Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-02-10

pose could not better describe it than was
done by the witness vino preceded me-
He kirk has the reputation there of be-
ing cruel, merclless mani think more
than that-his reputation in Western
North Carolina during the war, asIun-
derstand it. was more that OF q plunderer
in his operations. I am not permitted to
speak of instances
Chief Justice No.
Witness His reputation in Western
North Carolina was that he was a violent.
desperate and cruel man and plunderer.-
can't say that heard enough of mis- char
acter before the war to speak of it.
William NJ. Murdoch, a witness called
on behalf OF the Managers. being duly
sworn, testified
Questioned by Mr.. Merrimon I reside
in Raleigh, and am an Insurance Agent.
1 knew Geo. W. Kirk in East Tennessee
in 1867 and 1868. He resided In East
Tennessee. knew his general reputation.
He was man Of very violent character.
During the war he committed q great
many outrages. His character was very
bad-in the commission of deeds-out-
rageous deeds and murders. He was
generally Ieputed to be very cruel He
had the same reputation in Westel North
Carolina that he had in East Tennessee.
l have resided in Western North Caro-
lina-lived there during the war. During
the early part of the war [ was in the Con
federate army in the western part Of the
United States.
There was no fighting the one side
against the o her in Western North Caro-
lima, except by those who had been in the
Federal army coming in there and captUr-
ing some Confederate troops.
William j. Edwards. a witness on be-
half of the Managers, being sworn, tes
tilted
[ reside in Raleigh, and am a printer by
trade. | have charge of the Standard job
Office at present, This paper I now have
(man uscripD have seen before. 1t was
brought to the Standard Office in April
1 would not be certain about the date
by Colonel Kirk to be printed. [ know
the handwriting of Governor Holden
This paper (the manuscript is III his hand
writing.
O. Look on the poster and say if you
recoIlect when it was printed ?
A. l Think it was done in tho Standard
office. My brother was in charge of the
Office at that time.
q. Is that poster a copy of the paper
which you previously produced and hold
in your hand
A. think it is-it is signed The same,
and has the same head Or it.
The Clerk read the following poster.
RALLY, UNION MEN,
IN DEFENCE OF YOUR STATE
RaiLv, Soldiers Of The OLD Nor11 Cm'oti,4a
90 and Sd Federal Troops!
RALLY TO THE STANDARD OF YOUR OLD
COMMANDER
Your Old commander has been commissioned
to raise at once a regim mt of State Troops, to
aid in enforcing the laws and in putting down
delOyal midnight assasslns.
The blood of yonr murdered countrymen. in
humanity butchered for opinions sake, cries from
the ground for vengeance.
The horrible murders and other horrible afro
cities committed by Rebel K. z. K. and FSouth-
women. call In thunder tones on all loyal men to
rally in defence of their State. The upifted hand
OF justice must overtake these outlaws.
1000 RECRUITS
are wanted Immediately, to serve six months IN
less sooner discharged These troops will re-
ceive the same pay, clothing and rations as Uni
ted States regulars. Recruits will be received at
Ashevie, Marshall and BurnviIle, North Caro-
lima.
For further information. address or call on me
at Asheville, N. O.
Colonel "a Regiment State Troops.
Mr.. Mormon We now propose to have
the manuscript read.
The Clerk then read the manuscript
produced by the witness, which was in the
same words as the poster with the addition,
in pencil at the close, $500 handbills, print
at once"
Mr.. W. NJ. Cooke recalled. AID testified
that he had seen the poster just read at
Asheville, during the last summer. Saw
them up.
Mr.. Johnson, one of the Managers, was
called, sworn, and testified had copy
of this, (the poster) or one very much like
it. I know it was copy of it. I saw it
last EUmmar in the oanpaiOO | think |
the postoffice at Asheville, lying on the
counter. I tried to get it, but was re-
fused. 1 then got friend of mine to go
down and pretend he was good Union
man, and he got one. We were to have
a meeting the next day, and got the copy
to use in making speech and carried it
with me.
On motion, Court adjourned.