Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-09-02
FIFTH DAY.
TUESDAY MORNING, August 8


VIM. 81. Stephens called and examined
Lives in Yanceyville boarded with his
brother at the time of his death. On the
day of the murder went to the Court
House at 8 or o'clock, A. M. His broth
er went there some hour later-they re
manned till adjournment for dinner-he
and his brother dined together. His
brother went back about two o'clock
had one ten,shooter and two Der
ringer pistols-saw him take them
from a wardrobe and put them in his
pockets. Followed to the Court House 90
minutes after-saw his brother in the
Court Honse he was taking notes of
Hodnett's speech, who made personal allu
sion to his brother, to the effect that he
was taking notes to send to Holden to be
forwarded to Grant-this drew attention
to his brother saw several men apparently
looking as If to see his notes. About
o'clock saw Wiley approach him thinks
he said to him ''let's 60 down." at the same
time touching him !; they went down to-
gether this was while Mr.. Brown was
speaking. Went down before speaking
closed ; saw several persons passing up
and down went to Harrelson's, saw his
brother no more-could have seen him if
he had been in front of the Court House.
| About O'Clock went to Groom's and then
home. Mrs. Stephens was uneasy and
asked him to look for his brother went
out and enquired, but heard nothing of
him went to Groom's again and got his
brother Tom and they went back to the
Court House /; went round to Meals store !;
then sent for - Cook, colored, who is
magistrate !; Cook and Thomas Stephens
went for DR.. Roam; they then with DIR.
Roam and others searched the Court House.
except two law offices and the Clerk and
Masters room; DR.. Roam sent to Norfeet
for the key to this room bat it could not
be found. They then went to the window
OF the room AMI Groom looked in ut the
window this was near o'clock they
had candle, but it threw but an imper-
feet light Nothing was said of opening
the windows that night. Then got o Ian
tern and searched PoteePs stables, then
the crowd dispersed went home. Came
back in about 10 minutes, went where
Thomas Stephens was, in rear of the Court
House and remained till morning Hemp
hill was there also, and squads of colored
persons were on all sides the Court House.
Saw no others, except some persons about
Norfeet's store when he first returned !;
do not know who they were, white or
black.
CROSS EXAMINED.
Hodnett said Stephens had received
$500 for some political service, &C.; knew
he had his pistols in the morning when he
left home; didn't see them when they went
to dinner. There were some 300 persons
In the Court House in the afternoon. His
brother took notes On paper and on books
be carried with him. Thinks Brown epoke
after recess, for about an hour; left the
room just before he closed; some of the
candidates spoke; didn't hear Hill; it was
just before Brown concluded that Wiley
and Stephens went down to the front steps
no one was with them; people were
coming and going all the time; saw Fowler
and Hubbard go out. Stephens was sitting
about four benches in rear of witness on
opposite side of the aisle, Wiloy was in the
aisle; thinks Fowler and Hubbard went
out about two minutes after Wiley and
Stephens. Harrelson's store is some 30
yards from the Court House; thence to
Groom's 400 yards. As he returned after
going home second time met Hemphill,
who was coming from towards Groom's
store; he was rather passing the Court
House and went towards Henderson's
store, q little to the Northwest of the
pump; saw several colored persons about
but no more than ordinary. Repeated
the places he went to, after Stephens was
known to be missing, as in the direct ex-
animation. Nordeet is Register of Deeds
and they got keys from him 80 the Court
room, Grand Jury Room and Registers
room. The doors at the foot of the stairs
leading to the Court room were locked,
some half an hour was consumed in
searching the Court House; door to the
passage was open.
The wood was piled across the north end
Of the room in which the body was found;
no one could see to where the body was
from the window furtherest of, on account
of the chimney and thickness of the wall,
but could see it from the near window;
the hat was between the body and the wall,
! on the floor, think it was; don't know why
the windows were not opened that night !;
the sash run on pulleys and may be raised
and lowered easily; they could have been
hoisted that night; they were next morn
ing. After the search that night, went
to the front of the Court House, didn't
see Hemphill at that time; saw no blood
that night. The search closed about 10
O'Clock and the guards were then station
ed round the building; saw Hemphill after
the search at rear of Court House sitting
near tree. The body was found by Geo.
Bowe, colored, about sun rise on Sunday
morning.
1.s.s es.zszss RE DIRECT.
! Hubbard and Fowler followed Stephens