Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-11-20
The AshevtlIe RtOt-1he Coroner's In
quest.

The AshevtlIe RtOt-1 he COroner's In
The following is an exact copy
of the report of the Coroner's Jury, who,
for several days were closely confined in
examining the case of the death OF the ne
gro who was killed in the riot at this place
on the day of election. It substantially
cOrrobOrates our statement of last week,
and fully concurs in our opinion that the
civil authorities could have prevented the
fatal riot The jury was composed of some
Of the very best men in our community, of
both parties, and the investigation was
conducted with fairn ess and impartiality
AsHEvILLE, N. c., Nov. 8, 1858.
The jury to inquire the cause of the death of
James Smith, deceased, find that the said James
| Smith came to his death, while engaged in riot
at Asheville, n. O., on the afternoon Of Tuesday,
Nov. 8, 1865 from pistol shot in the right side
of the face extending into the neck said shot was
probably fired by Milton Ledford, although shots
| were fired, about the same time, and in the same
direction, from pistols in the hands Of Jesse
William Grubbs. The jury also find that the fret
stone missile thrown came from the hands of
said James Smith, deceased. The jury further
find that shots were fired, about the same time
and in the direction of the white crowd from
pistol in the hands of an unknown colored man,
and pistol in the HANDS Of Simon Henry, COL
ored
The jury feel it their duty to say that the civil
officers neglected IT, take proper precaution to
guard against the occurrence OF this riot. We
believing, had they so done, it could and would
have been prevented.
G. NJ Roberts, Foreman, j E Sumrey,
J w Reynolds, O Cowan,
Ell Polk, W III Farrise,
Kerr, J z Ray,
Isaac 81 Broyles, L Cunningham,
Jno B Weaver, II Lindsey.
NJ A Drank,
Coroner of Buncombe County.
AS usual under such circumstances, the
widest reports have been spread through
out the country, as to the cause and re-
suit of the riot on the Sd. The people for
many miles around became greatly excited,
and up to this time frequent reports reach
Us OF threats to burn the town and gener-
al attack of the negroes upon the white
people. These reports may be true or
false, but they naturally keep our citizens
in state of anxiety and excitement
One report, which did not come from
the negroes, but originated in the excited
imaginations of the civil authorities them
selves, we feel called upon to notice and
deny, because it Involves the law abiding
character of our whole community! We
allude to q report that the white men en-
gagged in the riot on election day had de-
termined not to be arrested by the civil
authorities. There was no foundation for
such report, as the sequel has proved
No threat of resistance to any civil process
was made by either of these men. On the
contrary they all sought an investigation
into the cause and result of the whole mat
ter; and after the Coroner's Jury had
rendered its verdict the civil authorities
issued warrants for each of the men named
in it, and every man, quietly and peace
ably obeyed the summons. They were
taken before Judge J. l.. Henry, and
bound over, in bond of $4,000 each, 10
appear at the next sitting of our Superior
Court. -Asheville Ne,cs,