The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-08-31
TUESDAY MORNING.

The Court room was not so fully crowded
this morning as on the preceding day, but
towards noon all the available space for the
multitude was taken up, and most lively
interest observed in all the proceedings.
Mr.. Battle having called attention to the
diagram of the Court room published in the
Standard of Tuesday, then
The Chief Justice remarked that the dia-
gram was incorrect, because the stairway
was not properly represented, and
That the report moreover contained an
inaccuracy, which in justice to DR.. Roam
ought to be corrected; because that gentle
man had given it as his opinion that the
murder had been committed in the room,
for the blood spurted or jetted there upon
the wall or plastering, where the body lay.
w. H. Stephens, brother of the deceased,
and examined. Lived at his brothers. He
left home on the 21st of May about o'clock
in the morning, and stayed about the Court
house till the Democratic meeting took a
rAcess.. Went home and took dinner There
met his brother, who ate and seft Ior tne-
town about 20 minutes before he did. The
meeting reassembled at 2 o'clock. Brother
had pistols usually. Saw him take them
out of the wardrobe that morning, and
place a ten-shooter in the breast pocket of
his coat and two derringers, one in each
breeches pocket. Went to Court room
himself. Saw his brother there taking
notes of Mr.. Hodnetts speech, which was
personal to him (Stephens). Hodnett said
that his brother was spy there to report
proceedings to Gov. Holden to repeat to
Gen. Grant. There was some excitement.
Several men overlooked Mr.. Stephens du
ring this speech. Mr.. Kerr was near, and SO
were John G. Lea, Thos. Hubbard and
others. A little before 4 o'clock, when
Hon. B. Brown was speaking, saw MIR.
Wiley move across the aisle, touch his bro
ther, as he thought, and say "let's go down
stairs" or some remark to that effect. Was
twelve feet away. Brother was sitting
down low on the end of bench. Fifteen
or twenty minutes afterwards l left and
went towards Harrelsou's store. Went to
Mr.. Groom's brotherin law to de-
ceased, and remained there till five
in the evening Went home Found Mrs.
| Stephens alarmed for the absence of her
husband. Went up town and inquired for
| him. Went to Mr. Grooms again and call
| ed out my younger brother Both returned
and walked to rear of Courthouse, when
they advised with Mr.. Neal, who said it was
better to make no alarm. Sent for Cooke,
| colorcd Magistrate, who went with
younger brother to DR.. Roan's for the
| KEYS. Got such as could be found. Searched
the Court room, the Grand Jury and Com.
missioners room. The clerk and Masters
room was closed DR.. Roam sent to Mr.,
Norieet's for the key, out it could not
he found. Went outside and procured
candle. DR.. Roam ordered q box to be
set under the east windows. Mr.. Groom
looked in and saw nothing. There was
no suggestion as to opening the windows
They hoisted by pulleys and no stick
was seen on the top to confine them
Crowd had collected in front. A squad was
there, one on the East, one on the West
and another in the rear, where witness
remained, with brother and Hemphill.
Saw Jo Fowler and Hubbard setting
on the top of a bench in the rear O
the bar, and they went down few
minutes after the deceased and Mr.. Wi
lev went down stairs. No moon rose til
after two that night, it was star light, with
| q
each side on the steps going up stairs, ant
the left door is usually open. MIR. Norfiee
keeps the keys.
When search was made the body coult
not have been seen plainly from th,
Southeast window, owing to its position
and to the chimney. The cane was frs
seen next morning. Then at the Eas
window the body was discovered b.
George Bowe,who said "here he is, dead a
a hammer" His hat was found betweel
the body and wall, near the floor. TIL
wood-pile, where the body lay was hollowe'
out, and was about feet long and fec
high. The deceased lived about q quartz
of a mile from the Court house. Mrs. Ste
phens is a sister OF Mr. Groom.
Richard Graves, (Col.,) was next examin
ed. Live in Yanceyville. Know both MI
Wiley and Mr. Stephens. Was in tn
Courthouse at the meeting on Saturday
Heard Mr.. Hodnett's speech. While Nj
Brown was speaking Mr.. Wiley came in
he walked up the aisle, stopped a moment
, returned and touched Mr.. stephens
and they went out together. 1 wa
standing near the middle of the room
Mr.. Stephens was sitting back of me q
: .he end of bench near the front wal
/ When they went down l saw him no NOR
/ He put on his hat before he left,-a sof
, black felt hat
Mac Leath (col.) was next examined
Live in Yanceyville. Was at the Democrat
/ meeting. Saw Mr.. Stephens there about
f o'clock. Saw him no more. Left befol
o the meeting adjourned. Stayed on til
= public square or the street in front
D the Courthouse, until witness went to IL
d Republican meeting at the Schoolhous
:; about quarter of mile away.
4 Joseph Womack, (col) was called. Liv
in Yanceyville township. Was in town q
y Saturday. Got to town at the meetin
e Was at the Courthouse gate when the cloc
c struck four, Desired to see Mr.. Stephen