Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-09-02

return.
Mr.. McCorkle presented the return as
amended, appending the proceedings had
before the Chief Justice Pearson in this
ease.
Judge Merrimon read the return TO
ecther with the petition IN the cases,
which consumed some time, after which
His Honor adjourned the Court to meet
again at 3 o'clock 2. N. 2rf d.
THE STATE Us. F! 4. WILEr ~
SIXTH DAY-CoNTINUED. ri g..
"WEDNESDAY MoRNTNG, Aug. a.
After the statement made by Mr.. Wiley,
as published yesterday, and few pointed
remarks by Judge Battle, of counsel for
the accused, the examination of witnesses
for the defense proceeded.
Col. E.. B. Watt sworn and examined. -
Lives in YaEceyvilIe; has an Office in the
Court House, the first on the right, was
there on the morning Of the meeting, 21at
May Saw Wiley and Stephens in CONVEX
sation near the South door of the passage
on that morning. In about Is minutes
after Wiley came into his Office, and in
answer TO some remark of his said that
Stephens wanted him 20 run for Sheriff,
and remarked also that Stephens had once
fdone q kindness, and he was disposed to
treat him with respect. Wiley went out T.
few minutes, bat soon returned, transact
ed some business matter and then went
out again. Wiley had on O black coat;
dent rccollect abont the pants. On Sun
day he saw him again, and he then had on
q yellow linen coat.
Witness was in the meeting in the after
noon; saw Logan Totten-he was Secre-
tary of the meeting; he was in the court
house until after the delegates to Green's
boro' We're appointed, which was the last
thing done. Was at my office till O'Clock;
many were passing about the passage and
III the assessors room, many of them col
Ored.
(Witness then gave an explanation in
regard to a money transaction which re
CURED the parties to seek Brannon, the
Clerk) Heard Mr.. Hodnett say in his
speech that Stephens had received $3.50 as
detective while getting 81 day in the
Legislature.
CROSS EXAMINED.
Had the conversation with 8rannon
about the money after the meeting ad-
iourned. There was considerable feeling
against Stephens; the boys would some
times crow at him on the street. He was
called by Hodnett detective. There was
very decided opposition if not bitter feel
ing against Stephens.
Ouestion-Do you believe there was q
secret organization in the county to
punish persons for stealing, &C., or vigi-
lance committee to chastise negroes for
stealing?
AnsWcr-Do not and never did, have
heard OF chastisement, but knew nothing
of them but from rumor.
Ouestion-Have you reason to believe
there is such an organization
Answer have not, only from rumOr !;
| do not believe there are any for political
purposes. Have only heard of three per-
sons being whipped, one of them a white
man, for ill-treating his wife. Don't be
llevn there is such an organization as
| ku.Klux.
Col. E. 3. Withers examined. Is law
partner of Mr.. Watt; was at the meeting
at the Court House on the 21st May. Was
nominated for the Legislature and made a
| few remarks stayed till the meeting
closed. Totten was Secretary of the meet
ing aud remained in the Court House until
the meeting closed saw him. approach
Mr.. Mebane, the Chairman. while he was
making out list of delegates to Greens
boro', which was the last thing DONE
Witness stepped into side room with
some others and after q few moments came
out and saw Totten gathering up his
papers. Witness then went to his office,
spoke with Mr.. Watt about the money in
Brannon's hands and then le for his
father-in-law's about s o'clock. Sleeps
| in the office except Saturday and Sunday
nights. Thinks the Court House is 100
| feet long, has occupied present Office since
| 1866 front gate is some 20 yards from
the door of the Court House could see
through the passage from the gate !; thinks
he could recognize persons at that dis.
tance, if his attention Was called to them.
Totten is taller than witness, Is it. 6 J
Mitchell is about ordinary size. Don't
think persons could be very readily recog-
niZed from the gate to the south end of
the passage, nor the doors easily distin-
guished, unless particular attention were
directed to them, Or the person were well
acquainted with the premises. Totten
lives in the country didn't see him after
he gathered up the papers in the court
room. ..-s. --.-
| CROSS EXAMINED. L@
Am satisfied Totten didn't leave his
place in the Court House till after the ad-
journment. e. 's -
Ouestion-Do you know or have reason
to believe that there is in the county any
secret organization as Vigilance Commit
tee. or anything of the sort for whipping
negroes for stealing? - ~ -
Answer-I know of none and have nc
reason to believe there are any. -aA
Ouestion-DO you believe there is any
democratic organization in Oaswell to pun
ish black or white for crime atf
Answer doznot.
Ouestion-Have you reason to believe
that persons have been illegally punished
for violations of law --.f- as .=t=f -sf.s
| Answer-None,L except have heard oi
three cases /; have been retained as coufIse
in three cases allegedato be of the kind
/ which are yet pending. Outside of these
have heard of none.