. Was hailed by voice
1 recognized Runciman's, and turning round
saw him and spoke to him. calling him by name
He said was mistaken i'll the name. l told him
was not, but he insisted 1 was. He then want
ed me to take drink. then refused but he in
sisted and said that that was the last time would
Of Ir, wit
I then yielded to his entreates and entered back
room Of the shop. then Parker, and Run
Gilman, pointing him oat, asked if I knew who he
, was l said it was Parker. He then told lne
; that was mistaken in that name, must cal
him James Or Pete. I took the drink and asked
!, Runcman why he going under an assumed
name. He replied that [ ought to know how i
, was. That they after conscripts so hare
f that he was afraid he would be taken. I told hin
he need not be afraid as they would not have him
, but as fCr Parker he already in service. Run
r ciman then said he had something which would
keep him out OF the He then exhibited some
British papers, which he opened with his hant
over the name they contained. l asked him t.
let me see the name, but lie refused, saying it wa
! a secret. then turned away, but he stopped M
and sked if I wished to trade watches !; that h
| had witch and chain five times the value O
t mine which he would trade. He exhibited tn
watch, and 1 saw it vas single case with Ion!
e chain. [ told him di not care about maxim;
k too good bargain, and then went out This wa
d about II O'Clock. Runciman also said that if tn
i British protec papers wond not keep then
: out, they had money enough to do it. They ha
O greenbacks, Confederate money and specie
+, Parker and Runciman arrested that day.
L Rebec3a Crawford sworn-I recollect when Run
d c:man was shot and that he was brought to N
Il house afterwards. Parker brought him. He wa
u carried in and placed on bed. Parker al
O rested the same day. Runciman WAS taken ava
e a short time afterwards. Two or three days afte
e this found between the bed and the wall, pocl
et-book containing a breast pin and some kind {
4 paper writing.
Mr. r. F. Eyden WAS called and testified that /
" had removed Runciman from Rebecca Crawford
a house, and had been intrusted with his poke
book, which he opened in the presence of II.
- Bloom, and found it to contain five $40 Z. S. Treas
= ury notes and some Confederate money. Son
4 other testimony in regard to Runciman's decla
% alton was given By Mr.. Eyden, but ruled out
# the Court.
!, FL. r. Perrin was recalled and stated that IL
f. British protection papers he had before the jul
IN at the Coroners inquest were given him By a II
re- dress
" Rebecca Crawford recalled and stated tina
ir she gave the papers she found by the bed whel
II Runciman lay in her house to Coroner Perrin.
r At this stage Of the trial, being late in the a
=, ternoon, the counsel fer the defence requeste
: that a recess be taken until the following NOR
n ing. This objected to by the Solicitor, al
~ the Court preferred to continue with the test
20 mony. but would not hear the arguments befo
70 the following morning. The Solicitor the
asked by Hon. Hugh Wadden, for the defence
"a he had closed the evidence the part of Il
Of State? The Solicitor replied that he had for tt
70 present, but reserved the right to introduce FIJI
Their testimony if he considered it necessary. {
. was again ask d if he had closed the evidenc
90 and on replying he had, Mr.. Waddell remarke
~ 'sThen, sir, the defence has evidence to offe
r and we will proceed to arg'!e the case but in vie
u of the fact that his Honor said he Wouli not he
90 the arguments, I would suggest recess till t
81 morrow morning"
The Court agreed to this, and a recess was a
cordn ely taken until this morning at o'cloc
y when the arguments will be delivered.